Blackberry Festival

Saturday, August 31st, Bonita and I went to the Blackberry Festival on the Bremerton waterfront with Don, Darlene and Sid. The weather was superb and it was another splendid opportunity to blow our diet. We always look forward to the blackberry pie and ice cream that the Bremerton Kiwanis sells there - yum!

The Blackberry Festival booths are lined up in the relatively confined area of the Bremerton Boardwalk so it easily becomes congested. Most people don't seem to mind even though some bring their dogs and others push huge baby carriages.

Click on any photo for larger versions.

This is the area where the entertainment takes place. It is nice to sit down while chowing down. We happened to catch an airshow overhead which, apparently, is now part of the festival. Later, we decided to go to the upper level just outside the Sub Shop where we found shade, a nice breeze and a table to sit around, away from all the noise, where we had pleasant conversation.

Part of the Blackberry Festival was a fly-in, airshow and old car show at the Bremerton airport. We walked around the tarmac and saw some interesting and unusual airplanes, designated "experimental." Don and I got to look inside this private, 7 seat jet. Then we had a late lunch at the Airport Diner. Their fish and chips are some of the best.

Destruction Derby

After 21 years of marriage I have discovered something new about my sweetie - she is absolutely thrilled with the destruction derby! Who knew?

We went with Don, Darlene and Sid. This was a day all of us were off our diets!

Wednesday through Saturday the Kitsap County Fair has a rodeo but Sunday is the destruction derby, where a bunch a crazy guys smash up old cars until the last one still running is the winner. Civilization at its best? No. But so much fun!

See all 5 photos on Flickr.

Kitsap County Fair

Friday, August 23rd, we went to the Kitsap County Fair. We have made some considerable sacrifices to loose weight in recent months so we ate a big lunch just before leaving the house because those curly fries taste so incredibly good! We managed to tour the grounds and main exhibit hall without succumbing to the multitude of tempting foods.

I did give the lady at the Democrat Party booth a little jazz but we mainly just people-watched and then stayed for the Wenatchee Youth Circus, a new venue this year. They were pretty good for just a bunch of kids! A highlight is the tandem high-wire walkers with a third youngster walking the beam between them. Pretty good!

See all 16 photos on Flickr.

Seattle Waterfront Tour

Monday, August 12th, Bonita and I parked our car in downtown Bremerton and boarded the ferry for Seattle. We had originally planned this trip for Bonita's birthday "month" but other things came up. She was hungry so we hurried to Ivar's at Pier 54 for lunch.
Here is Bonita in Ye Old Curiosity Shop. Nice smile!

Here is Bonita "hanging out" with some of the local "stoners" smoking their "weed." The huge waterfront Ferris wheel can be seen in the background.

Remember to click on each photo to see it larger.

We hiked up to the Pike Place Market and walked through. I hadn't been to the Market in years and it has expanded throughout a number of the old buildings nearby. There were plenty of people for a Monday afternoon. I wonder what it's like on the weekends?

See all 16 photos on my Flickr gallery.

Taste of Hood Canal

Saturday, August 10th, Bonita and I went to the Taste of Hood Canal in Belfair. Every second Saturday in August the North Mason Rotary puts on a rather ambitious street fair which usurps the entirety of Clifton Lane, right in the middle of Belfair. I suppose it inconveniences some motorists but by the attendance of vendors and visitors it seems to remain a successful event.

It had been perhaps five years since last attending and it was overcast when we arrived at noon but before long it was getting plenty warm. Although I joined NM Rotary in its first year and helped put on the very first "Taste" I didn't recognize anyone in the crew that I knew. It seems these organizations will thrive when you get the right venue!

Click on each photo for a larger version.

Golden Gate Trail Hike at Mount Rainier

Friday, August 9th, Al and I couldn't resist going right back up to Mt Rainier. This time the route was slightly different - the Golden Gate Trail, which includes part of the Skyline Trail.

The wild flowers were more at their summer peak this day than they were just four days earlier.

See all 31 photos on my Flickr gallery.

The photos this day were taken with a new camera phone and not all came out as well as I would have liked. Perhaps operator error?

Skyline Trail Hike at Mount Rainier

Monday, August 5th, Al, Stan, new friend Steve and I went hiking on the Skyline Trail above Paradise at Mount Rainier. It was a spectacular day, perfect weather, not too hot or cold, and it is the peak of the wildflower season there. The Paradise parking area is 5000 feet elevation and I suppose we walked up another 1500 feet or so.

Some of the rock formations are fascinating and it is obvious that Mount Rainier has had volcanic eruptions in the past.

And, of course there are photos of the wildflowers! Here is Heather in full, bright bloom.

See all 55 photos from this day in my Flickr gallery.