Seattle: Chihuly

While on a quick trip to Seattle last week, Mom and I had the opportunity to go see Chihuly Garden and Glass. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while and it did not disappoint! Everything was so beautiful--I wanted to take pictures of almost everything. It's amazing to see the play of light and color in the glass pieces. Now I want to become a glass maker. :-)

The museum is right next to the Space Needle--I took this shot from the Chihuly garden.

We swung through the gift shop on our way out. For a mere $7,500, you could enjoy your very own piece of Chihuly glass artwork! ;-)

Fall Memories: Victoria

Happy New Year, dear blog readers!

Here's another adventure from 2014 that I'd like to share with you. Christina and I took a trip to Victoria, B. C. with some very good friends. We stayed at an adorable little bed and breakfast called Dashwood Manor. It was right on the water and not far from downtown.

Looking through misty old windows in our room the morning after we got there.

The rather grand staircase down to the main floor.

Isn't it cute?? 

We took a couple walks down to the shoreline, which was just across the street from the B & B.

The "secret" path down to the water.

Sunrise

Looking back at the Dashwood (the big house on the right)

 Looking south toward the US and the Olympic Mountains

We had an amazing breakfast at the Dashwood. I don't think I've ever had such a beautifully prepared breakfast!

After a necessary visit to the Empress Hotel (just to look, not to stay!) and some time shopping downtown, we went to Craigdarroch Castle. (It's really a mansion, not a true castle.) 

From the bottom floor by the stairs, you can look up through the many levels of the house.

Gorgeous stain glass!

Looking out at Victoria from a window in the turret at the top.

Have you been to Victoria? Is it on your list?

Summer Memories: Hawaii

Back in September we took a really lovely trip to Oahu with some dear friends. I'm excited to share some of my favorite pictures with you! 

We stayed for the first three nights in a cabin by the beach on the east side of Oahu near Kailua.

Blue ocean meets blue sky.

Watching the sunrise. We found that our sleep schedule was influenced by the sun--early to bed and early to rise! There was no point in sleeping when you could be out enjoying the beach, and there was less to do when the sun set. 

A classic Hawaiian rainbow.

Our little cottage!

Mom, Christina, and I took a hike in the forest.

We got high enough to have a pretty good view.

 One morning we got up early to snorkel at Hanauma Bay. It was beautiful and very fun. We got to see quite a few fish! 

The beach at Hanauma Bay seems to be over-run with pigeons.

 The mostly empty beach just after sunrise.

By the time we left, the beach was getting quite full, and there was a long line of people waiting to enter the grounds.

It's so easy to see the coral from above, not so easy from the water's edge.

I always love driving up into the mountains and going through the tunnels on H3.

We spent out last night in Honolulu.

Watching the sunset from our hotel on the last night. So beautiful!