shadowmeboy

The climate is perfect for growing them, hot and dry. The irrigation keeps the trees watered. The perfect Cherry needs a bit of water at formation and dry weather to form that perfect fruit. We also enjoy the cherries. We buy a 20lb box each year from a packing shed nearby for only $20.

Atrium from deck 6 mid looking up towards 7 Atrium from deck 6 mid looking down towards 5 Atrium elevators from deck 7 Passing through the shops on deck 6 mid to aft starboard Lunchtime at Seven Seas - Deck 5 Aft Note: you can only get here from deck 6 or 7

Finally aboard our favorite Ship! We had Muster Station C, so we stopped and checked in. I love how almost all the muster stations are out on deck on the Sun! Freestyle Daily - Day 1 - Embarkation Day - Seattle, WA

Checking In! We headed down the hall to board the ship. Unfortunately, we weren't quite ready yet! All the people with boarding group numbers Here we go! Hello Gorgeous! This is our 3rd time sailing the Sun! I love how the Port of Seattle repurposed basically an airport skybridge for pier 66. Almost there!

Note: I was hopeful to get a lot done today, but I got mired in a project at work. So sorry I didn't get much progress. Time to drop the bags! I spy my favorite part of the Sun! Time to get our cruise on! The wandering line for document checks Lots of smiles! We cleared security and headed to check in! Check-in is upstairs in Seattle. Boarding Photo time!

Ah thanks! I would have declined it if I could have; unfortunately I didn’t have that option

Waiting for a few cars to head out before we can get parked in the lot. These are all in line ahead of us. Loading the van to head to the Port! Heading to the Port! Pulling up to Pier 66!

Fisherman's Terminal Turning off 15th Ave NW to head to Seattle CruisePark

We were literally on Interstate 5 for one exit, before hitting the streets of Seattle. Near Green Lake and Woodland Park Zoo Ballard - 15th Ave NW and NW Market St Heading South on 15th Ave NW towards Interbay Crossing Salmon Bay and the the Lake Washington Ship Canal - This is just to the east of the Ballard Locks Fisherman's Terminal across the water is where a bunch of different Deadliest Catch boats dock while in Seattle.

Heading out of Monroe towards Seattle We jumped on WA Highway 522. 522 goes from Monroe to the University District in Seattle. It was a beautiful day to sail out of Seattle! Junction of Interstate 405 and WA Highway 522 in Bothell Getting more urban! Not Keith Urban though! Reaching the end of WA Highway 522. 522 dumps you onto Interstate 5 Here is the video from highway 522

June 30th, 2023 Embarkation Day!! Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary Susan! We headed down to the lobby to get breakfast. Breakfast Enchiladas - they were really good After breakfast, it was time to pack up and head to Seattle!

After returning the heals, we headed over to Red Lobster for dinner. We were joking that we were having seafood from a chain before going to Alaska, oh well! Hi there Lobsters! We both got the endless shrimp. I got the Shrimp Scampi and Walt's Classic Shrimp. Susan got the shrimp skewers and coconut shrimp. We hit two different highways on the way back to the hotel. We made it back to the hotel! Time to head to bed and get ready for Cruise Day!

We had to run to a nearby city to return a pair of heals that just didn't quite fit Susan. They really wouldn't of fit my big foot (I wear a 15) 😉 Mt. Baker as seen across the Snohomish Valley from WA Highway 96. Another shot It was very photogenic! This is what the drive from Monroe to Lynnwood was like!

After the train rolled through, we went the final two blocks to the hotel. We were staying at the Best Western in Monroe! Our room for the night! This property was just a basic Best Western, but it was quite nice!

The train is running almost 50 mph through Monroe. Amtrak 139 leads the eastbound Empire Builder on this day. The Empire Builder travels between Chicago, IL and both Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. The train splits westbound at Spokane and the two halves complete their journey separately. This accordingly is the Seattle Section. It has a baggage car and a transitional dorm car (crew quarters for dining car staff, etc) The baggage car and transdorm are followed by two sleeper cars on this day and a dining car. Finally, there is a coach car on the rear. In Spokane, the train combines with the Portland section which has a Sightseer Lounge, 2 more coaches, and an additional sleeper. Here is the video I took of the train rolling through!

So we arrived in Monroe after driving over Stevens Pass. I looked at the clock and realized it was almost time for Amtrak's Empire Builder to come rolling through Monroe on its way towards Wenatchee, Spokane, and eventually Chicago. I always bring my railfanning gear! Plus I knew that we would be in Skagway and I wanted to railfan the White Pass & Yukon Route, so any other railfanning is a plus! You can see the headlight of the engine almost 10 miles away from me on the straight track. It was getting closer but seemed like it was taking forever. It was at this point the engineer spotted me, because you can see the lower lights start alternating.

sorry that they are blocking SmugMug on you. I hope you can follow along at home though!

We have 1 more; Hawaii! Less than a year to go!

Thank you! I am sure I will have quite a few that you will enjoy.

I am sure it was. It probably was one of the most memorable experiences you had as a child. I remember some of the camping trips with my grandparents like they were yesterday. They are some my most favorite memories.

Look at this car being towed! Bathroom break! Beautiful Stevens Pass in the Summer! Almost down the Mountain! Mt. Index We finally made it over to Monroe!

Tumwater Canyon - US Highway 2 follows the old Great Northern rail line through the canyon. This is one of my favorite parts of the drive. Great Candy Shop in the middle of Tumwater Canyon Winton, WA

Heading towards Stevens Pass! I love freshly paved Highway! Cashmere, WA Still on US Highway 2/97 This is where US Highway 97 heads South once again towards Oregon. Leavenworth here we come! Rolling through Leavenworth! This is the new cart track in Leavenworth

We grabbed some McDonald's on our way through Brewster. Heading South on US Highway 97 towards Wenatchee. Look at those cool clouds! Still on US Highway 97 Heading west out of Wenatchee on US Highway 2/97

June 29th, 2023 PreCruise Day Look at these smiling faces! They are ready for a vacation! The bags are packed and ready to head out to Seattle. A slightly wider view! Chief Joseph Dam - a US Army Corp of Engineers Dam on the Columbia River They were picking Cherries as we headed out! Columbia River near Brewster, WA Cell phone made the photo a bit saturated These are apple trees. If you look closely, you can see the small apples dotting the trees.