Randy and Robin's Roving Retirement

We drove to Bellingham to visit Brad’s mother, Joyce. Soup and salad at Olive Garden along with pleasant conversation. We will visit her again when we are in Lynden. Stopped at Fairhaven for a short walk and then to the Oyster Bar for a drink. Such a beautiful restaurant with a glorious view.

Happy bithday to Robin! First a haircut, then met Katy for a glorious walk along the Kirkland waterfront. Robin had an awesome salmon Cobb salad and was treated to a pedicure from her amazing daughter. Later we enjoyed a Porterhouse steak at the Outback Steakhouse.

We are experimenting with new hobbies. Bought some paint by numbers kits and will see what we think. Katy loaned us a few games and we played Pajaggle. Our robins have flown the nest and we still have only one hatched Junco. Not sure the other 3 eggs are still viable.

Rikka and Joseph came by and saw our place. They seem happy and are constantly coming up with new life plans. We met up with Brad’s cousin, Rob and his wife, Lisa. Really enjoyed our conversation with them at the Crystal Creek Cafe.

Drove by Chateau St. Michelle, to have a picnic, but it was closed due to Covid. We stopped by Barking Frog Winery. The restrooms across the driveway, at the Lodge at Willows Run were incredible with waterfall faucets and embossed paper towels. The ultimate was peeking in at the Herbfarm. It oozes elegance and class. I guess it should as National Geographic rated it the #1 Destination Restaurant in the world.

Our 1st Airbnb is in Bothell, WA by Thrashers Corner. It is very roomy, 1000 sq feet and we feel like we are in the Garden of Eden, but with clothes on and no talking serpents. We have a pair of nesting robins with at least 2 hatchlings as well as a Dark Eyed Junco nest with 4 eggs. We walk the North Creek Trail most mornings. We purchased crushed corn at the local feed store and the ducks come running as we approach the pond. For the 4th of July we went into downtown Bothell and had a glass of wine at Resolve and enjoyed live music. The next day we enjoyed walking around McMenamins, reading our books in the sun, then enjoying a beer on the patio. Monday we went to the Maltby Cafe and shared a giant cinnamon roll and a side of bacon. Our waiter suggested we go to Flower World which is an enormous nursery. By enormous, I mean 15 acres! They have chickens, goats, sheep, peacocks and more. We are looking forward to walking at Paradise Valley Conservation Area and Brightwater Park as we have briefly explored both. Fred Meyer has a 10% off for seniors the first Tuesday of each month and now that we are retired we finally made it.

Randy retires June 26th. The condo closes July 1st. We have sold almost everything we own. Our first stop is an Airbnb in Bothell, WA. Here we will decompress and enjoy the first few weeks of our retirement. Next stop will be Portland, OR in August.