Favorite Places – Page 7 – Journeys with Eileen Diane

Quotes ~ By the 4 US Presidents Sculptured on Mt Rushmore ~ Photos

July 1, 2020July 1, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

Last year, I traveled to awe inspiring Mt Rushmore in South Dakota, which is a fabulous area to visit (including the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park and the SD Air and Space Museum). This year, the Independence Day fireworks celebration should be spectacular.

Savor your journeys… real, imagined or virtual, near or far.

George Washington: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience ~ Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected ~ Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty ~ Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

Thomas Jefferson: Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you ~ Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom ~ The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do ~ On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.

Theodore Roosevelt: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are ~ Believe you can and you’re halfway there ~ People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care ~ Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.

Abraham Lincoln: I will prepare and some day my chance will come ~ And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years ~ Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing ~ You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

State Flags

Mount Rushmore

From May 2019:

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Mt Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota

Quotes ~ France ~ Photos

June 19, 2020June 18, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

We’ll always have Paris ~ Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

I wanted to get far away from those who believed in cruelty, so then I went to France, a land of true freedom, democracy, equality and fraternity. ~ Josephine Baker

America is my country and Paris is my hometown. ~ Gertrude Stein

Everything ends this way in France ~ everything. Weddings, christenings, duels, burials, swindlings, diplomatic affairs ~ everything is a pretext for a good dinner. ~ French playwright Jean Anouilh

France has the only two things towards which we drift as we grow older – intelligence and manners. ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast ~ Ernest Hemingway

Just add three letters to Paris, and you have paradise ~ Jules Renard

A walk in Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and the point of life ~ Thomas Jefferson

Paris is always a good idea. ~ Audrey Hepburn

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Quotes ~ Italy ~ Photos

June 11, 2020June 10, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

You may have the universe if I may have Italy. ~ Giuseppe Verdi

Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy. ~ Bertrand Russell

The Creator made Italy by designs from Michelangelo. ~ Mark Twain

Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life. ~ Anna Akhmatova

I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians. ~ Elton John

Venice, it’s temples and palaces did seem like fabrics of enchantment piled to heaven. ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go. ~ Truman Capote

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Addendum ~ Photos ~ Gig Harbor, WA ~ May 2020 ~ A Beautiful Afternoon

May 15, 2020May 15, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

It rained this morning, but cleared in the afternoon. Gig Harbor is beautiful when it’s sunny, even when Mt. Rainier is not visible. Today I walked a different part of the harbor than on the week-end. Very glad for the variety ….

I love photography and think of it as trying to capture a moment or the perfect shot. Photos are a fabulous way to remember people, events and special places.

Savor your journeys … past, present and future … real and imagined, near and far.

Photos ~ Gig Harbor, Washington ~ May 2020

Welcome to my blog ….

Photos ~ Gig Harbor, Washington ~ May 2020

May 11, 2020May 11, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

This past week-end was beautiful ~ sunny and clear ~ in the 80s. When we have days like this in the Pacific Northwest (known for drizzle, gray skies ~ which we will have most of this week) we take advantage! There were many of us walking about Gig Harbor, soaking up the sun. Local restaurants were open for take-out and were doing a brisk business, which was great to see.

I ordered take-out from a favorite restaurant, Devoted Kiss Café. Their Veggie Wrap is terrific and I am eagerly looking forward to their re-opening (no date set yet!) .

On a clear day, you can see Mt Rainier in the distance ~ always spectacular.

Savor your journeys … past, present and future … real and imagined, near and far.

Photos ~ Gig Harbor, Washington ~ April 2020

April 17, 2020April 17, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

Yesterday was a gorgeous, sunny day in Gig Harbor, perfect to walk about. On a clear day, you can see Mt Rainier in the distance ~ always spectacular.

I ordered take-out from a favorite restaurant, Devoted Kiss Café. Their Mediterranean Quiche is fabulous and I am eagerly looking forward to their re-opening.

Spring is in the air – time for re-awakening.

Savor your journeys … past, present and future … real and imagined, near and far.

Photos ~ Biltmore, Asheville, NC

March 11, 2020May 1, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

Enjoy my photos of a favorite place: gorgeous Biltmore. Check out the two links at the bottom of the photos for more information. And, should you journey to the Asheville, NC area, I highly recommend visiting this historic chateau.

Savor your journeys… real and imagined, near or far.

Armchair Traveler ~ Biltmore ~ Cookbook

Fall in the Smoky’s

Armchair Traveler ~ Biltmore ~ Cookbook

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

There are several former residences in the United States that are memorable places to visit: The Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA, The Breakers in Newport, RI and Biltmore in Asheville, NC. I’ve visited each and each is truly magnificent. They transport you to another era and are terrific travel destinations.

Several years ago, I vacationed in the Asheville area and visited Biltmore. It was designed to be a self-sufficient estate, with a working farm and beautiful park and woods. In addition to touring the George Vanderbilt home (completed in 1895) and gardens, I dined at several wonderful restaurants:

Cedric’s Tavern is a must visit with a very good menu and outdoor seating. Hint: save room for dessert.
Deerpark Restaurant is another must visit if you relish a fabulous, mouth-watering buffet. From egg dishes to appetizers, soups, salads to entrees and incredible desserts. It is THE ideal place to enjoy a leisurely brunch.

Both the beautiful Tour Guide book and the “Biltmore, Our Table to Yours, Cookbook” bring back many great memories of this historic treasure. The cookbook has gorgeous photos, not only of the dishes but also of the home interior. Should you visit, you will also want to go to Biltmore’s winery tasting room. Enjoy!

Next post, I’ll share some photos of the fabulous gardens and home exterior.

When being an armchair traveler, do not limit yourself to a country or city or ethnic food. Think of certain places you’ve always wanted to explore. Check on-line for menu ideas. Dress the part as you dine. Read about the place. Perhaps Versailles? A Castle in Germany? A Village in Nepal? Or Biltmore?

Most important, enjoy planning and be inventive as you “journey” to a favorite spot … even if for now, it is but a dream.

Savor your journeys… real and imagined, near or far.

Fall in the Smoky’s

Road Trip ~ Western Washington: Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Orcas Island, Bellingham, Mt Baker, North Cascades National Park

March 4, 2020March 3, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

I started my journey on the Olympic Peninsula at Port Townsend. It’s a cute waterfront town to explore with marvelous Victorian architecture, interesting local shops and good restaurants.

From Port Townsend, I took the ferry to Whidbey Island. There are several small towns to explore, my favorite being Langley, on the south eastern part of the island. Here, you will find neat local shops, including Moonraker bookstore (well worth your visit) and a great restaurant (The Braeburn) which is perfect for breakfast or lunch.

Drive north on the island to Deception Pass State Park on your way to Anacortes and the ferry to Orcas Island. I’ve stayed on Whidbey Island and also use it as a connection between the two ferries. If you have the time, it is definitely worth a visit or at least a luncheon stop.

Passing beautiful Deception Pass, take Rosario Road and Marine Drive (west side of Fidalgo Island) rather than Highway 20. Either route takes you to Anacortes, with the local roads being far more scenic.

If you have time, explore Anacortes, enjoy lunch before boarding your ferry to Orcas Island. I’ve done this trip several times and depending on my schedule, I usually drive thru Whidbey Island as a connection between the two ferries and have a late lunch on Orcas Island.

Orcas is a magical place, a beautiful island any time of the year. From the moment you step on the ferry bound for the San Juan’s, consider yourself on “island time.” I’ve stayed several times at Rosario Resort and recommend it. There are beautiful grounds to walk about, a good restaurant on site and it’s only a few miles drive from the town of Eastsound. If you are lucky, you will see deer on the property as you explore the area.

On this trip, I took a whale watching cruise (great fun and I’ll do it again) plus taking the ferry to nearby Friday Harbor. I parked near the ferry terminal on Orcas Island and was a walk-on passenger. The town of Friday Harbor is at the ferry terminal so no need for a car as you explore this picturesque town. Be sure to check out The Whale Museum.

Orcas is the largest of the San Juan Islands and it’s enjoyable to drive about and explore the island. Drive to the top of Mount Constitution in Moran State Park for a gorgeous view, stop at local pottery places, investigate winding roads and breathe in its beauty and serenity.

Leaving Orcas, I took the ferry to Anacortes, walked about the Marina and then headed north via beautiful Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham.

On this trip, I used Bellingham as a base for exploring not only Bellingham but also the gorgeous Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park areas. One rainy morning I drove to Lynden, a nearby Dutch town (terrific bakeries).

Favorite restaurants include:

Port Townsend ~ Silverwater Café. Terrific salads, fish n chips, crab cakes and special deserts. https://silverwatercafe.com/ ** Doc’s Marina Grill https://docsgrill.com/ Terrific Fish n chips, Dungeness crabs.
Whidbey Island, Langley ~ The Braeburn Restaurant. Terrific breakfast and lunch menu, including a magnificent bread puddin’, French toast, and many delicious specials. You will want to come back. https://www.braeburnlangley.com/
Bellingham ~ Mykonos has an extensive menu, featuring Greek specialties (the Moussaka is incredible), seafood and pasta. https://www.mykonosbellingham.com/ ** Anthony’s is a very good chain in the Pacific Northwest, the food is always good and the restaurant in Bellingham has an incredible view https://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/detail/anthonys-at-squalicum-harbor/
Anacortes ~ also has an Anthony’s restaurant — good food and a great view https://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/detail/anthonys-at-cap-sante-boat-haven/
Orcas Island ~ Brown Bear Baking – fabulous pastries and quiches, etc. Open for breakfast and lunch https://www.brownbearbaking.com/menu ** The Mansion Restaurant (Rosario Resort) always a terrific dinner menu from appetizer to dessert, beautiful view and also a good place for breakfast. https://rosarioresort.com/the-mansion-restaurant

When planning road trips, always be flexible. You may want to stay in a favorite place longer or completely change your itinerary as you meander along. Weather may also cause you to change plans and improvise. That is the joy and fun of a road trip.

Savor your journeys … past, present and future … real or imagined…. near or far …