Seattle Skyline, Seattle, WA

The biggest sight on Bainbridge Island is the view back across the Puget Sound to Seattle. We could literally lay in our bed and see the skyline. Naturally I took a lot of pictures, at sunrise, at sunset, in the morning, in the afternoon, from the ferry, from the harbor, ...

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Space Needle Redux, Seattle, WA

I'd been to the Space Needle before but Trish hadn't so we made reservations for Sunday brunch there. It's easy to get to (after the ferry ride) and has valet parking for only $8.

Obviously the views are spectacular and the food is just as good.

The day we were there you could see Mt. Rainer.

Their web site is here and the wikipedia article is here.

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Bainbridge Harbor, Bainbridge, WA

We enjoyed the small town atmosphere of Bainbridge with the emphasis on small. Our goal was to make this a relaxation trip not a shopping trip. There were plenty of shops to entertain us between reading our novels. We liked the Harbour Public House so much we ate there twice. The clam chowder was FRESH.

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A Seattle View at Rockaway Beach, Bainbridge, WA

We spent a 4-day weekend on Bainbridge Island in mid-June 2010. Accommodations on the island are limited. This led me to look for alternatives. I came across Bainbridge Island Vacation Rentals. We looked at several offerings from them and chose "A Seattle View at Rockaway Beach."

The house faces due east on the southeast corner of the island directly on the Sound. Across the Sound is the Seattle skyline. It's less than 50 feet from the water. The Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry comes directly at the house before it turns north to Bainbridge harbor. Mt. Rainier is visible to the south just over the trees.

I posted a lengthy review on tripadvisor.com.

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Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry, Seattle, WA

The quickest way to get to Bainbridge Island is to take the ferry across the Puget Sound. It's about a 35 minute ride and runs about once an hour. Their schedule is here.

Interestingly on a couple of the trips we had escorts as we crossed the Sound.

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Funivie Monte Bianco, Italy

As we left Courmayeur headed to Chamonix, our hosts had a surprise for us. They were going to take us over the Alps in a cable car, the Funivie Monte Bianco.

Unfortunately bad weather had it shut down. I'll have to go back for that.

Their web site is here.

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Courmayeur, Italy

I remember Courmayeur as a sleepy little town just before we got to the Mont Blanc Tunnel. We stopped there for lunch on our way from Milan to Chamonix. We got there around 1:00PM and I was surprised as all the restaurants were closed for the afternoon.

My father bought a case of wine there (against the advice of our French host) and it was awful.

Their web site is here and the wikipedia article is here.


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Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco is the quintessential spot in Venice. Our water taxi dropped us nearby and our hotel was a couple of canals away. Honestly, nothing is very far away in Venice.

Reminiscent of Place du tertre in Paris, there are sidewalk restaurants all along the sides. There are nondescript openings on the north side that open into tiny sidewalks that take you deep into the maze of Venice. On the southeast is the Campanile di San Marco. To the east is St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.

Then there are the pigeons!

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Moonrise, Gloucester, MA

From the Bass Rocks Ocean Inn, the moonrise was spectacular. I walked across the street to the breakers and set my camera on a hand tripod.

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Bass Rocks Ocean Inn, Gloucester, MA

While on Cape Ann, we stayed at the Bass Rocks Ocean Inn. It is just across a 2 lane road from the ocean. Beautiful view! We requested a first floor room that wasn't supposed to have as nice a view but our view was pretty good!

The advantage to us of the first floor was that we could walk out onto the yard and right across to the ocean.

All rooms had 2 chairs and a table outside and we spent most of the long weekend outside reading John Grisham books and sipping wine.

The Bass Rocks Ocean Inn faces east so the sun set behind us but the moonrise was awesome.

Their web site is here.

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Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA

Halibut Point State Park is just outside Rockport, MA. It was formerly a granite quarry so there is a huge man-made lake. The park has breath-taking views of the rocky coastline. The administrative building has a 60 foot observation tower.

There are numerous walking trails and we walked one out to the coastline.

Their web site is here.

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Bearskin Neck, Rockport, MA

Bearskin Neck is a tiny finger of rock that protrudes into the sea from the small town of Rockport.

It is a single "street" with a small loop about half-way down it. It is full of interesting shops and eateries. Some have seating areas out back where you can go and get a gorgeous view.

Out at the very tip there were several kids flying kites. The rental kayaks in their multi-colors came by there as well.

Parking in Rockport was impossible. We parked in the town parking lot on the outskirts of town and rode the shuttle that stopped right at Bearskin Neck.

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Motif #1, Rockport, MA

Motif #1 is a fishing shack in Rockport known as "the most often-painted building in America."

The movie "The Proposal" used Rockport as a setting in Alaska and included scenes of Motif #1.

The wikipedia article is here. The official site is here.

The bing birdseye view is here.

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Harbor, Gloucester, MA

Gloucester is the second oldest seaport in Massachusetts. It was settled in 1623 after Plymouth in 1620, even before Boston.

The wikipedia article is here. The official web site is here.

Seafaring and fishing have taken its toll on the populace of Gloucester. In its over 350-year history, Gloucester has lost over 10,000 men to the Atlantic Ocean. These are memorialized by the "Man at the Wheel" statue at Gloucester Harbor.

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Rocky Neck, Gloucester, MA

We arrived on Cape Ann on the Friday before the 4th of July. We stayed at the Bass Rocks Ocean Inn. When we asked the desk clerk for suggestions for dinner that night, we asked where they went. The reply was an instant "The Rudder on Rocky Neck." The desk clerk knew the lady who owns it and had been to a wedding reception there recently. We headed to the harbor and Rocky Neck.

Rocky Neck is an artists' colony. As we drove through the twisty windy streets the locals were scrambling for views of the planned fireworks. Unfortunately, they were canceled that night. According to one local they were canceled because "the weather is too good."

We had a wait at The Rudder but were thoroughly entertained by the locals hanging around the oyster bar at the front door. Our table was on the dock and we could watch customers come and go via boat. Here's the TripAdvisor review. I'd say we were a little more favorable.

Yes, Cape Ann is an island.

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