Today marks Columbus Day. I know this because I am fortunate enough to have today off. I work in the financial industry and no, I'm not a high priced exec on Wall Street.
I had a post already to go yesterday and after an hour of writing, it was no where to be found. Very similar to Christopher Columbus. I was surprised when I clicked to Google this morning and they didn't have a picture of the man who looks like a woman or any of the apparati he may have used to navigate his expedition.
According to Wikipedia: he was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the Western Hemisphere. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements in the island of Hispaniola, initiated the process of Spanish colonization, which foreshadowed the general European colonization of the "New World."
So, today, Columbus Day, is officially a day when the people of the USA are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community. In Hawaii, Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverers' Day.
The last five weekends I have traveled on the road and was unable to blog. I know some of you missed me, and I am sure many of you didn't but I thought it might be fun to share where I've been and the journey I took to get there. Let's call it, "My little Columbus Journey."
The last few weekends mark the end to summer and the start of the Fall season. Why not start it out with a trip to Seattle?
- University of Washington vs. Eastern Eagles. We showed up in full force that day in Seattle. Not only was it sunny, some say, the bluest skies are found in Seattle, but we fought hard and were just three points shy of coming out of Husky Stadium with a "W." Go eagles! I had some time to take in a few sites and cycled along the waterfront and the piers.
- Next up, another weekend on the coast to attend a funeral of a colleague from work and Lake Limerick to visit family. My mom was a real trooper on this trip as I drug her to the North Bend Outlet Mall. Thanks mom for going on another road trip with me (weeks prior we went to Tekoa, Washington for my 94 year old great aunt Fern's funeral. A little known fact...my aunt is the reigning watermelon seed spitting champion (not in the Guinness Book of Records mind you but Tekoa).
- A bachelorette party in Anaconda, Montana for my friend, Michelle, was on the docket for the following weekend. Let's just say, "what happens in Anaconda, Montana stays in Anaconda, Montana. One hint, it involved the electric slide."
- A quick visit six days later to Yakima, Washington for a bike ride and a winery visit to Windy Slopes. Nice people there at Windy Slopes. Mike and his wife, Liz, have created a well-liked and respected winery. Mike brings more than 35 years of farming experience to the vineyard, along with a hard-earned reputation for producing fruit of the very highest standard. As the winemaker, Liz has worked hard to produce the best quality wine, which has been represented by the awards she has earned on her 2004 Syrah, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and her Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend, Exclamation Point!
- The summer wouldn't be complete without attending the actual wedding of my friend Michelle. Michelle and Scott Morley were married on October 1 in a beautiful church, St. Timothy's, in Georgetown Lake, Montana. The groomsmen wore kilts. They told us they weren't baring it all however only one of them showed us his bloomers. The bridesmaids (of which I was one), donned in crimson (in honor of the University of Montana Grizzlies - Michelle's alma mater). It was tough to wear Griz colors but the dress was so darn beautiful, I was honored to do it.
And, so my adventures continue. I am packing to leave for Washington DC tomorrow. I won't be sailing the oceans blue like Christopher Columbus did but will be flying the friendly skies.
