Trip Odometer: 7,400
Hi friends! Wow, the past few weeks have flown by! I’m happy to report that we finally found spring in Seattle (beautiful flower/tree blossoms!) and we’ve just arrived at our next housesitting gig near Santa Rosa CA, where the forecast calls for a week of sunshine and mid-70s!
Last weekend we realized we’ve been on the road for 3 months (!!!) so we’re working on a quarterly report. (Because, of course we are!) Stay tuned for that in the days to come.
Also, FYI: we just committed to housesitting in Portland, Oregon for FIVE WEEKS (June 25 – Aug 5)!! PLUS, we’re signing up to participate in the Milwaukie Porchfest on July 21 – the Jet Set Betties will perform a two-hour live show from the driveway of our host’s home! Let us know if you can stop by, we’ll make it a party. (Plus, that day happens to be Matthew’s birthday …)
For now, here are some photos and quick stories about our time in Washington.
March 24 – April 5: we had a housesitting gig on Whidbey Island, near Seattle. 
Our companions were Nico … 
… and Magick. Both of them are rescue dogs and required special attention. 
But we managed to get out and explore the island a bit … 
… 
… saw some docks to nowhere … 
… and even a hauled-out seal. 
Then my niece Kristina came to visit! 
We hiked Ebey’s Landing, plus had LOTS of nice dinners and good chats. 
April 6: we drove to Seattle in the pouring rain, parked the Bettymobile in Jenny & Mickey’s driveway, and covered it with a tarp because … well … there’s still that little leak. 
The main event of our Seattle time: Nephew Jon’s senior recital at Cornish School of the Arts. AMAZING!! (Jon’s at the piano in this shot; although he also played bass and guitar during the show. And sang! And mostly it was a showcase of his compositions. Yeah, I’m biased, but this guy is a wonder.) 
Kayla is related to four of these people! One of them is her sister, Ione! 
Jon and his sisters, Kristina + Sophia. 
We managed to get some bonus time with this busy college senior. So grateful to be here and celebrate with him!
Our original plan was to spend only a couple extra days in Seattle after Jon’s events. We thought we’d get back into camping, perhaps explore the Olympic Peninsula, or the WA/OR coastline … HOWEVER (and we were NOT surprised), weather forecasts once again looked miserable. So we decided to stay in Seattle, which was LOVELY on so many levels.
So many pretty blossoms and good smells! 
Many lovely walks through downtown … 
… and Seattle Center. 
You know you’re in Seattle when you have this many coffee choices. 
Our extra days in Seattle brought bonus time with special people! Including Andrew – a Juneau Symphony friend – and his lovely wife Alsu … 
…. plus one of my best friends from college: Brent! And the lovely Katie, plus their three tow-headed little boys. 
Remember Bill & Poppy from Portland? Turns out they were in Snoqualmie visiting their musical friends Mary & Terry; they invited us to come out and join them for an evening. So fun! And so much laughing! 
Jenny and I met in 2001 at Corrymeela in Northern Ireland, and formed one of those bonds where the encounters are infrequent but important. More laughing! 
Liz showed up about 5 years ago as a resource to help me out with the epic Sitka Music Fest capital campaign, and we bonded quickly over nonprofit fundraising and whiskey. So fun to reconnect with her!! 
Ahhhh … Seattle. Missing in this series of smiley faces is the ever-wonderful Grace & Charlie. They generously offered us their condo for our time there, and we were fortunate to overlap with Grace our last night for delicious cocktails and dinner in their Queen Anne neighborhood. (This is the view from their condo roof, btw!) 
April 19: Bettymobile is un-tarped, repacked, and ready to roll. Next stop: Monte Rio, CA (via Winchester Bay OR and Trinidad CA).
Hi you travellers- it‘ s great to read all your activities. It makes me green with envy.
We have relatives in Seattle aswell. Conny Albrecht and family. In my memory , your Dad, Kayla, met once them there. Keep going and enjoying and in touch.
Love from Germany, Eike
Dear M & K, Holy OK Tapioca, way to go. I remain in awe and wonder, and glad for the reports and envious, but am happy for you all and Betty too. By the way we all leak a bit now and then.
Same old here. It appears I will indeed be on the Seabourn Odessey for a bit of the summer.
Off to Hazel land. Aloha. Safe travels. Jeff b
Rock on.