Follow the pilot truck

If you’ve tried lately to drive on our famous local Snicker-Name Road (also known as Kitchen-Dick) you’ve no doubt noticed delays. Improvements are coming our way: the road has been widened to accommodate walkers and bicyclists. The road previously wasn’t the sort that offered a real margin of safety for foot traffic and it’s now visibly broader.

Credit for this shot goes to my husband. The pilot car arrived before I was ready to shoot. Hubby seemed to think that I didn’t intend to swerve as I took pictures and that he could do a better job. As usual, he was right.

Staying warm

We’ve had some very cold nights around here recently, routinely down into the 20s and one or two nights down in the high teens. It seems early and sudden to be so chilly. Clouds today should start a mild warming trend. But these woolly critters reminded me yesterday how welcome a little extra insulation is this time of year.

You know it’s got to be pretty cold if a coat like that starts looking good.

Three Crabs

The 3 Crabs Restaurant, once a pilgrimage on many a tourist’s itinerary, was demolished over the course of a week last month leaving little more than a foundation, a chain link fence, and a porta-potty.

The building above had stood since 1958 and was sold to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of a habitat restoration project. The restaurant was adjacent to tidelands and estuary habitat and the 52-acre property will provide beach access and eventually support efforts to restore salmon habitat.

In the meantime I was amused to see that State Parks hasn’t wasted any time in encouraging the public to bring along a Discover Pass in case anyone wants to spend time touring the exciting fence and foundation.

Yum!

Pane d’Amore Bakery moved into their new downtown store a month or two ago. I’m happy to report that the offerings are as good as ever.

We wandered in on a recent Saturday looking for a carb fix. In addition to a tasty selection of breads, they also offer breakfast pastries, focaccia, and a small selection of gourmet items.

Here’s the store’s new exterior.

Pane d’Amore is located just over the fence…from Over the Fence. And in case this gives you ideas, I’ll warn you now: Sorry! They’re closed on Sundays.

Crepes and tats

Roissy was a wonderful discovery for our last night in France. I’d forgotten one thing on my “to eat” list: crepes. So we were tickled to find this restaurant specializing in crepes, warm and lively when we returned in the evening. A perfect last dinner.

As old and atmospheric as Roissy was it didn’t provide a full on escape from contemporary culture. I had a laugh as I discovered this shop in the center of Roissy: tattoos and piercings. Yeah. Much as I was tempted, I resisted a final souvenir, that “I (heart) Paris” tat. Maybe next time.

Heading for home

When it came time to head for home we skipped the anxiety of a morning drive to the airport in predictable urban traffic. I found a hotel with a shuttle located not far from the airport for our last night in France. Not bad so far. Once we found our way there we discovered ourselves in a hotel version of a small, sterile strip mall: a string of nondescript hotels near a highway. Our hotel only served breakfast and we were overdue for lunch. With advice from the front desk, we headed up a short hill in search of a meal at a neighboring hotel. That done, we had hours of daylight and no appetite for boredom. We headed for the sidewalk (on one side of the street only) to stretch our legs before folding them up on a long transAtlantic flight.

We walked several blocks before we emerged into the medieval town of Roissy. A stone’s throw from our hotel, this pretty little town seems to stand as a bulwark against the anonymous modern hotels nearby. Cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and the lovely church above. It was just the ticket for winding down from the bustle of Paris. A couple more shots of Roissy tomorrow and then I’ll return to Sequim.