Skate America

I’ve been watching Olympic ice skating for years with B.   I grew to understand the sport, but then along came Nathan Chen which made me love the sport

After the 2018 winter games, we saw an ad for Skate America.  It was in Everett.   I decided to buy session passes for us.  We had no idea what it even was.

We showed up Friday night and took our seats 6 rows back for the ice.  It was amazing being that close.
We spent most the weekend in Everett.  After Saturday day session, we met cousin Mikey for dinner. She drive us a few blocks to a Mexican restaurant. It was very busy. It was great to catch up with Mike since Danika cancelled her wedding which was supposed to have been this fall.

We learned a great deal about the event and were thrilled to see Johnny Weir and Tara Lipisky there!

We learned that this was the first of seven events.  It’s the top skaters in the world.

Nathan Chen was amazing.  He easily won gold.  Brady Tennel took 5th. Both compete again, all skaters compete at two events to qualify for the finals.

We bought the NBC skating package to watch all the events.   I have learned so much now.   So much now that I now know the Americans have their work cut out to medal in 2022

Spokane, Couer D’Alene and Crescent Bar Sept 13-16

Busy summer but we finally found time to get away.  We were going to go se Dan and Tony’s new place in Crescent Bar, but first a detour to Spokane.  Kelsey and I stayed at the new Davenport Grand a few years ago.  It’s a really nice, 4 star hotel, and it’s reasonably priced!

We arrived in early afternoon and  had lunch at Dicks.   It’s the same original owner as the Seattle chain, but somewhere along the way, they broke off and now it’s independent.   It was a hoot.  Cheapest food I have ever seen.  They have everything.  Hamburgers of course.  Hot dogs. Pizza. Fried chicken fish and chips. The food was as good as it cost.

After we checked in, we went across the street to the Riverfront Park.  A lot of construction going on.  We rode the gondola over the falls.

For dinner we went to Chili’s just because.   We don’t live near any Chili’s.   It was decent.  Not great but affordable and the service was good.

The next day we drive out to a little cafe that was highly rated.   It was good, but our favorite part was  the local hot sauce! We tried to buy some before we left but couldn’t find it.

We drive to Lake Couer DeAlene.   We walked around a bit, then boarded a tour boat to cruise the lake.   When I planned the trip, I assumed the weather would be better and I was going to rent jet skis.  

That evening back in Spokane, we went to a trendy ramen house downtown.  B liked hers more than I liked mine, but neither of us was impressed.

The next day we drove to Crescent bar to see Dan and Tonys new place.   Wow! It’s huge and right on the river.   Since weather wasn’t great, we didn’t take the boat out.   We went to go have dinner at the new place which I can’t recall the name of, but it was closed for a private party.  Tower pizza was packed.   We had pizza

We went to breakfast in Quincy the next am.   Then we headed home.