R.I.P. Alki Tavern

While I don't have a lot of memories of Alki Tavern, it's always been there.  I remember going to taco night a longggg time ago, but other than that, it's just been that funky biker bar you pass on the way to the beach.

When we moved to Alki a year ago, we didn't spend time at Alki Tavern, its on the other side of the beach.  A few times we rode the beach cruisers down and enjoyed a few cheap beers there. It was such an oddity, a blast from the past.  I doubt anything had been cleaned in a decade.

Usually bikers ruled the place, but it was always friendly when we were there.  I never saw any problems, but we were never here after dark!

B and I went down on the beach cruisers the week before it closed. We bought shirts and made plans to come back for the final weekend.  Pat came over on Saturday to join us, but by the time we got going, we realized it was too late to try to get in to Alki Tavern. On Sunday, St Patricks Day and the last day, we drove down at 4 pm to have one last beer. The line was a block long and the place ain't that big!

We said our last goodbye as we drove by, turned around and went home.

Water Polo season!

Jessica is playing Water Polo for the Bainbridge Spartan Lady Rays!   This year they have a Varsity and  JV teams.  Jessica is Varsity.

Yesterday was the first match of the year, an away match at Mercer Island.

Sacramento - current home of the NBA Kings - February 2013

Continued from previous story

We arrived in Sacramento around 4 pm.  We checked in and took a walk around Old Town and the River walk. We decided to go to Joes Crab Shack for dinner.  I should have warned Bronwen what to expect.  LOUD.  The place was packed and everyone in there was celebrating a birthday, lol.

The next day it rained and rained.  We walked around Old Town, and took the pedestrian tunnel to the Mall. We wanted to get some Kings gear for the game.  We checked every place in the mall and found only a few hats, a few trinkets and a red sweatshirt ( the Kings colors are Purple and Black).

On the way back we went to Candy Heaven. This place has every candy every made. They allow you to sample many candies while shopping.  I loaded up on odd ball treats for the kids, Chick o Stick, Bit o Honey, Kits, chocolate carmels, and many hard candies.   On the way out, I saw real bugs  and larva in hard candy.  ick.   After, we hit a Christmas store and I found some cool beach themed ornaments.

Old Town Sacramento

We then decided to drive out of the city. We took a scenic drive along Garden Highway. It runs along the river on the other side of the city. There are some amazing houses along the river.  We ate along the river at the Virgin Sturgeon. I spotted this quirky place the year before when we were here for Joyces birthday. It is an experience. Decent food, as close to the river as you can get.

Its an old airport ramp! The Virgin Sturgeon

Cap arrived around 4 pm and we met him and visited.  We went down to the hotel bar for happy hour and then caught a cab to the game.  Clay was too busy to go with us.

We decided to take a cab to the game.  We arrived and got our tickets from will call. Courtside! Center court, 2 rows behind the scorers table.   Looking around the arena, all the seats are practically courtside. This place is small! I think it it smaller than the Tacoma dome. How many years have they had to get an arena deal put together???

The lights dimmed for introductions.  Flames shot up from behind the backboard. Flames? really?  is that a good idea in a crowded arena?  Nobody caught fire, this time.   The crowd stood on their feet to cheer the home team... Nope, I made that last sentence up. nobody stood, nobody seemed to notice. I cheered loud when they introduced Issiah Thomas. We rooted for him as a UW Husky.

I began to feel less and less sorry for Sacramento fans. I realize the team is not very good, the ownership terrible, but the fans really didn't seem to be very engaged.  No one stood until the final 2 minutes, and only briefly. It seems these fans have resigned to reality that their team is moving.

Maloofs have their name on everything. All the employees have Maloof Entertainment logos on their shirts, all the vendors are Maloof Entertainment. Wow. talk about needing some attention. Look at me! I am a Maloof! 

I had a great time at the game. Being that close to Thomas, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Cousins, it was fun. The backup guard, Jimmer Fredette, really sparked the team when he was in.  He was fun to watch.  Of course the Spurs for the most part, put on a clinic. They continually blocked shots. they have a massive lineup.  Ahh, NBA.. I miss it so. I could love this Kings team as my own. I will take better care of them than Sacramento did.. I promise. Please can we take them home?

After the game, we walked out the cab area.. Who do we see? The SAME CAB that dropped us off!  OMG, this town really is small. Are we the only ones who took a cab? Its possible I suppose. Everyone in California drives. We drive too, just not after sitting courtside, ordering beers from the menu all game!

The next am, we ate at the buffet and hit the road, we wanted to get an early start, find a place in Oregon to happy hour in. 

Duncan and Thomas, future HOF!

Flaming arena...

Maloof server

Maloof usher

Cap ordered popcorn. Dang it was so buttery.

Mt Shasta from I-5

Salem enroute to Sacramento - February 2013

When the word broke that hedge fund manager and lifetime Sonics fan had made a deal with the Maloof brothers to buy the majority stake in the Sacramento Kings and relocate them to Seattle, my first thought was, why wait till they move?   This idea hatched and we drove to Sacramento to watch the Kings play.

We left Seattle on Sunday afternoon after Bronwen got off work. We drove to Salem, Oregon and stayed in the Grand Salem Hotel.  After checking in and surveying the room, it was beer time! (first beer in 12 days, see vision quest blog).  We walked across the street to a Mexican restaurant. Upon entering, we could immediately see that this was not a dinner destination, we sat at the empty bar , one of the few seats in a bar that sported a large dance floor. This was a meat market 20something bar.   One beer and on our way. Mmm, beer.

We walked around the old downtown district.  We found another bar a few blocks away.  Sat at the bar and ordered some more beer. This place had the Oregon video poker games, so I quickly gave a $20 donation to the state into one of the machines. I ordered a Quesadilla to hold us over and after we ate it we headed out to find dinner. Turns out the only nice restaurant was in the Hotel! The place was crowded, which surprised us since the streets were barren and most places closed at 8 pm on a Sunday night. 

Dinner was decent, we went to bed early so we could hit the road the next am.  The next morning I did get a chance to walk down to Riverfront park.  The park has an indoor Carousel and we saw several Carousel related businesses in town.  On the river, there was an old Stern Wheeler offering short cruises around the Willamette river.  The park was good size, had wide, paved walking paths on top of the river banks, it was a beautiful morning and I was the only one in the park! I thought it odd I didn't at least see a biker or jogger. Nothing.  We left when I returned.

Jessica 18thg Bday party!

Ok, we also celebrated James 18th and Maddie 21.  


It was hard to get everyone together this year, with the bad cold season we have had. Everyone has been sick this year.

I gave Jessica her presents already. I bought her a nice suitcase, for the girl on the move. Or should I say Woman on the move!  Jessica took it to Montana with her when she visited MSU a few weeks ago. 

We are going to have a James and Jessica graduation party in June for the two Seniors.

My picts didnt turn out so hot, but here are the best of the bunch:

Holidays 2012

The Holidays started off with Kelsey scheduled for Arthritis injections on Christmas Eve.  I spent most of it at Childrens Hospital with Dawn and Kelsey. She did good, was very brave as usual. The procedure went well. Kelsey experienced some pain for a few days, but now the injections seem to be working as expected.

After Kelsey was released, I headed North to Cousin Mikes house. Dan, Tony, Danika, Sean, Mike and Sue Ann, and old friend of Dan and Tonys was there with her son and daughter. It was a nice evening.

Christmas morning, Bronwen, Kimmi and I left for Bainbridge in the SUV. yep, its snowing in Kitsap.  We picked up Jess and Kelsey and headed for Grandmas.  The snow was coming down, but not really sticking. It was sticking some between Poulsbo and Keyport, but then got better. It turned to rain after noon.  Mike called and decided that she wasn't coming due to the snow.

We opened presents at Moms. I got the Kelsey a bunch of stuff from the Bieber tour that her and Jessica attended earlier in the year. I also took their print at home tickets,  and had a print shop print laminate them as a a keepsake.

I got some more Sonics socks!  I hope I get a chance to wear them to an event in 2013.

Konstantine takes aim... all day long!

Kimmi sniffs the Candle

Jessica and Kelsey check out Maddies fabulous Green Bean Casserole

The always photogenic Maddie and Jeremy

New Years.

I ended up getting sick on the night of the 30th and stayed down all day on the 31st.  That didn't stop the party though. People filtering in and out of our house all day and night.  Fun.

New Years am on the beach by myself

someone forgot something

New years day sunset, again on the beach by myself.

Jingle Bell Dash!

Team Kelsey and the Kats is back!  Maddie and Jeremy couldn't make it, but Crista, Mathew and Konstantine walked with Kelsey and I.  The weather was just awful, but it cleared up for the walk! 

Kelsey is starting to warm to the idea of wearing a costume, so watch out Port Orchard, here comes the Kats!  Next year we will be in costume (maybe)

We raised $720!  Sweet!   John agreed to match funds up to $250!  Truly a team experience, we are so grateful to all that helped!

Hula Hoop contest

Costume contest

Costume contest winner!

2012 Team!

Kelsey providing fuel for the Team!