Wanderboomer

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON March 13, 2015

Chase Away the Clouds at Chihuly Garden and Glass

IMG_4308

Need a color infusion to brighten your cloudy days? In Seattle, look no further than Chihuly Garden and Glass for a striking counterbalance to Fifty Shades of Grey in the Pacific Northwest. Showcasing the works of local glass artist, Dale Chihuly, the long-term exhibit at Seattle Center offers a vibrant tonic of sumptuous colors, innovation and inspiration.

IMG_4252

Wandering through the stunning collection reminds me of the Navajo prayer and blessing, “Walking in Beauty:”

Beauty is before
me, and beauty
is behind me,
Above me and
below me hovers
the beautiful.

IMG_4253

In color palettes ranging from cobalt blues to fiery reds, in tones from golden yellows, iridescent orange to honey amber, the collection dazzles as a movable feast for the senses.

IMG_4251

Visitors can learn more about the eight art galleries, soaring glasshouse, and outdoor garden in daily spotlight talks with exhibition hosts. The notable galleries include a Sealife Room, Chandeliers . . .

Chihuly Ikebana and Float Boats

Ikebana and Float Boats . . .

Chihuly Float Boats

Macchia Forest . . .

IMG_4296

IMG_4297

Glasshouse and Garden.

IMG_4316

IMG_4351

For more information about the exhibit, special events or to purchase tickets to Walk with the Gardener visit Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite way to beat the winter blues?

 

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Culture, Gardens & Nurseries, Seattle, Travel Experiences Tagged With: art, color, Dale Chihuly, gardens, glass art, Nature

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON January 27, 2015

NFL Super Bowl XLIX: Go Hawks!

Saguaro sky

While the East Coast readied for bombogenesis (the ultimate snow bomb) this week, we Seattleites have enjoyed unusually balmy weather with clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Rain is moving in again, but overall, not a bad backdrop for our weeklong celebration honoring the Seattle Seahawks, top contenders for the NFL Super Bowl XLIX championship next Sunday.

If you’re one of the lucky 12th Man members who plan to visit Phoenix for the big game, you’ll find plenty of fun celebrations to attend throughout that city, too, this week, even if you can’t make it inside the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Super Bowl game itself. Here’s how to make the most of your stay:

Seattle Seahawks

NFL Experience (January 27th – February 1st)

For what looks like the biggest bang for your buck, a $35.00 entry fee for adults ($20. age 12 and under), gets you into an interactive theme park with games, exhibits, a photo op with the Vince Lombardi trophy, autographs with NFL players like Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (today between 5 and 7PM!), and youth football clinics.

Where: Phoenix Convention Center

For more information call 866-TIX-4NFL (849-4635) or visit SuperBowl.com.

Verizon Super Bowl Central (January 28th – February 1st)

More family-friendly entertainment with free admission awaits at Verizon Superbowl Central. Covering 12 blocks in downtown Phoenix, football fans can enjoy live music and nightly fireworks, a chance to mingle with former NFL players and watch commentators at outdoor broadcast areas.

Where: Downtown Phoenix North border: Monroe Street East border: 5th Street South border: Jefferson Street West border: 1st Avenue

For more information visit Verizon Superbowl Central.

The Grand Canyon Experience (January 28th – February 1st)

Not to worry if your plans don’t include a visit to Arizona’s star attraction, the Grand Canyon, on this trip. Within the 12-block perimeter of Verizon Super Bowl Central, organizers have created a rock wall set designed with rock texture to resemble the mesmerizing monument’s natural terrain. The site includes a dramatic 20-foot waterfall and 18-foot video screen at the peak. Up to 20 novice and experienced climbers can scale the wall at a time.

Where: Verizon Super Bowl Central

For more information visit The Grand  Canyon Experience.

Skeptical Chymist: An Irish Restaurant & Pub

So where do Seattle’s 12th Man fans congregate to watch the Super Bowl XLIX game if you’re not a lucky ticket holder? Word on the street is that the Skeptical Chymist attracts the largest Seahawks’ fan base in Arizona. Celebrations begin on Thursday at 7PM, followed by a viewing of the NBC Seattle King 5 morning show from 6 – 10 AM on “Blue Friday” and a 12th Man Rally on Saturday at 7PM. Doors open at 11AM on Super Bowl Sunday. $15.00 gets you in the door, but plan your place in line because the Skeptical Chymist doesn’t take reservations.

For more information visit Skeptical Chymist.

Thanks to host Visit Phoenix for the chance to discover how the city is rolling out the red carpet to Super Bowl fans this week! If you’d like to explore all that Phoenix has to offer beyond the Super Bowl festivities, check out Visit Phoenix.

* Top Photo courtesy of Kevin Dooley Saguaro sky flickr.

Wander on! Go Hawks!

Nancy

Where will you be watching NFL Super Bowl XLIX  and cheering on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, wanderboomers?

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, Seattle, Sports, Travel Experiences Tagged With: 12th Man, bombogenesis, NFL, Richard Sherman, Skeptical Chymist, The Grand Canyon, University of Phoenix Stadium, Vince Lombardi

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON December 31, 2014

2014: Oh, the Places I’ve Been!

How to capture an entire year of phenomenal travel experiences in one post? Impossible. Instead, here’s a photo montage of a few favorites, reminding me what a lucky gal I am . . .

Quebec

February and August . . . I fell in love with Quebec . . .

San Francisco

March . . . Stopped by San Francisco, the City by the Bay . . .

Okanagan B.C. Wine Country

May . . . Wandered through Okanagan, B.C. wine country  . . .

Kenmore Air Over Seattle and Spokane

May . . . Flew high with Kenmore Air over Seattle . . . and Spokane . . .

Ohai California

May . . . Took a mini-retreat in Ohai . . .

Whales watching in the San Juans and Glacier Bay

Spring and summer . . . Went whale watching in the San Juans and Glacier Bay . . . Imagining what I could have captured with the right camera lens!

Carson Kressley and Kym Johnson

July . . . Danced with the Stars, Carson Kressley and Kym Johnson, on a Holland America cruise to Alaska . . .

Blue Angels

August . . . Got buzzed by the Blue Angels at the top of the Space Needle, prompting the guy standing next to me to say, “Time for a change of underwear.”

Evelyn Hannon

Played Seattle tour guide and made friends with the pioneer Journeywoman herself, Evelyn Hannon, and her friend Marilyn . . .

Mount Rainier

September . . . I reacquainted myself with our favorite mountain, Mount Rainier . . .

Jetty Island

Summer . . . Discovered two new treasures close to home – Jetty Island and . . .

Birch Bay

June . . . Birch Bay . . .

State Cross Country Championships

November . . . Witnessed these phenomenal young women bring home the State Cross Country Championship – Woo hoo!!

Pacific Northwest

Happy New Year from the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Wander on!

Nancy

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Holland America
Kenmore Air
The Oaks at Ojai
Quebec Tourism
Snohomish County Tourism
Thompson Okanagan / Destination BC
Visit Rainier

Thanks to my hosts for covering part, though not all, of my travel expenses.

Where have your travels taken you in 2014, Wanderboomers? I’d love to hear.

Filed Under: Activities, British Columbia, California, Cruising, Destinations, Pacific Northwest, Québec, San Juan Island, Seattle, Travel Experiences, Washington State Tagged With: 2014, Blue Angels, Carson Kressley, Dancing with the Stars, Happy New Year, Holland America, Kenmore Air, Kym Johnson, State Cross Country Championships

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON July 18, 2014

Seattle Summer Sunsets

Seattle Sunset

We Seattleites are used to hearing jokes about our rainy weather:

“What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?” Answer: “A weekend.”

“When’s the rainy season in Seattle? Answer: “August through April and May through July.”

“What does daylight saving time mean in Seattle?” Answer: “An extra hour of rain.”

“When does summer officially begin?” Answer: “In Seattle, after July 4th.”

Wait – that last one’s no joke. But moving on . . . The truth is, Seattle summers mostly rock! Temperatures are mild for the most part. Sunny days stretch into fiery sunsets of goldenrod yellows and peach-orange before deepening into vibrant violet reds. Combined with the magnificent Olympic Mountains, emerald green forests and water, water everywhere,  the Pacific Northwest is the place to hang out in the summer.

Here’s another view of the spectacular summer sunset Seattleites experienced earlier this week:

Seattle Sunset

What’s the reason behind this stunning Seattle summer phenomenon? Just ask University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and weather expert, Cliff Mass, who boils it down to several factors: right season, geometry, virga (check out his blog for further explanation) and wildfire smoke. As Mass calls it: “This sunset was liking winning the Trifecta at a horse race.”

Seattle Summer Sunset

Indeed.

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your favorite summer sunset memory, wanderboomers? Please share with us here.

Filed Under: Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Wildlife and Nature Tagged With: summer, sunsets

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON May 16, 2014

Seattle Art Museum’s: "Miró: The Experience of Seeing"

Seattle Art Museum Miro Exhibit

Looking for a spur of the moment weekend or mid-week getaway? Hop on a plane, walk or run to Seattle Art Museum’s latest exhibit, “Miró: The Experience of Seeing.” The program focuses on the synergistic play between the Spanish artist’s sculptures and paintings at the end of his six-decade career and is the only stop on the West Coast. But hurry: the exhibit closes on May 26th.

For Boomers wondering if it’s too late to reinvent oneself late in life, take heart: Miró’s boldness in creating dynamic new art from found objects inspires us to keep on playing and imagining as well. Take your time strolling through the exhibit of some 50 paintings and sculptures and be sure to catch the short film to learn more about Miró’s brilliant artistry. Here are a few of my favorite quotes in Miró’s own words from the documentary:

“When I’m awake I’m always dreaming, but not while sleeping.” Take away: Dreaming is about waking up to life’s possibilities.

“It is the adventure that interests me, always & above all.” Take away: Yes, yes and yes. Make new discoveries. Be bold.

“It is the material which dictates what I must do.” Take away: Creativity is less about making something new from nothing and more about making new associations from what’s in front of you.

“When I work I commit myself totally.” Take away: Stop multitasking.

Hotel Max

Hotel Max

Extend your Seattle Art Museum date with a stay at Hotel Max in downtown. The hotel celebrates art and creativity through its commissions by innovative artists displayed in the lobby and on each of the ten guestroom floors.

At first glance, Boomers might wonder about feeling at home among the over-sized photographs of grunge musicians like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But this boutique hotel offers amenities that any guest will enjoy: ideal location close to downtown stores, Pike Place Market and Seattle landmarks; casual, sophisticated design; and friendly, responsive service.

In addition, Hotel Max offers several unique amenities, including a range of pillow options, spiritual books of faith, and pet-friendly toys, treats and resources. Guest rooms even come complete with their own vinyl turntables and a selection of vinyl LPs. Don’t find anything that strikes your fancy? No problem. Ask to borrow an iPod pre-loaded with your favorite genre selection.

Miller’s Guild

Miller's Guild

But before you get too cozy in your room, drop your bags and head for Miller’s Guild, the hotel’s stunning bar and grill. The interplay of oak floors and black walnut tables, masonry and tile, and metal accents creates a warm, comfortable setting that you won’t want to leave anytime soon.

Miller's Guild Joan Miro Cocktail

Start off with a Joan Miró cocktail created to celebrate the artist’s exhibit at Seattle Art Museum. With a combination of Cask Aged Moonshine, Dry Curacao and Martini & Rossi Gran Lusso, what’s not to love? Mmm . . . Don’t be surprised, though, if your cocktail comes with an unexpected twist, as the extremely talented bar staff always seeks ways to heighten the cocktail complexity for a richer experience.

Try several of the small plates developed by James Beard award-winning chef Jason Wilson to accompany your cocktail. You can’t go wrong with steak tartare, vodka-cured egg and capers served on grilled potato bread or the shaved kale and merguez salad with hazelnuts, currants lemon, olive oil and mint. And how can you not sample the fried brussel sprouts with Harissa aioli and roasted lemon? You must.

Artistry in any form requires boldness, a willingness to step outside the norm and look at things from a fresh perspective. For me,  inspiration comes through travel and art, whether viewing Miró’s sculptures and paintings, appreciating the contemporary art design of Hotel Max or enjoying the culinary creations at Miller’s Guild.

Tell us what inspires boldness in your lives, wanderboomers? I’d like to hear.

Be Bold & Wander On!

Nancy

Many thanks to Seattle Art Museum, Hotel Max and Miller’s Guild for the opportunity to experience artistry in action.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Culture, Food & Dining, Lodging, Pacific Northwest, Seattle Tagged With: art, boldness, creativity, grunge musicians, Hotel Max, Joan Miró, Miller's Guild, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Seattle Art Museum

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »
Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
For travel tips, news & inspiration in our Wanderboomer newsletter, subscribe here.

Destination:

  • North America
  • South America
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Africa

Categories:

  • Business
  • Family
  • Purpose
  • Writing

© 2023 · Wanderboomer. Terms and Conditons | Sitemap | Contact · Site by Wordpress Barista