US Highway 101

 Finally, with a full truck load of stuff we drove south on Highway 101. The weather was pretty rough. It rained all the way south. On our second day we had to stop driving for the day because the rain was so heavy that we couldn't see much ahead.

The scenery along the coast was beautiful but we couldn't take many breaks. Therefore only one sketch was done with watercolour. I then tried to sketch the amazing redwood forest along the highway while James was driving. Not sure if it was because of the winding road or the moving truck but I got carsick afterwards.

After 1600 kilometres, here we are in Palo Alto, CA, getting ready for another adventure.

 I did non-stop 2-day house hunt in the Bay area. Since James' new office will be in Palo Alto, I used this city (town?) as my base and circling out from there. The shops and buildings on University Avenue are surprisingly cute. I mean, they are not modern, newish buildings as I expected to see in a techy town. Instead, there are many single-story, well-maintained old building with lovely warm earthy colours.

Another unexpected thing I saw during my time in Palo Alto was rain. Lots of rain. Although I knew California needs the rain, I couldn't help hoping to see some California sun. Didn't happen :(

I sketched the flower shop between house viewings. Later that night I sketched at a diner where I had dinner. Red couches never look wrong at a diner! I was so glad that I had my sketch kit with me. It helped me stay sane on the tiring house hunt!

Fish Bowl

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Once upon a time bowling was very popular in Taiwan. I would be bowling at a bowling alley almost every weekend and sometimes at midnight (that was 20 years ago and I was young!). Somehow the sport became less popular and I forgot about it. Last time I walked into a bowling alley was also, uh, 20 years ago.

Fish Bowl in Tacoma is located next to a big outdoor gear store. James and I got hungry after shopping so we stopped by at Fish Bowl for a quick bite. It was quite interesting seeing what bowling is like here. Unlike what I remembered in Taiwan, bowling seemed to be a weekend activity for families. There were quite a few young children pushing their ball down a ramp. At first I was amazed that these children could push the ball so well that none went into the gutter. Later I realised that the sides of a bowling lane raise when it's the children's turn. Everybody happy!

I didn't try bowling this time. It still looks fun but I guess now I'm more interested in watching people play and sketch them.

First few sketches in 2017!

James and I took a day trip to Anacortes. It was the first day of 2017 after all so we started our day fairly late. By the time we got to Anacortes it was already 3pm.

Dad's Diner

Before we moved to the US, we were told by an American friend that diners are the best place to go on a road trip. He was right. So far all the diners we've been to on road trips are good (of course, Google review helps) and Dad's Diner is no exception.

We then drove to Deception Pass State Park. It was freezing but the view was breathtaking. I tried to sketch as fast as possible but my fingers still became numb after a few minutes. The ink in my fountain pen wasn't running smoothly so I used my waterbrush with ink to put down strokes. I applied watercolour after I got home.

Should I make sketching in the snow as my next challenge?