Back to School
I know, we already told you that I’m back in school. This isn’t that…
This is the 4th & 5th of July, in Bothell… at McMenamins, Anderson School!
For starters, please understand that we’ve been home for Independance day celebrations since we’ve been married. Due to this, the thought that a 4th of July parade would close all of the roads into and out of the downtown stretch of Bothell didn’t cross my mind. Well, at 12:30 we were stuck on the wrong side of downtown, and everybody said we’d have to wait until the parade was over to get to McMenamins.
If you know us, you know the live music is the largest part of the draw for us, and Yotes (and eclectic fellow, with a rock-a-billy vibe and a voice to match) was starting at 1PM at McMenamins. Calling the front desk was a worthwhile option, as they advised a route that took us right to the parking lot. We checked in and dashed to the stage, and didn’t miss any more than the first half of the first song!
Think the “Stray Cats” or Reverend Horton, with a Link Wray guitar… not hard to imagine. Well, there’s a good introduction into the sound when Yotes takes the stage. Dancing room was sufficient, and the scenery was extraordinary!
The various outdoor seating areas were inspiring, and the service was on point… We sat and enjoyed the music, danced to the various covers we all knew, and let the dappled shade provide the lightshow.
After enjoying the first show of the day, we decided to explore the grounds a bit. The Anderson School actually used to be a school… complete with Principal’s office and classrooms. The classrooms are cut into hotel rooms, and the principal’s office is now a bar… which is so much better !!
The grounds are gorgeous and well maintained, with paths running through from building to building.
There’s even a garden on the edge of the property, right before the roadway and the high-rise apartments!
We made our way back to the stage for Dain Norman.
Again, the sun sprinkled stage providing the light show for the musician.
We quickly came to realize that this was a dedicated Beatles fan. Dain played a variety of covers as well as his own songs. The dancing room was again, more than ample, and we enjoyed the opportunity to dance to several of the songs over the course of the set.
The wine selection was impressive to say the least, and the bottle of Petit Syrah under the canopy of the trees with Dain’s music as the backdrop was almost surreal.
Aftter the music, a couple of glasses of wine, and strolling the grounds, we decided to hit the Tiki Bar and the pool. If you’ve ver wanted to feel like you’re in a 1960’s movie set with a cool Tiki bar, this is a GREAT place to go! Then there’s the pool. The largest hotel pool I’ve ever seen, and it’s salt water instead of chlorine. Ranging from 2 feet to 5 deep, it was a great pool to visit during the heat of the late day.
Before heading home out next morning, we enjoyed a terrific breakfast outside of the main restaurant by a wood fire, a final stroll through the grounds, and the peace and quiet of the grounds before the rest of the city woke up for July 5th.
July 5th was a little time in Woodinville at the wine shops before heading home, with a quick stop to catch the Dirt Angles playing in the park in Old Town Tacoma… and a couple dances, of course!
So while may be out and about a little less this summer, we’re still packing it all when we go!
For now, Here’s to fitting in all we can, seeing all there is, and dancing when we get the chance!
We’ll see you on the dance floor!