Ever had the notion that all you need to accomplish something daunting is just that right tool? I know that I am always on the lookout for a better camera bag or backpack or photo anything. Certainly Ivi and Kim seem to enjoy surveying the latest in kitchen and garden toolery. I even imagine that I could perform magical feats of auto repair and enhancement with something beyond my current collection. And don’t even get me started with software tools. Enter the Wenger Giant:
This thing features 141 tools packed into 2 lbs and less than 9 inches of width, all for only $1400. Amazon even gives us a $28 discount on this ultimate Swiss Army Knife, along with some of the most amusing reviews I have ever read on that site. See what I mean here.
Another reason why it’s nice to have Ivi back … lunchtime! Inspired/invented by Ivi, executed by Kim, consumed by yours truly: homemade toasted sourdough, Walla Walla sweet onion mustard, asparagus, melted Dutch gouda, Egyptian dukkah topping, with honey crisp apple, Trader Joe’s pure cranberry juice and homebuilt dark chocolate brownie. No time for polished pro-level presentation food photography … but maybe you can get the idea.
Well, we knew the first leg was successful. Email confirmation just before bedtime told us that Ivi had touched down in Amsterdam. She reported a quick flight due to a good amount of sleep, but was taken aback a bit by the cold Amsterdam weather.
The next morning, early, we set the GPS for SeaTac and set forth. As usual, between driving shifts, I passed my time practicing the ill-advised art of windshield photography.
First stop was Trader Joe’s to pick up anticipated treats for our arriving passenger, followed by a quick motel check-in, then we board the shuttle to Delta to await the arrival of Flight 152.
Lots of other electrons were killed during the agonizing wait, but those photographs will wait for another time. Instead, we cut to the chase with Ivi’s appearance, about 45 minutes after touchdown. Then more time to await the shuttle, and finally back to the motel where we open the TJ stash and in the first interruption to the flood of conversation over the past hour, Ivi seizes upon a Luna bar and more.
At the motel, we inspect the Chromebook, Ghanaian fabric and beads, and barrage our visitor with questions. Ate goodies from Trader Joes’ acquired earlier and discussed all the usual catch-up stuff. By about 7pm, Kim had nodded off, and Ivi went silent about half an hour later. I finally capitulated at 8pm because I could no longer maintain a Wi-Fi connection, had no reading material and TV in the same room with sleepers was not an option.
Awaking promptly at 5am, I decided to suss out the motel and environs leaving our sleepers to their own internal clocks. Outside, I found a very cool and gray day. Walked through a fine cemetery with Japanese-style gardens and water features in one area, then hit the sidewalks, and mostly observed the traffic. (I must report that few vehicles of interest were spotted. Today, no Porsches were to be seen, although on the incoming trip up the freeway, two Boxsters and as for the 911 family, a 930 Turbo and a 997. Other than a 370Z, an RX8, an early 3-series, mostly the only sightings were the usual BMWs and assorted Mercedes. Moving along now. )
The Motel Cat
Red Roof Inn
Behind the Motel
Pri-i, Everywhere
370Z
E30
Merc
New VW
A 90s Acura RSX, Slightly Rare
Minis Everywhere
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV
Early 50s Ford and 327 Chev
Two Nice Old Trucks, Caged
Leaving Seattle …
On our way down the road, we stop at one of those fruit & antique barns. Ivi and Kim stock up on fresh fruit, I visit the mens’ room which turns out to be festooned with a dozen or so prints commemorating the Lewis & Clark expedition (and also features a Xcelerator hand dryer that is sufficiently powerful to deform your skin), and then we explore the upper reaches of the building which is crammed to overflowing with … stuff. On our way out, Ivi makes a valiant photographic attempt through the rear window to document an antique tractor.
Now there is nothing to do but drive. Homeward bound.
This thing features 141 tools packed into 2 lbs and less than 9 inches of width, all for only $1400. Amazon even gives us a $28 discount on this ultimate Swiss Army Knife, along with some of the most amusing reviews I have ever read on that site. See what I mean here.
