Howie has been resting, but not neglected. Harris has had the tires rotated, checked the brakes, changed the oil, the transmission fluid and (hopefully) fixed the bathroom leak since we returned from our big trip across the country.
So, when Judy’s sister asked if we wanted to meet up for a short camping trip in Yakima, we were ready to hit the road again. The spring weather has been rainy and gray, but it was turning sunny just for this weekend’s trip. We left Lake Stevens about 10:30, and only ran into a little traffic over Snoqualmie Pass due to some construction. When we got to Yakima, Judy decided to visit a quilt shop before going to the campsite, and Harris tried to find a geocache while she shopped. Then we found the park about 3 miles outside of the city. Being that close has its good and bad points. It’s convenient if one needs to get something at the store, and it’s not such a good thing when noise from the city spills over to the park at night!
One of several ponds at the park
We met Marilyn, Gene and two of their grandchildren Justin and Natalie at the park, and set up camp. The weather was great and continued sunny and warm throughout the weekend. Harris was in heaven.
Harris made his great chicken enchiladas for dinner, with some Mexican rice and beans. Later that night, Marilyn’s son Jeff, his wife Mary and their friend Tanya (with her little boy Jordan) came to join us. We played cards and enjoyed being outside around a fire.
Judy and Mary hangin' out
Saturday turned out to be a rather lazy day. We kept talking about things to do, but didn’t accomplish any of them. We walked along some trails through the park, and to the river which is running very fast and high from all the spring rains and melting. Marilyn did go into town to buy food for dinner, which she made for us all that night. (Grilled chicken, fried rice with shrimp, veggies of course and then 2 beautiful birthday cakes for Harris and Mary.)
Marilyn and Gene hangin' out
Sunday, one group went to the wineries, and another group went to a city pool and geocaching. Guess who was in each group? Harris and Judy really enjoyed playing in the pool with Justin and Natalie, and introducing them to geocaching. (Justin had done a little bit with us 2 years ago, but needed a little refresher course.) We went around a small part of the city, finding 8 caches and being stumped on a few others. Mary cooked spaghetti for the crowd that night, and we played more card games again.
Jeff REALLY hangin' out (Justin supervising)
Monday morning found us all in the mood to get going home, trying to beat the traffic over the pass, so after breakfast (Marilyn’s famous breakfast burritos), we all helped each other pack the tents, the screen house, the extra stuff that seems to accumulate around a campsite, and headed out at about 9:30 AM. Gene told us about a beautiful drive up highway 821, known as the Yakima Canyon drive, and we really enjoyed the scenery along the Yakima river on the way to Ellensburg. The traffic over the pass was a breeze and we got home, tired, sun-kissed, and happy in the early afternoon. It was a short trip, but well worth it!
The scenic River Drive avoiding the freeway to Ellensburg, WA
Temps= Mid 80's and dry!
Total miles drvien= 360
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