Marilyn B-Day pt 2

Friday, July 16, 2010 Day 140


Checking out the lavender festival






We took a walk along a trail inside the state park this morning, then headed into the town of Sequim itself for the Lavender Festival. It’s basically a big street fair with most vendors selling something made of lavender.


Judy along the Discovery Bike Trail



There are also tours of lavender farms for those so inclined. We didn’t buy anything except a lunch sandwich made of crepes, but did enjoy listening to our local garden guru, Cisco Morris give a talk to the crowd. He’s very entertaining.


Harris at one of the cache spots



When we left, we decided to do a few more caches. We saw that several were along the Olympic Discovery Trail, so decided to bike to them. It was a gorgeous day to ride bikes, lots of sun, a beautifully shaded trail, and almost no traffic. A couple of the caches took us a while to find, but that just makes it all the more fun when we do finally find them.


Some interesting trail users we saw



Then we headed to Poulsbo, and had dinner with Marilyn and Gene. We did a little prep work for the party, played cards and went to sleep.


And some pretty flowers...that weren't lavender

Off to Marilynn's 60th

Wednesday/Thursday July 14/15 (Days 138)


Marilynn was having her special 60th birthday and wanted us to spend Friday night with them. So we decided to visit our good friends Bob and Glenda Dehning near Shelton, and make a loop around the peninsula. Of course we waited until the last moment to prepare Howie for our trip. Thus it was late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning that we shoved in enough clothes and some roast beef with rolls and called it good. We left just after noon stopping once at a Costco for some lunch samples and we pulled in around 3:30. The weather was gorgeous. Summer finally came to the NW.


Hanging out in the front yard w/Bob and Glenda



We grabbed some chairs and plunked ourselves under one of the many shade trees in the Dehning’s front yard and “caught up” while sipping on some rum and cokes as some great looking salmon defrosted in the kitchen. Bob did a great job barbequing the salmon (his secret was Johnny’s special ranch and dill sauce found in Costco)and we enjoyed a great feast with our friends. We stayed up way too late talking (like we always do when visiting them), then went to sleep in their driveway.


Our dinner...very good!



We had decided to get up early, breakfast, and then take Bob and Glenda geocaching near their home. Bob and Glenda had never done this before, and really enjoyed doing it. Bob found the first cache, and Glenda gleefully found the next. We think we have some new converts.


Bob and Glenda's first cache



Since they had previous plans for the day, we drove on to Sequim to camp at Sequim Bay State Park for the night.


Some sky-divers we saw while caching



Memo to us… Reserve premium site #80 which has a fantastic water view and far below the road noise. We went for a short bike ride along the Olympic Discovery Bicycle trail, which goes right through the park and on to Port Angeles. Judy was grateful for the shade along the way, as usual when the sun is out! We went into the town of Sequim afterwards and did several more caches (10 total for the day) then got some dinner to bring back to camp.


A lunch stop on the way to Sequim





Bicycling along the Discovery bike trail

Soap Lake (again)

Sunday, June 20, 2010, day 136 & 137


Saturday morning was spent in what has become a normal routine. Wake up, look at the Seattle forecast (gray, cool , drizzly) and decide to spend another day away from home. Harris is able to stretch the coffee making routine to a good 13 minute ritual—while heating the water (8 mins.), he spoons the coffee into the French press, makes the bed, restores the laundry hamper to the correct location and does a quick Howie pickup, checks email if wi-fi is available, pours the water into the press and lets it steep (5 mins.), and waits for Judy to return from the restroom.

Our morning walking course



With coffee in hand, Harris finishes checking email and other internet stuff for awhile Judy, with juice or hot chocolate in hand, reads for awhile. Some time passes and then one will suggest it’s time for breakfast whereupon the day officially begins.

The view from Howie looking back



After breakfast and our walk we headed into the town of Soap Lake where we strolled around down town. We noticed many empty buildings, several mineral massage places and one hotel that must have been there for decades. The grounds consisted of mature trees and several very nice sculptures. Of course, Harris forgot the camera in Howie. Then it was off to Ephrata so Judy could check out a quilt show at the local high school while Harris hung out in Howie reading a book. Then it was back to camp and an afternoon of reading under a tree, playing miniature golf (Harris won in a tiebreaker 3rd round, although Judy got the only hole in one), cards, and listening to the Mariners (Harris decided to give them another chance). The temps varied depending on cloud cover, but it was between 72 and 78 degrees! As we split a steak and grilled it we could feel the wind come up and the weather begin to change. Later we watched a dvd (Michael Clayton) which was very good.

A closer view of the bluff



It started raining during the night and Sunday morning gray clouds and drizzle greeted us on Father’s Day. The morning weather check told us that Lake Stevens would be no worse than where we were so we headed back. We decided to return via Highway 2 so we could stop at Crescent Bar which is on the Columbia River just outside of Quincy. It’s been in the Seattle paper because several hundred residents there live on a spit of land (Crescent Bar) which has been leased from a utility company very cheaply and the PUD has been tasked with making the land more accessible to the public. With the lease ending in 2012, the residents have been told that their leases would not be renewed.


All that's missing is the Corona!



We were amazed at how many people had upgraded their 350 sq foot RV parking lot to 2 or 3 levels of permanent structures that must have cost over $100,000 in 80% of the lots and much more than that on many others. With all the tension about the issue Harris didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures. If you have the chance to take a look, you should. There is a big resort Sunterra just above the bar in dispute. Afterwards, we drove on to Lake Stevens, stopping in Wenatchee to eat some lunch.

Driving down into Cresent Bar

Ephrata

Friday, June 18, 2010, day 136


What could possibly get Harris up before 7AM???? The soccer game! He left his blind up, and the sun actually woke us up about 5 AM. So we were up, dressed and eating breakfast by the time the game came on. The game was exciting to watch, and frustrating as well. Because it ended in a tie, we wanted to stay and watch the next match between England and Algeria. We took a long walk in between the two games and found a couple more geocaches.


A clever geocaching container



Then, because it turned into a gorgeous day, we drove down to Mardon by Potholes State Park and rented a paddle boat. That was a fun bit of exercise. The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, was the absolute horde of insects that followed us both on and off the water. We had left the windows open a crack, and poor Howie was invaded by at least a thousand tiny flying bugs. (If that’s an exaggeration, it’s only a slight one).


An unknown birdie that Judy will look up later



Harris drove back to Soap Lake, and Judy spent the time smacking bugs on the windows. Harris was happy grilling hamburgers on his new grill with a rum and coke in hand. Judy was supervising with a similar beverage in hand.
The weather has been beautiful today, high of 78, sun, and a slight breeze. The sunseekers are happy.


The Sunseekers enjoying the sun



Thursday, June 17, 2010 day 135
We took a longer walk this morning, up a side road and through the campground. Then we drove into Ephrata for a look see. Guess what? There’s a terrific quilt store there, so of course we had to stop. We headed back to our first campground in Moses Lake and did a little geocaching on the way.

The Holy Grail...err Harris's great grill



. You may ask about this back and forth business. After all, Moses Lake and Soap Lake are only about 20 miles apart. Well, the RV park at Moses Lake didn’t have wi-fi. The park at Soap Lake is much prettier but doesn’t have cable. And since we wanted to watch the US soccer team play in the World Cup , we went back to Moses Lake for one more night.

The dessert Judy discovered in a store...It was very good!



Harris was happy to learn he could also watch the final game of the NBA playoffs. (Even though we were rooting for Boston, sigh.) This is our laziest trip yet. A little walking, a little geocaching, a little driving…but at least the weather is clearing!


Our moniker

Soap Lake RV park

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Day 134


Downtown Moses Lake!



Lazy days. We got up and did a little geocaching close to our park, then came back for breakfast. The rv park had its own overpass over the freeway that took us right into a city park nestled between the freeway and a couple of fingers of Moses Lake. It was large enough to have 2 caches on it which were found after Judy convinced herself that indeed rattlesnakes are most active at night.


Too bad Harris is allergic



We drove into the town proper and did one more geocache, then got sidelined by the museum. The museum is sponsoring a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian about traveling in America. It is a very interesting exhibit, and the museum does a great job with it. Nice to see our tax dollars at work doing something that almost all would agree is a good use of taxes.


Chinese rain gear in the traveling museum



. We finally ate lunch about 2, then traveled on a great distance to Soap Lake and another private campground. This campground was purchased by a couple that wants to build it back up because the previous owners simply charged people to buy a membership and then pocked the yearly dues without providing upkeep or improvements.

Some Moses Lake history at the museum



. We were able to park upfront and enjoy great views, but the sun wasn’t cooperating and so we passed on the pool and hot tub. The regular price is $25 for full hookups so 12.50 (using campclub) was fantastic. This would be a great spot on a clear starry night. Lazy days indeed. A little more walking, cards, dinner, a great movie (Blindside)and bed. We lead such exciting lives, but at least it’s a change of scenery.


Our camping spot at Soap Lake

Moses Lake, WA

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Day 133

Our 35th wedding anniversary. Others may go to Europe, or cruise somewhere, but we go camping. Hey, what do you expect? We went camping on our honeymoon. We just do it with more style and comfort now that we’re getting old.


Stopping in the sun at Vantage



Seattle has been nothing but rain, and true to our geocache name, we were seeking the sun. So, we decided to take a small, quick trip to Eastern Washington. We’ve never spent any time in Moses Lake, and the weather looked okay there, so off we went. We decided to wait to do our daily walk until we found more sun, but it was still 10 before we drove out of the driveway. The first time. Oops! We need the extra key. Second start out the driveway. Wait! We need more air in the rear suspension. Third start out. Stop! Judy wants the case for her glasses. Stop again! Harris wants his small flashlight. Good thing we didn’t forget the big stuff! Finally we drove away for real.

Judy is "shut down" again



We drove through rain until we stopped on the other side of Snoqualmie Pass at Indian John rest stop. We picked up a brochure advertising a winery near Vantage, but alas, they were closed on Tuesdays. We had a quick sandwich (oops, forgot the mayo!) and drove on to Vantage. This is another spot we’ve always waved to on our way east, so this time we stopped at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. Guess what else is closed Tuesdays? Yep, the visitor center. So, we had a quick look-see at the displays that were outside and the petroglyphs. We drove 2 miles further on the road to find the interpretive trail, and took our walk. There was a breeze that kept us comfortable walking up the hill in the sunshine. The trail took us past about 20 stumps of petrified trees, including one Ginkgo. Apparently it’s one of the few places on the planet were you can find a petrified Ginkgo. The stumps were all encased in cement squares, with wire mesh across the tops to keep out souvenir seekers. The signs warning hikers to watch out for rattlesnakes made Judy nervous, but thankfully we didn’t see any.

Harris and Judy in their leaner years...(Vantage Petroglyphs)



We pulled into our campground in Moses Lake about 4, registered, then went on to the town to get a few things for dinner. Harris was able to try out his new small gas grill tonight. (No cover here, alas, and there were a few sprinkles.) He cooked our steaks to perfection. We toasted each other with rum and Cokes and dug in.

Judy showcasing the sunlight and dry topgoraphy



Another quick walk, and then cards. We played Chicago Rummy, which is a very different game when there are only 2 players. The score was close until the very last hand, when Harris laid down first and wiped Judy out. Happy anniversary!

Harris using his new pride and joy

Camping at Lake Pearrygin

Friday, April 30th - Sunday, May 2nd (Days 130-132)


We’re going camping with Marilyn, Gene, Mary, Jeff AND Tasha and Ewan are going too!! Well, at least for Saturday night. The forecast calls for cool temps and cold nights so we’ve told Tasha to dress very warm and to bring blankets. Mapquest told us that going to the lake via Highway 20 (the North Cascades Hwy) would take us a little over 3 hours, and if we went via Highway 2 it would take almost 3.5 hours. Judy agreed with several people that said Mapquest was wrong about the time it would take over Hwy 20; it would take much longer. Harris believed that Mapquest was all-knowing and must be correct otherwise people would have complained to them about their estimate. We decided to go via Hwy 20 and return via Hwy 2.


Judy entering cache info on our walk



We left around 11 AM (usual Thomas departure time) with stops at Costco for heating pads and Burlington for diesel. We were one of the first people to stop at the North Cascades National Park visitor center. They were scheduled to open on May First but saw us poking our heads through the glass doors and let us in. It was an impressive center worthy of a stop with animal and forest trees displays showing the types of animals and vegetation found in each. Another stop for lunch and we found ourselves pulling into Lake Pearrygin just after 4PM. Figuring that we took about an hour for our stops, total time was 4 hours. Just over an hour more than predicted! Judy and others were vindicated. It had rained going up the west side of the highway, and we saw snow still piled high on Rainy Pass and Washington Pass. The sky even spit some snowflakes at us at the top of the pass. But heading east, the weather began to clear up.

The sun was out when we arrived, but the wind was bellowing and it felt like 40 degrees rather than the upper 50’s the thermometer was showing. After a dinner of Marilyn’s garlic chicken it was time to play cards—boys VS girls in Whist. The girls clobbered the boys. Enough said.


Judy and Marilyn looking up at the cache



Saturday Marilyn and Gene went trout fishing for breakfast and came back with more than enough for the four of us. There is no better breakfast than freshly caught trout. It was as good as you picture it! The four of us went for a walk with their dog and did a couple of geocaches along the lake. Around noon Mary and Jeff pulled in. The women wanted to go into Winthrop; the guys begged off with excuses of putting up tents and needing to read books. Harris and Jeff put the tents up while listening to the Mariners (who were eventually swept by the Texas Rangers for all 3 games) while Gene tackled a book. Since Tasha and Ewan were coming later for the night and using the tent which could be very cold, Harris decided to bring an extra electric heater and an extension cord. Just to be sure that the heater was safe he decided to test it by turning it on, waiting until it got hot, and tipping it over. Sure enough, the heater stopped heating. Unlike the heater in Howie that when tipped turns off until it’s righted again, this stopped permanently. No matter how Harris placed it, hit it, talked to it, yelled at it, or threatened it, it would not turn back on. Disgustedly, he threw it in the trash.

Enjoying the campfire (some much more than others)



Tasha and Ewan arrived as promised by 4PM to the amazement of all. After Happy Hour which was hosted by us we had a wonderful prime rib dinner. Ewan and Jeff split some wood and eventually built a fire. (Eventually, because the wood turned out to be rotten and damp when split and it took a long time to catch.) Tasha had made some wonderful brownies we passed around, and everyone went to bed happy. (Some, who had enjoyed happy hour and wine with dinner were certainly happier than others in the group as evidenced by choruses of “coffee-coffee-coffee” booming out every so often.) It was a cold, cold night.


Do I really need this to catch fish?



Sunday morning, everyone was up early. When Ewan emerged from his tent, he announced, “I’m all ready to go out in the boat.” He was wearing a pirate’s hat! We had a good laugh, and agreed he could be captain of the boat. Marilyn took Tasha and Ewan fishing, and they stayed out almost three hours. But they caught lots of fish (limiting out at 15 for the boat), so they were happy. We were going to have a big brunch, but then Mary and Jeff went out with Gene. So we ended up just having a quick sandwich for lunch, and had an early dinner of trout, fried potatoes, veggies and biscuits. Tasha and Ewan had to hit the road to make the trek back to Seattle, so off they went about 5. Mary and Jeff went out fishing again with Gene, and came back this time with their limit, so everyone who has fished this weekend has done well.


Fully prepped and ready to ready to fish



Monday morning it rained some, so no one went fishing. But Marilyn’s fridge still has plenty for them to eat for the next few days. Jeff and Mary made a great breakfast for us all, and we packed up, ready to head home.
It has been a cold weekend, but other than the one rain shower, good weather. We’ve had a great time with family, fishing, eating, drinking, playing cards, walking, geocaching…..what more could we ask for?
PS- The plan was to go back via Hwy 2 but along the way we heard that there was snow and ice on the roadway so we headed south to I-90 encountering some snow over Blewett pass (but nothing sticking on the roadway. It turns out that Harris and Mapquest were correct saying that Hwy 20 was shorter. At least this time with the construction and snow on Hwy 2… It took us 5 hours to get there and almost 6 hours to get back.


Tasha, Marilyn, and Ewan with their lucky fishing hats