A short trip to a favorite spot (Howie days 88-91)
September 10-13
Judy has been having back trouble the last month so when her sister suggested going to the Sol Duc hot springs we jumped at the chance. Harris had been having withdrawal spasms from not being in Howie for almost a couple of months so this was a good reason (probably any reason would have been a good reason) to get out on the road. We headed out around our usual time (10 AM) and instead of taking the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston, we drove around through Seattle, Tacoma, and up the other side of the peninsula. Traffic was light and it felt good to be in Howie again. Harris drove with a big smile, he just couldn’t help it, he was happy to be on the go again! We arrived in the afternoon just about “Happy Hour” time. Marilynn and Gene had already been in the hot springs so we arranged the chairs and caught up. Gene figured out the electrical problem with his trailer was a bad battery and we all shared what’s been going on with our kids’ lives. The ground was still very wet from the heavy rainfall the previous week. Lucky for us the weather was clear and warm (shorts weather for the most part) so we wouldn’t have a need for the raingear. Since Sol Duc is in a valley between two large mountains, we lose the sunlight early and have a later sunrise than in Lake Stevens. (It was hot in Lake Stevens when we left, and we didn’t pack all the warm clothes we should have….it’s easy to forget that in the rain forest, even the nicest days can be chilly.)
Our campsites in the trees
Harris did some hiking with Marilyn and Gene. Judy rested her back and took short walks around the campsites. We lazed around in the hot pools. We played cards. (Marilyn won.) We read our books and sat by the campfire. Because we camped with Marilyn, the dinners were sublime. Sunday and heading home came all too soon.
Catching up
Gene walking the dogs
On the way back, Harris did a little geocaching in Port Angeles. The first two were easily found, and the last two stumped us, so we have to go back and search some more. (any excuse, right?) Short trips are good…and probably all that are left to us this fall. Harris is already looking forward to March and spring training in Arizona!
Finding a geocache in Port Angeles
