Off to Judy's mountain for a couple of days

Thursday September 10th - Saturday September 13th (Days 452-454)
We were busy with company from Keith's wedding through Tuesday, so on Wednesday we cleaned up a bit and packed Howie for a quick getaway. The weather was going to be great, and we hadn't made it to Mt. Rainier this year yet, so that's where we headed.

A view of the mountain from Clear Lake. It looks like a great place to live! Harris only wants to know if people there have high speed internet.

Our camping spot at Cougar Rock campground, on the Paradise side. We spent a lot of time reading and relaxing.

There was a group of Delorean drivers who congregated at Paradise on Friday.

Instead of wildflowers, in September we get reds and oranges on the hillside from the bushes that change color.

And of course, marmots are always entertaining to watch along the trail.

We hiked up the east side of the Skyline trail. We started out too late in the day to do the whole trail, but still got a work out doing just a few miles. Harris is trying out his new gadgets....portable tripod and setting up the shot from his iphone. It worked!

Friday was a hot day to hike...nearly 80 degrees, and no wind to cool us down...very unusual! We certainly needed our "blessed shade" stops.

A view looking back over the trail.

We stopped on the way back to cool our feet in the mountain stream. Pretty cold!

Another shot of the stream.

First night's dinner....barbecued chicken, salad and baked potatoes!

Breakfast both mornings was scrambled eggs with ham, bacon and toast which always taste so much better when camping.

On Saturday we drove down to Longmire lodge and enjoyed the scenery from the front porch. This porch is a traditional stop whenever we head up to the mountain.

Then we took a short hike to Kautz Creek. This hike was blessedly shaded and pretty level all the way. Our sore legs appreciated that!

A goodbye shot from the other side as we drove home. It was relaxing trip with great weather. Seems we did the same weekend last year. Maybe the August trip will become a September trip instead!

Howie goes to a wedding in the woods

Thursday September 3rd - Tuesday September 8th (Days 446-451)

Our youngest, Keith, got married this week at Anderson Lodge outside of Ariel, WA. It is a retreat center with many buildings and beautiful scenery. We had company arriving all week, and on Thursday, we slept in Howie in our driveway to make room for them.
On Friday, 3 carloads of people and "stuff" set off for about a 4 hour drive to the lodge. Kyle and Serenity took trays of wine glasses in the van, Dwight and Sana took boxes of wine in the Avalon, and Harris and Judy took food for the masses in Howie.

Friday night we gathered with about 40 of the guests for the rehearsal dinner. Many hands make light work, and many people helped us cook and serve.

Joe delights in starting the fire for the burgers and brats which were accompanied with beans, slaw, chips, cookies, and 6 varieties of home made beer.

The rehearsal goes like most rehearsals go...totally discombobulated and off the tracks!

"And then we..."

Three of the many people who helped put it all together.
Dwight and Sana went above and beyond the call of friendship and cooked and cleaned all weekend with us. 

Howie finds a great place to witness the entire event.

Setting up the sound system in the great outdoors. Everything was beautifully set up in advance, and then the rain rolled in. The ceremony was delayed for a few minutes, and when the sun broke through, guests were given towels and asked to dry off their chairs. :) 

Two of the many campers that helped put on the show.

The proud parents ready for the big event.

 

Serenity and Kyle giving River some last minute flower girl instructions. 

The rain clouds parted for the actual exchange of the vows.

A big bonus for Harris and Judy was seeing their friends at such special events. Everything got done, The kids were married, the dinner served, and we danced the night away. Keith and Theresa wanted a "camping" wedding, where their guests could stay and visit for more than a few hours. Some guests stayed the entire 4 days, others came and went. On Sunday morning, Keith challenged his mom to join him in "beer pong"....a first for Judy. He kindly designated someone to drink the beer in the cups, since Judy hates beer. Judy and Keith only lost the game by one cup!

 

Judy scores in her first beer bong event ever with expert coaching from Keith.

Howie took us home on Sunday afternoon, very tired but happy for the newly weds. Keith, Theresa and some of their friends stayed another day before heading off to their homes around the country.