From Port Townsend to Port Angeles

...And little stops in between. I've been here before, eight years ago-but I don't recall sightseeing too much. I do remember going to Victoria and since I've been there recently I didn't want to go again, so I just took day trips to see what's on the Olympic Peninsula. Of course, you have to take into the fact that it's beautiful, sunny and warm for two or three days, then stormy, rainy and icky for the next three days..so trips came in spurts.

This is Discovery Bay. Its East of Port Townsend and flow into the Straits of Juan De Fuca

Right at the point of the Bay is a very nice Visitors information/center run by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. It's actually in a little town called Blyn. As you get into Port Angeles you see the signs to the Olympic National Park 

The drive to Hurricane Ridge is stunning! Not to be missed!

The deer are so tame-but it's best to remember they're not! They can do a lot of damage to a car. I saw a lot of signs about elk but no live elk today....

There's a spectacular Visitor's Center at Hurricane Ridge-and the view-oh my!

I took these to show the panoramic view of the Mts., including Mt. Olympis

And now, on to the Lavendar Festival this weekend!

Mt. St. Helens

I'm continuing my travels north and stopped at Columbia Riverfront RV park in Woodland, WA. Ray and I worked here in 2001-02 and I like to stop here to renew old friendships, and take the opportunity to sightsee. Here's a photo op-with your friendly elk.......

Ray Arntsen is a dear friend I don't see too often. This visit we took a drive up to the Johnson Observatory at Mt. St. Helens. Ray lived here when Mt. St. Helens erupted (May 18, 1980)  but had never been to the Johnson Observatory! Naturally, the weather wasn't cooperating but still well worth the trip.

The fallout rock and ash actually covered the Toulle River-in some parts it was 600 ft. thick! 

No matter the weather-if you're in the area this is a must stop. 

LINCOLN CITY REUNION

Teresa nd Debby are two of my dearest friends and we don't get to see each other very often...This time it's been almost a year so I drove to Lincoln City, OR, Teresa came from Stanwood, WA and Debby lives down the road in Newport. We had a whole week to laugh, giggle and catch up on each other's lives. Email is OK, skyping is good, too, but there's nothing like the face-to-face contact. 

Scott, Debby and Teresa in the Slocum's kitchen. Debby is an excellent cook, and whether we ate at their home or ate out, all meals were excellent! Below, you'll find us in a great silly mood....We went to high tea at the Grand Victorian B&B in Newport. She was even able to prepare a full service gluten free for Teresa!

That's me enjoying apricot tea and home made devenshire cream-delish!

Debby has the cream all over her mouth, too.

Teresa looks like she's been caught in the cookie jar! We had a great time-the hats were courtesy of the B&B-We had a wide selection..

A GREAT spot for ribs, pork or chicken in Depoe Bay. They cook (smoke) all their meat right on the premises and just getting out of the car makes you salivate. The desserts are to die for. The local Lady comes in @ midnight to do the baking-pies, muffins, cupcakes brownies and cookies- just so they are fresh for the customer that day. It's hard to get out of there.....We saved a lot a clams this week by eating several times at The Bone Pile.....

Here we are in all our glory...Debby(L), Teresa (middle), and me (R).

These two pictures are from the outdoor display at the Freed Gallery-just great iron pieces!

And, poof! the week is over! Love you guys......

Miss E is Three!

Miss E is getting much better opening presents since Christmas-and she doesn't need big sister's help!

 The kids were in the pool most of the day-got out for snacks and dinner only!

Miss E has her very own big wheels-she's been riding Miss C's for some time now

The cake was special-it's called a picture cake and Miss E's picture was right in the middle with all her Disney Friends-so cute!

It was a fun day-E had so many cute faces all day-kind of surprised and a little overwhelmed at times...

First Grade Play

There's nothing like watching your granddaughter perform in her first play! Miss C and her classmates are celebrating their ascent to second grade. The Title "Mr. Fox Steals Summer" was filled with song, dance and lots of enthusiasm.

The proud moms had tears in their eyes.....and little sister just watched very closely-after all she'll be in the same place in three years!

The whole class had a part-and some (like Miss C) had several. I was very impressed with how much the children memorized and the dance and gestures. The show lasted almost 1/2 hour! That's a lot for six year olds!

Grandmas were pretty proud-and little sister watched very closely.....

Mrs. Sylva is a much beloved teacher-and she thinks Miss C is a rockstar!

Easter

Easter Weekend started with Miss C and I trying to make cake pops....It was a lot of fun and we learned a lot! But, as cake pops go it was a disaster...We'll do better next time! 

The grandmas took over the egg decorating. Both Miss C and Miss E were hard at work, trying a new fangled spin machine and adding sparkles and stickers.

Miss C noticed that the Easter bunny must have had one of the eggs!

And then it was time for the egg hunt! We (EB) used plastic eggs filled with $$$$$, toys and a little bit of candy. Most of the candy was in the baskets but a few made it in the 84 eggs hidden around the play area.

Ooops! One of the chocolates melted all over Miss E!

Aunt Sara found baskets the EB left at her house for the girls.

Miss E had a wonderful time opening all her plastic eggs and sampling the chocolate.

I was so proud of Miss C..she helped E find her basket, then offered to share some of her toys and candy with  Miss E. We all had a great time-kids can make any  celebration special. And, kudos to the parents who gave the EB a heads up and asked for toys instead of candy.

Oatman-Again!

There's a little town near Bullhead City set in the foothills that's popular for the burros. Each time I find myself in this area I visit this "back in the 1800's" town. This was Gary's and the Darrows' first visit.

The burros were few and far between but enough to continue the town's reputation-they're so cute! But dangerous so it's a good idea to not get too close when you are offering a carrot.

Don't know if you can read this-the only hotel in Oatman was the place where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon....That's the new factiod I learned this visit...

Yard art....I'm hoping my friend Roy will see these....

And, the day ended at the Thompson's place for a delicious meal....The Darrows are headed for Las Vegas and Gary is working at the KOA till May 1st. It's fun connecting with people all over!