Port Angeles

Last week we were able to visit Michelle and her family up in Port Angeles while Trevor was away at Scout Camp. It was a fun trip, because Michelle always has good stuff planned to do, and because Melody likes the cool, wet weather so much, and because we have the cutest grand kids in the world!

The twins mug for the camera

On Monday (the only truly sunny day the whole week we were there) we drove over to La Push to go boogie boarding. It was a beautiful day and the water was warm. Below, Atticus wears my sunglasses. There aren't too may good photos of the Atti-gator, mostly because it's hard to get a four year old boy to sit still for very long. But I had him captive in his car seat for this one.

A self portrait of me on the driftwood jetty, with the beautiful scenery behind.

Can you tell I'm taking the picture?

The warning light at the end of the jetty, and a fishing boat leaving the harbor. It was really close.

The tide was coming in all morning, and we really had some good waves to ride. Michelle rented us a couple of wet suits and she and I had a blast. And the water was really warn. (Did I say that already?)

It was pretty cool at the beach at La Push, because it's an Indian Reservation so you can build fires on the beach and cook hot dogs and stuff (which we did). Everybody was pretty beat on the way home. I stayed up front to keep Michelle awake by telling her funny stories.

Another morning we drove over to Salt Creek Rec Area (Tongue Point to be exact), but the weather was not as nice. Well, okay, it was nice for Washington, but not what you'd hope for for an outing. The tide was way out and we walked around the tide pools

The neighborhood where Trevor and Michelle live has a heated swimming pool and the kids like to go down there, But really, only Jane likes getting in. That's Atticus, Jane and Lizzie in the right hand photo.

Then, as sort of a grand finale, we went to the Wild Animal Park. This is kind of a retirement home for animals that have been performers in movies, and other exotic animals that need a good home. It was pretty fun to feed them bread (only wheat bread allowed), and many of them would stick their heads right in your car to get at it. You see Michelle pushing away the incredibly foul smelling water buffalo.

Michelle and the zebra got along well. Lizzie likes feeding the reindeer.

Big eyed bison looking to me for a handout.

The bears really were the best though. Most of them would smile and wave. We even got one to sit up and wave goodbye to us as we drove off. It really was fun, and the kids just had a great time. Of, course, it didn't hurt any that we took them to McDonalds afterward. That made me happy too.    :  )

One final shot. I took the twins on a walk the last day we were there (Cause they were being fussy). It's always fun to see them stop, squat, and look at the slugs (which are as plentiful as raindrops). I say it's funny because looking is fine, but touching is not. Lizzie nearly had a cow when she thought she had closed her hand around a caterpillar. When we finally got her hand opened and she saw there was nothing in there, then the drama was over. But the world came apart for her while she considered the possibility that she might actually be holding a bug!

FIRE!

The last time we had a fire anywhere near our house... it was in our kitchen. Probably 15 years ago something caught fire on the stove and did some very minor damage to cabinets and things. It was actually a good thing, because the insurance money covered some needed improvements.

But this afternoon it got a little exciting outside the house. We smelled smoke about 2 o'clock, but figured it was just burning leaves or something. A couple of hours later Mom came in from the backyard and said: I think there's really a fire close by.

There was a lot of smoke and ash dropping from the sky. I looked over the back fence and sure enough, the dry field of weeds in back of our place that belongs to Siller Brothers Trucking was ablaze - and headed our way.

We got a couple of hoses out and I was getting ready to wet everything down behind the fence, when I heard sirens. Two firetrucks drove into the field and started putting the fire out. There wasn't much to see (as you can tell from the photos below). 

 And in other news. . . everyone was so good to me for Fathers Day, and even Rich brought me some special soda.

It wasn't as good as you might think. And it you think it wouldn't be very good at all, well you're right.

Fathers Day 2013

This has been a great day so far (and we haven't even gone to Church yet), though we did have a visit from the missionaries - from another church.

As they always do, our kids have sent  funny, thoughtful Fathers day cards and gifts. Below is a sampling of what has come so far. No particular order, I just think they're all fun:

From Kim & Nate

(and Nate added: You are, my biggest fan. from "That Thing You Do." Good knowledge.)

From Michelle & Trevor

From Grant                                                                and Lucy

 I love the "I wood eat you" line. Perfect!

From Molly                                                                and HG

  

Molly always has the over-sized bow in her hair, and I'm surprised Henry held still long enough to trace his hand.

and from my Sweetheart

  

Pam sent chocolate dipped  (by hand) cinnamon bears, Michelle sent a shirt I saw a long time ago and

was impressed by, and Mom bought me special food treats like cheese and bread and stuff. Very nice.

School's Out for the Summer

Mom & I took off after work Friday (the last day of school for us) and headed down to Sacramento. I know, not a huge trip, but anywhere away was good enough. We ate an English style restaurant downtown that we had never been to before. Mom had a three-salad combination plate (why don't more places do that?) and I had the English Ploughman's Repast (two wedges of cheese, fruit, pickled baby onions, and a loaf of fresh bread (yumm!). Then we strolled around Old Sac for a while, and shared a huge ice cream cone (in 100 deg heat, with hot fudge topping).

Some of the things we saw:

Looking through the window of the reconstructed one-room school house, and the Tower Draw bridge.

The Delta King stern-wheel paddle boat, and some of the shops.

After some swimming in the hotel pool (well, Mom just hit the hot tub), we relaxed with a movie in the room.

The next morning I brought Melody breakfast in bed - which just means that I went down to the free continental breakfast room and brought up some things that she'd like so she wouldn't have to leave the room. Then we drove to Bodega Bay (by a new route) to escape the 110 deg heat. Apparently everyone else did too. I've never, ever seen it son crowded over there. Some scenes from the coast:

The sea as viewed from Bodega Head

 The prettiest girl on the beach!

The rather interesting memorial, and the plaque describing it's intent.

(actually, I like it)

Mom thought this was a nice shot of just how steep and deep the cliffs were.

 Yep. That's me about to go over the edge. (you always knew it would come to this one day...)

The incredibly crowded beach at Salmon creek, and the great looking waves. I should have taken my board.

Mom takes a picture of me while I take a picture of her.

David and Kimberly will remember this place the best perhaps, but I think Chris and Lorna are familiar with it too. This is the home of the world's best clam chowder - hands down! They also have great shrimp sandwiches, and excruciatingly good grab cakes. The only problem is that the crab cakes are only available on Sat & Sun (we're usually there mid-week to escape the crowds) and they aren't ready till 1pm (rats!). Any other time of the week you'll see maybe 6 people there. This photo was taken at 1pm on Sat. And I couldn't get the dozens of people who were waiting in line in the shot 

The funny story about this place is that a couple of years ago David, Kim, and Mom & I were eating here when a free-lance photographer asked to take our pictures for a magazine. After a couple of shots she wanted a few close ups of just Kim eating. (Kim being the most "model-like" member of our group). And for those who know Kim, she hates sea food. But she was a trooper, ate a few bites of clam chowder, and had he picture taken. (None of us made it into the magazine. They decided a picture of the owner was more important for some reason).

We had loads of fun, relaxation, and cool weather.