September 2012

Greetings!

As you know or can imagine, the Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place in the summer, and most of our sunny season is spent beneath the tall firs and shady alders of our own little 6-acre slice of heaven on the northern Olympic Peninsula. We had some fun side-trips this season, always returning to the little 8’ x 12’ cabin we call our summer home. As difficult as it will be to leave this peaceful paradise in a few weeks, it is always a thrill to be hitting the road again. We hope you find much to anticipate with joy as you peer ahead into autumn. ~ Brian and Andi

Life OFF the Road

When summertime comes, Sierra-the-RV finally gets to put her feet (OK, tires) up for a while and let Herb-the-VW-bus take over the transportation duties. Herb winters under a special protective jacket at the house of some terrific and tolerant Olympic Peninsula friends. We peel off his cover in July, reconnect the battery, mumble a few hopeful prayers and fire him up. He becomes our daily driver for 3-mile trips to what we call Little Town (Joyce) and 15-mile jaunts to the Big City of Port Angeles (population 19,002 when we’re in town). Sierra lounges in our forested driveway collecting fir needles on her head and occasionally providing us with DVD movies on her TV screen while we run her generator to keep her batteries charged. We have also taken to using Sierra’s refrigerator during our months on the property – a previously unknown luxury while we are at “summer camp”!

Herb's turn to come out

Wish You Were Here

Did we mention taking some excursions this summer? Highlights include riding Amtrak south from Edmonds, then visiting several sights in Tacoma - Museum of Glass, Botanical Conservatory, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. 

The dome of the "Hot Shop" at the Museum of Glass

How day do dat?

Very graceful - under water. . .

Driving through the rocky Cascades is a thrill in any season and we got to enjoy some places on the east side of the mountains before the current immense fires poisoned the air. 

Lots of pears in the Wenatchee Valley

The Wenatchee River near Leavenworth, Washington

Then there was a lovely day trip to the small lumber town of Forks and the coastal reservation land of LaPush (try not to swoon with envy, all you Twilight fans). An overnight visit to the Port Townsend area and a water view campsite rounded out a full season of travel experiences in our very own backyard. We are reminded why so many folks vacation in the beautiful and varied state of Washington.

A bay view through the madrone trees

Photo Collage: 

The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, Tacoma, WA

Thanks for joining us. Feel free to leave a comment below. See you next time!