Labor Day Weekend Fun

Tim's parents and their home "Magic" decided to come and visit with us over Labor Day weekend.  They arrived Friday night...we fed them some salmon and quinoa salad...and Saturday Tim took them to our Farmer's Market...while I was at work.  They have been touring National Parks and such...so sight seeing wasn't really on the agenda...they wanted to catch up with odds and ends...although they did a little sight seeing Saturday and then were home by the time I got off work.  Saturday night I prepared a summer veggie toss with quinoa pasta...and pesto!  It was really quite good.

Sunday we got up and Tim made Quiche (bacon, cheese, onion, spinach)...and then we did a little local wine tasting...we hit Knipprath Cellars and Latah Creek (just as they were closing).  We decided to check and see if Wolf Lodge would be open Monday...it wasn't going to be...so we made an 8pm reservation to eat there...best steak in the area...and this visit was just as good as all of the others!

Monday was a lazy day..I got up late...they were already up...we made some breakfast sandwiches and spent most of the day doing computer type work...odds and ends, and laundry.  We had a little cookout in the afternoon...garlic brats, potato salad, veggies...and then later in the evening we did our Sunday night ritual a day late with popcorn at 6pm and some X-Files.

Recapping August Fun

Fun times in August...

Boating with Friends August 14, Tim and I lucked out this year and finally got to go on someone's boat down the Spokane River.  We met up after work Saturday and left from the Post Falls boat dock.  We got to see a Canadian Snow Goose, a bald eagle and an osprey.  The houses were lovely, saw a couple huge houses.  We docked in Coeur D'Alene and ate at THE BEACON, a pub.  The meal was good, but the place was a little loud for such an early hour of the evening.  We got back into the boat an hour later and headed back just as the sun was setting...which was gorgeous!  Thank you Margy and Randy!  What a fun time!

Picking Peaches at Greenbluff August 15 The next day we decided to head to Greenbluff to see if there were any peaches to pick.  We discussed how many we would get...and of course ended up buying more than what we discussed.  We also got some corn, red potatoes, and extra peaches we didn't pick.  We headed back home and started making pesto...our basil plant was going nuts and needed to be harvested.  We managed to harvest half...making two batches of pesto.  I decided to freeze this in an ice cube tray and then wrap in wax paper in a ziploc so I would be able to take out small bits at a time.  We also made peach sorbet for the first time...it was really good.  We grilled salmon with pesto which was also very delicious.  What a great weekend.

Girls weekend in Seattle August 27-30 - Yes, I traveled AGAIN!  This time it was a trip to Seattle to help my friend Amy celebrate her upcoming marriage.  Lynn hosted Liz, Amy and I for the weekend.  It was full of fun conversations, good food, a concert at Chateau Ste Michelle (Crowded House), and laughter!  Everyone needs a girls weekend!

Catching Up RECAP of July and the first part of August

WOW, what a great couple of months...it is hard to believe it has been so long since I have posted.  I really want to get better about posting.  Things we do, what we are up to, etc.  Of course I get into moods where I want to post...and then I get into moods where I don't want to post.  I guess I should just treat this as a diary.  So...big trips have included...

North Cascades National Park July 30-31 - what a fabulous place!  Tim and I want to return there sometime soon.  It was gorgeous.  We spent the night at Newhalem Creek Campground.  We found a walk in site close to the river.  It was peaceful and it was nice to listen to the river at night.  We walked to the ranger's station, went to the night ranger's talk comparing the movie AVATAR to the North Cascades National Park (the wildlife and greenery) and then joined the ranger in the morning for coffee...and to discuss where to hike.  We decided to head to the Cascade Pass area...what a drive...clouded up on us and began to rain...we hiked up a portion of the trail to get the view...the mountains around us started to disappear as the clouds moved in.  The drive up and down was fun too, most of it unpaved and often room for a single vehicle.  FUN TIMES!  But...definitely worth a trip back!

Seattle for birthday July 31-August 2 - Left North Cascades to drive to Seattle and arrived about 6pm to a lovely spread made by my sister and her roommate...cheese, crackers, proscuitto wrapped cantaloupe and wine while she prepared a steak dinner with all of the trimmings and topped it off with a red velvet cake!  It was really great and the perfect way to ring in my 40th year of life.  We spent the weekend walking around Fremont, hanging out, and just enjoying each other's company.  I caught a red eye flight to Ohio about 12 midnight on August 3rd.

Ohio August 3-10 - Picked up at the Airport by my dad...we drove back to Newark and ate lunch at La Paloma...went to the shop and met some of the guys...said hello to the ones I knew.  Went back to my parent's house to take a nap before meeting up with two friends from high school.  It was great catching up with them!  We had a great meal at Cheesecake Factory and spent nearly 4 hours talking and laughing about old times!  The next day I was up at 11am...went and had lunch with my dad at Ye Olde Mill and then went to visit my friend Jet...then packed up and headed to Columbus to see my bestie Liz! We headed to the Wine Guy and talked for hours over wine and yummy food!

Ohio - Thursday we were up trying a new place for breakfast in the Short North...walking up and down High street checking out stores and shops...having some chips and salsa with our margarita to cool down...and the stopping in to see my friend Matt at his tattoo parlor to say hello before heading back to Liz's house to change for WICKED.  We met Gigi at Marcellas in the Short North for dinner before the show...and then walked to the new Chocolates place across the street to try some chocolate before the show.  Then we went to WICKED...which was fabulous the second time...and lots of tears being with two great friends listening to the songs FOR GOOD and DEFYING GRAVITY. It was a great time!

Ohio - Friday I met Liz and Eric at Easton to hit a grand opening at Eddie Bauer...we walked around and shopped a little.  Liz and I met Renee for lunch at a sushi place Liz wanted to take me to...and we had a great visit.  Liz and I hit Trader Joe's to get some things for me to fix my dad a late birthday dinner and then I headed back to Newark to make dinner and hang out with my dad a little.  I made him swordfish and rice with some stir fry veggies.  I stopped at a bakery in Gahanna to get some german sweet chocolate cupcakes for him (it was WAY too hot to cook!).  My friend Holly stopped by that evening and we hung out and chatted for awhile on my parent's front porch.  It was fun!

Ohio - Saturday I got up and went to Maker's Market in Granville...saw Liz and Maggie, met dad there and walked around...then also got to see Chris and meet his new squeeze!  Ate a HUGE peach...and then headed back to my dad's to have lunch and then left about 1pm to go to Columbus to get my birthday tattoo!  Matt and I had a great visit...and the tattoo looks FAB!  It isn't done...I need to get back and get it finished!  Then I headed to Akron to visit Ted and Anne.  Tom came over and we had a great steak dinner topped off with strawberry shortcake.

Ohio - Sunday we got up and had breakfast...Ted made omelets and Anne made french toast.  It was all so yummy.  Ted and I went hiking...rock scrambling and going through tight squeezes...we met Anne at a local farmer's market...the food was FANTASTIC...then we cleaned up and headed to Cleveland to eat dinner at Chocolate Martini's...it was so good.  After we returned I met up and visited with Tom.

Ohio - Monday it was a day of vegging...hung out with Anne while Ted was at work...said goodbye to him once he got home and then I drove back taking the scenic drive home...ordered a Plaza Pizza and did some laundry...looked through old pictures and then packed for home.

Ohio - Tuesday...got up and went to the shop...dad took me to the airport...it was a great visit!

Trip to Iowa July 11th

It is Sunday...Ted and Anne get up and get ready to leave.  Ted makes mom a crepe...and we all eat and say our goodbyes.  It is raining again...Lynn and I decide to watch TV....and rest.  So we never get out of our pj's.  All day we just sit with Grandma and watch things and snooze.  What a fun and relaxing way to spend the day.  I am sure when I get home there will be none of that!  Mom gets back from her running around and decides to join us.  We are eating leftovers...trying to get the fridge cleaned out before it gets too late.  The rain stops later in the day and it sounds like the FIREWORKS from the fourth will be shot off tonight.  How exciting is that?  We figure that is a good reason to at least get dressed.  We start getting ready to head over to the little house site about 9pm...the mosquitoes are THICK..and we have learned they don't like Mentholatum...who knew?  So we slather and head over in the golf cart...all of us!  It really isn't that far.  Their neighbor Deb comes over to watch with us.  The fireworks are great!  We are so excited we got to see them.  It rained too much to shoot them off on the 4th and 5th...so they postponed them!  Just for us...well we would like to think so!  After the fireworks are over...we drive back to the farm where Grandpa lights another huge fire!  We sit around and giggle and sing..and stare at the stars.  It is sad, our last night...but it was a fun trip.  We decide we won't leave until we have to tomorrow. And yes...the fireworks are sideways...UGH!

Trip to Iowa July 10th

Hard to believe it is SATURDAY...all of the days are just blending together.  Ted and Anne have decided to treat us to Crepes for breakfast...Anne makes a strawberry filling and whips up some whipped cream while Ted makes the batter.  We eat them one at a time...and try other variations.  I like savoury crepes so I make a white sauce to put with my left over prime rib from the night before and that ends up yummy!  We also do a chocolate and banana one...also good!  For the rest of the day we are pretty lazy.  We decide that we will just hang out...as always...and just do whatever.  We visit, we look at pictures, we listen to stories...we eat.  More bird watching and reading in the sunroom...I swear it is my new favorite room in the house.  For many years it was the piano room..then the TV room...now it is the sunroom!  Ted and Anne grill chicken for dinner...it is YUMMY.  Ted does a great job of cooking the corn and chicken on the charcoal grill...while Anne preps food and makes potatoes in the oven.  It is quite the feast!  We decide that group photos are needed so we head outside to where the sun is starting to set. We also decide it is time for a fire...haven't made one yet.  Grandpa brings TONS of wood and before long we have a fire we are sitting 5 feet away from.  We toast marshmallows and make s'mores...it is all really fun!  Ted and Anne will leave in the morning!

Trip to Iowa July 9th

We woke on Friday...to start another day of activity...not really!  We hung out around the farm most of the day...I read and watched birds from the sunroom...and we made reservations for the Feedlot in Atlantic for that evening.  We all headed to the Care Center to see Grandma Hays.  She was most happy to see Ted.  She gave him a hard time...it was fun!  We totally spaced on the farmer's market at 5pm and headed to Atlantic early to run a couple errands before dinner.  Walmart and Fareway...meds and food.  Ted and Anne planned dinner for Saturday night and we got most of what we needed and met Mom, Grandma and Grandpa at the Feedlot for an awesome dinner (as always).  We headed back and mom and I decided to walk again...this time it was getting dark...but we walked to the water tower in Exira and back.  I took my head lamp to help in the dark...we saw several buzzards, an owl and some bunnies on our night walk.  We got back to see everyone else watching movies.

Trip to Iowa July 8th

Well, I have to say that I did what I normally do in Iowa...slept in until about 9am...and then thought it may be a good idea to walk before it got too hot.  So I ate breakfast and my mom and I walked around Exira.  First we decided on the graveyard and back...then because the sun was already pretty warm, we just walked near the school and up and down a few side streets.  Came back and ate a little lunch...and then I took a 3 HOUR NAP?!?!?!?!?!  I don't nap.  I was horrified when I got up three hours later.  I did feel good.  Read in the sunroom and helped start dinner...Ted and Anne should be arriving later...so we were going to eat later in the day.  So, just hung out and watched the birds!  Read..relaxed.  That is what you do!  Watch the corn grow (hee hee).  Ted and Anne arrived about 9pm and we had a yummy dinner.  My grandma browned a piece of beef in her dutch oven...then added a packet of Italian dressing mix, a packet of gravy mix and a can of beef broth...we cooked it in the oven slow until it fell apart.  Had her sour cream potatoes and salad to go with, and Lynn made some yummy garlic cheesy bread.  We had dirt cake for dessert.  Now who is dieting?

Trip to Iowa July 7, 2010

After sleeping in a little later and then eating some second breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa, we got ready to go to tea in Exira.  The tearoom is owned by a couple in Exira and they are open only occasionally.  We managed to get a reservation for 1pm that day.  We headed out about 12:50pm to drive over (it took about 2 minutes to get there).  We had been in the shop before.  The shop and tea room is called Timeless Treasures Tea Room and Gift Shop.  They do hardwood floor design as well...and they have lots of lovely items in the shop.  A larger group was leaving as we arrived.  They were still looking about.  We sat down and ordered our tea.  Lynn opted for a Vanilla Spice and I decided on Apricot.  Mom and Grandma got coffee.  Our menu was fixed because the largest group of the day gets to set the menu for the day.  We had spinach, strawberry and mushroom salad with cheese soup with veggies and a chicken salad sandwich served on a cream puff pastry.  It was all really good.  For dessert we had a pineapple meringue dessert.  It was all YUMMY!  Maybe a little much...I didn't finish my sandwich or my dessert.  The owners were getting ready to drive to Wisconsin...so we tried to get done as soon as possible.  I also found a TEAPOT and cup and saucer to purchase while we were there!  It was so pretty.  I have shipped it home so I hope it makes it.

Mom, Lynn and I headed back to drop Grandma off and then we drove to Atlantic to go to Walmart (I know, trust me I normally don't shop here, but out here we don't have much of a choice for what I wanted to do).  I had a prescription to pick up and I wanted to print some pictures of last year for Grandma in 8x10 and get frames...and since Ted and Anne were coming out I wanted to get there wedding present printed and framed as well.  We did a little shopping in Atlantic as well.  I found a cute dress and Mom found a shirt at one of our favorite places in Atlantic, the Bird Nest.  We headed back in time to drop mom off and then I took Lynn to Audubon for a hair appointment.  While she got her hair cut I read and called Tom.  She looked FANTASTIC!  And...the haircut was $15, where can you go out here for that?  NO WHERE!

We decided on PIZZA for dinner that night.  So mom called it in and Lynn and I picked it up on our way back to the farm.  The local Casey's has really yummy pizza!  We sat and ate pizza and drank root beer...it was good!

We watch a couple of movies and giggle over Grandma's strawberry pie.  She has avoided all of our questions about it...as it looks NOTHING like her pie.  She tells us she went to make it and found out she didn't have the ingredients and began to substitute things...and now it is a rather yummy red, white, and blue pie!

Trip to Iowa July 6 2010

Lynn and I flew to Iowa today...we left later in the day.  We dropped my truck off at Tim's work and then he took us to the airport.  We managed to get there at a good time.  We had a brief layover in Minneapolis and then landed safe and sound in Omaha.  When I went to pick up the rental car the guy asked me where I was going...I told him Exira, he asked, is that in Nebraska?  I said no, in Iowa about 70 miles east of here.  He asked if there was an exit sign for it off of I-80...I said well there is a small sign before an exit and then it is paired with Anita just past that first exit.  He said, I don't remember seeing it before, I responded, it is a small town!  We got our car, a WHITE car...and drove to Exira.  Everyone was still up (barely) when we arrived...and everyone headed to bed!  HOORAY we are in Iowa!

Lilith Fair 2010 - The Gorge July 3rd

My sister and I had never been to the gorge for a concert...so this year we decided to go to Lilith Fair at the GORGE!  We left Friday with our camping equipment to camp at Potholes State Park near the center of Washington...and about an hour from the Gorge!  Camping was fun!  We had steak, broccoli and baked potatoes Friday night...we walked around and explored a little...mosquitos were thick...but after a candle and some new Cutter wipes we were mosquito free!

We got up Saturday to gorgeous skies and promises of fabulous weather.  We made eggs and bacon over charcoal and had tea.  We walked around, sat by the lake and watched the boats go into the lake.  We watched the people start to come and get a spot on the small beach area.  We decided to head to the concert a little early.  The tickets said 2:30pm for the start time.  We arrived about 2pm and waited in a long line to get in.  By this time the sun was up and while the breeze was cool...the sun was warm...and not a lot of shade!

Once in the concert...we could see the other stages, booths of every kind and once we saw the concert area...it nearly took our breath away.  What a gorgeous place to experience music!  We found a spot near the bottom of the first hill and nearly center stage...and set up our little space with a ground cover, stadium style seats (just a seat and a back) and our backpack with snacks, sandwiches and supplies for later.

The headliners took stage about 5:30pm...Lynn and I enjoyed people watching, we took turns walking around and filling up our water bottles until the start.  There were plenty of people to watch!  We were fortunate to see Colby, Erykah, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and Sarah McLachlan.  All were incredible, all did a fantastic job and the crowd definitely LOVED them.  We were a little sad that more people didn't want to dance...so a lot of party poopers with the lack of wanting to dance...we did get a few SIT DOWNS!  I am so surprised that concert goers aren't willing to show the enthusiasm they once did for bands and solo artists.  But...what can you do?  I suppose the laziness and slothfulness is slowing creeping its way into the younger generations!  It is so sad!  I love concerts...but part of my love is getting up and dancing to my fave songs...and it seems like that is a thing of the past.

Here are a couple shots...understand that my camera is not powerful...so it won't do the place justice!  We had such a fun time!  We returned to our campsite that night really excited about the concert.  We got up the next morning and headed home to Spokane to spend the rest of July 4th with Tim!

Trip to the ONP June 21

Ah, today is the day we leave.  We almost didn't want to leave our cabin.  But, we all had a little to eat and then packed everything up.  We decided to run into Forks to check and see what other items I could purchase for my Eclipse Movie Party as prizes.  Tim got some fudge!  It was great!  We headed to the Hungry Bear Cafe...and had a breakfast that was quite filling and delish!  Eric had pancakes as big (well bigger) than his head, Liz and I had breakfast sandwiches...I had a cinnamon roll, Lynn and I had hot chocolate and Tim had an omelet...all yummy, all logger sized portions!

We managed to hit the ferry about 2:30pm and were back to Lynn's about 3:30pm.  We unloaded and then reloaded everything so Tim, Liz, Eric and I could head to our hotel (close to the airport) for the night.

After we dropped off the car, and got to the hotel...we met up to walk to dinner...we walked the wrong direction and a very nice Travelodge hotel driver picked us up and took us to the restaurant we wanted to go to.  The food was AWESOME!

We turned in knowing that we had a lot of travel ahead of us (Liz and Eric) and an early start.  What a great weekend!  Hope we can do it again soon!

Trip to the ONP June 20

It was a slow start Sunday...but we had a hearty breakfast...we either had bull's eye eggs, a breakfast sandwich or just eggs with toast and ham!  All very yummy.  We packed the cooler for a picnic later and decided to head to Ruby Beach first thing!  A quick stop at the Forks Thriftway to pick up some supplies and we were on our way!  The tide was low...and the sun was out (when we left the cabin it was raining).  So...we all went down to do some exploring.  We were fortunate to see lots of wildlife...take lots of great pics and see the ocean in the SUN and slightly blue skies!

We left to head to Hoh Rainforest...we stopped at the Hard Rain Cafe to eat our lunch at a picnic table...and then we headed on into the park to hike.  We did the Spruce Trail and the Hall of Mosses Trail...lots to see, still no rain in the forest.  I have hiked there three times now...and no actual rain!  Anyway it was brilliant with many shades of green!  Tons of pictures.  We walked to the river to see if we could see some elk...no luck.  But, as we left the park, one was grazing just to the right of the road.  We stopped at the Hard Rain Cafe for ice cream and then the Traders store just up the way for some outdoor clothing and so forth.  I ended up with a t-shirt, a map, and stories of the area...I found it fascinating!

We got back to the cabin and packed up the food for the evening.  We had hotdogs and Liz's cheesy potatoes on the menu for the evening.  We got to the beach just as it started to sprinkle...but it stopped about as soon as it started.  Lynn and Eric made the fire...and Tim and Liz headed off to see if they could find more river otters!  I laid out the apples, cheese and crackers for snacking while the food cooked.  Dinner was YUMMY...of course there was much silliness by the fire.  The other thing we noticed was that someone had set a fire too close to the bigger logs and caused quite the fire...it looked like it had gotten out of control!  EEK, I think it could have been much worse.

We returned to the cabin, tired and ready to bed but not quite willing to call it an evening...we sat and talked awhile.  It was a great day with friends!

Trip to the ONP June 19

We got up bright and early Saturday morning...wanting to get started.  Tim and I walked for coffee at the Lighthouse while everyone else got ready.  We all ate a little something, packed everything, Tim and Eric packed the car and we headed to Edmonds to catch the ferry.  The day was overcast, not too warm, not too cool and not raining at all.  We had a snack on the ferry and then headed off.  We wanted to eat at Fat Smitty's but it was 10am and it wasn't open...and we weren't really hungry.  Last trip we had decided to go there and it was closed as well.  We were a little disappointed, but decided a picnic on Hurricane Ridge may be more fun.  So...we headed up the mountain.  LOVELY VIEWS!  As we were going up we were jamming to some old school rap...and a deer ran out.  Liz was quick to brake...but everyone was a little more aware of what was on the road.  We saw a lot of bikers making their way to the top.  Just as we got to the top there were three bikers that had made it...they were triumphant!  We parked and unpacked the car to eat.  Took pictures of the mountain, the snow still up there.  The weather was getting cloudy, but we could still see the mountains.  We headed to the picnic tables.  There were plenty of deer and ravens around.  As we began to eat our meal, a raven snuck up to an adjacent table and while no one was looking (someone left a package of turkey on the wall next to the table) the raven snatched the turkey and flew off with its treasure.  The family was horrified.  But, it wasn't with the rest of the food.  The raven took the opportunity when it had the chance.  We walked around the area a little, looking over the other side.  Tim and I marveled that the trail we took in Sept 2006 was mostly covered with snow.  Then the clouds rolled in and we couldn't see much, we decided to head down!

Just as we got down the mountain another car decided to take us out...it was a near miss, Liz managed to stop us in time.  We were all a little shaken by that near miss.

On to our next stop!  We decided to try and hike the Sol Duc Falls trail before checking into our cabin.  So we headed back through Port Angeles...and then out past Lake Crescent and on to Sol Duc.  Tim and I stayed there with Tim's parents in 2006...it was just as we remembered the area only a lot more water!  Tim stood close to where he had stood a few years ago and water plowed past.  We parked at the trailhead and hiked back to the falls.  They were magnificent!  It was a great walk too!  We headed back to the car and on to our cabin.

The cabin sat along the Sol Duc River further down...it was a cute place with sleeping for at least 7 people if needed.  We all got a separate room...and we unpacked the car and got things ready for our dinner at Rialto Beach.  We decided on salmon and asparagus wrapped in proscuito.  We brought drinks and marshmallows to roast as well.  After we were packed we headed out to the beach.  The beach was as beautiful as we remembered it.  Lynn and Eric started to make a fire, Liz went off to collect rocks, and Tim headed over to the river to see if he could catch any fish.  I sat down to watch the waves roll in and help with anything near the fire.  Before long we were smelling the incredible food and eating it!  Tim missed out on the main meal...but when he came back he announced that he had seen river otters playing in the river.  After we ate, Tim took me over to see them.  Instead of two there were five and I didn't have my binoculars or my camera!  We also started to see more banana slugs!

We hung out at the beach long past dark.  We giggled and talked and took pictures and then decided to call it a night...packed the stuff and headed back to the cabin.  Lynn and I decided to light the wood stove at the cabin and watch Better Off Dead...we didn't last but about 40 minutes before we were ready to call it a night.

Trip to the ONP June 18

So, Friday night Tim and I headed to the airport about 6pm so we could fly to Seattle to start our trip to the Olympic National Park.  We managed to have two backpacks and a duffle between us...that included several different layers of clothing, because the weather can vary from 70 to 40 depending on the day, the sun and if it is raining or not.  Which, it usually rains a lot!  We were so excited.  We stopped for a meal at Tres Fiestas in Airway Heights.  Awesome restaurant, food is good, but the service can be sketchy sometimes.  We got our meal late, which wasn't good for this particular trip...and had to scarf it down quickly and run out the door.  The manager gave us a $20 gc to use next visit!  We made it to the airport in time and made the flight okay.  We love flying Horizon...your choices of beverages are juice, water, and either beer or wine usually made locally (Pacific Northwest).  Liz, Eric and Lynn picked us up at the airport and we headed to Lynn's.  It was a slumber party as we all ended up sleeping in Lynn's room...but everyone got a space and we went to bed dreaming of the fun we were about to have.

My Last Day in Florida June 7

So, for my last day in FL I wanted to do so many things...see my brother, go out to eat...maybe hit Universal.  I would have definitely gone if I could have seen the Harry Potter rides...but it didn't open for another few weeks.  So, we all got up to have breakfast before everyone parted ways.  Jeff, Mike, Dave and Jarel were headed out of Orlando, Doug was flying home...so we met at Denny's for breakfast.  It really was so great to see everyone.

Dennis, Mike and I took Doug to the airport and then we headed to some outlet stores and a mall...then we decided to eat a late lunch at Planet Hollywood...YUMMY and walk around Downtown Disney a little more the West Side.  We then left to hit a grocery store and back to the resort to chill.  We were all exhausted.  I did laundry and rested...but felt wiped for the rest of the evening!  I had to leave BRIGHT and early the next morning...so I called it a day!

Fun trip, great times with friends and I would definitely return but maybe not in June!

Animal Kingdom and Epcot June 6

So, I had waffled back and forth about getting a park hopper option...but when I am at a park, I want to get the most out of my experience.  Sunday morning I decided that since I had never been to Animal Kingdom, I wanted to go.  Dennis assured me that I would be able to hit the best of the park and still have time for Epcot later in the day.  So, Dennis, Mike and I headed to Animal Kingdom.  Using the Fast Pass option, we were able to get a fast pass for 12:30pm for the Everest ride...and then go around the park doing the other rides.  We were able to hit Dinosaur, It's Tough to be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, The Tree of Life, and Expedition Everest.  I was able to ride the Expedition Everest three times in about 20 minutes using the fast pass and the single rider line...it was INCREDIBLE!  I had never gotten my picture taken with characters and got to do that with Eeyore, Pooh and Tigger.  AWESOME!  And...we ate at the Rainforest Cafe right there.  The food was incredible as always.  We even went for the dessert!  It was about 2pm when we left Animal Kingdom and left for Epcot.  It was REALLY REALLY hot and muggy.  Even hotter than Saturday.  When we entered Epcot, we talked to the security guard who said it was 90something with a heat index of 105 and close to 100% humidity...not just our imaginations!

So, at Epcot we started to meet up with everyone else.  Dennis got us fast passes for a couple rides and then we started to ride things in Epcot.  I had been to Epcot once before and spent most of my time in the Countries...so this time I decided to ride the stuff at the front of the park.  I was able to ride the following;  Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, Soarin, Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Morocco, Japan, France, and Mexico including the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros.  It was fun...I ended up eating a croissant with chocolate, a pretzel from Germany and some frozen lemonade.  It was all good!

That evening I was EXHAUSTED..but came back to our resort to spend the evening talking to Doug.  It was a great day!

Magic Kingdom June 5

We got up bright and early and headed to the Magic Kingdom.  We rode the boat over...everyone ended up at the front gate about the same time so we were able to get off on our adventure.  While in the Magic Kingdom we did the following... It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's PhilHarmagic, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Space Mountain and we ate lunch at the diner in Tomorrowland about 2pm...then hit the Mad Tea Party, Hall of Presidents, Pirates of the Caribbean, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Speedway, Country Bear Jamboree, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Canyon Railroad, and Tom Sawyer's Island.  Not necessarily in that order.  I was fortunate enough to ride Space Mountain twice as well as the Haunted Mansion.  I cannot rave enough about FAST PASSES...what an awesome concept.  We did not wait in line very long at all, and some of the rides we walked right on!  I did enjoy a pretzel and soft serve ice cream in the park...but we ate our lunch at 2pm and then ate dinner at 10:30pm at Taco Bell outside the park.  We did get to see the preview of the new parade...which was what I had seen back in the 80s or 90s...that was cool.  We stayed together for the first part of the day...but our group went separate ways so by the end of the night it was Mike, Dennis, and Doug with me.  We had a GREAT day.  It was REALLY REALLY hot!  But...we had fun!

Trip to Disney World June 4

I left Spokane at 5am Friday morning to a drizzle and 47 degrees to step off the plane in Orlando, FL at a balmy 86...it felt like someone took a large warm wet blanket and said here, you are going to need to wear this for a few days.  UGH, I don't miss the heat and humidity.  But...Dave and Jarel came to pick me up at the airport and we had dinner at a VERY good restaurant near their hotel.  I had lamb kabobs and hummus with pita, it was really quite tasty.  Then, we headed over to Downtown Disney to meet up with Dennis, Mike and Doug.  Turns out Dennis was picking up Jeff and Mike from the airport...so we walked around, enjoyed a Ghiradelhi sundae and talked until Dennis, Jeff and Mike joined us.  We ventured into the Lego store and checked out the new restaurant T REX...and then realized that it was nearly 11pm and with a long day on Saturday ahead, we should turn in.  Dave drove Mike and I to the resort/time share we would be staying in...and we tried to go to bed at a reasonable hour because we had plans to get up bright and early to hit the Magic Kingdom...

Soggy Memorial Day

We woke Monday morning to the pitter patter of rain on the tent.  We got up about 7am...but decided to go back to bed.  It was so relaxing to hear the rain.  It got harder...and then finally I looked at Tim and told him I was done.  I was ready for a shower, hot shower and to go home and get things cleaned up.  We looked at each other and thought...yep, that is what we should do.  So we got the dog in the car and packed up.  We didn't even have breakfast...and the rain came down.  Everything was soggy and muddy!  We got it all in the car and left.  We got home a little after 11am and Tim showered and made the breakfast he had planned to make while at camp, eggs with cheese, ham and potatoes...we had coffee and it was in our apartment after taking hot showers and putting on clean clothes.  Felt AWESOME.  Though, I would not have traded the camping trip for the world!  I didn't even take pictures of our exit!  I should have taken a picture of the campsite once we cleaned it up!  The rain continued to fall all day.  We watched THE ROAD and some episodes of FREAKS AND GEEKS...the sun peeked out...and then hid and it POURED and POURED.  Apparently more rain is coming!  Happy Memorial Day!

Soggy Camping Day Two

So, we got up the next morning to a pretty dry campsite.  Tim made an INCREDIBLE breakfast of GF french toast bake in the dutch oven...with some sausage.  We had coffee and tea...and it was really quite good.  Then we packed up for a short hike so Tim could go fishing.  We packed a light lunch and got all bundled up.  Up in the trees it wasn't so bad...but next to the lake...it was going to be chilly.  Did I mention the high temperature all weekend was UNDER 60...I think 57 was the high Sunday!  Anyway, we bought a new pack for Elphaba.  She did not like it one bit.  She ended up without a pack and I strapped hers to my pack.  We went to a dock area and Tim tried some regular fishing.  We saw a couple other people out there...but mostly it was us and the rather large Canadian geese.  We walked around the bay to the other side where it was less windy and Tim tried some fly fishing...and caught a tree.  We ate our lunch there.  The weather was overcast and it looked like rain...but it didn't rain.  We headed back to camp about 1:30pm and read a little.  The sun started peeking out and we headed out on a second hike.  We went the other direction to look at the lake from another view.  By the time we got there, the sun was REALLY peeking out and the skies were blue with puffy white clouds.  We actually felt a little warm.  We ended up on the top of this hill and there was a lookout for Mountain Goats!  I looked through my binoculars and could swear I saw one...but there were rocks and my binoculars were not as powerful as I would have liked.  Saw lots of birds and ground squirrels.  They were in colonies like meerkats or prairie dogs...they had sentries that squeaked that we were coming...it drove Elphaba NUTS!

We got back to camp and chilled a little...then Tim started dinner.  He made his awesome chicken, rice, salsa and cheese dish in the dutch oven.  We had that with some white wine and just sat next to the giant fire I made that night...it was great.  The dog was WORN out.  She could barely keep her eyes open and was relieved when we headed to the tent.  The evening was DRY!  I did roast some marshmallows again...Tim was too stuffed to share with me!

Rainy Memorial Day Weekend

For Tim's birthday (May 1) I booked us a campsite at Farragut State Park in North Idaho.  I had heard good things about it and decided even though Tim isn't a fan of camping at camp sites per se...he does enjoy fishing and camping...and would probably enjoy it.  Plus we could bring the dog...always a plus!  So, we checked the weather for this weekend...RAIN RAIN and MORE RAIN.  Not to be daunted...rain isn't so bad.  Usually I don't mind the rain...and we decided we were going anyway.  Saturday I had to work...so we didn't leave until about 5pm Saturday, it only takes about an hour to get there...and we got to the campground just as it started to rain again.  We checked in, got a map and headed to our campsite.  It was a pretty cool setup...but right next to the kids playground.  But...thankfully the rain kind of kept things quiet!

Normally I set up the tent and start the fire...while Tim gets food prepared.  But, in the rain, set up is a two person job!  So Tim helped me get the tent set up and then while I started the fire, he made an AWESOME lean-to for us to hang in out of the weather.  I was successful at starting the fire, no lighter fluid...damp, okay SOGGY firepit...some newspaper, one firestart lump thing from REI and my lighter.  NO KINDLING and just bigger pieces of wood.  Interesting start...but after about 20 minutes I had a fire going.  Tim got our dinner ready, turkey franks, pea pods and hummus, carrot sticks, cheese sticks and red wine.  Later we roasted marshmallows over the coals, in the rain.  It was fun!  We managed to get into the tent without much water getting in...the dog was wet...so we had this lovely wet dog scent that followed us all weekend.  Our dog HATES water...not a big fan of rain or being wet...she kept looking at us like when are we going home?

End of day one...

Camping

WHEEE...we are going camping this weekend.  You should see our living room...FULL of camping gear. We are deciding whether or not we should be minimalist or just go for it.  We are car camping...with our tent and dog.  It will be raining!  That will make it interesting.  Tim has his fishing stuff and I will read of course...cards and blokus!  Anyway, I will definitely recap the trip as it should be interesting.  North Idaho, Farragut State Park...is where we are headed!  Happy Camping!

Mother's Day

Today is mother's day.  I want to take this opportunity to thank ALL of the women out there who are mothers...who have been mothers...who plan to be mothers.  Take this job seriously!  I can't stress this enough!  I have fond memories of coming home from school to a snack and my mother who was ready to hear about my day.  I was the oldest of 5..and I am sure that sometimes she wanted to pull her hair out...but what I remember most was her being there.  It was a comfort...and maybe sometimes I didn't appreciate that enough.  I feel being a mother is a privilege and an honor.  I also feel that once you have made that decision...your life is no longer about you and what you want...but about your kids.  I have made the decision to not be a mother...but I am a godmother, an aunt...and I love the kids in my life.  I made the choice for a variety of reasons...health, the world, and the knowledge and acceptance that I am not meant to be one.  I want to say to all of the mothers out there, you are awesome...and even when you feel like you want to go insane...it is worth it...keep up the great work...and use those people in your life without kids to help you...we will!

Happy Mother's Day!

Leaving Arkansas

Our final day finds us up BRIGHT and early to say goodbye to some of the cousins headed out and Tom and Judy are headed to the airport nice and early to catch their flight back to CA.  Tim and I plan to leave a little later with Tricia and Tori to catch our planes back to WA and WI respectively!  We visit and visit and realize it is time to leave.  We stop for a snack break and get to the airport with no time to spare for Tricia and Tori.  They make their flight...Tim and I wait for ours.  We have an uneventful flight to Denver...which is sunny and gorgeous.  We wait for our flight to Spokane which is also uneventful and by 9pm we are home safe and sound...and tired of course!  It was an incredible trip to celebrate an incredible woman who at 90 is sound in mind and body, happy with life, gives back to her community.  Gives of herself and others, is active in the church, is active in her family.  She has three great grandchildren, 7 grandchildren and has lived a very interesting life!  She was blessed by two husbands, three children and currently has a special friend of 92 who is as independent as she is!  They make a cute couple!  Happy Birthday Oma!  Many Happy Returns of the Day...it was nice to be able to spend it with you!

Arkansas Day 3 The aftermath

Day three finds everyone a little tired...but people are starting to go home.  Mark, Peter, Katherine and Charlie headed out as did Scott and Linda.  We said goodbye to them...and headed to Oma's friend Jim's house for a view of the Bay and some lunch.  Food was yummy...and we had a birthday cake for Ellen as well.  We sat outside and visited and enjoyed the view.  I actually saw a scarlet tangier (sp?) singing away from high atop a pine tree.

I helped Oma get some groceries, and spent some time talking with Tim while most everyone else napped.

That evening we were invited to Oma's friends' house who were housing some of the cousins.  They wanted to make us a meal!  They had a gorgeous home and cooked incredible food!  We had great conversation, great food and great hospitality!

Arkansas Day 2 Oma's Party

The next day we were up and eating casseroles we made the night before...a french toast one and an egg one.  Both were YUMMY!  Everyone gathered at Oma's condo...and then some of us left to arrange for the day's festivities.  I left with Mark, Tim and Scott to hit the Library and then head to the church to do some set up.  The day before people had decorated.  I just needed to add pictures to the frames at each table  representing a decade of Oma's life.  And, we wanted to run through our performances.  We hung out there for a little while getting things ready...then headed back to Oma's for some lunch and a walk.

The event started at 4pm.  People began to arrive...including Oma (who doesn't know everything planned in spite of her trying to figure it all out).  There were light refreshments, cakes (one red velvet and one carrot/pineapple), punch and it all looked so good!  About 5pm we started the program...

Mark (grandson) was the Master of Ceremonies with announcements and introductions.
Tom, Linda, Ellen, David, and Judy (children and in-laws) did the Marti Herren Address (patterned after the Gettysburg address)
Addie (great grandchild) did I'm a little teapot
Tom (son) read Baby Goes to Boston to the great grandchildren while Charlie stole the show by stealing Jamie's pacifier
Tori (granddaughter) read a poem she wrote about the names Oma goes by
Tracy (granddaughter in law) read Warning by Jenny Joseph
Tom and Judy (son and daughter in law) read scenes from On Golden Pond
Mark (grandson) read letter from Clark (Oma's brother)
Tim (grandson) performed It's in the book
Mark, Tom, David and Tim with Ellen sang THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DAME with some words altered

I may have forgotten part of the performances...this was nearly a week ago!  All in all there wasn't a dry eye in the house and it was well received.  Ended with a champagne toast and comments from her friends and neighbors in Fairfield Bay.  It was AWESOME!

After the reception, the family headed to the Indian Hills Country Club for a family dinner/photo and some alone time with Oma.  We had an AWESOME wait staff, very patient with us and we took photos and ate some great food!  So many of the family members pitched in and made this day a very special one for a VERY special lady!

Day One: To Arkansas

Tim and I were up at 4am to get to the airport.  We were pretty with it I guess considering it was 4am.  We parked, checked our one piece of luggage in and went to our gate.  The flight to Denver was uneventful.  Once in Denver we waited at our gate for our flight to be boarded.  It boarded late...then we sat on the tarmack...backed away from the gate...waited some more.  FINALLY someone said that the plane was too heavy.  So they needed to go back to the gate and get rid of some weight.  WHAT?!?!?!  I had never heard of this before.  So, they booted 4 people off, and their luggage.  Then asked a couple people to sit towards the back to BALANCE OUT THE PLANE?!?!?!!?  Really?  Never in all of the years of my flying had this happened.  Oh, and did I mention it was rain/sleet/snowing out?  We pushed away from the gate and sat some more.  We finally got in line and took off.  Once we landed in Little Rock, we sat on the tarmack again...this time because apparently ONE gate was open..and we had to wait for that plane to unload before we were able to pull in...which was funny, Tim's cousins Tricia and Tori were on that flight.  We FINALLY were able to deplane...people were telling the stewardess we would be happy to walk to the gate...since we had been sitting on this plane a LONG time!

We connected with Mark, Tricia and Tori and headed to get luggage.  Tim went to get our rental car.  We had one other errand to run while heading to Oma's...get champagne.  We stopped at Oscar's Liquor...this didn't seem like the type of place that would have a case of champagne.  But we managed to clean the place out...and found out later this wasn't the place that Oma wanted us to go.

We stopped at Sonic for a snack...and then headed to Fairfield Bay.

We arrived no worse for wear...and dinner was started.  LARGE group!  We had chicken pesto with ravioli, asparagus and salad.  We ate...and everyone went their separate ways to spend the night.  Tim and I lucked out in the sleeping lottery and got to sleep in the basement.

Why are we in Arkansas?  Oma (Tim's Grandma) was having her 90th birthday bash!

Returning to Post

So, apparently people ARE following this one...so I will start posting my trips and adventures here again!  I took a break...not much to say and not a lot to add.  I am writing two other blogs...one about reading and one about weight loss...if interested feel free to follow both of those.  This one is the one I am likely not to keep up with.

So...went to school Sept 2009 and Jan 2010...Eastern Washington University taking some pre-MBA classes.  I have decided NOT to continue and plan to start a Masters in History program this fall!

No traveling of significance since last year.  Tim has worked in Utah on and off September through December and then some in January...and then went to Montreal recently for work.  He may be returning to Canada soon!

I went to a conference in Tacoma April 6-10th and then visited with Lynn afterwards.  She was sick...but we managed to take in the Tulip Festival in Skagit County Washington.

Tim and I just returned from AR...so I will recap that trip over a few posts...and that should get you up to date!

Peace!