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!