Still here......

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew I was OK.  Just a really dull, smokey area of CA I am in right now so not much to report on. I HATED Eureka.  It was nothing like Crescent City like I thought it would be so I skedaddled out of there and added a night to Mt Shasta campground.  Eureka had no trees, no privacy, molded bathrooms, bad neighbors, etc.   And it was the gloomiest weather yet.  Gray ALL day until 5 pm and them only sun for a moment.  So I headed East and then North to Mt Shasta which is a beautiful area.  It's 14162 feet tall and visible for the campground.  I came for an extra night in the cabins but moved to tent site today and will do 3 nights before I decide where to go next.  Unfortunately most of Northern CA is on fire! so that's the main reason I decided to stay longer here.   Heading south will only take me directly into more smoke and campgrounds that have been through fire.  The town of Mt Shasta is close to the Pacific Crest Trail so I have seen more transients and dreadlocks than I have on the entire trip! Some cool shops though. You know me, found 3 good thrift stores and partook!  Also a beautiful lake, Siskiyou that the boys and I have hiked daily.   They have been able to get in which is nice.   I'm starting to get really tired and even though we "sleep" for 10 hrs I am getting these dark circles! Monty's strength continues to increase and some days it is just exhausting to hike him.  All the smells are overwhelming to him and pull us in every direction.  However, I am looking forward to the next few weeks as Lori is flying out! We plan on doing Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes area.  Both look amazing.  THEN Pam and I are flying out to Italy for 15 days!!!!!   We will hit Milan, Lake Como, Florence, Tuscany, Sorrento and then end in Rome.  I think it will truly be a trip of a lifetime for both of us and we are super excited.   I will blog all about it but probably after we return.  Don't want to waste my time in Italy in a room bloggin!!   So that is a small update on us.  Not sure when I will blog next----maybe when something exciting happens!  I've heard this is an area saturated with bears and mountains lions...Good to just find this out today as I have moved into the tent!  But it's all these squirrels that drive us crazy...........

From the Redwood Forest to the Eiffel Tower......

 

Yes, I literally sung that line of the song while driving through the forest!  The Eiffel Tower? What was I thinking? That didn’t belong in the song but made me laugh… and remember childhood songs like that.  Can you sing that one or America the Beautiful? I tried and could not complete it without making up words which is OK too!  I am in awe of these trees, forest and beauty that are called the Redwood National and State Parks.  I learned that CA combines their resources and has only one park instead of multiples within a BIG park.  There was no fee to pass through but still no dogs are allowed to hike on the trails. However,  are allowed on Howland Road which is a 10 mile road that cuts through the oldest, tallest Redwoods in the entire area.  And thankfully, this section was very close to where we are staying bc I am trying to conserve my gas…IT IS 4.39 a gallon for regular!!!!   No kidding, I almost stroked.  So I drove the 20 miles to Brookings Harbor , OR and filled up for 4.09!  What a bargain huh!  Not much to offer in that city but I could stay in these Redwoods for a while.   They are just so …….I can’t even find the right word!  The drive down Howland Road takes you through the forest that Return of the Jedi was filmed.  Remember the forest scene with the Ewoks?  Same place…..  The boys and I hiked about  2 miles down that road and didn’t see any bears…or Ewoks….  The Stout Grove is also a small loop off of Howland.  The pictures of me, the root and forest are all in Stout Grove.   It is about a mile loop.  Gorgeous… just somewhere you could sit for hours and take it in.   But the boys are in the car pouting so I can’t….

I do believe we finally have the best campsite ever!!  It is so remote that the boys have started barking and growling at people walking by bc we don’t see any down this way!  We are about 100 yards from the next site.  Very nice to have such peace and quiet, especially when it’s bedtime….We haven’t heard a peep..AND it’s pitch black….So you can imagine when I learned yesterday that we were in the midst of bear country and black bears are spotted on a daily basis in the campground 15 miles from here that my senses are heightened.  What timing last night when I turn off my headlamp after reading and a large wind rustles things outside just about the same time Monty scraped his paw down the side of my plastic mattress!  It sounded just like a slicing sound!  I jumped, while at the same time peeing and sweating a little!  And then I laughed…….But really….what a difference in how you hear things once in that tent.   I have realized that this site is actually too remote as they are bored not being able to people or dog watch. 

I feel that I have come FULL circle with my camping abilities.  Today is day 7 of our 10 day tent stretch and I’m very comfortable with camping.  Haven’t missed the camping cabins at all except for the water and electricity. But with proper planning I have my water containers in the car as well as any item I need to charge when I head out for the day.  The KOA office lets me plug them in and leave so I feel they are secure while I am out playing.  When I come back, I fill up my water containers and grab my fully charged electronics which will last me through the night and next morning usually.  I made my first fire and had them 2 nights in a row but found out quickly that I can’t afford them!!  It cost me 19.00 in wood to have 2 fires, each burning about 3 hours.  Ridiculous and will not be something I do often.  I had not made a fire in the past bc we simply hadn’t needed it.  But it’s so much colder back here in remote land that we needed the added warmth. You know BIG PUD!  He walked up to the pit tonight and then looked at me like, “what’s up with that bee-atch?  You know I like my fires!”  I told him we couldn’t afford it so he just got in the camp chair and went to sleep.   However, not before he made me laugh till I cried….I was sitting in the camp chair so he proceeded to try to get in the hammock.  He has not tried to do this yet.  We do it at home but he is helped in and sits with me while I’m there.  Well, he got it and the hammock commenced to swinging!! And the more he moved the more it swung…. He got so nervous and irritated he started biting the towel that was laying in the hammock like that was what was causing it to swing….The look on his face was priceless…So funny.  After I rescued him he got back in the camping chair… I don’t think we will be trying that hammock again.   But folks believe me when I say it was FUNNY!!

We leave tomorrow for a new campsite but I just know it will not be as beautiful as this one.....warmer probably but not prettier!

Below are pics of our campsite---looks straight out of LL Bean if you ask me!!  That entire area was ours.  Our plush sleeping accommodations.. Monty looking on with my first fire burning behind him.   The van with a massive tree behind.  The rest are all of the Redwood park…Howland Road and Stout Grove.  

 

Homage to a friend......

Today would have been Rods 60th birthday.  The last time we talked in May he mentioned it being a big one.  This week would also have been Rod and Pam's 21st wedding anniversary.  Needless to say, an emotional week.  He has been on my mind a lot lately.  Sometimes when I am just sitting and taking all of this beauty & wonder in, I feel like he is smiling at me.  Just happy for me and the choice I made. He's saying, Lil one, I like what your doing but I'll be in the Marriott down the street!"  I have recalled many memories lately of him and us.   His laugh, his style, his sunglasses, his southern ways... I think back to the first and only time I sung karaoke in front of a group.  Granted it was about 20 pl but still nerve racking....It was at Velma's in Trussville, AL. A hole in the wall place for locals and we had taken a group of local managers out to celebrate.  He wanted to sing the song he was LOVING at the time, Picture by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.  He talked me into it and there we were, up on the stage!  For some reason it didn't sound as good as it did when we sang it in the car!!  That song holds a dear place in my heart and even before Rod's death, it reminded me of him.  Well, I couldn't believe it when this morning, I turn the car on and that song started playing......I immediately started crying and laughing.  And I just turned the car off but kept listening and singing the song.  I don't feel that was a coincidence.... Rod was saying hello. 

Now is about the time he and Pam would be getting back from their trip of a lifetime to France and Italy. I can only imagine the stories we would hear.  I think it would be how crazy Europeans are but the wine and cheese made up for it! And he was glad to get back to his little Leo.

This time of year was one of his favorite, football season!  About June he would start counting down to kickoff.  Only 91 days left Lil One......I think of how hard it will be for the group of people he spent his Saturday's with, sometimes starting as early as 6AM at Cracker Barrel.  You have to know though that he wouldn't want it any other way than for that tradition to continue. Rrrrrrrrrrooooolllll Tide Roll Rod.   Love ya.   

Maybe the coolest yet.....

Yep, maybe the coolest so far.  I had the good fortune to see 50+ seals sunbathing and swimming in Oregon—right there at my KOA in Waldport!  I stayed in Waldport on Hwy 101 and then onto Bandon, OR, also on the coast on Fri & Sat. I was walking the boys the morning we were leaving and the fog had cleared.  Turned out to be a beautiful area but really hard to see much on the coast until the fog burns off I learned!!  At first, I thought it was a pile of driftwood that had made it onto the sandbar but was shiny and then moved!!  I couldn’t believe my eyes…  It was about checkout time and I had already loaded all of our gear prior to walking.  I took my camera onto the bridge for the first time and there they were. In all colors, shapes, sizes, temperaments, activity levels, etc! Beautiful seals soaking in the sun.  I’m not sure what kinds were represented but I stood there with tears as I watched them.  I just couldn’t believe I was seeing this glorious sight. I could have watched for hours.  They would inch their way around each other and if one got to close, the other would use his flippers as if to say, “get outta here, this is my sand buddy!”  A few (5) were in the water swimming along, the light just glimmering off of their coats.  So graceful and perfect.  I will never forget that moment and am actually in tears as I write now.  Just so much nature, beauty, perfection to behold and I was the fortunate one to be able to take it in.  I left there thanking God for that experience.   I didn’t realize the OR coast would be so much colder than I had experienced in WA.  I kept long sleeves and pants on in Waldport and would add even more layers when I arrived in Bandon.  Unfortunately it was the grayest summer ever says the waitress!  Along with the continual gray and 55 degree weather, we were in a very shaded campsite so it looked like it was 9pm when it was only 5pm and the boys were trying to get in the tent to go to bed the whole time!!  Jackson especially is cold natured and he would come up to me shivering and trying to get in the tent or van for warmth.  Big pud! I got depressed, discouraged, disappointed whatever you want to call it, for the first time in the 6 weeks since we’ve been gone and I know it was just related to the area we were in.   So yesterday I was happy to get out of there and drive inland to some sunshine!!  One extreme to the other as we arrived in Medford at 95 degrees! However, we have a nice shaded tent sight so it is all good.  We are about 1:45 from Crater Lake National Park from the campsite but the thought of driving 3:30 hrs today when it was a non-driving day did not appeal to me at all!! Or the boys…. But I did want to see the rest of Oregon via the I-5 since we are only 40 miles from the CA line.  So we drove a pass that takes you to the highest spot on the I-5 at 4130 feet and turned around at the first CA exit, exit 796!!!!  Isn’t that amazing, I had no idea CA was that long!!  Since we won’t be traveling that route tomorrow I wanted to check OR off my list for driving top to bottom—so done! 

I ended up driving about 200 miles of Hwy 101 in OR and will be close enough to go up from CA to see Brookings Harbor, OR.  It really is a beautiful sight to behold---great driving road.  Not used to seeing huge forests alongside the ocean so that was a nice change.  Just a tidbit I did not realize---you are not allowed to pump your own gas in OR.  It’s a state law and every station has attendants.  I learned this as I had jumped out to do my thing and he came rushing over.  He explained since there was no state tax this is a way to get help the economy?  Ok..and thank you….

The Medford/Ashland area is nice but I really didn’t see enough to comment on it.  I know Medford is filled with one ways that drove me crazy bc I couldn’t ever make it to Fred Meyers (Target like store).  I could see it just couldn’t get to it!  Seeing all the vineyards and orchards throughout WA & OR has been a wonderful treat.   Just knowing and seeing where your food is coming from is exciting… Not from Canada or Mexico but your own back yard….. And the fruit has been the best ever tasted! So when you see fruits/veggies from WA & OR---buy it!! It’s gonna be good.  

We head south to CA tomorrow so I am excited about seeing the Redwoods!   More to come…….

On the pics below---First one is the bridge by the KOA—look closely at the sandbar…those are the seals. Next is up close and swimming.  Next 2 pics is a place called Devils Churn. It’s where the rock splits and the ocean spills into the side of the mountain. Next 2 is Gold Bar Beach.  The boys and I walked the stretch you see in the pics and they liked it a lot better this time!!

Taste your saltwater kisses...

That is in reference to the boys encountering the beach and saltwater for the first time!  We approached the water, with slight waves coming in. First of all, we did not like the waves! What is it doing? Then we walk in and of course taste it right off the bat.....eewwww.  That was the actual look on J's face.  Like..get this off my tongue mom.  Then there was the sand.  Monty tries to get the gentle leader off his nose (it's helps to stop them from pulling so hard.) and he got sand all over his face and eyes.  After we worked on brushing it out and off, we tried to take a walk and wandered into some driftwood and weeds.  The weeds ended up being filled with sand spurs which are these horrible small weed like objects that stick you and insert themselves when stepped on.  OUCH!  I had to pick them out of EVERY PAW....Yes, 8 of them.  And then some of stuck to me when I was playing nurse.  Walking back we passed a dog in the water whose owner was throwing a chuck it (ball) and J nearly tore my arm off trying to get to the dog and the ball in the water. Poor fellows!  That was it, we'd had enough.  Back to dry land and mountains and rivers that taste like real water! 

The pics below are the trail leading from our campground to the bay.  Really pretty area. The boys with the bridge in the background. They did so good sitting! Next is me and the boys.  Maybe a Christmas card pic huh!

We are finally in Oregon but I already miss Washington!  What a great state and experiences we had.  We were there 22 days! The only part that I would not do again is Burlington. However, you have to pass through that area to get to the islands so it worked for us but I would stay in Anacortes next time.  There were so many different and diverse features that I don't believe I can narrow it down to my fave place.  As of today we have driven 4051 miles!  I didn't estimate the trip prior to leaving but I didn't think it would be this much.  I thought I wouldn't hit 4k until CA maybe..... Oh well...and gas prices keep going up huh...We are at 4.00/gallon right now in the area I'm in and it has been for a week now.   Hwy 101 is just as beautiful as you hear.  All the small towns perched right on the ocean.  We will leave tomorrow for a new place on 101.  Should be equally beautiful.  We will then head inland and south to CA after that.  We will be tent camping the next 10 days!  A record for us, so far 4 nights is the longest.  After Mt St Helen's night I got a blow up twin air mattress so I am SUPER EXCITED about that new experience.   The sleep pad I was using was just to thin for my 40 yr old body!  And I thought I had some extra padding for this trip but it's not helped :)  So hopefully I will not literally blow it up the first time I use it or the boys puncture with their nails cause mama needs to sleep good!!!

Lastly you will see 2 pics of my newest traveling companion.  It's five of us now..Me, the boys, Frog Queen (who I adore!) and now ...  She's about the cutest thing I've ever seen.  I found her in a Goodwill in Anacortes when I went in to pick up stuffed animals for the boys.  She spoke to me.  She said, you need another girlfriend in the van with all that testosterone and I said YES I DO!  She let me give her a name... So I named her Viola "Bunnie" Monroe....Not just bunny but the "ie" makes her a little more exotic and Vi-ola Monroe is a true southern name so say hello folks!   I just call her cutie though......

To Hot for Lederhosen!

After a wonderful few days on Orca Island, I headed back to the Burlington KOA as an easy resting place prior to heading to Leavenworth, WA.  Leavenworth is a Bavarian themed town 1 ½ hrs East of Seattle.  But I took the scenic route which takes you over Stevens Pass.  Not the typical high elevation pass but we did get up to 4000 feet.   It followed the Wenatchee River which is a tubing and rafting river so A LOT of traffic…It is nice to be able to take your time and enjoy the scenery.  I’ve taken the “long” way a few times and it has been worth it.   The town reinvented itself in the 70’s by coming up with this idea of “changing to Bavarian”.  It was a normal town with very little tourism traffic until they made the change.  Now EVERY store, service, shop, etc. is European themed, even the Safeway and 76.  The campground was crowded and HOT…98 degrees when we arrived on Sunday. Thank goodness we had a cabin bc if we didn’t the days would have just been unbearable.  The boys and I took respite mid-day on both days just for some relief.  The grounds had great trails for us to walk through and had access to the river in which we took morning dips in daily!!  I hit the shops on Monday and just looked.   Quite crowded and full of nice stores.  I would say these were the best and most unique of any small town I’ve visited.  That snapshot of the Nutcrackers was only about 1/20^th of the amount in the store.  And the cheese….I’ve learned I can do without meat…but not cheese…that sweet cow, goat, sheep nectar…whatever it comes from..so far I think I love it all!!!  That shop was called The Cheesemonger and I could live in it…literally…  YUM!  They would give you samples and many I had never heard of.  Some were upwards of 30.00 a pound! WOW! 

On Tuesday we were off for a 5.5 hr drive to Mt. Saint Helens KOA.  I had already visited the area in the past so I didn’t check it out this time, just passing through.  Once again I took the long way around so we could see Mt. Rainer.  I had visited that park in the past as well but wanted to see the drive.  Beautiful drive through White Pass.  It didn’t gain in elevation a large amount but was a nice forested drive and followed a few lakes. The pic of Mt Rainer below is still from 30 miles or more away from the Mt. so imagine up close! The moss draped trees were in a campground that we stopped for a pee break and short walk.  It may have been the most beautiful, green forest I’ve seen yet.   I think when God created the Earth, he started in Washington when he was nice, refreshed and creative.  I think by day 6 he was tired and ended in Montgomery, AL! 

So we made it to the KOA campground and experienced our first bad night.  It didn’t rain but would have been icing on the proverbial cake.  Checked in and these were the smallest sites so far.  No privacy from neighbors at all with them only 5 feet away.   You hear every conversation, burp, fart, snore, cigarette, etc.   I was the only one at first setting up in a row of 4 sites.  Originally I was 2 but there were large amounts of sand not spread out and with it being 90 degrees at 3:00, I did not want to deal with it. So the front desk was very nice and moved me to # 1. Well, not thinking I set up on the wrong side, # 3.  It hit me when I went put on the rain fly! Darn it!  I would have to move so I walked back to the office.  Again she was so kind and said “honey, It’s so hot out there, no wonder you were confused!” I told her with help from the maintenance man I could just pick up the tent to move it to 1 but she insisted to keep me in 3 which at the time I was happy with.  Until my neighbors showed up!  They backed their old camper truck in and it began.  They were basically homeless and doing what I’m doing but they just don’t have any money to do it!  They stop every 3-4 weeks or more often if needed at truck stops to do odd jobs for people to make money.  I DID not want to get into what those jobs were. They had been on the road since Memorial Day and tried to stay in National Forest for free camping but had to pay camp at times.  He was shirtless with a nice beer gut and had tattoos covering his body. But not like cute colorful frog queen tats, like prison tats.  Loud New Yorker, shaved head and few teeth.  She was tatted up pretty well also and they had a 3 yr old that wanted to just pet my dogs and not her own.  I didn’t get their names but we were cordial enough.  It wasn’t that bad until every 2 hrs they came out to smoke after we went to bed.  So the first time at 11:00 they turned on their porch light which shined like a spotlight into the tent.  And they had to have conversation of course!  Then again at 1:00 and 3:15.  The light was never turned off and I hate to say I was a little timid to ask.  I’m really shocked the boys didn’t bark but they were alerted to it each time as well. So at 6:30 my neighbors were already up, so that meant were we up then!  At least they allowed us to get on the by 9:00am which hasn’t happened.  And that was with a good walk and me taking the tent down, etc.  Moral of the story—pay attention to your campsites bc I could have been on the end, all alone, by one nice motorcyclist that didn’t speak English! But the newlyweds got my spot!

The last 2 pics are fun pics.  I saw these items, along with a Jesus action figure? while I was waiting on the ferry on Orca.  HILARIOUS!  I did not purchase the Grow a Boyfriend (as many may think!!) but I did get the purchasing company just for future reference!!  And the hand sanitizer, how funny…. Don’t we think those things sometimes…hhmmm, and where’s your hand been??

We made it to the ocean!  After a very slow and crowded drive through Portland we drove down Hwy 101 to our next destination!  The boys got in to the bay water but that will be our next blog! 

More Orca Pics......

Just a short post but wanted to share more Orca pics since I have great reception today!! 

First is a tree that I felt went all the way to HEAVEN!

Me on the ferry!  I think I was like, TAKE IT ALREADY!! 

Front of Outlook Inn. 

Rosario Resort--which was the home built by of Robert Moran. He was a shipbuilder who came from New York to Seattle with only a dime in his pocket! His company built the USS Nebraska and that is the anchor chain in the front of the resort.  He was at one time the mayor of Seattle and then retired at age 49 to the island to build this home.   Now the largest resort on the island.  A museums on the second floor.

Pic of Cascade Falls----a hike I did.

View from Mt Constitution which is the highest point on the island and is in Moran St. park.  It wasn't that clear of a day but when it is you can see Vancouver, Seattle, Olympic Mtns, Cascades Mtns and Other islands from that point.

Another tree covered in Moss & Mushrooms!  I just loved all the GREEN!!

Water, water everywhere.......

This trip was definitely one for the books for me!  EVERYONE should see the beauty and remoteness of the San Juan Islands.  It starts with the ferry system which I LOVE!!!!  So much better than flying!  Much more room, very efficient, easy to navigate, etc. & if you miss a ferry there is another one coming w/I a few hours so it’s not a wasted ticket. I’m actually writing this from the ferry.  So productive!!  I did a great job making the best use of my time while on the island.  After dropping the boys off at 9am, I caught the 10:20 ferry to Orca Island from Anacortes.  We arrived at 11:30 and off loaded.  I was the 3^rd one off the boat!  After only about 20 min. I was in Eastsound, the hub of the island and location of the Outlook Inn where I stayed.  I parked in town and commenced to walking the shops!  Nice, nautical shops with a few food shops thrown in.  I ate lunch at Chimayo, a Mexican restaurant using fresh local ingredients.  I loved that many of the area eateries used island or Washington state products.  I checked into the Inn around 3 and was delighted.  I knew the room I had booked did not have a bathroom, only a sink as the floor had shared restrooms and showers.  Well worth the money!!  I felt like it was my own personal restroom as it was 2 steps from my door and I NEVER saw a soul in the hallways even.  After tent camping for 4 nights I appreciated the clean room with a nice fluffy bed.  Also had an amazing view as you will see below.  That view is from my window on Thursday morning.  So still it looked like a lake….That is also the view from the restaurant, New Leaf w/I the inn that I ate every morning.  I have already spoken about my bfast so I won’t go on but I do believe that is the best place to eat in Eastsound.  I had 3 bfasts, 1 happy hour meal, and 1 late evening salad and was never disappointed.  Staff and service was EXCELLENT!   After settling into the room, I struck back out to see what I had missed the first time.  I found a consignment shop (which I am GREAT at!) and found a nice top.  It hit me that the only few items I have purchased along the way are from consignment or thrift shops!!  I LOVE IT!!  A few t-shirts, a small wallet, picnic tablecloth, climbing rope, a queen size sheet, stuffed animals for the boys and now a top!!  Why pay full price?  EVER????  Ain’t no shame in my game honey!!   Had an OK dinner at a pub.  I wanted a place for more of the local experience instead of food and was directed to The Lower Tavern.   So so food but I did have a nice long conversation with a millionaire (maybe?) named Steve.  Could be an alias as for some reason I pictured him wanted by the FBI for embezzling or something!!  He was a nice guy and it intrigued me that he had houses in multiple places, countries, etc.  He had flown to the island (only second time as he purchased property here after seeing it once!!)---which people just don’t do unless you have your own plane.  He lives in Dallas and doesn’t work—but makes lots of money….hhmmmmm.  How do I make that happen!!!   He stated making money was the easy part, keeping  busy and happy is the hard part.  Hhhhhmmmmmm…..I said for me right now it was the opposite and I was happy with that.   Anyway, we spoke about things to do on the island and went on our merry ways.  I did see him strolling around my area of town when I was eating bfast Thurs morning but he didn’t stop.  He was looking in my general direction, nonchalantly of course.   I do believe he was interested in getting to know me better but was a little shy…. SOOO end of that storyJ.  

Wednesday I had reserved for hiking and touring the rest of the island.  I ventured to Rosario Resort which is the remodeled 54 room home of Robert Moran who basically founded the island.  Beautiful and many original features exist.   He had a great story but I won’t bore you so Google it if you’re interested!!  Then I hit Moran state park for a hike or 3!  You will see the trails below, just beautiful lushness everywhere!!!  I did about 4 miles between 3 diff. trails and could have stayed there all day.  Check out the slug below!  They are everywhere and you have to be careful not to step on one on the trail.  This was the largest of the day.  The boys have already found out that they don’t taste good!!  After a few licks of one at a campsite, J was drinking from the water bowl and was like---WHAT WAS THAT!!  They supposedly ooze a liquid that makes them impossible for predators to eat!  Speaking of predators, deer and bunnies abound on Orca bc there are no big preds. on the island.  Bald eagles are it.     After a few more hours in the park, I made it back to town for a late lunch at Roses Bakery (yum thin crust pizza) and hit the farmers market.  Beautiful flowers and vegetables everywhere.  I almost purchased some all natural “Hag Cream” (actual name) that was supposed to help with wrinkles, etc. BUT the lady selling it did not appear to use her own products… SOOOO….. you can’t trust that right???   Then happy hour was at 5pm and then I walked town again!  WHEW!!  It was a good day…… Thursday I had decided to take the ferry over to San Juan Island to Friday Harbor.   This is the most populated of all the islands and shops were abundant.  But what I had hoped to see the most, were the Orca whales off the coast of Lime Kiln State Park…AN D I DID!!!  Amazing experience to see them (about 4) swimming in their natural habitat.  There were 100-200 yards off the coast but close enough to hear them when they came out of the water!!  I can’t imagine how loud they would be close up if I could hear them blow from that distance.  So surreal.… You can’t see much of the whale in the pic…But he was there!!  I just walked away, smiling…thank you God for that experience!!  After touring much of the island, I hit the shops…didn’t buy a thing but I always like looking!!   Came back on the 6pm ferry and to the inn at 7:30 for an Heirloom Tomato Caprese salad and Pinot.   YUM!  Best tomatoes I’ve ever eaten have been on this island!!  I tootled around this morning and hit the 1205 ferry back to Anacortes.   They really do make it easy---I think this is my new fave form of public transportation!  Too bad they are only used for water!   I picked the boys up around 330 after checking our downtown Anacortes.  Got a few new bumper stickers for my Thule storage rack….so far have about 20 stating places I’ve been…pretty cool.  I added some slogans this time.  “ I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned” & “May the Forest Be With You.”  Or "Goddess on Board” J  I will send a pic of the unit soon as it is becoming its own being!!! 

The boys did GREAT!  I know they didn’t get the love, attention or exercise they had been used to but Vicki said they were quite the “gentlemen”!  Even giving an example or 2…WHOA?  And AWESOME!  They act fine, just a little needy for mama right now.   Tomorrow we are off to a different area of Washington…I believe 4 more days and then into OR for a week.  

Pics are the Outlook Inn, View from the inn, Cascade Lake Trail, Ferns, Slug, Ferry passing our ferry, Lighthouse on Kiln state park, The WHALE!!  & Ferry at Friday Harbor.

What a great personal  experience the islands were for me!!  Loved every minute of it….Thanks for those emails and comments and please keep ‘em coming……