The Unexpected Pleasure of New Friends

August 12-15, 2017
Olympia, Washington

Bill's cousin was living in Olympia when I included the city in our route. When we found out she moved I remembered that a nice couple we met in Colorado also spend their summers here (they're on the road the rest of the year) so I kept our reservations. I figured we could see a little of a new area, and have a fun meet up with Michael and Rebecca.

Our Wednesday drive takes us into Washington, following Hwy 101 to Hwy 8, and a few miles on I-5. We arrive at Land Yacht RV Park mid-day where we back into our spot in the gravel parking lot. Spaces are defined by white lines and there is just enough room for the house and the Jeep - just. This was originally an Airstream-only park, pre-slides. The sewer connection is uphill so we don't bother, there's a dump and we're only here four nights. 30 AMP and good water pressure. Park WiFi doesn't connect, plenty of sky for satellite. It's a quiet park, close to town, and our friends' park is five-minutes away.

Rebecca invites us to their place and then dinner at their son's pub on Thursday evening. At cousin Penny's recommendation we check out nearby Boston Harbor during the day.

What a wonderful place!! Nothing more than a little marina and store/patio, and the cutest homes with beautiful gardens.

Music jams here on the weekends too :-)

Small boats in a small marina.

The dock needs a little work - could be a sobriety test?

The sweetest cottage with views of the harbor. I love it!

Garden art.

Many of the gardens are terraces, giving you more to look at.

Not the roof of a house - its the whole house.

This big ship stands out among more traditional homes.

In, not out, got it!

In the afternoon we make the quick drive to Lost Lake RV Resort, a beautiful - really beautiful - private park with a variety of covered and uncovered spaces, and park models. Although some have sadly removed trees, it is still a lush forest.

Rebecca meets us at the gate and she and Brutus lead us back to their home.

Hard to see, but Brutus is keeping an eye on us from the back.

         Piper's parents live here!!

I fail to get pics of their lovely covered deck - it is a comfortable and inviting place. We're already thinking we could land here some day :-) They give us a walking tour of the park and surrounds, and on the way to eat we drive to the little lake. It's beautiful. Lucky Rebecca also has her art studio above the lodge overlooking the lake - she is very talented!

We enjoy dinner and brews at West Side Tavern, a wonderful "dive" bar that their son manages. Because we're with Brutus, we have reserved seating! Everything is delicious, we'll be back!

When you know the right people dogs!

Our host.

We've only met these folks for a short visit along the Arkansas River in Colorado, and Rebecca and I are Facebook friends. After our time at their place, and over yummy eats and drinks, we know these are really great people whose company we enjoy - a lot :-) Before going home, they take us to the gallery where Rebecca's work is displayed. Splash is a lovely place showcasing 17 local artists with a diversity of mediums. 

Wish I had the space - Rebecca's pieces are gorgeous.

Bill's favorite.

Rebecca suggests she pick me up on Friday for the Olympia Market and I'm in! The market is Thursday - Sunday all summer, and includes fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, artisan wares, and other cool stuff. After we pick up a few tasty bits, we enjoy lunch outdoors on the harbor at the Budd Bay Cafe. A couple more quick stops and we're back at our house. 

So many textures, smells and colors.

Soap, not candy ;-)

Lovely lavender.

Rainbow Chard

Our lunch view.

We've all had such a good time together, and their invitation to join them for dinner at their place means we get to have some more!

After enjoying our meal on the large covered deck, we relax around a nice fire pit with views of the Olympias through the trees. The more time we spend here, the more we like the idea of something similar in the future.

Saturday we get some needed errands run and other boring adult stuff. Then one more get together with our new friends at Dirty Dave's Pizza where we somehow find even more to talk about :-)) Hugs and good-byes-for-now.

Michael, Brutus and Rebecca - thanks for such a great time!!

We didn't know what to expect of Olympia, had no plans for anything in particular to do. What a nice surprise to spend time with a couple who we have a lot in common with, and whose company we enjoy so much. Tessa and Brutus were happy to share their space with each other, just hanging out with their peeps. Olympia is also a wonderful city - progressive, diverse, eco-conscious, college-town, lots of water, that mountain!, and just weird enough for us to really like.  

Next up, we're off to the Seattle area to see our only "doesn't live in Southern California" son!