Never and Always

August 4-9, 2019
Carnation, Washington

Between us we have six sons. Five are in Valencia while my youngest, our fourth, lives in Seattle. It's the best reason to visit this beautiful area.

We enjoy the drive from Forks, especially along Lake Crescent, a stunning glacial lake of turquoise and aqua. With delays due to construction, we get extra time to savor the views!

It's nearly impossible to reserve a summer weekend at Tolt-McDonald Park in Carnation, Washington, but I do manage to get Sunday through Thursday. The asphalt and grass sites are large with 50 amp and water. Strict check in time of 3PM! Lots of beautiful trees, and we still connect to satellite.

Last year we learned that one of our younger school mates that we're friends with on Facebook also calls Seattle home. Katie was in junior high when I graduated. Bill knew her older brother, and remembers Katie from school. She and I share a love of photography.

We meet at a lovely bistro on the shores of Lake Washington. With lots of locals enjoying the warm summer day along the water, we're lucky to find parking a couple blocks away.

"The beach"

Katie has lived here for over 25 years, loving her job at the Children's Hospital. We have a great time getting to know her, and the time flies by. The connection we have with the people from our tiny mining town is such a joy in our travels. Katie is number 95 of those we've visited (not including our annual reunions).

Katie and Bill

Jeff has Wednesday and Thursday off, so I pick him up after my massage (ahhhh) on Tuesday afternoon.

There just isn't anything better than spending time with our kids and grand kids. It's great to just hang out in our pretty site, take a drive to North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls, and enjoy each other's company. Not a lot of photos, but a wonderful time spent together.

Thursday Bill is feeling puny so Jeff and I take a day trip to Bainbridge Island on our own. As is often the case, the local boy has never been so it's a new experience for both of us!

The ferry ride is about 50 minutes. It's a huge ship, moving over 6M people every year! A beautiful trip on a calm and lightly cloudy day, I can't imagine it being my regular commute during winter storms.

Faye Bainbridge Park has easy access to a long shoreline with wildflowers and driftwood. Unfortunately the Broedel Preserve I was looking forward to visiting is closed this one day for a special event :-(

After a leisurely lunch at one of the small marinas, we return on the ferry. It's 5PM but we find surprisingly little traffic. Even after dropping Jeff at his place, I'm fortunate the roads aren't busy! I find a quick parking spot at the medical center, have no line at the pharmacy, and in less than 45 minutes I'm back home. Must be all that good "Carma" from letting people in front of me :-)

There is never enough time with our kids. Never. Jeff turns 30 next week, but he'll always be my little cowboy who would only wear boots and his cowboy hat with no shirt, no matter how cold it was outside. Always.