An Unexpected Adventure

 A couple weekends ago we drove up to Anacortes, about 90 minutes from us to go to a memorial for a friend we hadn't seen in years. There were a lot of old friends there, it's always good to see everyone but so sad that it has to be under those circumstances.

While we were there a friend told us about the Washington Park Loop. It's a 2 mile road that goes along the waterfront and it was just a few miles from where we were. There's camping and picnic tables and then this single lane, one-way road.

 

Then there'd be a small parking spot nestled between the trees and bushes just big enough for one car. I got out on one of them and after stepping over a fallen tree and walking down a tiny dirt path I came across this huge overlook!

The wind was just howling but the views were so pretty! I was out there so long that by the time I got back to the car my ears were sore! Have you ever had that, where the wind makes your ears so cold, that they almost hurt on the inside?

Back in the car and we continue driving. I couldn't get over how pretty the scenery was.

 

Then we pull up to another open area and of course I hop out, phone in hand. I walked across some flat rocky areas to another incredible view.

 

I'm so glad our friends recommended this place. On our way out, we spotted two deer! It's a little hard to see them in the tall grass but as we pulled away one of them lifted it's head and looked right at us. "See ya next time!"

Overreacting?

Chuck and I went on a short hike yesterday. It was recommended by the health insurance company with Chuck's work. We're in the middle of this forest and I noticed there wasn't one single sound. There were no birds chirping, not a single person around anywhere, we couldn't even hear cars on the nearby roads! It was really spooky!

We're walking on this trail and we come to a post where there should have been a directional sign telling us that we we're on the right path but the sign was gone! But they said it was a moderate to light hike so we kept walking and I made a mental note of what we were wearing and realized we didn't come prepared to spend the night in the forest. I tend to panic easily. :)

I texted Sharaya and told her where we were and the name of the program. That way if something happened to us, they'd be able to look it up on-line and at least go to the right area to search for us. I even made a mental note of what we were wearing. My next plan was to begin to look for someplace we could make a shelter. :)

But that wasn't necessary because after just a few minutes we came to the end of the trail, and the sign that told us we'd finished this challenge. It really was a beautiful walk but I didn't enjoy it very much because I was preparing to spend the night outside listening for search dogs!

Sorry they're so blurry.

I was probably shaking with fear! Haha!

Her Favorite

Every year on their birthdays, we ask the girls where they want to eat. And for the last few years Sharaya wants to go to the Rainforest Cafe. I aways think, 'Okay, we can go there' and I completely forget how amazing this place is until we get there!

Unfortunately I couldn't get the camera on my phone to work so I borrowed some pics from Google Images. This place is truly an adventure.

It really is like eating in the middle of a rain forest, but without all the bugs! The night sky changes from black to sunrise red to dusk orange. There are life size elephants and gorillas. Larger than life butterflies, lizards and birds. And about every 20 minutes, everything comes to life!

We had a great time. The food is so good and of course being with family is always the best! Great choice Sharaya!!

(These were their faces after about the 5th time of trying to get my flash to work!)

 

Standing in front of the elephants.

You can just barely see Allie at the bottom of the picture.

Taken with Sharaya's phone.

(These are from Google/Images) 

 

 

 

 

If you've never been there, I highly recommend it!

Rope Swings and Railroad Tracks

A few nights ago we finished dinner and Diana says, "You wanna go for a hike?" So we hopped in her car and headed for a place known as The Bluff.

 

We'd been here before, in the Fall when the path was covered in gold.

 

 

 

As you come out to the bluff, to the left there's a set of stairs that look inviting and pique your curiosity!

 

 

 

It's a beautiful forest, there are so many birds and you can hear the small river running back and forth on either side as you hike down the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

We walked over small, man-made bridges, plus fallen trees and rocks. The trail would get narrow, then open up again. The temps have been so warm here lately, but it was so cool and beautiful among the trees!

 

 

 

 

About half way down we came across a rope swing!

No. I did not. :)

 

But here's a picture of Diana swinging on it when her, Sharaya and Allie were here a few weeks before!

 

 

 

 

The trail ends up at Puget Sound, right by the railroad tracks.

 

 

 

 

Back up at the top of the bluff, looking down at the forest we just walked through.

It really was a beautiful day for a hike!

 

Into The Woods. Not the Movie, We Really Did Go Into The Woods!

Diana wants to go walking or hiking every Monday and she asked me to come with her this week. There is a park near our house that we drive by all the time, but have never gone walking there.

Some good friends of ours nicknamed them The Woods Between the Worlds from Chronicles of Narnia. You drive through a residential area and then all of the sudden, you're right in the middle of the forest! It's truly beautiful, especially in the Spring when all the trees are getting new leaves. So on Monday we parked the car and walked along the trail.

It was so pretty. And quiet.

At one point, a smaller trail veered off the main path so we ended up following it to see if we could get to the river that we could hear. There's a creek or something at the bottom. It seemed SO close but the trail sort of ended. Well, it actually just dropped off and Diana started down but began to slide and we weren't sure where it would take us... and neither of us were really dressed for that kind of hike.

One of Diana's friends told her later that there is a rope swing at the bottom! Now we're determined to go back and make it down that hill!