Pacific Beach/Olympic National Forest

Will and I did another camping trip early this week on the far western side of our state. This is the first time we've made it out the the Olympics because the drive can be so long for a little person compared to a quick and easy jaunt to the Cascades. In the end I did truncate our drive and went to a different part of the beach than I was originally intending. We had a blast though and loved playing in the powerful ocean waves, exploring sea life in the low tides, making fires with driftwood, and watching an ocean sunset. It was a lovely trip! I wonder how many photos they will let me put on here...

Whidbey Island

Will and his buddies went camping at Whidbey Island this weekend. I honestly can say that I am not too sure what Will was up to in the woods, on the beach, in the tents, etc. It seemed to me as though there was just a swarm of kids having adventures and misadventures unbeknown-st to many of the parents who were lounging in camp chairs, chatting, and making good food. In these photos Keenan and Will are looking at things on the beach; Soren, Will and Keenan are hanging off a piece of bouncy driftwood; Clare is out with her "swim team", Will is riding the ferry; and Will is enjoying one of his first roasted marshmallows.

Kayak Lake Union

My friend Gail visited from Maryland and we took her on quite a tour of Seattle complete with a kayak afternoon on Lake Union. This was Will's first trip in a kayak and he figured out how to paddle relatively quickly. He just couldn't stop smiling.

Edison

Edison and his family were in town this week for a wedding and we spent some time catching up at Golden Gardens. The boys seemed to just pick up where they left off as though they've been friends forever. Will told Paul tonight that Edison is his very best friend.

Backpacking at Mt Rainier

There will be a lot of photos in this post because it was such a scenic location. We both really loved the park and didn't want to leave. We camped on a little icy lake that was very warm during the day but required some winter gear at night. I was glad to have packed this because it truly did get below freezing in the night.

We saw a lot of wildlife just steps away.... flocks (yes, truly) of hummingbirds visiting all the wildflowers along the trail and at our campsite, deer that were grazing on huckleberry bushes right next to our tent, fish, chickadees and other birds, and chipmunks. Will's favorite thing was the sleeping volcano and all the volcanic rocks. He also loved the patches of snow that we frequented. Where else can you play in snow while wearing shorts and flip flops?

At the end of our trip we ate lunch in a repurposed train car.