Tripping in the great NW

Living in the great NW has brought challenges that require adaptation. Rather than sulk and cancel plans one must be resilient and press onward. As is evident from the following. I neglected to post about our spring break trip or really anything else during the "dark times" so this will be a catch up.

March 2013:
Right before Spring Break we had our only snow. Apparently it is supposed to happen more than once a year but this year it was just once. School was delayed and the kids only had a half day so in the end it turned out quite fun. When I asked #4 if he saw that it was snowing he said, "Yes! Its a miwacle!"

Organic Snow Cones

Even the dog missed the snow

Those prints can't be a 12 yr old...I have a man child!

April 2103:
During the break that is so called "Spring" we chose to not venture farm but planned a day trip to Skagit county for the tulip festival. It was more like Daffodil Fest as the tulips had not bloomed yet but it was cool none the less.

 Someone is 12 :/

As this was our first trip here we proceeded to Anacortes, WA then to Washington Park and Deception Pass. It certainly was beautiful. It was like walking on the set of Twilight- or at least it was grey and beautiful and fun, so maybe nothing like the movie just the scenery. We are blessed with kids that are great at hiking. Even when they were barely walking they were great but now that everyone is capable of taking care of their own needs (They all have their own camel packs and carry their own water and snacks.) it almost seems relaxing being out with them- almost.

Washington Park on Fidalgo Island.

Our first seal sighting.

Trees are our favorite part of Washington.

Deception Pass State Park

We love collecting cool rocks.

May 2013:

May brought some sun and then we went to Oregon. Memorial day along the Oregon coast was so much fun. The hubby in his brilliance insisted on saving up and purchasing a pop-up camper. This man was SOOOO right. Without this creation EVERYTHING would have been soaked and we would have been miserable. But now we had a heater and indoor cooking arrangements and it was dry. There is a lot to be said for dry.
We stayed at Nehalem Beach State Park in Oregon - once we got out of the terrifying traffic in Washington. We then day tripped to Tillamook, Seaside, Ecola State Park, Canon Beach and everything else we could see along the 101 in Oregon. (Once we got home we showed the kids Goonies so that they could say, "Hey I've been there.")

  

 

 

 

Geocahing

Professional Marshmallow Roaster

 SEASIDE, OR:

 

 

 

 

Norris Family with Lewis & Clark!

View from Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park, Oregon (Features in GOONIES)

June 2013: 
After being here for eight months- I can't believe it's already been that long- we finally traveled to Grand Mound, WA to the Great Wolf Lodge. We promised the kids that we would do this as soon as we found out that we were moving here but it took us a while to follow through.
It was a good experience, especially since we had a groupon to make it a little cheaper. We also took time out to see some sights in Olympia- that's our capitol, in case ya didn't know. Our favorite was Tumwater Falls.









Before June was over we hook one more hike to a near by water fall, Franklin Falls. It was supposed to be shorter than advertised but it was so much fun and the weather was beautiful. Even if I did get a killer migraine afterwards it was so worth it. Hopefully we can hit all of the nearby waterfalls this summer.