Camping at Mt. Rainier

On the first weekend in August, Dad and Henry went up to Mount Rainier to go camping. We stayed in a large, organized campground within sight of the mountain and did a couple of really good hikes - one with amazing views of Rainier leading to a snowfield, the other along the Paradise River to a Carter Falls. We also played some board games at the campsite (Henry won nearly all of them), cooked some good meals, and, of course, roasted marshmallows/made s'mores. 

 

Bike from Bellevue to the Beach !

John completed a long-standing goal on the last weekend of July when he biked from our house in Bellevue to the Pacific Ocean.

It took two days to go the 120 miles - 80 miles the first day and 40 miles the second day. We got a hotel room in Elma, WA for the overnight and MJ and the boys came out to stay and go to the beach the following day.

The first day involved a ride to Seattle, boarding a ferry to Bremerton, and then another 65 miles through city streets, along the beautiful Hood Canal, and on back roads near logging farms before arriving in Elma.

The second day was a straight shot to the ocean, through a few small towns and on a bike trail before waving to MJ and the boys as they drove by about 5 miles from the end. John ended at Twin Harbors State Park, where he dipped his feet in the water (too cold to swim!) and walked along the beach.

Getting ready to board the ferry in Seattle

Special spot for the bike!

Beautiful Hood Canal!

Turn on Ann Arbor Street!

Rest for weary legs - our hotel in Elma!

Ocean in view! O the joy!

Kayaking on Lake Union

On a sunny summer evening, Mary Jo and John went kayaking on Lake Union in the city. It was a gorgeous night as we paddled around other sailboats and the seaplanes coming in for landings. One of them got a bit close as we were taking video of its landing.

 

Lakeside Season End

Lakeside had a disappointing end to their season when they were bounced out of the District Tournament in Burlington with three losses in four games. Jack pitched against Lynden in the first game and gave up 8 runs in a 14-6 loss. After one win in their next game, Lakeside lost their next three, where a win in either of their final two games would have gotten them to the State Tournament. Regardless, it was a fun (but long!) season.

MJ Turns 50!

For Mary Jo's fiftieth birthday, we did a few special things - including a picnic dinner the night before on the shores of Lake Washington and a nice dinner the night of her birthday at the Salish Lodge, right above Snoqualmie Falls.