Smores, novels and perfect wooden boats, oh my!

Sitting for the course of almost four hours at a place called Olga Bay located on Orcas Island, Mike and I perched in the sun watching the tide and and read almost half a novel each. It was so indulgent and self-fulfilling we both wondered if we shouldn't be finding something more productive to do.

While we sat I watched out of the corner of my eye as a couple--not too conspicuous or loud, just seemingly at peace--milled about in the small general store nearby and walked the grassy area overlooking the bay. At one point I even commented to Mike because they seemed just so perfectly in tune with their watery surroundings. Despite their understated dress of rolled linen pants, flip flops, scruffy beard and straw hats, Mike joked that he was probably a young (30-something) exec. and she might be a week-day business wasp, both owning an inconspicuous fortune and just here for a vacation from the fast track. Chapters passed and suddenly we heard the dull clunk of oars against the side of a wooden boat. On looking up we saw two people in a wooden dingy rowing out into the bay and toward one of two anchored 30-foot-ish sailboats. It was the couple. "Don't say a word," Mike was exclaiming. "It's just so perfect it makes me sick! The only thing that could make this any more perfect would be if they unrolled the sails and set off into the sun setting on the horizon." Well...they didn't unroll the sails but we did watch them set off into the distance. All the while I couldn't help but wonder: what secret make-a-living life were they sailing home to? Or were they?

The camping on the island was incredible. The best I've ever seen. We were at a loss without having a kayak there to help us navigate the awesome lakes or one of the many bays and inlets. (Note to self for next time.) There are miles and miles of lush hiking trails that lead to amazing views. It is the type of place you just want to put in your pocket and pull out as you need it when the pace of the year starts moving too fast...it's a place where time feels as if it doesn't exist.

Bringing "Home" to Seattle!

Last week I awoke, bleary-eyed and desperate for a cup of coffee in the 5 am hour to take my parents to the airport for their flight home. All we could unanimously say was that we "did it all." Or at least we tried. The time they spent here was filled with a sort of break-neck attempt to fit as much of the fun in to 10 days that the NW could offer. The result was awesome!

We fished for salmon, we hunted fresh flowers in the farmer's markets, we visited with old friends and we ate. Boy did we eat! I mean, the likes of the seafood up here have not been seen in Texas. Once upon a time I remember lying to my uncle, telling him I was allergic to shrimp, simply so I wouldn't have to put the vile sea crustaceans to my mouth. What a change this gal has seen. Mike and I routinely buy fresh salmon, Halibut or Chilean Sea Bass from the market so we can experiment with new and wonderful seafood dishes at home. While Mom and Dad were here we stopped at any great restaurant we could find that offered to challenge our taste buds with new and delectable flavors and food pairings.

And then...we danced! Yes, since learning of their plans to visit I had begun looking for something fun and exciting to take my parents to do. Friday, the 22nd was reserved for our surprise plans. I had my eye on tickets to see the Gipsy Kings at the Chateau St. Michelle Winery in Woodinville. They fell through and I was about to instate "plan B" when I took one last look online, which resulted in four second-row tickets to the the Gipsy Kings on what turned out to be the most spectacular day. It was, for lack of less cliche wording, as good as it gets.

All-in-all, it was a riot of a time and I was sad to see it end. When they left the car at the airport it hit me like a concrete wall that I had actually moved and started a new path half way across the country. And they were going back to what I have always known of a life. But it is all wonderful because now I start to thread the two together for what appears will be one bad-ass woven outcome!

Seafair weekend

Many thanks to my mom and dad who provided me with an awesome digital camera, which allowed me to provide you all with the photos in my slideshow from this past weekend's Seafair! (I think they became fed up with me talking about all my new adventures and not providing the photo proof to back it up.) In any case I am VERY thankful.

Strategically positioned on a grassy knoll just up from the water, Mike, his parents and I listened to the Blue Angels roar overhead throughout a show of acrobatics. Beneath us on the water there was hydroplane racing. What's that? All I know is that it is fast and looks treacherous. As if hydroplaning on asphalt weren't bad enough, these boat drivers careen around a looped course at top speeds with only floating cones and a line of multi-million dollar yaghts and sailboats to act as a bumper! Not to worry, the floating EMS was on standby.

Meanwhile, we had a great time visiting with Mike's parents, who are back in NY now. Mom and Dad arrive on the 15th. Yippee! I'm sending a great big hello to everyone. Miss you all!

Those who love, visit.

We moved at the end of February and wondered if we would be stranded up here with no family or friends who were willing to travel the miles to visit our new Northwest home. THANK GOODNESS you have all taken us at face value and actually started booking your trips :) We feel loved and I should also mention that we are having quite a bit of fun getting to know our area better as a result of the recent visitations. Keep 'em coming! Room and board is very reasonable.

Our list of visitors past, present and future:

• Cousin Wesley and his girlfriend, Melanie


• Paul Hutzler


• Mike's parents (presently with us)


• My parents (coming in August)


• UP FOR GRABS!

Congratulations to Alex and Jamie on their recent move to Colorado Springs. You better believe we will be swapping fun visits soon! Grab some skis and get ready.

The Maps

Here's one for Mike...

Mike and I joke because he has a rather interesting and cute obsession with maps. I find him sitting on the couch often studying the inlets, inroads, in-and-outs of any map he can het his hands on. The result? Well, I know one thing. We can lead you anywhere you want to go when you get here. Heck, want directions on your visitation route? Mike could provide those as well.

I shouldn't joke. He is the one that helps get me out of my sticky driving situations when I am lost in the back roads of my own neighborhood. I'm the gal who drives an hour out of the way on a "hunch" that I might be headed in the right direction, only to find that I'm not at all. I would also argue however that it is good to get lost a little every now and again.

Since a week after we arrived Mike has had the entire Northwest figured out for what it is topographically. Yes, he's an engineer and not a maker of maps. Thank goodness for those with photographic memory and a good sense of direction. As for the others of us...we must fend for ourselves, stuck in the quagmire of north-south-east-west-ness!

Pushing 100!

Yeah baby! Word on the streets is that we are going to be pushing 100 degrees here this weekend. Summer has arrived! Texas...hope we are helping to relieve you from some of your sweltering summer heat misery by taking heat away from you. I'm sure you won't mind. We'll pass a cloud or two and perhaps some H2O your way. The snow is melting after all. Stay tuned for summer pics. I'll be attending my first Mariner's game on Monday.

Snakebit

Observe my vantage point from the overlook on Rattlesnake Trail. This particular 2-mile uphill hike brings you to a rock outcropping that is perfect for picnicking (so long as you can eat at a tilt) and presents you with a view of the Cascades that is pretty much unparalleled. Being from Texas I feel inclined to first clear up an issue regarding the appointed name of the trail. No, there are no rattlesnakes on this climb. In fact, snakes on the West side of the mountains in Washington--especially poisonous ones--are slim to none. Yay!

So far as I can figure the name must come from the approximate six sharp switchbacks (say that ten times quickly) that take you up the mountain at a particularly steep grade. I've hiked this trail twice now. The first time was a week after arriving in Seattle and the second time was on Father's Day, which also happened to be my Mom's birthday. Moms and pops alike were packing their small kids in Baby Bjorns and specialized packs up this trail in mass. I was just trying to pack myself up the trail! Geeze. It may only be two miles but it will take your breath away.

As another interesting side note, should you be in the NW and interesting in shopping for a dog, this is the place to be. From bottom to top you pass people towing every size and breed of dog. It is in essence, a dog feast and will make your pet senses drool with delight! Mike and I are snakebit with this new favorite.