Lake Chelan 2008

As always the weather was hot. As always the water was cold. The combination made for a very enjoyable week-long trip.

(drivin' there)

(campfires)

(kayaks)

(naptime)

(behind the boat)

(driving the boat...in circles)

(Auntie Gloria)

(new freckles)

(water slides)

(racing)

(out to lunch, literally)

(bath in a box)

(go-karts)

(swings)

(bike ride along the lake)

(Gram and Papa)

(Uncle Bennett)

(building sand castles)

(playing catch)

(walk in the woods on the way home)

(by the river)

Went in a Little Girl, Came out a Ranger

E participated in a program offered at many National and State Parks for the first time this summer; Junior Rangers. She and I joined up with our veteran ranger for a one hour hike in the woods above Lake Chelan and onto the grasslands. No one else showed up, so we got a great one-on-one informational hike with Ranger Dwight. She learned about the topography, and of the native trees, animals and flowers that were growing there. At the end she took the Junior Ranger oath, and received her badge, and i.d. card!

(deer, raccoon, quail, and chipmunk tracks)

(pine cone)

(comparing bark textures)

(ponderosa pine)

(story time)

(snowberry)

(taking the oath)

(decorated)

Heading East

My family is heading over the mountains for our annual camping trip with some sun and fun in the water. So, you may not hear from me for another week or so.

Blueberry Picking

After her last swim lesson this session we headed over to a Bellevue blueberry farm, and grabbed up our Many's on the way. Jen and I chatted about books, friends, and family while we picked through the bushes with August's help, and the girls mostly played. It was nice to be together again.

As we traipsed through the fields I was in constant internal conversation with myself; "There are snakes here," "You'll see a snake." In the end it really did no good as the first sighting of a long black garter with yellow stripes sunning itself among the bushes left my heart racing and the kids covering their ears with all my shrieking.

The bushes weren't super full with ripe berries (perhaps we were a little too early?), but after the hour in the fields we had collected a pint or so; enough for pancakes in the morning, or perhaps some muffins. And I snagged some Walla Walla onions, rhubarb, garlic, and ears of corn from their store.

Send in the Clowns

We got front row seats to the Wenatchee Youth Circus this evening. It was great!

(sno-cones and peanuts)

(trapeze artist's)

(yeah, she's spinning by her neck...)

(spider ropes)

(the clowns)

(spring board)

(flying through the air, with not so much ease)

(fire eater)

(ladder)

(tightrope)

(mingling with the stars)