Another Oregon wedding. Our good friends, Tom and Peg Gillard married off their oldest son Nate to a Sublimity girl. The wedding was in Salem and Bjorn and Jenny joined us in celebrating the nuptials. The venue was the historic Grand Theater (not to be confused with Grand Hotel - separate story) A great reception followed in the same building. Both bride and groom come from strong families and the marriage looks to be off to a good start. We had a good time with friends at the hotel and enjoyed a leisurely drive home through Silverton and Mt. Angel and Fort Vancouver.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
They train them young in Lynden
This past weekend being Columbus Day weekend, we went up to Lynden for a couple of days. The neighbors have a pumpkin patch in a western town motif. We walked over Saturday afternoon to check it out. It was just right for Ada and Ruby. They enjoyed the petting farm, the cow milking and the pony ride. We also took a horse drawn wagon ride and picked out some pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. We enjoyed Sunday with church at Oikos, visiting mom and watching the Seahawks. Monday we were home again where we got a load of wood and I sheetrocked the living room wall where I had stolen some cedar. I also ran to Manchester and back (10 miles) as I start to ramp up for another marathon.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Endless Sumfall or Fummer
The Northwest weather is really becoming a statistical anomaly. I am a little worried that statistics will catch up to us and we will have ten months of rain. But we have to use it if we get it. Markus and Steph came over on the weekend and we went out for a sail on Sunday afternoon. The wind was perfect for a boat load of four. Esther and I are both enjoying our new positions at work, though Esther is putting in a lot of hours.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
One day road trip
This weekend we took a 500 mile day trip. We wanted to test the Scion's comfort on a long haul. We also get an itch for the mountain passes and Eastern Washington this time of year. We drove Chinook Pass over to Yakima. It was extremely smokey, beginning at the summit of the pass. Yakima was socked in as well. We made the decision to take a long loop down to the Gorge and back up I5. The Gorge was beautiful and Esther got to see Stonehenge and Maryhill for the first time. We were tempted to run up to Trout Lake, but we got home at 10 pm as it was. The Scion tc passed the test: comfortable ride and fun to have the roof open.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Dungeness Spit
Saturday I took my 6th grade class on a hike to the Dungeness Spit lighthouse. Eleven students and two parent joined me on the eleven mile round trip trudge though the sands along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I was hoping for more participation, but the new families aren't quite trusting enough to give me their child for the day. By spring they will! The weather was great and the low tide on the way out made a quick 2 1/2 hour trip out to the lighthouse. After an hour of lunch on the lawn and a tour of the lighthouse, it was time to drag the kids back to the parking lot. The rising tide pushed us up to the softer sand and logs for a slower go. It took 3 1/2 hours for the last of the stragglers to make it back to the parking lot. We all piled into a fifteen passenger van for the trip home. You'd think that the kids would have been pooped out. You wouldn't know it from the the raucous singing and shouting on the way home.
Monday, September 03, 2012
A Traveling Labor Day Show
This year's Labor Day weekend took on a little different twist as we moved about. The weekend started at the cabin at Cain Lake cabin on Saturday afternoon. No oysters this year, but burger sliders and fresh veggie salad was the fare. A lazy Sunday morning in blazing lakeside sunshine turned slowly into afternoon and a quick pack up and drive to Bothell, where we checked into the Springhill Suites using Zachary's discount. After lounging by the pool, we headed to Red Hook Brewery for supper. Monday morning saw most of the gang at a nearby Value Village snatching up deals. A trip to Blythe Park and Woodinville Chipotle led up to the final activity of the day- checking out Markus new house in Fremont.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Ada makes a Southworth visit
My final three days of summer break were spent with granddaughter Ada. I met Jenny in Marysville where she handed off 'Goof ball' to the grandparents for a few days. Since Esther is already back to work, it was my privilege to spend the days with Ada. We spent time on the beach and at school where I built some shelves while Ada explored the classroom. We read a lot of books and made some puzzles. She's off to Yakima tomorrow to visit a friend-- the traveling three year old!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
He's off again
He is off again. Today Calvin left for another year in Tokyo. It was a short but good summer, filled with a lot of work, family time and adventures with friends. He is going back a little early so that he can travel some in Japan before school starts. Calvin will be living in the same dorm (Canada House) that has been his home the last two years. The dorm situation there seems to operate much like a fraternity. This will be his last year at ICU International Christian University; and he is exploring options for graduate school either in Tokyo or Seattle. We are excited to witness his graduation in person next June.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
tubing on Tapps
There are some days and nooks in Western Washington where it is easy to forget that it is a temperate rainforest. Lake Tapps on a hot August afternoon is one of those times/nooks. Yesterday we joined the annual Eide lakeside BBQ at George and Sharon's house on Lake Tapps. It was a privilege and pleasure to share in the fun with the George Eide offspring. Mike, Marti, and Marika joined us in representing the Soren clan. We enjoyed visiting with the first, second and third cousins. There was plenty of lakeside fun. Calvin and Marika enjoyed the jet ski and tubing; while I did take my turn on the jet ski and the more tranquil kayak. Thanks George and Sharon for a wonderful afternoon.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Peninsula Peddling
Esther wanted to go to the lavender farms in Sequim on Saturday, so I tagged along with my bike to check out the Olympic Bike Trail. While Esther browsed the purple fields, I made my way west from Sequim toward Port Angeles. The trail meanders through town and field with the constant backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. Approaching Port Angeles it gets woodsy and hilly. My plan was to make it to the end of Ediz Hook and back to Sequim (50 miles) Unfortunately, I got a flat tire which I was unsuccessful at patching. I had to walk the bike back to a Port Angeles bike shop (2 miles) for a new tube. Esther came to pick me up and we checked out another farm and the bluffs along the strait. We ended with dinner at the Three Crabs in Dungeness.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
San Juan getaway part 2
Sunday morning we went out to English Camp for an historical reenactment of life in the late nineteenth century. We strolled by tents and a lady made a doll for Ada. Ruby nursed an apple for about an hour. On the way home for lunch, we stopped at a winery. In the afternoon, the women went to the lavender farm while Bjorn and Calvin watched the Olympics and Markus and I rode bicycle to Cattle Point Lighthouse. We enjoyed Jenny’s pulled-pork carne asada on the deck. The kids went to a production of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Roche Harbor while Esther and I stayed home with the girls. Calvin was up early to make a Japanese breakfast of miso soup and tuna/plumb rice balls, a truly cultural experience for some of us morning cereal lovers. After a quick pack up, we went out to Cattle Point Lighthouse before getting in the ferry line and shopping/eating in Friday Harbor. Ada and Bjorn were presented their Junior Ranger badges for the scavenger hunt on the ferry ride. In the evening we went up to Cain Lake to have dinner with the Eides as Zachary was up from Arizona for a few days. We enjoyed Kay’s pasta dinner and Marti’s gourmet cup cakes in honor of Calvin and Esther’s birthdays and Bjorn and Jenny’s and John and Kay’s anniversaries.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
San Juan getaway part 1
The trip began with an early wake up to join the commuters on the 6 am ferry in order to catch the 9am Anacortes ferry. Our van made the line in time, but Bjorn was three cars short; so he stayed to wait for the 12pm ferry, while the rest of us went ahead to Friday Harbor. After shopping and being joined by Bjorn for lunch we checked the recent whale activity at Lime Kiln before settling in the rental house at the golf course. We were surprised to find great accommodations including plenty of beds for everyone. Esther’s supper of Jambalaya was enjoyed while we waited for Markus ad Steph to arrive. Saturday morning we went to American Camp and Bjorn started Ada on her junior ranger badge with a scavenger hunt. After lunch we went to Lime Kiln Park and were fortunate to see the L pod come by. They were not as close as three years ago when we saw the super pod, but it was still exciting. We met Jeff and Peter Johnson at Roche Harbor who had a bucket full of crabs for us. Before leaving Roche Harbor, Bjorn convinced us to hike to the Mausoleum which was an unexpected surprise. Supper was hosted by Steph assisted by Markus. She prepared a Sri Lankan feast of chicken tikka massala, red lentil dahl, sambal and raita. We were invited to use our fingers to eat in Sri Lankan style. Ruby fit right in of course. The younger set finished the evening at a ball dance at English Camp while the grandparents and granddaughters settled in for the night.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Markus - a quarter century
We enjoyed the day Saturday with Markus and Calvin. After a morning key chasing adventure, Markus came over to Southworth. We played a foursome of tennis. The old folks had the youngsters scared with a 2-0 lead, but youth prevailed and the sons defeated the parents 6-4. We ended the day with a dinner at Bremerton Bar and Grill and Mississippi mud pie at home. Markus is still appreciating his job at Garden City Group law firm. The future is somewhat tenuous as contracts come and go, but his hard work has been noticed and he has a lead position. He is experiencing some of the challenges of being a supervisor over less than conscientious co-workers.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Small Boat Paradise - Puget Sound
The afternoon sun and breeze was too much to pass by. I spent the afternoon sailing around Blake Island and skirting the shoreline of Yukon Harbor. It was great sailing. I was surprised at the lack of sailing and overall boating that I witnessed in Hawaii. The only boats that I saw on the water were commercial tour boats-- no fishermen, yachts or stink pots. I first attributed it to the strong winds that seem to develop every afternoon. I wouldn't enjoy being out on a small boat. Another factor may be the lack of mooring availability. But I would still expect to see some small trailerable boats out on the water. Paddle boards abounded, but I saw very few kayaks. What I thought would be a boater's paradise turned out to be a desert. The good thing is that it makes me appreciate the small boat paradise we do have on the Puget Sound. This afternoon I made it count.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Hawaii day 11
Our final day in Hawaii. We got up at four to make our sunrise bush plane ride back to Honolulu via Molokai. We were once again treated to a spectacular flight along the world's highest sea cliffs. Arriving in Honolulu at 8:30 am and not leaving until 10 pm, we decided that we needed to do something. Fortunately, we could check in our bags and get a boarding pass. Then we hopped on the city bus to downtown and Waikiki. We spent the day browsing beach and boulevard. It was a fitting way to end our time in Hawaii. We caught an evening bus back to the airport and our overnight flight to San Francisco and then Seattle.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Hawaii day 10
The last lava flows on Maui were in the 18th century, but when you drive and walk through Ahihi Kinau Reserve, it looks like yesterday. There is some beautiful scenery down near La Perousa Bay, and if Esther were feeling better, we would have liked to hike more. We also strolled on a much different path by the high end resorts in Wailea. By late afternoon, we were overheated and some shaved ice with ice cream and three different flavors from Loco Boys really hit the spot. Tonight we are preparing for our marathon trip home beginning at 4 am:)
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Hawaii day 9
Esther has not been able to shake off a cough and slight fever this whole week, so this morning we went to a doctor. He diagnosed it as bacterial bronchitis and gave her some antibiotics. She is feeling a little better, but still not up to par. It's so hard being sick on vacation! She found the strength to do a little window shopping in Pa'ai and Lahaina. She found a special necklace and we enjoyed the sunset.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Hawaii day 8
Every serious visitor to Maui is expected to take the 'road to Hana.' It is a windy (and windy) fifty miles skirting cliffs on the very wet Northeastern shore of the island. Lot's of traffic with one lane bridges to share with oncoming vehicles. True to form, during the whole trip we experienced different forms of drizzle. We stopped at a few waterfalls but didn't take any serious hikes. The weather didn't make the pools too enticing to enter; and the National Park made sure that we didn't enter the ones that did look inviting. After the long trip back to the dry side, we enjoyed the poolside sun at the condo for a couple of hours before sunset. Dinner was at a Hawaiian take out that had high recommendations.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Hawaii day 7
Haleakala rises 10,000 ft from the sea in the distance of a couple of miles. Looking at the cloud shrouded mountain from West Maui, it doesn't seem that tall. This morning we drove to the top. We opted out of the sunrise experience and the downhill bicycle adventure. The ring of clouds was quickly put below as the road switchbacked up the mountain. The volcanic landscape is very barren. The temperature drop to the low 60s and we put sweatshirts on. Many of the surrounding islands were blocked from view by the clouds, but we did get a glimpse of Hawaii. We took our time as we meandered down the 'upcountry' towns. Esther found a lavender farm to stop at, and we ate lunch in historic Makawao. We headed back to the condo and I ran 5 miles on the beach before enjoying homemade supper on our deck. Esther is still not feeling up to par, battling a cold and cough:(
Hawaii day 6
Getting an early start, we drove to Lahaina. The historic town is filled with shopping, galleries and restaurants. After a couple of hours, we headed north to drive the West Maui north shore. We stumbled on Honolua Bay and decided to get out the snorkeling gear. After a picnic lunch on the rocky beach, we put on the gear and headed for the snorkeling boats, since they probably know where the good spots are. We were a little disappointed in the amount of fish. (Maybe were were spoiled from our Florida experience) It was still enjoyable and a nice break from walking and driving. We continued on the highway as it became more remote and changed into a one lane road with no guard rails and some steep cliffs. The highlight was the village of Kahakuloa. The remote village seemed pretty much the same as it might have been fifty years ago. Once back at the condo, we took a walk on the beach before getting supper.
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