Just Relax.

Both of us were (over)due for a little bit of relaxation. With nice weather playing in our favor we made sure to catch up on a little bit lazy, friend, outdoors times.

Saturday we decided to get the dog (and ourselves) out for a little exercise. Knowing it was going to be a bit roasty we didn't want to do anything too ambitious. We picked out a nice 5 mile hike near Sequim/Diamond Point (about 30 min away) that ended out on a beach on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Excellent choice. The hike was pretty flat and very easy. We were absolutely astonished to get to the beautiful beach and have NOBODY else there. Can't beat that on an 85 degree day!

Up and over the hill to be greeted by this view -

Looking down the beach with Mt Baker in the distance. It was a little hazy from the forest fires in Olympic National Park -

LOTS of swimming for Bear -

My two favorite boys after lunch -

After the hike we headed home (with one exhausted dog in the back). Unfortunately it was just our luck to get stuck on the Hood Canal Bridge. At least it was pretty and the breeze off the water felt great.

Saturday night we had a campfire in our yard. We sat by the fire and relaxed with friends for hours. We even caught a bit of the meteor shower!

Sunday we went swimming out on Foul Weather Bluff in Hansville (20 min from home). The water is really, really shallow so it stays a perfect swimming temperature for dogs and people. Our friends have a dog that Bear gets along with real well. Those two just swam and swam. Bear could keep up with me out in the water, not bad for a German Shepherd. When we got back to the car we tried to get Bear to jump up in the back of the Escape, normally not a problem. He was so exhausted that he tried to get up in the car but couldn't, Chris had to lift him up. That poor dog is still sleeping off the weekend.

Hope you guys found some ways to beat the heat. If we didn't live so close to the water I don't know what we'd do!

Summary

Now that I have my head out of the books (finished with an A! Wahoo!) I'll give you a quick rundown of the Walker household events.

Took my Mainer to a Red Sox game (Mariners game for us West Coasters!)

We met up with a friend of his from his National Guard unit.

The weather's been beautiful recently so we've had many evening walks.

Have I mentioned I love Kingston?

We FINALLY up the molding up around the front door. This is a BIG DEAL for us because anyone who's visited in the past year and a half has probably noticed it missing (since we put our new door in) ...

 

Dog's still alive and well but we've got to get him a bigger bed!

 

We went to Long Beach to celebrate Dad's birthday.

It was summer but still chilly at the ocean.

Dogs don't care though.

We had a few rounds of 'extreme crochet' in the front yard. Notice my mother is attempting to kill off my husband?!

All this makes for a tired dawg who gets special "couch privileges" at the cabin.

Chris had his first drill in his new uniform. Look at my good looking Airman!

And lots and lots of this going on.

There were many other assorted adventures in there that I just didn't manage to get any photos of. Oh well!

Hope everyone has had a great week. Time for a sunny weekend!

Awesome

There's a blog I like to follow called "1000 Awesome Things". Each day the author writes a short spot on something that is just plain awesome. Most of the time you read the title and think, "yea, that is awesome". I thought I would share it because it reminds you of the simple little joys of life.

This one from back in June pretty much sums up my awesome feeling of the week...

Nope, not dead. Just busy with school/finals.

Stand by for updates soon!

Walker Weekend

Two weeks ago (I know, I'm behind again) we had a wonderful weekend with the Walker parents. Dave & Becky were on their way up to Alaska for their lifetime dream trip, and made a fabulous two and a half day layover in Seattle on their way. This was their first time visiting in the summer when the weather is actually decent so they got to see Washington at its finest.

Before his parents flew in on Saturday we made a stop by the McChord Air Expo. Chris lives for this stuff. It wasn't as hot as last year so I wasn't nearly as miserable. We were excited because the C-17 was on display, Chris' new "office" for the Reserves.

C-17 tail - apparently there is a little channel in there that the guys go in and work on tail stuff. Have fun with that Chris.

C17 Interior looking to the cockpit. Doesn't look like a very comfy ride (Uncle Scott can agree, I'm sure)

C17 looking out towards the tail. I'm expecting Chris to know what every single one of those wires does by next drill.

 This was my favorite and boy was he one bad ass pilot. He could turn that thing on a dime. Funny how they make it look so easy...

This thing had a jet engine and shot flames out the back of it 20 feet. I need this for driving on I5.

 

 So after the airshow... We picked Chris' parents in evening and stopped for a quick dinner on the way back up to Kingston. It was also their first time flying in before dark so we had daylight for the entire drive back home, also a plus.

Sunday was spent wine tasting in Woodinville. We went to one winery that had a wine called Like My Lips Syrah. They were doing a "kissing" contest to see who's lips would be on next years bottle. Becky and I (of course) had to go for it.

Apply lipstick -

Kiss the paper -

Show it off - I'll be waiting for the call telling me I'm the winner...

I packed  a little picnic of post-tasting snacks, where else to hang out but the parking lot!

After a beautiful ferry ride home we were done for the day. Had to rest of for Washington Speed Tour part two.

Monday was one of those cloudy mornings that got us all worried, but it burned off to a gorgeous sunny day. We packed up and headed up to Mt Rainier. They're always impressed with the views of the mountain from down here, why not really impress them with views from up there?

Happy tourists -

Dave got a really nice new camera so my pictures really don't do the thing justice, but they get the point across.

Some might call this Paradise :)

Group shot!

Unfortunately (for us) that was the end of their visit. Fortunately for them that means it was ALASKA time! We've had a few teaser emails from them with photos of bear, fish and beautiful scenery. Can't wait to hear about it!

AFRC Drill #1

This will be a short one here...

Chris had his first Air Force Reserve Command drill weekend with the 446th AMX. Unfortunately this weekend he didn't get to actually do much, just lots and lots of paperwork. He came home with his head spinning, a smile on his face and ready to go back for more! He'll have to get his annual training in (2 weeks) this summer down at McChord so hopefully that will be a good introduction before he heads off to tech school this winter. I think we're on to something good.

I just stayed with Mom & Dad and played with the doggie in the sun all weekend (and studied). Pretty uneventful.

Bear dawg playing in the sprinkler Dad set up for him:

Time to get some studying in - and there is a big pile of crispy new ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform - I'm still getting my AF lingo down) waiting to be washed.

Have a good week everyone - we're looking forward to the Walkers visting next week :)

Road Trip!

We've returned and recovered (kinda) from our whirlwind San Fran visit. Apparently this has been turning into annual event - works for me! Each year Chris has had National Guard Annual Training over 4th of July. Last year I went to visit Eileen and Ben and was planning on doing the same this year. Since Chris no longer has National Guard AT (Air Force does not do Annual Training over holidays :) I was lucky enough to have a copilot on the trip.

Thursday Chris and I loaded up the car and hit the road - destination San Rafael to visit Eileen & Ben. We trooped down to Eugene the first night arriving in time for dinner and bed. Up early the next morning and back on the road to arrive in San Rafael in the late afternoon (after a few wrong turns of course). We were greeting with big hugs from best friends and a hot pulled pork dinner. Worth every minute of the drive.

Hello California!

Mt. Shasta in the Siskiyou Mountains

Saturday was a lazy morning chatting and watching the World Cup. After the game, per Chris' request we headed out to Muir Woods to see the "big trees".

After a day in the sun I practically DEMANDED we go get Puerto Rican food for dinner. (This is where the trip turns a little Anthony Bourdain-ish) There's this little cafe (Sol Food) in San Rafael Eileen took me to on my first visit. It has been on my "must do" list ever since. I took a picture so I can drool over it whenever I flip through my photos.

We went back and lounged off our food. After being lazy it was time to eat again! Eileen and Ben showed us one of their favorite Indian food restaurants. Full bellies yet again. Next up, beer sampling at a local brewery.

Sunday was another lazy morning (4th of July) we heading into the city for lunch. This time it was Chinese dim sum in San Fransisco's China Town. It was Chris' first China town/dim sum experience and we all had a good time.

China Town -

It's kinda like where's Waldo.

My favorite dish of the dim sum-

After China Town we headed out to the Pacific Ocean side of San Fransisco to a great little place for relaxing on the lawn and listening to music. 

Our lovely hosts - 

 

For being best friends for 27 years we strangely don't have many photos together - but here's one!

The evening was spent watching fireworks from the Marin County Fairgrounds. Good thing we had insider info and watched them for free from a neighborhood sitting up on a hill.

 We were up early on Monday and conquered the 825 mile drive home. I have to say that Chris made the entire drive while I studied for my anatomy exam that was the next day.

Highest point on I5!

Jenna and Kyle - these are for you!

Mike & Elaine - for you, look at the cute little trailer!

 Thanks Eileen and Ben for the great weekend. Only problem was it was too short :(

This week is recovery week. Got to rest up before Chris' FIRST Air Force Reserve drill!