Leaving the farm in southern Oregon we headed north and towards the ocean to spend the next week camping at several great little spots along the coast. By far, the best beach we have seen was Oswald Beach State Park. We stayed in the northern coast of Oregon for some time, just to be at this breathtakingly beautiful beach. It also didn’t hurt that the surf was good, so Ryan spent some time in the water while I walked the dogs through many of the park’s trails, dense with trees and life.
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After that we got into Washington where we stayed with Jim and Fran for a few nights. They are a kind couple we met while camping in California and we were invited to stay with them. They built their own passive solar house, something we very much interested in, so we picked their brain about that and enjoyed talking with them about their adventures as well. During the day, they showed us around town, so Ryan got to surf a local spot and we sampled a few local seafood restaurants. Jim does bubbling and showed us, with his special, precise mixture, just how big a bubble can get. Using specially made wands that he fashioned himself, we dipped them into the homemade solution and generated bubbles so big, the pictures really do not do them justice. We were so grateful to have stayed with you Jim & Fran thank you so much for everything!
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Then it was off to the Sea-Tac airport to pick up my sister, Terri. She flew in to stay with us for a week and explore Washington. We headed into the Olympic peninsula to camp for a few nights. During the day we went on some beautiful hikes, picking berries along the way and stopping at a waterfall for much of one afternoon. In Port Townsend we took the ferry to Whidbey Island, where we stopped for lunch overlooking beautiful Deceptions Pass. Heading north, we met up with Ryan’s parents, who flew into Washington that day, and all settled in to the house they rented for the week. From the rental house, we departed every morning to explore the area. We went hiking, rode ferries, saw spectacular views, and of course stopped for some ice cream. In the evenings we all sat on the deck, with its magnificent, mountain top view of the surrounding water and town far below. Since Jim sent us off with some bubble solution and special wands, we introduced everyone to the art of making giant bubbles, so we spent several nights entertaining ourselves with that.
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It was so great to be surrounded by family, especially considering it has been some time since we have really seen anyone that we knew. While traveling is great, it really is comforting seeing your family and we have certainly realized the importance of friends and family on this trip. You really can live wherever you want in the world, but without friends and family there to share it with you, it might not be worth having at all.
We had so much fun, thank you so much Terri, Brant and Patty for coming out to visit us and so much more.
“Man is a knot into which relationships are tied.”
~ Antoine de Saint
Tonya & Ryan
Just as Free 