I’ve got some catching up to do. The last few weeks have been a relaxed whirlwind and I’ve been having too much fun to write about it. It’s Tulip Festival time here in Skagit Valley, but, more importantly, we’ve had a visit from my brother, Houston. The past week was spent showing him all our favorite tourist spots and having a great time in general.
I’m going to save the tulips for another post and cover just the other items here. The weeks before Houston’s arrival were typical PNW weather – windy and cold with dumping rain. It just wasn’t good weather to get out and do much at all. I played music, we caught up on reading, and mostly stayed indoors. My cameras and other gear stayed packed away most of that time.
When Houston arrived we were getting widely scattered sun breaks and the weather forecast called for improvement, but it was still misty and rainy. After settling in our first venture out and about was up to Bellingham and environs. We visited the downtown area then headed down to Fairhaven. Out at the waterfront park we watched a group of kayakers playing a weird variation of polo with what appeared to be basketball goals.
We took Chuckanut Drive back home, stopping for a bit at the boat launch at Larrabee State Park.
Of course, we had to stop at the overlooks. At one we encountered an unusual vehicle and had to wonder about our safety.
Tuesday was the day we chose to head upriver. The weather was still dicey, but we went anyway, packing a picnic that we figured we might have to eat in the car. We stopped at our usual overlooks and made it all the way to the Diablo Overlook, where we had a chilly picnic. We drove all the way up to where Highway 20 was closed at the pass. A heavy mist with snow flurries caught us on the way back down.
We took trips to La Conner and Houston joined us for an evening with the Bring Your Own Guitar crowd. We even took a stroll on the beach below our house, collecting rocks and drift wood along the way.
Wednesday and Thursday the weather started to clear. We spent Wednesday in the tulip fields, but I’ll save that for another post. Thursday was a day on the ferries. We left from Anacortes and traveled to Friday Harbor. On the way back we took a different route, island hopping from San Juan to Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas Islands before returning to Friday Harbor.
Laura had to make a trip to Chicago for business, leaving Houston and me to our own devices. We played guitars and had a great time hanging out. It was great having family in town.
Really great pictures Tom – and of both of you!