Christmas with an old and new grandbaby 

BACK TO GRANDBABIES HOUSE

Back to see the baby in Fresno. But a quick trip to the Nascar races for the week in Phoenix. Lots of fun and crowds -crowds -crowds. Saw four races on four different days topped off with the Nextel cup race on Sunday. Noisey neighbors partying all night long.
But, we are back in Fresno now and awaiting the newest grandbaby in 10 days.

FUN TIME AT PHOENIX NASCAR RACES 

V0LCANO'S

I DON'T KNOW! I DON'T KNOW! I don't know where I'm a goin a go when the volcano blows! Little Jimmy Buffet. Spent two weeks around Mt St Helens awaiting the big one and all we got was a little steam. Oh well it was fun to see. Lot's of people parked all over the place waiting to see something. We are at the Coldwater ridge visitor center about 8 miles from the crater. This was the closest we could get to the volcano as the Johnson ridge visitor center was closed (about 5 miles) as it was not safe to be that close. How do they know 8 miles is safe and 5 miles is not?

Mt St Helens steaming 

Mt Rainier 

REMEMBER 'NORTHERN EXPOSURE'

Visited Roslyn, WA and saw all the storefronts that were used in the TV show 'Northern Exposure'. Shopped in Ruth Ann's store and got a check up in Dr. Fleishman's office. Didn't see the moose though. An old mining town that is really in hard times. Nothing to survive on but the notiriaty of the TV show - so tourism is it. Stayed in Cle Elam 3 miles away another mining town that needs help as well.

ROSLYN, WA - OR CICELY, AL - AS IN NORTHERN EXPOSURE 

OKTOBERFEST IN LEAVENWORTH

After years of reading about the Oktoberfest here in Leavenworth we have finally made it here. A great time in the little German style village. Lots of German restaurants. The Oktoberfest was great with lots of music, food, and of course Lowenbrau beer. The weather was perfect and allowed us the enjoy the hiking trails along the river.

A lot of knee slapping and twirling 

Oktoberfest parade in Leavenworth 

Deception Pass Bridge 

Char and Anacortes, WA 

ON THE ISLANDS OF WASHINGTON

Left Port Townsend and stayed in Oak Harbor. More bird watching as the park was on the water again. Then on to Anacortes on Fildalgo Island. Big biker weekend (40,000) for the Oyster run. Went to the big quilt show in La Conner. Tourist town, art galleries or restaurants. More bird watching in Anacortes.

Typical WA day in Oak Harbar 

Mt. Baker from Anacortes, WA 

PORT TOWNSEND

Spent the week in Port Townsend. A small town with a small town feel. Touristy though. The RV park was right on the water and did a lot of bird watching and boat watching. Saw submarines and an aircraft carrier going to sea as well as cruise ships going by. Found 5 new birds to add to our life list. The weather was cloudy and windy most of the week. But a nice place to visit.

Leaving the Ferry 

Port Townsend and the Ferry to Whidby Island 

HIKING HURRICANE POINT

Spent a nice time hiking atop the mountain overlooking the Strait of Juan De Fuca between the US and Canada. One of the nicer days visiting this part of Washington.

5000 FEET OVER PORT ANGELES LOOKING TO VANCOUVER ISLAND 

SEQUIM ANIMAL PARK

Fun time at the animal park in Sequim. It was interesting when two buffalo had their heads in each of our windows. We were feeding them hamburger buns we bought from the park. Too scary!

Buffalo up close and personal 

HIKING THE NORTH/WEST COAST

Spent the day visiting the furtherest point north/west of the US. This is an Indian reservation of the Mewah tribe who have inhabited the area for 4000 years. Visited the museum in Neah Bay which was well worth the visit. The hike was thru forest trails out to the point and was all down hill getting there. The hike out was well worth the trip.

Cape Flattery 

The most north west point in the continental US. Cape Flattery 

CHAR AT FORT CLATSOP 

INDIAN MONUMENT IN ASTORIA, OR 

We have been spending the past month in the state of Washington. The state is beautiful and scenic as we have traveled up the coast. The weather has been anything but condusive to sightseeing, it is cloudy, overcast, and rainy everyday.

Today we are in Squim and had a great lunch at the 3 Crabs reastaurant. And a drive around the coast with a sighting of a bald eagle. We are in a new rv park in Squim and have met several fulltimers here as well as us. Nice park and very friendly hosts.