August 18, Thursday…our “rest”day! Sunday evening we went to the Edmonds train station and picked up my cousin (2nd) Rogene and husband Jim for a 2 day visit with us after their visit and cruise up in Alaska. They are from Tyler, Texas so this was a real treat. I think we treated them “real good” too and the weather was 100% cooperative with sun and temps in the low and middle 70’s instead of 100+ at home.
Monday, up to catch a ferry (always a treat for me) to the Olympic Penninsula and then northward up to charming Port Townsend (filled with Victorian houses) and a visit to fort Worden, the site of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman”. We had lunch in Chimicum (bet you’ve never heard of that place) at the local cafe. If we had time we were planning to go up to the National Park in the mountains if the weather cleared, but we just plum ran out of time. Home and dinner at “The Beach Cafe” in Edmonds (all you can eat fish and chips night) - so of course that was Ron’s choice - not for me but they had plenty of choices. Home tired and had plenty of exercise.
Tuesday, same morning timetable, leaving the house at 10 to go down to the famous Pike Street Market where they toss salmon to the amazement of those nearby. Saw lots of crafts, fabulous flowers for sale, produce of all kinds and then had lunch at the oldtimer cafe, the Athenian, upstairs with a great view of Seattle’s harbor, ferries, tugs, etc. Then home so that Ron and Jim could meet son Ray out at Paine Field to go to an aviation museum. Jim’s a “docent” at their local aviation collection so hard to impress him, but they had a good time and Ray is a great and verbal guide! Home to get ready for dinner with 4 family members, Karen and Dave and Ray and Karen…..ham and scalloped potatoes tasted good along with the lively conversation.
Wednesday, up and at it, left to drive half way to Portland to meet Rogene’s cousin on her dad’s side and go home with them before their departure on Saturday. We went up to the viewpoints along the way to Johnson Ridge which lets you see what is left of Mt. St. Helens earthquake back in 1980. Rogene and I took tons of digital photos complete with poles, signs and trees. We stopped on the way at “Patty’s Place” cafe…yes…..I thought when I gave Patty my card she might give me a free lunch or berry cobbler, but nuts, not so. Fun, old fashioned place with our picnic table overlooking the river. Up the mountain….I kept opening the window to catch a shot and the air blew all the curl out of Rogene’s hair! Sorry sweetheart. And, let me say that she is a sweetheart and we got along famously. Sorry to see them go and hope that she might be able to go with me to Paris next April! That would “awesome”.
We visited them in Texas last fall on our 6100 mile trip and were delighted that this all worked out. She and I are going to work hard to keep in touch better. To end the day we stopped in Rochester to see friend Lassie, and she took us to dinner at the casino. I bravely put four, $1 bills in the money grabber slot machine one at a time - fun and by golly, I won $4.24 so ahead 24 cents. She always is more gutsy and put in $20 and ended up with $26. She shared a dollar with me. Always fun with Lassie. Okay….all for now. Will download my 50 Mt. St. Helen shots and try to add at least one to this.And today, other than wash to hang out, will just go slow and enjoy it! Greetings to all and hugs all around. Patty
