Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

While here at Chehalis took the day with best forecast and spent the day up at "the mountain"!  Wow!  The south side of mountain is really showing the bare rock.  The glaciers are shrinking and it's quite noticeable.  Took a little walk around and enjoyed Christine Falls, and Myrtle Falls and a picnic lunch.  Can't help but think of my Mom as this was her favorite place.  The wild flowers are about all gone but there was still some color.  Best time of year is late July and August.  The new visitor center in Paradise is very nice however thought the other lodge was nice too.  Love these National Parks!

Timing is everything they say, and this year it just so happened that sister Mary was coming up to Seattle for another reason but was able to join in festivities down at Seattle waterfront for granddaughter Rebekah's 13 birthday celebration - to ride the giant ferris wheel on Pier 57.  So we had quite a gathering and was so great.  The weather wasn't great but not a pouring down rain day so that helped and it was ok.  What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been for us.  Between making candy, teaching sewing to both Bekah and Micah and all the other activities we have been full time on the go.  Tomorrow we hit the road again so will get back on track. ha!  Wondering if there are any blackberries left!  We have always enjoyed picking berries in Chehalis but this year has been so dry and warm think they will be done by the time we get there.  Looking forward to the trek south.

One of my "healthy" choices is to walk and exercise and what better way to accomplish that then taking a good walk with a good friend!  Took a day out to visit with friend Joyce and take a walk around her lake and see the area they worked so long and hard to keep from developers and turn into a park for the community!  It was years in the making and $$$$ but oh so worth it... still miles of work to be done to get it all completed but the community comes out twice a year for "clean up" and it's been a huge success.  They already have a public boat dock and it is a small lake that is annually stocked with fish from donations of this very small community.  It's awesome seeing them in work and I follow their accomplishments on Facebook when not in area.

The boys wanted to learn how to make Papa's famous fudge so we spent a few hours making fudge and bear claws!  They had a ball and were pretty good about it all.  Tight area to work in but they did fine and it was fun for us.  It's been a few years since I have done any baking... One day we did make freezer jam too which the kiddos just love!!  So simple an activity and the children seem to love it!

This summer we have not had time to 'work camp' with so much catching up with old and dear friends and family.  It has been so great!  Met Herbie and Sarah for lunch and was so good to catch up and hopefully we'll cross paths this winter in the sunbelt!  They are doing great and it was so good to spend a little time with them.

Took a day trip back up to La Conner to spend day with good friends Dean and Laurie Singer.  Early and Dean spent most of the time getting the swim step back on now that it is done being put back together... Laurie and I went over to TTN and picked blackberries! oh my goodness - the bushes are loaded and we did good.  After a delicious meal of fish and chips (all of us except Early) (who chose the Elvis Burger) ! umm very good. ... then we splurged and dove into the ultimate in ice cream cones... Can you believe this waffle cone was only $3.50!  What a deal!!  Great day over all and this weather just can't be topped this year!

While here in the Pacific Northwest took advantage of the lovely weather and took "grands" and their cousins to the park for a little picnic!  All 5 took to the trees and bars and climbing rock!  A good way to work off a little of that energy they seem to generate!  Good work out for us old folks too walking to and from the park!