Friday, June 17, 2011

Grandma Julie and Grandpa George visit - part 1

Several weeks ago, back in May, my parents (Julie and George) came to visit.

First thing we did was get some fish!

We fed the seagulls at Ivar's on the waterfront in Seattle.

Step 1: Show them the french fry.

Step 2: Make eye contact.

Step 3: Brace for impact.

Step 4: "Keep CLAM", as Ivar Haglund would have said. Laughing is optional, of course.


After some fish, Anthony rode the carousel.

A few days later, we rode the ferry. The sky was clear and the water was as calm as I've ever seen it.

Checking out the car deck.

More calmness.

Ferries are awesome.

Beautiful.

Nicest day all year.

Fun on the passenger deck.

Pulling in to port. It never gets old, you see?

Our first stop wasn't planned. We went to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. (meerkerkgardens.org)

I have to say, it was pretty, but I was a little underwhelmed. Maybe I'm just not crazy enough about rhodies like these people are. Anthony really enjoyed running around, though.

More rhododendrons.

After riding the ferry and seeing a few minor sights, we set out for Fort Ebey State Park. It was originally built as a coastal defense fort in WWII. It also has miles of shoreline and fantastic bluffs, both of which make it perfect for eagle watching and kite flying!

We saw so many deer!

Beautiful bluff.

Anthony on the bluff.

Kite flying!



Grandpa and Anthony.

Perfect bluff for kite flying!

It takes a lot of concentration to not fly a kite into things. Especially when the string is over fifty feet long!

Grandma Julie and Anthony!

Me and Grandpa George!

Anthony.

Grandma and Anthony.


Grandpa and Anthony in the lookout bunker.

Fantastic view from the bunker.

This must be a favorite spot for teenagers, given all of the graffiti on the walls.



Cute little sea otter we saw.

Going...

Going...

And he's gone!



Collecting rocks.


Yes, we saw surfers. That water was probably 50 degrees!


Precariously balanced!


Eagle!
Stay tuned for part 2...