Saturday, October 9, 2021

The Journey "Home": First Season

It is now October and the season has changed from Summer to Fall. Which means I've been back in Washington for 4 months now. Much has been accomplished in the way of getting settled ~ like replacing the Indiana plates on my car with Washington plates. That seemed to make it official!

With this posting I will share some of my favorite photos taken over the summer as I've explored the area. The weather was quite wonderful in spite of one rather extraordinary heat wave and a surprising lack of smoke considering wildfires in Oregon and Eastern Washington. So I tried to get outside every chance I could to enjoy the scene - free of mid-west humidity and 90 degree temps!

By the way, all these pictures were taken with my phone with just some cropping as a means of editing. The big Nikon is sitting on a shelf for now! 


The Skagit River at dusk taken from the Riverwalk in Mt. Vernon.

One of my favorite stops is a small county park on Camano Island called English Boom Park. It is a quick 15 minute drive from where I am living and a perfect spot for a short beach walk, reading or just watching the shoreline. Here are a few favorites taken there. 




The above pictures from June and July. 


Taken on October 7th

One enjoyable (really fun!) event was in mid-July when all the women in my family gathered for "Paper Hats and High Tea". We each made a fancy hat from paper, ribbons, feathers, flowers ~ you name it. 


My sister and I got together to make "practice hats" and this was mine.


Ready for the Kentucky Derby!!!
Lots of fun that day.
Back row left: Jane, Me, Nancy, Gina & Britnie
Front row left: Harper, Hailey & June

In August a friend from Seattle and I met up in Everett to go see some art at the Schack Art Center and then walk in a local Arboretum. I concur with the sign we found on a park bench there. 



With the same friend (also named Mary), we went on another day trip to Kukutali Nature Preserve which is part of Deception Pass State Park. 


Quite a magical place from my point of view: a short hike to a quiet space of Pacific NW sights and sounds. 

In early September there was an outing to a Sculpture Park and Gallery on Camano Island. It was a beautiful early Fall day for my niece, Jane, her family, my Sister and I. 


We had a picnic and then strolled the grounds of the Sculpture Park. 


My grand niece, June and Sister, Nancy. 

Below: an early morning shot of the Skagit Valley traveling to La Conner. This was the moment that I knew it was Autumn and the seasonal change was upon us. 


I hope this post finds you well. 
Signing off with a Micronesian word for "Being, Not Doing". 
Take some time to practice this word and the freedom it brings. 
Until next time:

KUKARO