More Kayaking

I finally bought a kayak!   I have been looking and trying many different kinds for about a year and finally settled on a Tiderace Xcape.   It is a great boat, stable yet agile and it holds a lot for kayak camping.   Pictures below are on Lake Washington (with Mt. Rainier in the background) and on a weekend camping trip to Cypress Island in the San Juans.  

Lake Washington

Cypress Island Lunch Stop

View from top of Cypress Island

The Landing

My family ranch on the border of Oregon and California is a beautiful and remote place. My sister still lives on the ranch and raises cattle, horses and a multitude of orphaned animals.

Ali Gets Engaged!

During our visit to the Virginia Barrier Islands, Morgan proposed to Ali on one of the islands! He had his grandmother's ring put in a new setting and took Ali for a beach walk and presented her with the question and the ring :-). She said yes! Current plan is to finish their doctorate programs in about a year then start planning the wedding.

Virginia Barrier Islands

Ali's boyfriend, Morgan grew up on the DelMarVa penninsula on the outer shores of Virginia. His parents still live there and work for the Nature Conservancy. The visit to meet them was wonderful! We stayed in a Nature Conservancy mansion (old plantation), a Nature Conservancy lighthouse on Hog Island (lots of beach walks) and a fishing shack (where Ali and I were successful in 'chicken-necking' for blue crabs for our dinner).

Adam Graduates from Georgetown Law!

Adam graduated in May from Georgetown Law school. The trip to DC was wonderful with the additional bonus of another week spent on the Virginia Barrier Islands. Adam has now moved back to Seattle and is in the middle of taking the bar exam this week.