Gary has been dying to get away to Eastern WA in the bbow. After several diasapointments, this is the day.
This is where we woke up this morning - Confluence State Park in Wenatchee. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Just had to capture these two flags. I think I took four pictures before finally capturing the flags open.
There is a wonderful walking path leading out of the park, across and around the river so we'd adventured on a walk.
A couple of geese enjoying the spring as well.
Crossing the Wenatchee River.
We chose the gravel path and it was wonderful!. I had a moment on this path.
What are these puffy reeds? They were everywhere.
Took a moment to watch the bees enjoying these apple blossoms. Incredible!
Gary noticed a beaver in the river, and then we came across several trees they felled. 
John and Kay were anxious to show us the beauty of Hurricane Ridge. It was about a forty-five minute drive beautiful drive up to the alpine of the Olympic National Park Visitors Center. From there we had several options to hike.
As we charted our course a way too comfortable deer seemed to be wondering if we had a small bite for him to eat. Nada!
Kay led the way and enjoyed every sight and smell along the way. Everything looked familiar to her as the daughter of a forest ranger, and I enjoyed her enthusiasm and excitement over every tree and flower.
This was the final leg to the point of Sunset Ridge. On a clear day we would have been able to see the ocean out to Victoria BC, but not today.
This was a view the other direction looking at the road we had drive up. After our short hike we checked out the visitor's center before heading back down. So glad we did this!
Purple Haze is an extraordinary little lavender farm in Sequim with over 15,000 plants in more than 50 varieties on 12 acres.
When you visit Purple Haze, you are invited to wander the fields, enjoy the beauty of this sweet smelling herb, pick your own bouquet of flowers, enjoy a picnic on the lawns, and experience all the flavors, fragrances and healing of this purple flower.
Kay grabbed a basket and shears and went out to collect her bundle. There are extensive gardens to wander thru and creative spots to sit and dream of the possibility of a lavender oasis in your own back yard...
Sequim calls itself the "lavender capitol of North America", and even though the official lavender festival was a few weeks ago the lavender was still abundant and beautiful and oh so fragrant. What a fun stop in our day.
We thot this picture captures the future we face under Democrat rule. That's a government car at a government gas station. They plan to drive, but for us they want our ability to drive to be "legal but rare".
We woke up to a cool, cloudy day which we had expected. After breakfast we only had time to drive around the Fort grounds which are actually quite incredible. It is a historic spot with lots of buildings and history that we will have to take in another time.
Fort Worden is an early 20th century U.S. Artillery Corps fort. It was used as the headquarters for the Puget Sound Harbor Defenses protecting the entrance to Puget Sound and the naval shipyard at Bremerton.
We ate dinner at the small cafe at the ferry terminal and then watched the sun go down as we sailed.
Our stop for the night was at Fort Worden but we got in too late to see any of the buildings. We did take a walk out to the beach and suddenly over a dark cloudy horizon a big butter moon appeared. It was so fun to watch how fast it rose over the cloud.
Ok, this had to be the most random book I spotted in camp at Sun Lakes. Can you guess who took this book along?
All too soon it was time to say good-bye. Brandon and Greta were the first to leave on Sunday around noon, Britt and Shana left at 5:30 and Taryn & I around 6:00.
Vern made some amazing french toast for us Sunday morning...
...and Britt was in charge of the bacon.
Steak night is the mega meal of the trip and Jack was so ready!
Britt and Gary grilled up the steaks.
Not only did Gary serve them, but he explained them to Greta & Brandon!
Britt & Shana
Both Gary and Traci had birthdays today so we celebrated with a fresh raspberry dessert. 
At some point Max discovered some ants under the edge of their trailer which fascinated him, and he spent enormous amounts of time enjoying the adventure of the ants.
Not sure why but the guys held an impromptu conference
This year our camp site consisted of a motor home, 2 trailers and 5 tents and a canopy we affectionately called "the pavilion".
Initially Taryn was not able to go along with us - the first time ever - but since her leg was not able to tolerate the long hours of standing at her job on the berry picker she was kindly offered a few days off which allowed her to come for three days and we were so glad!
Fishing in the morning is a big deal at Sun Lakes. Colleen even got a handy-dandy new pole this year. Don't ask Max about his new pole though.
Taryn is all about those early morning fishing trips. Sure glad Ryan is a sport and faithfully takes them! Oh, and ask Jack how many fish he caught! Word is the number grew the closer to camp he got.
Skiing and tubing are the reason we're here. The weather was perfect and the boat went out continually.
Ask Ryan how much he loves this pool! It really is part of why we come to Sun Lakes. Unfortunately the rest of the campground enjoys it too, and it can be wall-to-wall wet people.
Almost everyone at Sun Lakes reads something.
We also play a lot of camping games. This year the three favs were ERS (seen here) Take Four and the guys got in one game of Stock Market which I think Ryan won.
