Argentina and Uruguay November 2008

Ever want to cure those gray rainy Northwest sky blues? Head to Argentina in November!

Tofino

We spent our 32nd anniversary on Vancouver Island in Tofino. Great beach hikes, sunsets, kayaking, and biking. The botanical gardens were fun and quirky. We had a great view on the deck at Middle Beach Lodge.

August Getaways

We went boogie boarding at Westport. My first time in a wet suit. Saw Judy Collins and Melissa Etheridge in Portland. Crashed the Townsend family reunion. Hiked on Mt Hood.

Hike to Spectacle Lake

We took our first (possibly only) backpack camping trip this summer to Spectacle Lake in the Cascades. Our tent was perched at the end of a rocky peninsula with a view of rocky spires. 10 miles in and yes out again...a few challenges included the icy river we had to ford and a hoard of mosquitoes around the icy river as we changed shoes. Back in time to pick up Bill and Doug to celebrate Bill's 54th birthday with Ann and Guy.

Bay Area San Francisco

I went down to Stanford with a group from OSPI. What a gorgeous campus. Had fun with the Washington educators. Then had the chance to catch up with some old friends- the Hentons and Polly Bolling.

Trip to Austin Texas

I went to the Education Commission for the States conference in Austin Texas. The conference was great and it was nice to feel a bit of hot sun. We stayed at a hotel that was way out of town- it cost $25 to take a taxi in but the bus was only a buck. The Univ of Texas campus is HUGE and covers most of downtown Austin. I saw the LBJ Library and the Blanton Art museum on the UT campus and then wandered downtown. Had dinner with a new friend from the conference and took a boat out to watch a million bats fly out at dusk from under a bridge.

Trip to Sun Mountain

We went to Sun Mountain near Winthrop to celebrate Carson's graduation. We stayed at a cabin on Lake Patterson. We went rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking. We swam in the beautiful pools and ate some great meals at the Lodge.

Bermuda Trip for Dad's 90th Birthday May 2008

Dave and I joined my siblings and dad to celebrate Dad's 90th birthday in Bermuda. We stayed at the Waterloo House - swam in the crystal clear COLD water, biked, played tennis, golfed and rode the ferry.

Utah Hiking Trip April 2008

Dave and I flew to Salt Lake City. After a day of visiting the Mormon Square and the really cool new public library, we headed south for some hiking and good eating in Capital Reef, Escalante, Bryce and Zion. Favorite spot to stay: Boulder Mountain Lodge. Best hikes: Escalante river hike.