Pictures from the beach

We arrived at Beverly Beach, a few miles north of Newport Oregon, about 4:00 Tuesday afternoon.  It was sunny and beautiful while we set up camp.  After dinner we went to the beach and watched the sun go down.  Perfect!

It started to rain Tuesday night after we got back to the trailer.  When we made our reservations the week before the prediction was for occasional showers on Wednesday and Thursday.  Well, that changed to 75-80% chance of showers.  It rained most of the time we were there.  We were very glad for the roomy trailer then, as we spent much of our time inside.  We made a daily run to Starbucks in Newport, and Fred took a long afternoon walk each day and that was it for our outside time.  I did finish a pair of socks, finished big stitching one of the small quilts, and got started quilting Gentle Art.  Turns out the light inside wasn't quite good enough to quilt on dark fabrics, so I gave that up.  We had a lot of time to play games - specifically Phase 10 dice - and it was nice because I won more of the games than Fred did.  (That hardly ever happens!)

Of course, we got up on Friday to clear skies and sun, which made it much easier to pack everything up and come home.  In spite of the rain we had a great time, and have already booked two more camping trips for this summer.

Scrap Basket Sunday - Part 1

These last few weeks I've been making 6" shoo fly blocks for my Scrap Basket Sunday project.  I started these with no idea as to what I'd do with them.  After our camping trip to the coast I know exactly what I'm going to do with them.

When we got our first pop-up camper I made quilts for the beds, as sheets and quilts are so much nicer to sleep in than sleeping bags.  You can see the quilts I made in this post.  We slept under these for 9 years in our comfy little pop-up.  However, last fall we decided it was time to trade in that camper for a larger one with a bathroom and a hot water tank.  As we've gotten older we prefer not "roughing it" as much as we used to.  (Backpacking, sleeping on the ground under the stars, etc.) So we got a new, roomier pop-up with just what we wanted.  (To see pictures of the inside and floor plan click here.

 

This one also has larger beds - king size! - and our sheets and quilts no longer fit the beds.  We used them - without sheets - on our trip to the beach, but it wasn't the same as having nicely made-up beds.  King size sheets are on their way and should arrive on Tuesday.  We just need new quilts.  So two, king-size shoo fly quilts will decorate the interior as soon as I can get them made.  I know there is plenty of scraps in my basket to make the 264 blocks I need.  Now I need to get sewing!

Sisters was great - and lots more to chat about also

I need to focus on posting - I think I have material for at least half a dozen posts if not more. And lots has happened since then too!

First I must share my big news - I reached goal at Weight Watchers this morning! Goal was 164, and I weighed in at 162.8. Now I just need to hold that for 6 weeks to become a lifetime member - meaning I don't have to pay any more. I'm absolutely thrilled! One catch however - I'm not at my ultimate goal yet. That goal was set when I still thought I was 5'8". Now that I've shrunk to 5' 6" I need to get to 155 for a healthy BMI. WW knows that, but leader René said she'd stick with the first one as far as reaching lifetime. I'm not all that far from 155, so I hope to have reached that in the six weeks before reaching lifetime.

We went camping with our kids weekend before last and had a fabulous time. Here are two pictures my daughter sent. (Can't do a post without pictures, of course! It was so much fun to watch Sophie and Joseph, as they were both too young to appreciate it last summer. They sure loved the dirt - and the creek! Joseph waded in shoes, clothes and all before his parents could stop him. The water was only about 2-3 inches deep - and they were right there - but the bottoms of his pants legs were soaked, and then he sat down in it before they could stop him!

Lots more tomorrow. I need to get some sleep. I need to get up early as I'm heading down I-205 to Clackamas, OR to get my mammo at 8:30. We'll see how it goes - it's been SO hot here. 106 yesterday with 40% humidity, and 107 today. We have no air - it's still about 85 downstairs - it was up to 102 in the family room and longarm room during the day! No longarming for me as long as his heat keeps up!

Paradise at 5430 feet

Paradise is the highest spot accessible by car on the south side of Mt. Rainier. Many climbing parties heading for the summit begin here. The Paradise Inn was built in the early 1900's and just celebrated it's reopening after refurbishing and a bit of remodeling. We stayed here for two nights in July 2003 and had a marvelous time - very different from camping!

The current visitor center at Paradise was built in 1965 - an innovative design that was typical of architecture from that time. I've always felt it looked like a flying saucer that had landed on the side of the mountain. The second floor provides a panoramic 360 degree view of all the surrounding mountains. This is the last summer for this visitor center as the new center will open next summer. This building isn't energy efficient - it takes 500-600 gallons of diesel fuel per day in the winter to keep the snow melted off the roof! The ramp to the second floor is too steep to be wheelchair accessible. The new building fits into the surroundings beautifully and is styled similarly to the Inn and other old buildings. It is somewhat smaller but the space is used much more efficiently. This building will be torn down to provide parking - always a problem at Paradise where more than 2,000,000 people visit the mountain annually.

James Longmire and the Trail of the Shadows

Note - I've taken this information directly off the signs posted along the trail.

Longmire, located at 2700 feet, is always our first stop once we enter Mt. Rainier National Park through the south entrance.

In 1870 James Longmire served as guide to the base of the mountain for the first two parties to reach the volcano's icy summit. During an August, 1883 ascent of Mt. Rainier Longmire found this lush grassy meadow with numerous bubbling mineral springs. His dream of developing the area into a resort and health spa soon became a reality.

The Trail of the Shadows is an easy three-quarter mile walk that circles the meadow and wanders through the surrounding old forest. There are many historical signs like the one pictured above that tell the story of the area. Though we have taken this walk dozens of times over the years we never tire seeing it again.

"Longmire's Medical Springs" was founded in 1884. By the next year hardy travelers were lodging in a small log in and bathing in cedar tubs sunk into the springs. Tourists came to partake of the alleged curative powers of the springs and left captivated by the beauty of Mt. Rainier. The Longmire springs hotel was built in 1890 - it was a welcome sight for weary travelers who had journeyed many days over rough roads by horse and wagon to reach the resort.

Soda Springs stone masonry was constructed about 1920. It's water contains soda, magnesium, iron and sodium chloride. Longmire told John Muir, ". . . drink at these springs and they will do your good. Every one's got medicine in 'em. A doctor said so - no matter what ails you." If you enlarge the picture of the sign you can see the warning - which always makes me smile - "Please don't' drink this water. It could make you very sick!"

James Longmire's son built this cabin in 1888. Shaded by the old growth forest, it was mainly used to house the Longmire's helpers. This son continued to develop the resort after Longmire's death. At this same time more and more people were pushing for protection of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding countryside. On March 2, 1899, Mt. Rainier was designated as the nation's fifth national park. By 1907 the Longmire era began drawing to a close. The sale of the land was completed the year following Longmire's son's death in 1915.

The reddish-brown color of the water provides the Iron Mike spring with it's name. A cold rushing stream flows closely nearby. At one time a shelter build over part of the stream provided a cold place to keep milk and meat fresh for the visitors to the mineral springs.

The rustic National Park Inn provides modern day visitors a place to stay in Longmire. A wide porch full of rustic rockers faces the meadow and Mt. Rainier rising beyond. We can vouch for the food in the dining room there - we ate two lunches at the Inn on this visit. There is also a museum, a circa 1920's gas station (no longer operational) and a great gift shop. In keeping with our tradition, we both bought ourselves new Mt. Rainier shirts the first afternoon.

Leaving Longmire, we headed up the highway about two miles to Cougar Rock campground, our traditional home-away-from-home when visiting this incredible park.

We have returned

Actually we returned on Tuesday afternoon, but this is the first chance I've had to post. I've had the unexpected privilege of taking care of Joseph Wednesday, yesterday and today as his other grandma is under the weather (I hope you are feeling much better by now Linda!) There went all my grand plans for finishing a couple more UFO's by the end of the month for Peg's challenge. That's OK - no time is better than Joseph time! Unless it's Joseph and Sophie time

We had a great time at Mt. Rainier, though the weather was pretty iffy Saturday night and Sunday. We wondered whether or not we'd see much of the mountain. Happily, Monday was beautiful. We didn't get in much hiking however - Mt. Rainier had a near record snowfall this year, with snow still falling at the end of April. We were surprised to find snow covering almost all of our favorite hiking trails. Paradise is above 5000 feet and though the parking lot and paths right around the lodge and visitors center were clear, the meadows and paths up the slope were still snow covered. Poles and flags marked the trails, but we weren't properly equipped for snow climbing.

The picture to the left is what the trail head looked like that would take us to the place I took the picture that was in my prior post. You can see why we contented ourselves with walking the Trail of the Shadows in Longmire, and then several walks around Cougar Rock campground.

I didn't quilt as much as I thought I might on Emma's Quilt. Fred and I played many games - especially a lot of two-person Hand and Foot. He soundly trounced me four of the six times we played - don't know why I kept coming back for more punishment!

I will post more pictures in a different post so I can better label each one.

I'll be back soon

We are heading up to Mt. Rainier this morning for a few days of camping. Can hardly wait - we didn't get to go up there last year because Shadow was too old and feeble to leave. The weather is supposed to be a bit iffy, but this morning it is beautiful. We plan to get in some hiking as well as relaxing. I'm taking Emma's Quilt, and hope to have the quilting almost finished by the time I return. I'm counting on it being my fourth finish by the end of the month.

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Gratitudes:
1. Soft blue sky will a few thin white clouds
2. Fresh Royal Ann cherries
3. A cosy little home on wheels
4. New books to read

Not exactly what we expected

It was so nice to be back in the woods camping again. Last year we got away only once, which was very disappointing. I love being out in the open - cooking and eating outside, playing games at the picnic table, sitting around the campfire, walking around the campground, and doing all the other things we do when we are away. I was looking forward to this trip especially because of seeing everything through Joseph eyes.

Well, as the bumper sticker says, life is what happens when we are making other plans. The kids arrived at the campground late - a bit after 8:00 p.m. - and barely had time to set up camp before dark. Joseph was very tired but not able to sleep in a strange spot without Mom sitting there beside him to reassure him. By the time he got to sleep it was too late for us to play any games as Fred and I were needing to head to bed ourselves. So we said goodnight and retired to the camper.

About 2:00 a.m. I was awakened by Rebecca taking to me through the canvas around my camper bed. Here is the gist of the conversation:

"Mom. Mom. We need to go home. Now don't panic. We have mice in our trailer again. It wasn't even afraid when Rick shone the flashlight on it - it just ran under Joseph's bed. We aren't taking a chance on Joseph getting bitten."

"Can't you at least wait until morning?"

"No. We are already loaded and Joseph is already in the car. We're leaving the trailer, our chairs and the cooler. We'll be back tomorrow (Patti's note- really today) after we all get some sleep so we can spend a little time with you and take the rest of the stuff home."

"Are you sure there's no other choice?"

"Yes. We'll see you tomorrow."

A couple minutes later they were gone. By now both of us were awake, and had a bit of a problem going back to sleep. They didn't get back to camp until after 1:30 Saturday afternoon. I made everyone a late lunch and then we walked down to the river. We did have the fun of watching Joseph explore all the new sites. He sure loved playing in the dirt and splashing his hands in the water in the river. He was also fascinated by all the new plants and trees. Wouldn't you know it - I forgot to bring my camera along on this trip, so Rebecca send me a few pictures. They left a little after 4:00 as Joseph was getting tired and cranky and they wanted him to nap in the car.

As further explanation, I need to mention that their tent trailer is 40 years old this year. It originally belonged to Rick's grandparents and then Rick's parents. It is a tent on wheels - not much more than that. Three years ago they had a new canvas made. There has never been a way to shut it up completely, and this is the third or fourth time they've had problems with mice. They dealt with it before but having Joseph makes everything different. So they are now looking for a new trailer - probably one very much like ours. They had plans to go to Mount Rainier in two weeks - they always go there camping for their anniversary - but they didn't think they could get a new trailer in time. So we have inherited their reservations and thus will head up there sooner this year than expected. (This picture of ours is from a trip to Hurricane Ridge five years ago - the first trip with our trailer.)

Our weather was beautiful, and the two of us had a great time otherwise. I was able to continue watching what I ate as I planned our meals accordingly. No big bags of trail mix with nuts and M&M's on this trip! I'm so thankful for 100 calorie packs - seems like every time I go to the store more things are being packaged this way. I even found some chocolate covered pretzels! I lost 2 pounds last week, and hope for a repeat of that when I weigh in Wednesday morning.

Thanks so all of you who left comments on my last post - I plan to reply to each one of them individually. So if you don't receive a reply from me it's because you are set up for "no reply". The 250,000th visitor didn't leave a comment I'm sorry to say. Maya was the closest at 250,001. Maya, I'd like to send you a little something but you are "no reply" and your profile is private. Please email me your full name and address. I'll try to do the drawing in the next few days - certainly by the end of the week. I have no idea what the prize will be, but I promise I'll put together a package of something nice. First I'd like to see who wins, so I can make the prize fit the winner.


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Gratitudes:
1. Safe trips back and forth to Paradise Creek for Rick, Rebecca, and Joseph
2. I finally beat Fred in 2-person Hand and Foot! And at Phase 10 Dice also!
3. Weight Watchers support and information
4. Beautiful campgrounds all over our fair state

A few days away

DH and I are heading out tomorrow morning for a short trip to the Oregon coast. Tomorrow is our 39th anniversary. We will head first to Tillamook where I will visit Jane's Fabric Patch, and then we'll head to the Tillamook cheese factory. A few years ago we took the full tour to see how the cheeses are made - absolutely fascinating! This time we're going for lunch and ice cream - Tillamook ice cream is some of the best! Then we'll head south. DH has agreed to stop at quilt shops along the way - what a guy! We have reservations for two nights in Newport - right on the beach with an ocean view. I'm so looking forward to the trip. It's been years and years since we've had a chance to do something like this - Shadow just wasn't healthy enough for us to take off and leave him.

I spent most of the last few days baby sitting - taking care of Joseph is so much fun! Rick's mom is currently battling a bad asthma attack so I did her Wednesday in addition to my Tuesday and Thursday. Our nice weather is back - finally! - so we walked to the park yesterday. They have a baby swing, and I was eager to see how he liked it. He just loved it, and laughed and laughed the entire time he was swinging. Next time I must take my camera!

Fred set up the camper in the driveway this week so we could get it cleaned out, the water tank drained of antifreeze, and the beds remade. Today I finally had a chance to wash the sheets and remake the beds with our new camping quilts. Don't they look great? I can hardly wait to sleep under them. It was so satisfying to put the filthy worn out 37 year old down sleeping bags into the garbage. We've been using them as blankets by opening them up and stretching them over the sheets, but the down was so lumped and clumped that they were mostly unsatisfactory. We'll put a couple more blankets in one of the storage benches for cold nights, but I imagine with the wool batting these quilts will be all we need for most nights.

Peg at Happy in Quilting has issued a UFO challenge. Anyone accepting the challenge is to change at least five unquilted tops - flimsies - into finished quilts by the end of July. I've thought about this challenge ever since she issued it - should I accept it or not? I've finally decided hey - what the heck - why not accept it. I certainly have enoughed finished flimsies! So, starting with the Irish chain I loaded onto Gandalf last Monday, I'm pushing myself to satisfy Peg's challenge. Hopefully this public acceptance will spur me on to success!

Once again I'm caught up on my blog reading. I just stopped commenting and started skimming so it wouldn't take another week or more. seems like I've said this before - I sure hope I can stay caught up this time! Now that I'm current I'll start commenting again. I really miss doing that! Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll "see" you when I return early next week.