Camping- Vashon Style

We joined 6 other families this weekend and camped at Dockton Marine Park on Maury Island.  In all we had 14 adults, 13 kids and 4 dogs.  The park opened up 6 kayak, bike or hike in sites on Vashon last year.  The campsites are over looking the sound and Rainer.  It was an amazing place to camp and we didn't even have to leave the island.  The hike in is about 1/2 a mile from the parking lot.

 The temperatures were great and the kids took advantage of it and went for a swim.

 We enjoyed a potluck meal with an amazing view.

 The kids had a blast running around and playing various games.  

  Bocce ball

 All of the sudden the wind picked up and you could see all the fuzzies flying off of the Dogwood trees.  It was magical.

Catching the fuzzies

 Watching the sunset over the mountain

 

 There has been an abandoned boat on the side of the beach for awhile.  The kids decided to take it for a ride.

 Enjoying conversation and sitting with 2 furry friends

 

 It was a beautiful, clear night with a full moon.

 The bocce balls lit up at night and the kids played on the the hill playing many games.

The clear night allowed us to watch the international space station pass over head.  In the morning the kids were up early to begin where they left off in their games and the adults sat and watched seals and porpoises.  It was a really fun camping trip and we can't wait to do it again. 

Olympic Discovery Trail Bike Trip

This weekend to celebrate Scott's birthday, we did a 25 mile bike/camping trip.  It was a beautiful weekend with lots of sunshine!  I was so impressed with the kids.  They have never biked more than 8 to 10 miles at one time because they usually bike when we run.  The trail is a mostly paved 140 mile trail that starts in Port Townsend and ends on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in La Push.  We did a paved portion from Port Angeles to Sequim.  We stopped at Sequim Bay State park to camp for the night. 

The Spring blooms were amazing along the trail.  This stretch out of Port Angeles had a lot of dogwoods.  There was another stretch in Sequim that had more dogwoods and so many lilacs.  

Maia wailed the first few miles and tried to jump out even though she was belted in.  We ran her a few miles to tire her out and then put her back in.  She was only quiet if I led the bike pack but if anyone else went up front, she would wail again.

 We enjoyed s'mores later.  

There was a beach and a dock at the State Park.  We loved watching a few crabs pick the dock for their evening meal. 

 The campsite had an amazing sunset.

 An animal tried to get into one of our bear boxes last night.  I think it was a racoon.  See the racoon face in the picture, she left her signature.  

 Good morning!

The route took us a total of 4 hours and 45 minutes from start to end with 3 1/2 hours of biking time.  The trail was mostly flat except for a few hills out of Port Angeles.  The ride had 1,000 feet of elevation gain and was a blast to ride. We were in and out of dark forests, along open farm fields, and along the water.

Long Beach Washington Spring Break

We took part of our Spring Break to explore Long Beach on the coast of Washington.  It is one of the longest driving beaches at 28 miles.  We never attempted to drive it because we didn't think the Prius would make it out.  It was a great quick vacation, exploring the beach, biking/running Discovery Trail, playing games and visiting Cape Disappointment.  That cape is rightfully named because it boasts one of the most dangerous areas for ships.  The Columbia river comes out and joins the Pacific ocean near the light house.  It's known as the graveyard of Pacific because over 2,000 vessels have sunk there.  The US coast guard has a training station there because it's so treacherous.  I love learning and exploring!

 It was really windy the first day.  Maia had a blast running up and down the beach.  

 She can barely hold on to the kite.

 It was the first time we all played Risk.  I really liked that game.

 Playing Scrabble!  

 Trying out the kites Grandpa and Grandma Davis gave the kids a few years ago.  We had completely forgotten about them because they were put away in the basement on Christmas morning.  They were great kites!

So spunky!

Easter and April Fools Colide

 We made our own chocolate bunnies and eggs this year so Alia could have the traditional bunny and not worry about food allergies.  

 

Ears are always first!

We made two kinds of homemade cadbury eggs, one with the traditional frosting center and one with a caramel center.

 We hid these baskets first.

 We wrapped them in tinfoil and tape.  We also unwrapped little chocolate eggs and put their wrappers around grapes.

 Hot chocolate coffee ready for the backyard egg hunt.

 We enjoyed the afternoon at a friends Easter party.  

Trading easter egg goodies

Spontaneous Weekend Trip- Vancouver, Canada

We decided on a whim to head to Canada this weekend.  We've always heard that Vancouver was a great place to visit and when I did a quick search, I couldn't agree more.  It was an interesting city with a lot of diversity.  The downtown water front was beautiful and the neighborhoods we visited had an authentic vibe.  We found great local diners with amazing food and explored a science museum, a park voted the best in the world and a 425 foot suspension bridge.

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge- 460 feet long and 230 feet above the river.  It was an incredible engineering feat!  It was pretty hard to stand still for too long because all of the people walking on and off of it made it really move.  

 Hold on!

 In the park there was also a tree top adventure where many of the douglas firs were connected by suspension bridges.  

 Avery is across from us, wearing the red coat.

 Another part of the park had a cliff side walk which was also amazing.  The walkways were only connected to one point on the cliff.  

Vancouver has only 90 sunny days a year and we were so fortunate to be there during one of the 90 days!

 The Squamish Nation put these totem poles up at the park to share their history of the land.

 Can you find Avery and Alia?  They thought this was hilarious and wanted me to take a serious picture of them hiding in the cardboard cut outs.

 We were able to visit Stanley park on Sunday.  It was voted the best park in the world.  It has an amazing path all the way around the water and a lot of interactive places.  The kids thought this hollowed out tree was neat.  

 Next stop, Science World.  We always love hands on science exhibits.  

 Her birthstone and favorite gemstone.

He was laughing so loud at the series How to Train Your Dragon.