13 July ‘07

Friday

Friday Louise and I drove up to the Hamma Hamma recreation area looking for the hiking trail to upper and lower Lena Lake.  We found it after turning off of 101 at mile post 318 and following it 9 miles on a roadway that was wide enough for a one lane road.  Fortunately we only met 2 cars coming towards us over those 9 miles.  Another one of those absolutely beautiful areas of the Olympic National Park.  The morning started out overcast and stayed that way for most of our hike.  The trail to the upper Lena Lake area was closed for hiking so we stopped after 1 ½ hours of climbing a great trail to return to camp and await our family.  We did make an addition to our exploration… when we got back to the car we decided to take and follow the dirt road that extended further up from the trail head because we had heard that there was one heck of a great waterfall up there somewhere.  Well we found it and it did live up to its reputation…it was beautiful and it was at the end of the road.  What was funny about this whole thing was, not only was it at the end of a dirt road 14 miles off of Hwy 101, but we found a bridge that spanned the river and the falls below...  On the far side of the bridge…a turn around area with a outhouse, yep, an outhouse 14 miles up a dirt road from 101... 

About 6:30, the Chouinard family arrived to stay in the camping bungalow next door.  Louise and I had stopped by the fish market and picked up some Lingcod for dinner.  I was trusted to barbecue it and I must say it turned out fantastic.  Tomorrow…the family picnic…

12 July ‘07

Thursday

What a change in the weather.  This morning was 20 degrees less than yesterday and with an off-shore flow of clouds.  Quite honestly I really prefer this over the 90 to 100 degree days.  We have a visitor coming about 2 this afternoon so we are going to stay pretty close by.  Our visitor is an insurance adjuster from GMAC.  She is coming to take a look at our fire damage and get us all set up to get it repaired.  We drove the 2 ½ miles down to Hoodsport, just to look around.  Totally there were 4 shops that sold just about the same “stuff” as the other one.  That’s OK because we were “just looking”…  2 o’clock arrived and left and so did Brandy…everything is going forward.  Now it’s time to head out and do some hiking.  About 6 or 7 miles from our campground and at the end of Lake Cushman, is the hiking trails going up “The Staircase”.  The road followed Lake Cushman for about 6 miles and then eased away on a dirt road for another 3 miles before coming into Olympic National Park and the start of the Staircase trail.  Our trail followed a beautiful river and some “old growth” fir and cedar trees for about 1 ½ miles before it came to an abrupt stop…the bridge was washed out.  The huge ferns, tiny flowers, mushroom, the hanging moss, and then of course the “Giants” of the forest that I mentioned earlier.  It was common to see trees that were 6 to 8 feet across and, gawd how tall is it ???  OK, now let’s get home and get ready for that CRAB…  Our Patio Dinner was just as I had pictured and the meal, one that we will remember for a long time. 

11 July ‘07

Wednesday

Early this morning it was already showing that today was going to be hotter than “heck”.  First thing first…grocery shopping.  We drove down Hwy 101 to Shelton to fill the gas tank on our toad and then across the street to Wal-Mart.  We were trying to get all this accomplished before the temperature drove us inside for the rest of the day.  With the back seat filled with our new “goodies”, we headed back to the air conditioned coach.  Hell it wasn’t but 15 minutes after we had lunch that we both thought it nuts to sit inside all day when the weather and the area around here were too good to pass just because it was “HOT”.  Now I don’t know if you remember it or not, but our air-conditioning in the toad quit working last summer and we still haven’t had it taken care of, now we’ll suffer a little.  With the windows down and the wind blowing through the windows we traveled north on 101 following the shores of Hood Canal.  When it came time to turn around and head back we found a sea food stand that was advertising “Huge Dungeness Crab”.  Now that was a sign that was made just for me…  Yep, we stopped and bought a 3 ½ pound fresh Dungeness that I can’t wait to dig into.  I must say that I love those little “Fresh Fish” street markets…everything they have I want to go home with.  Tomorrow is supposed to be much cooler so I will start preparing for our “Patio Dinner” of Dungeness and beer…a lot of both…man that’s living…

10 July ‘07

Tuesday

The heat of the day was starting out early and it was also time for us to head toward Hoodsport and Hood Canal.  With the temperature rising to 90+ for the next couple of days in Seattle area, we decided to head closer to the Olympic Mountains and Hood Canal.  Besides, this is where the Wiener Family Picnic is being held this year and we wanted to arrive a little early.  Our campground is about 3 miles out of Hoodsport on the road to Cushman Lake, about 15 miles from the park at Hood Canal were Mark and Susan (Louise’s brother and sister-in-law) live and the location of the picnic.  In the next 6 days we hope to take a few long drives and take the kayak out to explore some new areas before heading out to the coast (Ocean Shores on the Pacific).

07 07 ‘07

Sunday

“777”   7th day, 7th month, 2007…”Anyone buy a Lotto Ticket ? “

Well yesterday was “the” day for Lil Louise and her Bellevue softball team.  They took both games and now are heading to “THE WORLD SERIES OF GIRLS SOFTBALL”.  The series will take place in Kirkland WA on the 14th of August and will be a once in a life time experience for all the girls stepping onto the field.  Today we are just going to hang close to the coach and enjoy the sun.  We have moved to a new pitch here at Tall Chief.  This one sits high on the hill over looking the club house, pool, mini golf course, and the Cascade Mountains.  It is a very nice spot.  The kids are all coming over for a barbecue dinner, swim and most of all…smores tonight.  It should be fun.  

5 July ‘07

Thursday

Our granddaughter Louise is playing shortstop on a All Star baseball team this year and we had the opportunity to see her play Wednesday evening.  Unfortunately her team lost to their close neighbor Bellevue.  If they had won this game, they would have moved directly into the “Host Team” for the Girls Softball World Series coming up this August.  Now they have to beat their next opponent and then move up to play Bellevue again.  If they get to that point they must take three straight games to finally become the Host Team…let’s root them on !!!  On the 4th we joined the family at Louise’s next game after we took the kayak out for a couple of hours of paddling.  This is number one of the “must win” games.  The opponents weren’t quite up to the challenge and the game was one by Redmond, now on to winning two more games from Bellevue tomorrow.  Enough of baseball…IT’S THE 4TH OF JULY.  Louise and I have decided to stay “home” (we’re parked at Tall Chief RV Park in Fall City, WA.) and watch the Seattle fireworks on TV…gawd, we must be getting old !!!  Mario and Carl were over the other night and invited us to their condo in Seattle to watch the fireworks but we decided that it would be better for us to stay home…Thanks guys.  Wamu sponsored the fireworks at Seattle’s Gas Works Park and boy that was some display.  I don’t think we have ever seen a better fireworks display.