Tag: Road Trip

Pool Time!

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While Shaun has to work all week, the girls and I did some hanging out at the hotel and visiting with some of my friends. Today was a lazy breakfast, tidying up our hotel room and a late morning into afternoon swim. The fishies just had to have more time in the water! Because it was a weekday, the hotel pool was empty and the girls and I had the whole place to ourselves. A nice lady from Texas swam with us for a bit and played with the girls but for the most part, it was empty pool bliss!

Our little water babies!
Abby found a pool noodle that someone left behind. Score!

Rest and Beach Day

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Today was set to be the hottest day of the heat wave. With temps reaching close to 116 I knew that there wasnt much we could do. Shaun was working in the Santa Monica offices, so that left us with some time on our own. 
We slept in a bit and then headed for some breakfast at the hotel. Then it was off to find places that we could enjoy but also had air conditioning. So it meant some shopping at Target and then some lunch at Islands. After lunch I didnt have the energy to walk around a mall and deal with crowds. Luckily I packed our bathing suits and beach toys, so it was off to our favorite spot near Pt. Mugu.
“Mom, take the picture before you blind us!”
A pelican fly-by.
Ellie had figuered out the perfect system to make her castles turn out. Before I knew it, we were surrounded!
Who knew that Jerry’s Deli could make such amazing noodle bowls!

The weather was a good 30 degrees cooler at the beach which led to us hanging out there for the rest of the afternoon. The girls built large sand castles, splashed in the waves, and we enjoyed doing very little. As it should be. After the beach it was a drive along the coast, through Topanga Canyon and back to the hotel for showers, dinner and bed. A perfect vacation day… although I felt guilty knowing that Shaun was working while we were being lazy in the sun.

Father’s Day, Heat Waves and Evening Fun

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The day after the reunion was Fathers Day! In the end the day wasn’t too busy or crazy, but thats because the long anticipated heatwave was moving in and it was hot! The mercury hit 110 in the San Fernando Valley ad it was not fun.

In the early afternoon we met with my parents and sister as well as Grantie Fran at Pizza Cookery for lunch. Not only did we get to see Fran but we had the chance to eat at one of our favorite places. Boy, do I miss their salad and ranch dressing. Yummy! Lunch was a great time catching up. My parents and sister have not seen Fran since we moved away, so I know they enjoyed the time spent with her.

After lunch we tried to take a drive around the valley but after about 30 minutes it was becoming very apparent that it was too hot, even for our cars AC. So we headed back to the hotel room and took naps and hung out until it cooled off and we could go over to visit Grandpa and Uncle James.

Selfies and staying cool in our hotel room.
Playing Minecraft and passing through the heat of the day.
What mom?
Pretty girl was a little wary of all the people in her yard.
Ellie, I think that tryke is just a little too small for you!
Picking apples from Grandpa’s tree.
Dancing, singing and posing.
Wharton gathering…
Relaxing… and if I remember correctly, someone tooted too. I wonder who?

The evening at Grandpa Pats was pretty relaxed and fun. The girls had the chance to run around in the backyard and play with Nonnie, as well has hang out with Uncle James. They picked apples off of Grandpa’s apple tree and attempted to ride tricycles that are now way too small for them. It was great to slow down and visit. I think we were all in need of some relaxation. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay late because Shaun had to work down in Santa Monica the next day, but we’d be back soon!

Taylor Family Reunion

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Our trip to California was a trip that would serve several purposes. One was for Shaun to come down to LA and work with his team at the offices in Santa Monica for a week.  Another was to attend our Taylor Family Reunion (my fathers side of the family) and see family that we haven’t connected with since the passing of my grandmother back in 2012. Unfortunately not everyone could make it to the first reunion, but I am sure there will be more!

The reunion was held up at Rincon State Beach in Ventura County and the day couldn’t have been more perfect. A pending heat wave threatened to make the day too hot, but it wasn’t. It was perfect. The beach was busy but not swamped and there was plenty of space to walk, play and enjoy a beautiful Southern California day.

We spent the day talking and catching up with everyone. Abby and Ellie had the chance to meet their cousin Bella who is their age and they hit it off right away. We listened to music, ate amazing food (courtesy of my cousin Joseph and his excellent BBQ skills) and welcomed some new members of the family (spouses and girlfriends).

Sarah walking the beach with Abby, Ellie and Bella
A beautiful day along the Southern California coast.

A rare photo with my hubby!!
Abby loved getting into the water and feeling the sand in her toes.
Ellie was surprised by a wave… and loving it.
Sisters and best friends
Ellie and Bella had the exact same bathing suit!
Eric and his girlfriend Michelle! It was so nice to meet you!
Talking and eating! I tend to get a lot of pictures of people eating but thats because they are standing still!
Laurie, John and Matt having a great chat.
Chatting, laughing and posing.
Back from the beach! Now they are pretending to be mountain lions on the rock. I think.
The ladies catching up! Looking wonderful Aunt Dena!
The photographers of the family are taking notes and sharing stories.
Jillian… always ready with a pose.
The day comes to a close and we start saying our goodbyes! Until next time Taylor Family!
Perfect sunsets for a perfect end to that day.

When the day came to an end it was hard to say goodbye to everyone. But we will see one another soon! All I know is that our first family reunion was a big success and grandma and grandpa would have been so very proud of their family. They may not have been there in body but they were there in spirit and I know they were both smiling down on us today.

And We’re Off! Maybe…

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Before children, taking off for a trip was easy and we had very few hiccups. Then we hit parenthood and it seemed as though things that could do wrong, did. It has nothing to do with the children really. Just our luck I think.

Well this trip was no different I guess. After Ellie’s graduation from Kindergarten, we sped home and collected the last of our things and hit the road. Our destination, Redding California. We knew it would be a long drive and that we would be in after midnight. I even planned an extra hour for traffic!  Well, I guess the traffic Gods were angry because that extra hour turned in to five. Yes, you read that right. Five. It took us over five hours to get from our house to Olympia Washington. If you are familiar with the area that drive should take about an hour and a half tops!

This was not a good start to our trip and we weren’t even that far from home. With the traffic out of Seattle and Tacoma and then a stop on the grade down in to Yreka due to a jack-knifed semi, we didn’t roll into Redding until almost 6am. Yeah, it was a long night.

Thunderheads… at least we have something fun to look forward to.
Driving through Portland at sunset. We should have seen this with more light in the sky… much more.

We slept for a few hours… 4 to be exact and then set off again in hopes to make it to our destination without any hiccups. We achieved that and had the chance to check in to our hotel before the sun even started to set! It was a miracle. It was probably the longest 36 hours of travel in our life, but we made it and it gave us the chance to actually sleep before our activities the following day!

Leavenworth in the Fall = Gorgeous!

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The end of September brought the official start to fall and with it came the clouds and rain. This is Seattle after all. After nearly a week and a half of gloom and drizzle, we made the choice to take a trip and find sunshine! Impossible you say? You would have to go too far to see the sun again, wouldn’t you? Nope! All it took was an hour and a half drive into the Cascades to do it.

We had the whole day and decided to take a drive into the mountain to a beautiful Bavarian town called Leavenworth. Leavenworth sits on the eastern side og the Cascades. This might not mean much at first thought, but it means a lot when it comes to weather. While Seattle might be covered in clouds and rain, the passes and eastern side of the Cascades often boast sunshine and clear skies. Today didn’t disappoint. As we started to climb up to Steven’s Pass, the clouds quickly disappeared and pretty soon we saw the sun!

The drive through the pass and into Leavenworth was beautiful. The leaves were changing and the colors were amazing. Once we arrived immediately started exploring the area and of course we had to find something to eat.

We’re here and ready to explore!
Exploring the streets… You truly feel like you are in the Alps when you are here. I can only imagine how beautiful this place is in the winter.

We had lunch at the Baren Haus, which was delicious! I splurged a bit, but it was worth it. We also planned to do a lot of walking afterwards, so I didn’t feel too bad! After lunch we continued on our way to look at te shops, bakeries and other fun places. We found THE BEST Christmas shop, full of amazing ornaments and decorations. I really didn’t want to leave but the girls were getting antsy.

Inside Baren Haus. This place was truly charming and you could hear the band playing in the town square from here.

Sister… AKA Partners in Crime

Looking out towards the cascades. The trees and their colors were amazing to see!

Abby said walking through Leavenworth was like being in Disneyland again.

A picture with the bear was too cute to resist. They loved this guy!

Big Ellie Bear Hugs

Big Abby Bear Hugs

Streets filled with changing leaves and plenty of piles to play around in.

Our beautiful girl enjoying the sunshine and leaves.

Its raining leaves!

I love the fall and the amazing colors it brings!

Fall Sunshine and Mountain Tops

The loves of my life… and boy are they silly!

Rolling down the hills into piles of leaves. The joys of being a kid!

As we explored the streets, the girls took interest in the horse-drawn carriage they kept seeing. Ellie was completely in awe over it and kept beggining us to go for a ride. We held off until after lunch and some sightseeing and then went on a hunt for the carriage. After asking around, we learned that she would pick up at the maypole near town square (how adorable is that?). It was getting late though, and everyone was pretty unsure as to how long carriage rides lasted. We waited and waited some more and still no sign of the carriage. Just as we were about to leave with one broken hearted and crying Ellie, the carriage came around the corner. Talk about luck!

Very excited for a carriage ride around town.

The Wharton’s out on the town… Old Timey Style!

The ride was fun and we had the chance to talk with a very nice woman. Her little dog rides up front with her which is completely adorable. The poor little guy is blind and partially deaf but the cutest thing you have ever seen. A mutt that whimpers every time he smells another dog and is happiest when he is up riding with her. The girls giggled each time he moved and had a great time.

The carriage ride capped off a day of fun and afterwards we headed to the car and went home. The girls fell asleep almost instantly so the ride home was relaxing and quiet. I know that both Shaun and myself cannot wait to come back here again. What a great little escape. Until next time Leavenworth!

A Party, Ferry Rides and Fun Road Trips

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 Today was yet another day of fun and excitement for all of us. It was a day of fun, adventure and a party. A party, you ask? Yep, it was Abby’s very first Birthday Party since moving to Seattle! Her new friend at school was having a party and Abby was invited. She couldn’t have been more excited about it.

The party was at the local YMCA and had a princess theme. Everyone was to wear their best princess dresses. . They played in the big playroom, pretended to running through the castle while being chased by dragons and bad guys and did some arts and crafts. After playtime it was food, cake and presents for the birthday girl, Isa! When it was time to go, Abby was a bit sad to leave but so happy that she had been invited and had such a fun time. As a parent it makes me happy to see that my kiddo is settling into to her new home and making friends.
All decked out with her goodies from Isa’s birthday party. Such a happy and excited little party goer.
Even though the party was over, the fun was not! Daddy, Grandma Zoe and Ellie picked us up from the party and we were off for an adventure together in the car. Today, despite the rain, we thought we would take Grandma across the sound to Kingston and over to Port Gamble. We wanted to show her a new favorite spot of ours and do a bit of exploring too. The ferry ride was wet and choppy, so we opted to stay in the car most of the way over.
We stopped in Port Gamble expecting it to be busy but to our surprise it was quiet. The Lumberjack Festival that was supposed to be running had been canceled. The storm that weekend created some problems and high winds the night before, knocked over one of the carnival rides. The town had to pull the plug on it for the safety of its patrons. A bit disappointing but we still made our time there fun. We went into the General Store, which is full of fun treats and the best hot chocolate and coffee drinks EVER. Grandma Zoe did a bit of shopping and when we had had out fill we hopped back into the car. We had planned to spend more time there but since plans had changed we opted to do some exploring and head to Port Townsend. 
Port Townsend is another beautiful little town with lots of historic charm. Shaun and I had been there once before, back during our first adventures in Seattle before the girls were born. Our real estate agent was having an open house for our home that was now on the market, so we took Jack and head out for the day to do some exploring. Our travels took us to Port Townsend and we thought it was a beautiful place. Since our plans today had changed, we thought it would great to head back that direction and it wasn’t too far away.
One of the old ferry docks that still stands in Port Townsend.
Low grasses along the sea edge in Fort Worden State Park
Looking out into the sound towards Whidbey Island and Vancouver Island in Fort Worden State Park. Quite a choppy day but so beautiful
A doe with her two little babies came out of the woods into some of the grassy areas for the evening. The little ones were still young enough to have their spots.
The whole gang enjoying the early evening hours. Too cute!
Port Townsend City Hall and Court House
Lighthouse home on the hill, Port Townsend, Washington

The trip out to Port Townsend was beautiful. It was stormy but the clouds were starting to break up a bit. We drove down Main Street to see the historic buildings and look at the shops. We had hoped to stop and walk through town but because it was later in the afternoon on a Sunday, most of the shops and restaurants were closed. So, we enjoyed what we could see and then drove out to Fort Worden State Park, which has some beautiful scenery and views. We headed down to the lighthouse and stopped along one of the beaches. On a clear day you can see Vancouver Island from that spot. Abby thinks its pretty neat that she can see Canada from there.

After our drive through the old fort and military outpost, (think the Presidio but on a much smaller scale) and spotting a little family of deer, we headed back out and over to Bainbridge Island to take the ferry into the city. We stopped for a bite to eat at the Madison Diner where things got interesting near the end of our dinner. Another storm was blowing in and the power was knocked out while we ate! Ellie could have cared less but Abby was not to thrilled about. Luckily it was out for only a minute and soon we were on our way home on the ferry.

We were all exhausted by the time we got home, but it was for a good reason. We had such a lovely time together! Starting tomorrow its back to reality and school. But good things are ahead of us. Shaun starts his new job this week! More on that later though…

Our Weekend in Spokane

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Grandma Zoe made the move up to Washington just a few weeks ago and now that she is settled in a bit, we took to the road to visit her in Spokane. We left Friday afternoon to beat the traffic and were lucky enough not to hit a single slow down. Once over Snoqualmie Pass and out onto the Central plains of Washington it was evident that a big thunderstorm was brewing and we just might be heading into it. Most of what we could see was off in the distance, but it still enjoying the lightening show. However, as we got closer and closer to Spokane it was evident that we might get a nice storm yet. And we did.
When we arrived at Grandma Zoe’s new place, the car was unloaded and we finally had the chance to relax and visit with Grandma. Just after dinner, the storm that we thought might hit the area finally started to blow over and gave us a nice little light and thunder show. It was a nice welcome for us!
The next day we took our time getting up, enjoyed some breakfast and then head out to enjoy the area. Grandma Zoe lives just across the Spokane River near downtown so she wanted to take us over to Riverside Park and show us the area. The day was cloudy, post thunderstorm but it was beautiful and perfect for a day out walking and enjoying what Spokane has to offer.
Crossing over one of many bridges over the Spokane River into Riverside Park and downtown Spokane.
Rain puddles and reflections.
Clock tower and foot bridges. Pretty day in a pretty little city.
If there is a carousel, Abby and Ellie will find it. This one was super fast too!
The carousel in Riverside Park is just over a hundred years old and absolutely gorgeous. The carousel horses still have their original tails made of actual horse hair.
Such an easy place to photograph.
The detail and precision of these carousel horses is amazing. Creating a carousel horse is an art form that has been lost over time. Only one company and maker exist in the United States.
Riverside Park clock tower along the Spokane River.
This bog old goose thought she was park of the Canadian Geese flock and certainly made his presence known.
Tagged Canadian Goose. I wonder what the research can tell us about the places this one goes.
Enjoying the Wagon Slide… Ellie was a bit unsure of it but finally came down.
Its the giant Radio Flyer Slide… so much fun!

Fat goose taking a “gander” at the Spokane River. I know… that was bad.

After our walk through the park, we stopped downtown for lunch and had some very yummy pizza. After we stuffed ourselves full, the walk back to the car was needed. After our afternoon out we went for a nice little drive, exploring back roads, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. Before we knew it we were back home having dinner and relaxing after a fun day out.

The next day we had a wonderful breakfast and headed out to Green Bluff with the hope of picking apples and enjoying yet another beautiful day. Unfortunately a lot of the orchards were closed to public apple picking but we still enjoyed the day and some of the yummy food these places had to offer. The girls ended up with ice cream and that made their day. The rest of the evening we relaxed, enjoyed the gorgeous sunset and Shaun and I took a drive after the girls went to bed. It was a great last night of our weekend in Spokane.

Ice cream that’s almost as big as my head… hurray!
Eating the whole cone was a big job, but Abby was up to the task.
A rainbow after the storm.
It almost looked like the rainbow was coming from downtown and the old smoke stacks.
Picture perfect sunsets. Even better than a painting.

In the morning we packed our things and prepped to leave. Before we hit the road we went to breakfast with Grandma Zoe, checking out the restaurant just across the street from her place. It was delicious! A perfect way to prep for our drive home. We had hoped to stay a little longer but because of blasting work over Snoqualmie Pass, we had to get going so that we weren’t stuck in a two house wait. Before we knew it, we were on our way home. Traffic was great and the ride was smooth. It was good to get home and prep for the next few days to come… The girls start school tomorrow!

Heading Home…

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This morning the girls and I left my parents house bright and early after a lovely visit with my parents and sister. As with every trip to Montana, I hated to go but we have to return back to reality at some point. That and Grandma Zoe would be arriving in Seattle tomorrow for a belated birthday visit!
So we headed out jsut after the sun came up. This time I took a back route out to I-90 to see if the bull moose we had seen last night might be out again in the morning. When we got to the river, not even a deer could be spotted. Oh well, it was a hope and even though we didn’t see anything, the back route over was absolutely beautiful during sunrise.
Heading over the Continental Divide at sunrise.

According to Uncle Barry “If you cant find it at Herberger’s, then you don’t need it!”

We crossed the Continental Divide just as the sun was really beginning to rise and we stopped in Butte for some breakfast. Aside for bathroom breaks and a stop for lunch in Post Falls, Idaho the rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. As we drove through the Columbia River Plateau we saw a huge grass fire just starting to gain some strength and create some pretty heavy smoke. My hope is that this fire is put out quickly as it was getting close to several homes and the fields of electrical windmills.

We made it home in the late afternoon after a drive through Fall City, Snoqualmie and Redmond to avoid afternoon traffic. It was a beautiful drive and a nice end to the trip. It was great to be home! Now its time to prep for a visitor!

A New Road Trip…

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After a lot of time and effort spent unpacking, its time for us to head to Montana for a quick little visit. My cousin David will be in town visiting and I couldnt miss the opportunity to see him. We have not seen one another since our wedding six years ago! 
This trip, the girls and I would once again be flying solo. Its a new one for the girls and its a drive I have done only a few times in my life. It should be quite the adventure. Shaun had planned to come with us but the job search started to heat up, so we felt that staying behind in the event of an interview was the best thing to do. As always I will miss not having my partner in crime on the road with me.
The girls and I left very early this morning with the hopes that we could avoid traffic heading into Bellevue and on I-90 heading towards Snoqualmie Pass. That and the drive is about 11 hours with stops, so I wanted to have plenty of time to travel but still get in at a decent time. So we left home just as the sun was starting to rise and it was beautiful.
Good morning Snoqualmie!

The drive over Snoqualmie was beautiful. It was a cloudy and somewhat drizzly morning, with some low hanging clouds through the pass.The girls quietly watched movies and drifted in and out of sleep. The drive out through central Washington was a smoky one. Fires in the Southeastern Cascades were growing due to the heat of the summer and the wind was blowing east, right into the valleys. It was still a pretty drive and of course I had the stretch of highway, about 18 miles worth, that had all of the local crops labeled. It keeps you busy for a while.

A stop in Spokane for some lunch and gas gave me the break I needed just before heading over 4th of July and Lookout passes. Both have very steep accents and descents, so its nice to rest the brain and the eyes before tackling them. Luckily driving through Idaho’s panhandle and the two passes was a breeze. The weather was beautifully clear and traffic was minimal. My type of driving.

Pit stop just inside Montana State Lines. Even the rest stops here are beautiful!

Heading over Homestake! The last major mountain pass before our destination!

Summer thunderstorm rolling in, so pretty!

The remainder of the trip was pretty uneventful and absolutely beautiful. Its so true that my heart belongs in the mountains of Montana. Every time we visit, I love it more and more. Driving from Seattle now gives us the chance to see more of it too! The mountains, the big beautiful and meandering rivers, and the amount of uninhabited open space. There is just something magical about this place that I just cannot describe.

When we arrived late in the afternoon a summer mountain thunderstorm was rolling in. What a greeting! You could smell the rain in the air and feel the warm temperatures cool a bit. The lightening and thunder tonight have been spectacular and I have a feeling there will be more. Nothing really beats a summer thunderstorm in the mountains. So glad to be here but missing Shaun a lot.

Our House Keys Or Bust!… Day 5

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This morning we woke up realizing that our hotel sat right along the Umpqua River. The view and the morning was gorgeous. We stopped for breakfast and then prepared for the last haul home. It would be a longer day but nothing we haven’t done before. We would be spending our 4th of July on the road through some beautiful country, so who could complain right?

The drive was uneventful and I had hoped that maybe we would see some fireworks in the evening as we drove through central California and into the Valley but that didn’t happen. We either missed it or we couldn’t see it. Oh well. We made it home in time to see the girls and get to bed at a decent hour and that’s all that mattered. Now begins the major packing!

Our House Keys Or Bust!… Day 4

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Despite a sore, painful back and being dog tired, we came back to the house to finish some work before hitting the road today. I finished the painting and Shaun tried to build the girls new beds but his back continued to spasm. We did all that we could then finally threw in the towel and hit the road.

Unfortunately we hit the road at the completely wrong time. Not thinking that it was the 4th of July the next day and people would be leaving down to for vacation we got on the road at around 3pm. Dumb move. It took nearly 3 hours to get from the house in Bothell to Tacoma.  We eventually took the time to stop for dinner and wait out the traffic. Once we were back on the road we hauled it to Roseberg, Oregon where we will hopefully get some sleep. I honestly don’t think that will be a problem tonight!

A pretty view of Rainier while sitting in holiday traffic.