Washington Friends and Family, October 1-4

Another week has flown by with such a variety of new experiences. We spent last weekend near Puyallup WA about an hour south of Seattle. Rainy off and on, which really isn't bothering us, as we set up our home in a grassy area of the Puyallup ELK's Lodge. The rest of our afternoon and evening was spent visiting my cousin, Shelley and her husband, Pat, in Port Orchard about 45 mi away.

We arrived just as the University of Washington game was starting so after a tour of their lovely home, Shelley and I sat out back and watched the sunset, while Paul and Pat kept up with the game. Such a nice time to visit together; then once the game ended we enjoyed a delicious grilled salmon dinner prepared by Pat.

Shelley is an attorney in Port Orchard, with an interesting challenge...trying to close down the topless coffee baristas in their community. One thing we've learned is that Washingtonians love their coffee! There are little drive through coffee shops on almost very corner no matter what city. But that was the first we'd heard of these alternative ones. Quite the conversation!

Since we were near Tacoma we didn't want to miss seeing the Museum of Glass, so we were there as it opened on Sunday. Amazing! We started in the Hot Shop where a gallery seating area allows you to watch glass being formed.

The hot molten glass was being made into tools. An ax had been made and they were working on a hammer, how perfect for Paul.

A really amazing exhibition was the forest in which a path meanders through trees and a stream with mountains in the background. It was completely sculpted of clear glass hanging from the ceiling and rising from the floor creating a most beautiful Washington state landscape, a winter wonderland. This was created in collaboration by American artist Beth Lipman and Scandinavian artist Ingalena Klenell. They each created pieces of the work independently never having seen it put together until the exhibit was set in the museum.
There was also a "Bridge of Glass" outside the museum where hundreds of pieces of colorful pieces by Dale Chihuly are set along a walking bridge and overhead creating a most beautiful view above.

By the time we left the sky was getting darker but we had time for another beautiful bike ride back near our campground, along the Puyallup River Trail.

We rode for about an hour then as we returned the rain began falling so we felt like total Washingtonians enjoying all the beauty in the rain.

Our next 2 days were spent back at Kate and Paul Bauer's home laughing and enjoying time with our wonderful friends, Diane and Burt Caldwell. Monday night Karen and Rob brought their gang out again for another fun evening together.

 Tuesday Paul Bauer suggested a day trip up to Mt. Rainier. After checking the weather and hours for the Visitor Center we took off.

 The guys drove the pick up while Katie drove Diane and me in her new car. What a fantastic day!!!! Some clouds, crisp air and spectacular views.

After visiting the Visitor Center and a little lunch we took a hike to a waterfall.

Since summer came so late to the NW there were still many wildflowers along the path

We even spotted a couple of marmots  and a beautiful gray fox.

Fall colors were showing everywhere!

Such a wonderful day with wonderful friends.

Back at the house, Paul B. fired up his ride-on mower and let me do the lawns, something I've wanted to do forever...and it was as much fun as I thought it would be! So maybe...just maybe.... I can have the fun of that  job at the Bauer's every time we get up for  visit.

This next picture is a little blurry...PK said I was laughing so hard and driving by so fast that was the best he could get!

We said good bye Wednesday morning, drove our little gypsy wagon off their hillside and started out on our next Washington adventure...north to see the Cascades.