Skagit Eagles 2010

This year's trip included the in laws, getting up at 3am, and a 3 hour drive. We had a blast and saw twice as many as last year. After last year we decided binoculars would be a big help and it was this year. After this year, we decided we need to upgrade the camera with a longer zoom to capture the eagles without the graininess of my digital zoom. Perhaps next year, we will get the amazing in focus shot we so want to capture. In any case, we have memories of seeing them swoop down from trees and grab at fish in the water. We saw them down on the shores, not just in the trees. Something we had not seen before.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes was our first Canadian National Park. It was also the only day of the trip in which we had a lot of rain. So we endured cloud cover, pouring rain, and wet dog smell for the day. Waterton Lakes was a pretty small park, but had some amazing views, unfortunately most of the views were blocked by the rainclouds.

Close encounter with some Mt Goats

During our recent trip to Canada, we were lucky enough to see some mountain goats that happened to be right next to the road. As some of you know, they are one of my favorite animals, and it was really exciting to see them up close. It was Alan's first encounter with mountain goats. I don't think his hearing has recovered from my squeal of delight upon seeing them.

Oh boy.....

or girl! :)

Mt. St. Helens....finally

Alan's parents came for a visit recently. We took them to Mt. St. Helens on a cloudy day here in the harbor. Luckily, the weather was nicer to the south. So we packed up the jeep and took off for Mt. St. Helens. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the mountain and the trip a lot. For Alan and I, it was the third try attempting to see it cloud free.

Umpqua Lighthouse

During our long weekend in Winchester Bay, we visited the Umpqua lighthouse.

Pups in the river

We spent the weekend in Winchester Bay, Oregon. There was a little beach near the campgroung, so of course we took the pups. They had a blast

Again....

So pretty!

Tulips...again

Some closeups.....

Tulips everywhere!

The husband and I drove about 3 hours to Mount Vernon WA today. We missed the town's annual tulip festival, but got to see several fields of tulips. We spent the afternoon dogding showers and mud puddles. The flowers are farmed for their bulbs and most are exported to the Netherlands. The flowers are byproducts and usually are left to die after the bloom. These are some pics of the fields, with more to come soon from the Roozengaarte complex.

My Whodeeeee

Today, I celebrate the best birthday present ever. I got him 2 years ago. Whodee, you are the BEST!

so cute, our kids