Farmer's Market and Wet Paint

Sunday, August 16th

Today we went down to the port area of Everett about ten minutes away where a Farmer's Market is held each Sunday. This Sunday they also were hosting a craft fair called Wet Paint. It was strung out along the walkway of the Everett City Marina.


One of the docks with a few sailboats. I wonder how far down the row this sailor had to walk.

At the end of the walkway a commercial fishing boat was selling fresh crab and prawns. The fair was quite a bit smaller than the one in Anacortes and it appeared that many of the same artist were displaying here so we weren't too interested in the fair, but the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed the walk.

Later Debbie caught Ty and I enjoying dinner. Me eating and Ty watching!


Maybe Ty got tired of watching and wanted to take a more active role.

Squirrels

Friday, August 14th

As we take our almost daily walk with Ty these little creatures just drive him crazy. Sorry for the poor focus but I had to draw and shoot as the squirrel raced up the tree with Ty on the ground close behind him.


Darn these stumps are stickery on top!


Made it, now just make a slip up there. I'll be down here waiting.


Well I can wait. Keep barking at me and it will help me forget the pin cushion I'm lying on. Actually he only lasted a minute or two before he had to get down off those spikes.


The squirrel finally moved on and so did we. I found a small subject to test the macro capabilities of the camera.

Clam Chowder

Wednesday, August 12th

Debbie made a pot of Clam Chowder and we invited some of our friends here in Port Susan over this evening.


Weather was on the cool side but the chowder was nice and hot. Lloyd brought over some extra chairs to supplement the six we have.


We enjoyed the company of our next door neighbors Bev and Arnie who dropped by.

Home from the Fair

Saturday, August 8th

A look at the road from Anacortes to La Conner. We drove back through La Conner so we could stop

at the Berry Farm just outside of La Conner in a big red barn. We stopped there last year by chance and found they sold goose berry pies. They still do! Besides a goose berry pie we also grabbed a bluegoose pie. A combination of blue berries and goose berries. The bluegoose is way to sweet for my taste and next time I'll get two goose berry pies.

Back "home" at our camp site we have set up our awning. Debbie grabbed a $4 green round table at a garage sale and I cut the legs off to make a coffee table.

I set our portable campfire in the middle of the table. You can see the flames if you look close. It's run on propane and fake logs.

Anacortes, WA

Saturday, August 8th

Today (see date above) we went up to Anacortes, WA to their annual Craft Fair. Anacortes is homeport to the San Juan Islands ferries and just a short drive away from Whidbey Island.

Debbie and I drove up and planned to hookup with Rich, LesAnn and Martha who were driving up on their own. After finding a parking place just a block from the action we called and found Rich and group had also just found parking but they were some distance away, so Debbie and I decided to start exploring the fair and join up with them later.

We had just covered about a block of the Craft Fair when, by chance, we ran into them and another half dozen friends from Port Susan.


This pig was part of the art on sale at the fair. I didn't notice the person's finger in the the pig's butt at the time and I'm not sure why his finger was in there or what was back there!

Down one of the side streets we noticed a brewing supply company. It caught our eye because our youngest is employed back home by a brewing supply company.

Shortly after noon everybody met at the Brown Lantern Ale House for lunch. I thought it would be impossible to get a table for everybody considering the crowd. We arrived after everybody else and found they were all sitting together at two tables next to each other and there was room for Debbie and I. Amazing as the place was packed as I had anticipated.

I had a pulled-pork sandwich that was so big I had to smash it down to take a bite. It was delicious! The service was also great. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in Anacortes, WA.

Of coarse outside of the fair area Debbie found, what she described as "the best fabric store". While I was waiting I notice this person leaning back against the wall with a dog on a leash. Here's another shot. No really it's a guy! Really!

Inside the "best fabric shop!"

Boeing Tour and Crab

Thursday August 6th

Today we went with Ross and Marge on the Boeing Tour. Here Ross is examining a new engine for the 787 Dreamliner.

Later that evening some of us got together for to eat the crab Ross and Rich had caught, cleaned and cooked yesterday. They were delicious as usual.

Ty look like he would like to catch a crab for himself. Here he's playing on his cat sculpture in our rig.


Tomorrow, Saturday, we are heading up to Anacortes to a crafts fair.

A Port Susan Birthday

Wednesday August 5th

Beverly had a birthday yesterday and friends gathered to help her celebrate.

Today we had a picnic at the beach. We gathered at Kayak Point County Park. Several boats dropped crab pots before lunch. The rest of us tried to stay warm in the cool weather. Dianna barbecued hot dogs and they were really good. Helene made a potato salad that was great.

Rich walked out to his boat to give a couple of kids one of his crabs.

Ty posed for a portrait in the blackberry bushes.

Tomorrow we are going to the Boeing plant to see how the new 787 is coming along.

Arrived at Port Susan

Monday August 3rd

When we first got our Horizon it had a lot of different systems and controls which we were completely unfamiliar with. One of these was the Splindede washer/dryer. An Italian made all-in-one unit that washes and then drys (and wrinkles) clothes. Debbie looked all over for the lint filter and then ask me for help. Neither of us could find the filter. I got out the manual but couldn't find any reference to a filter. Debbie refused to use the unit until she was able to clean the lint filter so I called the manufacture to get the location. Their customer service explained the lint is blown out the air exhaust and there is no filter. Debbie did a load of laundry last night and today before leaving Brookhollow RV Park I noticed for the first time a wad of lint in the grass under the dryer vent. The vent is at the top in the center of the photo.

I was never able to verify the lint was actually being blown out until this morning!

We arrived in Port Susan around 1:30 pm. We met Ross and Marge who are staying on the lot next door for a few days and had arrived the day before us. A few minutes later Lloyd and Rich drove up and welcomed us. They had made a sign identifying the rock I ran into last year. The first sign was stolen a short time after they set it up at the rock so they made a second sign.

The 'Gold Shield' says "Sign protected by Smith & Wesson". Pretty neat sign guys the the "look" should say "look OUT"!

Busy Day

Wednesday, August 19th

Today started by being awakened by a loud diesel idling next door delivering propane to the neighbor's propane tank.

Around 10:00 our diesel truck arrived. Hills arrived to pump out our septic tank.


We have to have this done every 360 days we stay on our lot. This is one job that doesn't have anyone looking over your shoulder! It requires opening a 26" round access port on the top of the tank. From this point I'm not sure of the process, as I said, this is one job nobody is looking over your shoulder. Hills gives a discount for sites in Port Susan. He normally charges $3oo but only charged us $150.

Later this afternoon there was a strange noise down the road. Finally this tractor came by.

It is a tractor with a lawn mower on a hydraulic arm. It mows flat on the ground and also above the ground to keep the vegetation from over growing the road. Here the are is raised to mow sides of the road.

Brookhollow RV Park - II

Sunday August 2nd

This morning was a lot cooler as the fog was in and it cleared it turned into a really great day.

We left for town and stopped on the way at Shari's restaurant, similar to the Denny's chain, for breakfast. I tried their special hash browns. They were stuffed with sour cream, cheddar cheese and topped with bacon crumbles and chives.

After breakfast we drove to the opposite side of the freeway from Kelso to Longview. Debbie need some more yarn for socks and we needed to pick up some grocery. As we drove around the city park Debbie spotted a Squirrel bridge over the 5 or 6 lane roadway from the trees around the Library to the park.


As we walked around the park we spotted a squirrel statue. I didn't take time to read the plaque because I realized I left the car unlocked because I didn't realize we were going to be walking so far away.
WalMart didn't have the sock yarn but Fred Myers did so Debbie is back in business. Oh yeah. I almost forgot to give my opinion of the stuffed hash browns. Now I know why no other restaurant had stolen the idea!

We are leaving tomorrow morning for Port Susan and should arrive early afternoon if Fleet Week being over makes any difference.

Brookhollow RV Park - Kelso, WA

Saturday August 1st

We are now at the Brookhollow RV Park in Kelso, OR. About 30 miles north of Vancouver/Portland. Our route took us past Seven Feather Truck Stop and we stopped to fill the tank. Diesel was 2.59 there. Debbie ran in and bought a deli sandwich, They make the best poorboys and we split one later for lunch at one of Oregon's reststops.

The sites here at Brookhollow have a patio and table next to the driveway and lawn between the sites, although the l awn is dead.

We'll be here Sat and Sun nights while we wait for Fleet Week in Seattle to finish. The last time we went through Seattle on a "Fleet Week Sunday" we hit a traffic jam as we approached Seattle. Then it got worse as we left Seattle headed north toward Port Susan. It took over three hours just to go 30 miles. We're staying here an extra night hoping to avoid repeating that experience.

It was 94 degrees here when we pulled in and has cool off quite a bit as the evening progressed. Some high clouds came in and I caught this picture of the moon shining through the clouds.


Last night we had a problem with the bedroom slide out. It went out about halfway and then the top stopped while the bottom continued out. Fortunately Debbie was paying attention and stopped before causing damage to whatever was wrong. Remember it was over 100 degrees last evening so I just looked for something jamming the top but I didn't see anything. It was too hot and late to get involved so we just used it part way out for the night. Tonight I got the ladder out and played with the slide topper. It seemed it was sticking and stopping the slide from traveling out at the top. I lubricated the ends and it then operated properly and extended fully. Will have to watch that topper when we move the slide in the future. This BR slide had caused problems in the past. We have a ceiling fan in the bedroom and when the slide is in the blades hit the top edge of the slideout. If it's aligned wrong when the slide is brought in, it knocks the fan off the ceiling. Debbie and I have both done it once!