Our first stay in Washington was in Monroe about forty-five minutes outside of Seattle. We chose this location since it was central to several of the places that we planned to visit. It was a bit outside of the town of Monroe but we enjoyed our stay there.
With Greg on vacation the first week and two additional weekends during our three week stay, we were able to explore quite a bit:
MOUNT RAINIER
Mount Rainier was very pretty and we drove from one side of the park to the other. The Grove of the Patriarchs trail was recommended to us but sadly the bridge on the trail had been "deemed unsafe" and was barricaded. Fording the river wasn't possible but we did check to see if we could!
So instead, we made our way to the Paradise Area.
So instead, we made our way to the Paradise Area.
(Reflection Lakes-still iced over)
What excited the kids the most was the snow, of course. They were super eager to get out and run through it. At the Paradise area, there was plenty of snow for them to do that, although we weren't really prepared and ended up with wet shoes and socks. But to them it was so worth it.
And this is Narada Falls where we took a fairly short hike to the bottom and felt the spray.
(Jacob pretending to be the beaver responsible for this)
SNOQUALMIE FALLS
In Snoqualmie, we met up with Matt and Kristi and their two girls who we know through Greg's sister.
We had a fun visit with a trip to the falls,
lunch by the river, a train ride,
a cold swim in the river and then dinner together.
We had a fun visit with a trip to the falls,
lunch by the river, a train ride,
a cold swim in the river and then dinner together.
(This girl seriously loves mud and dirt)
SEATTLE
We took a day trip into Seattle. We first stopped at Pike's Market. Man! That is a busy place!
Then we stopped by a great playground near the EMP museum (Experience Music Project) building, which is architecturally interesting
And then we visited the Pacific Science Center. We were quite disappointed in this museum. It was supposed to be great but it was so outdated! Thank goodness we got in for free with our museum membership because I would have really been upset to have paid the regular admission of $70 for this. The kids found a few things to check out but they were disappointed as well.
Then, we followed the trails on down to the beach where the kids played with the driftwood (one of their favorite things)
(the wall of gum)
Then we stopped by a great playground near the EMP museum (Experience Music Project) building, which is architecturally interesting
And then we visited the Pacific Science Center. We were quite disappointed in this museum. It was supposed to be great but it was so outdated! Thank goodness we got in for free with our museum membership because I would have really been upset to have paid the regular admission of $70 for this. The kids found a few things to check out but they were disappointed as well.
(a T-Rex footprint for size comparison)
Our one other stop in Seattle was Discovery Park. There were plenty of trails to walk on and we found a huge area of berry bushes and gathered as much as we could.
Then, we followed the trails on down to the beach where the kids played with the driftwood (one of their favorite things)
ORCAS ISLAND
To get to Orcas, we took a ferry from Anacortes and rented a car on the island.
We checked out some beach areas and some falls in Obstruction Pass State Park.
We also drove to the top of Mt. Constitution in Moran State Park. There were some amazing views.
We checked out some beach areas and some falls in Obstruction Pass State Park.
We also drove to the top of Mt. Constitution in Moran State Park. There were some amazing views.
WHIDBEY ISLAND
We also took the truck on a ferry to Whidbey Island. We didn't have a lot of time there since it was after work one day but we visited four state parks.
We did a short hike, checked out some forts,
and beaches,
chased some bunnies and played in a driftwood fort.
We also took the truck on a ferry to Whidbey Island. We didn't have a lot of time there since it was after work one day but we visited four state parks.
We did a short hike, checked out some forts,
(you can barely see Jordan's head peeking through)
and beaches,
chased some bunnies and played in a driftwood fort.
SQUAMISH, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Squamish was about a five hour drive from our campground so we made it an overnight trip. We saw some really beautiful scenery on our trip there.
We debated on whether we should spend the money to take the Sea to Sky Gondola ($100 for our family) but we are so glad that we took the plunge. It was great! It kept going higher and higher! The views were fantastic!
At the summit, we had lunch at the restaurant, crossed a fun bridge,
hiked on some trails,
walked a slack line and watched axe throwing. The kids even got to try their skills with a rubber axe.
After taking the ride back down, we hiked to Shannon Falls.
Along the trail we saw several trees with these notches in them from the logging days. They would stand on wooden planks out the sides to saw down the tree. Sad, but interesting.
Squamish was about a five hour drive from our campground so we made it an overnight trip. We saw some really beautiful scenery on our trip there.
We debated on whether we should spend the money to take the Sea to Sky Gondola ($100 for our family) but we are so glad that we took the plunge. It was great! It kept going higher and higher! The views were fantastic!
At the summit, we had lunch at the restaurant, crossed a fun bridge,
hiked on some trails,
After taking the ride back down, we hiked to Shannon Falls.
Along the trail we saw several trees with these notches in them from the logging days. They would stand on wooden planks out the sides to saw down the tree. Sad, but interesting.
The rest of the time we did a few small things. Jordan, Emma and I went for lunch at the American Girl Store,
we ate a BBQ dinner prepared by Texans in a schoolbus!,
played some candybar bingo, swam in the pool and the kids played with their new friend, Addi from Omaha.
Addi loved playing American Girl and spy games which was perfect for BOTH kids. Jordan played with her every moment available and Jacob joined in often as well. They became great friends along with another girl, Lilly.
Together they planned a party for our last day there. It was so cute because Addi's grandparents and I thought they were just pretend planning a party only to find out that they were indeed serious and gathering supplies! We had a fun time under the pavilion while it rained cats and dogs and a few of the other children in the campground joined in. It was a success!
The girls were quite sad to part but have been able to keep in touch.
Our next stop in Washington is Port Angeles.
