On to Olympia

Got up, had breakfast, packed, loaded the truck, and went for a walk north on the Burke Gilman Trail. We were disappointed to find that it runs through mostly rather ugly industrial areas. We did go down to one viewpoint on the edge of the canal, where we found some folks sitting on park benches and looking out over the water. Looking down we saw a woman in a kayak paddling along the edge of the water. She had a net and a grabber pole, and we saw that she was collecting trash from the water. She said that a group she belonged to dedicated an hour every Wednesday morning to cleaning up the water.

Back at the house we made our final preparations to depart, locked the door, and hid the key. We were off, heading south on I-5 towards the Centennial Olympia Lacey Amtrak Station. But first along the way we stopped in Tacoma at the Bridge of Glass (next to the Museum of Glass). We saw Chihuly art glass in display cases above the bridge railing. Walking farther along the bridge we looked overhead to find the Seascape, with fanciful glass shapes packed together, but allowing the sunlight to dance through.

We dropped Chris and Anara at the Amtrak station with hugs all around. Anara will be flying out on a red eye tonight with her mom for a family trip to North Carolina. She will turn sixteen tomorrow, but we’ve already celebrated and wished her a very happy birthday.

Then we went on to Tom and Nanci’s house in Olympia. When we arrived, Ron and Margie were away with their motor home, getting an oil change. We moved all our stuff in to the guest room, and all our refrigerated food into nooks and crannies in the utility room fridge.

When Ron and Margie returned, we all sat out on the patio, enjoying the fresh air and being entertained by the birds. They have Nanci trained to bring out fresh supplies of suet feeders, finch food, corn cobs, peanuts, and bird seed at regular intervals. We got to watch the antics of the Steller's Jays and the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and the goldfinches, and a whole cast of other birds as they flew in and out.

Prize dahlia!

Ron and Margie shared reminiscences of their recent caravan to Alaska with Tom and Nanci, who had gone on an informal caravan to Alaska with Ed and Marlyn, Wes and Jenske, and Dennis and Cheryl (for part of the trip). They swapped stories and showed Nanci some of their photos.

We were happy to catch up with the news about our So Cal square dancing friends in the Rogues and Fun Wuns. For happy hour, Tom and Nanci brought out Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey and some snacks. The sipping liquor definitely reminded me of the Atomic Fireballs I had incautiously tried out in my childhood. It was actually pretty good, once your palate knew what to expect!

We had a great dinner, Tom grilled the salmon on a cedar plank (and a chicken breast for Ron). Nanci had prepared a rice and green chile dish to slip in the oven and had the broccoli ready to steam, so all we had to do was make the Caesar salad and slice the bread.

Dessert afterwards included vanilla ice cream topped with fresh fruit (choice of Marion berries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries). Then Nanci brought out the Scotcharoos she had made with Special K cereal. They are like Rice Krispies bars, but with peanut butter and butterscotch and chocolate topping. A good time was had by all, and we whiled away the evening chatting. Then Ron and Margie hugged everyone goodbye. They are leaving early in the morning.
[photos later]