Summer Weekend

Last weekend we went to the cabin.  We did our usual working around the cabin.  One of the things we accomplished was replacing the bark with rocks in two small areas.

The 14 ton rock pile is significantly smaller now.  We have more projects planned.

On Saturday mid-afternoon we took the boat out.  It had been a couple of years.   The boat ran well and the water was smooth so we decided to head north.  Before long we saw the Hoods Canal bridge.  Velda called Allison and she and James came to visit.  James was quite puzzled to see Grandpa and Po Po pulling up in the boat at the beach that he goes to.  He's used to seeing the boat docked on land.

James knew where he wanted to be – the captain’s seat.  We quickly took out the keys!  Busy hands!

 They needed to meet Scott who was getting off work.  So we continued our travels. 

Velda wanted pictures of the cabin so we headed south.   We saw otters (no pictures) and seals.

We took pictures of the cabin from the water - no wonder I am tired from carrying those buckets of rocks from the beach.

Kayakers like the smooth water along the edge of the beach.

On Sunday afternoon, Allison, Scott, Velda, James, and I went for a short boat ride.  We launched very close to the Hoods Canal Bridge.

It was not as smooth as Saturday but it was sunny and it was a fun day for a boat ride.

Scott took over the wheel.

The little sailor passed out from the rocking of the boat.  He had a full stomach.  The salt water made him hungry.  He snacked on chips, cheese,  and a nutrition drink.  Next step was to take a little nap.  Allison said it was a shame he fell asleep cause he was so excited to go on the boat.

We did not have any problems launching or loading the boat.  Scott is a quick study.

James willingly chips right in to help clean up the boat.  He's going to be a great boater.
We're so amazed, for only being 2, he's always willing to learn and help.  

Projects at the Cabin

Velda and I have been on a roll at the cabin.

Velda had the idea of bringing up rocks to hide the drainage pipes.  Most of these rocks were carried up from the beach by Velda's personal sherpa.  Yes, they were heavy.  

We liked the results.

Then we had the idea to redo the front yard.  There is no "before" pictures because it looked so bad.

We took out the grasses, ground cover, the rock border, and all the weeds.

We made a drainage ditch.

We ordered fourteen tons of river rock.

While we were ordering the rock, Velda found a wonderful nursery in Belfair who had great prices.   The word spread quickly and we saw 4 deer visiting the yard.

 We moved the river rock and accented it with the new plants and pieces of drift wood we had found.

On Sunday, James came to visit.  He said, "Help Dee Pa" when he saw all the rocks.  He dived right in, one rock at a time in his bucket.

We still have some left over rocks for another project.

Velda and I leveled the steps off the master bedroom.

Besides outdoor projects, Velda had time to make baby burp cloths, wash cloths, and napkins.  She finished making clothing protectors/adult bib for a friend from church.

But I had to move her old childhood desk from Yakima into the family room  so she could see out the window at the view and see the TV.  It's much more pleasant sewing this way.

Last weekend, we even fit some time in to see Judy, Barry and their friends.  They were staying at a lake 20 minutes away.  We got to have a great Chinese noodle lunch with them and relax in the sun.