Life is to enjoy once you survive. Having survived the week, the Red Headed Irish Wisecracker and I took the pickup and a long weekend on the way to celebrate the birth of our first child forty four years ago.
Rolling north , we decided to cruise to Olympic National Park. The sun, which turned out to be the last regular sun for the year was bright and the sky blue as we ascended to Hurricane Ridge on the peninsula.

Towards the end of the day , took a ferry across the Sound, always a great experience.
Mystery mountains are always ready to sneak into your perception. This one goes by Rainer, as seen from the lido deck of the ferry.
On to North Cascades National Park, which we got to check off our National Parks list.
My daughter is at the top of her game, just below the game of thrones warfare in the executive suites but leading actual things of importance. Looking at her sets off deja vu all over again.
She asked for some advice on leading people, I delivered it in semi cryptic form. She is growing into the job so fast it fills me with pride and dread, knowing the bloody mess that comes at the next levels.
We had cake, with candles, and the grandchildren sang the birthday song to their mom.
On the way home, the rains began. We grabbed the last prolonged sunlight and now can gear up for the eternal moisture of the Pacific Northwest.
Beautiful pictures TKC. We came home today a little bit soggy.
Love to see your pics, TW. (I am asking for Blondie.)
Thanks, Dime. I would love to see pics! TKC, these are beautiful. I hope to one day camp in your part of our great nation.
blondie, do they have cameras in your part of the country. (Hint hint.)
My pictures don’t hold a candle to these beauties.
There is no need to compare, Blondie. Your pictures will bring us joy.
The Washington State Ferry System is always amazing. And cheap. I like taking the Bremerton-Seattle run. It is a great way to see Seattle by day or night.
Western Washington is a place to behold when the sun is out. There is a deep green in the trees and everything seems better for the wait.
Deception Pass is a great drive into Whidbey Island.
You took some wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
Great pics. This country has such a variety of natural beauty.
Such a variety of colors and atmospheres in your pics, just lovely. And congrats on your daughter’s success.
I often wonder about the East Coast fixation with Europe. There are so many beautiful segments of this country, hard to grasp why one would run to Europe for sightseeing or vacation. Yes, some sections are pretty interesting, and there’s a lot of history there, but I rather doubt all the various vistas of this country have been exhausted by those same travellers.
Lovely, TKC! Thanks for the chance to “come with”…Agree wholeheartedly, Dev!
Wow! Wonderful photos and a wonderful story. Thank you so much.