What I Did This Summer

I got to have Ben here three days a week during summer vacation - one of the things we did was go to swimming lessons.

Eagle Homestead Park

There is a park - Eagle Homestead Park - out by the Nooksack River - off the Mt. Baker Hiway - on Truck Road. When we moved here in 2001 the park was being built - and it was flat and bare and rocky. We hadn't been out that way for several years now - and we were shocked at the change. They had planted native trees and shrubs - and with the rain and sunshine here the plants had grown until there was no flat places - no rocks visible - and you can only find the river after quite a hike through the trees and bushes.

When the park was first built you could see all the way to the mountain - now it is grown lush with vegetation.

Rustic picnic tables in clearing that are well maintained . . .

Many walking paths and hiking trails . . .

Tables and benches dedicated to beloved family members . . .

Seats for a rest during your hike . . .

Don, reading an informational sign . . .

The sweetest smelling bush - was everywhere in the park . . .

This is the seed head . . .

And the leaves . . .

And flowers - the scent spread throughout the park . . . I never did find out the name of the bush . . .

This is the spot we set up our lawn chairs and ate our lunch - it is peaceful and quiet here - not many people come to this park.

The green of the trees was magical . . .

Farther down the road was a farm - spread out on the flat land along the river . . .

With a lovely, well kept yard . . .

And a tire swing - can you hear the children laughing and playing?

A Trip to Samish Island

We took a little drive down to Samish Island one fine summer day . . .

There are such pretty cottages along the bluffs - this rock one is charming - and now is a summer rental. Can't you just feel the summer sea breezes as you sit out on the lawn?

The side garden has a fence and a lovely arbor made from branches. . .

A nice place for an afternoon of reading and sipping iced tea . . .

The cottage even gets it own name!

Another stone cottage just down the road. These are real stones, gathered from the beach. That was not an easy task I'm sure, since the beach is straight down very steep bluffs.

Lovely flowers everywhere !

On the way back home we took a different route and came upon this darling Antique Shop - unfortunately it was closed . . .

Forever . . .

Masses of Goat's Beard lined the roads . . .

An interesting garden shed - appropriate for the seaside cliffs . . .

More flowers . . .

The views from the bluffs were astounding!

The clouds danced and sang . . .

It was a perfect day . . .

And there was a butterfly chair - just waiting for a child to come and sit and swing their legs back and forth and dream of fairies in the summer . . .

Wouldn't you just love to sit in a butterfly chair and dream of fairies?