VACATION!

So why is it that a week can take forever, when you're doing some (most?) things, and yet as soon as you put that magical 'V' word in front of the same number of hours, they fly by as if somebody hit the FF button on the big remote of life?

We were on vacation this past week. Above, you see us on Day 1, aboard a state ferry heading to the San Juan Islands, and specifically, Orcas Island. We camped (yes, camped - with tents!) at Moran State Park on the island for four days and nights, and had an incredible time!

Some highlights? Well first, Cindy and I were very relieved that our new utility trailer not only fit all of our gear inside, but also held together for the entire trip! (we'd only built it one week prior, and hadn't driven it more than around the block before)

Then there was the hiking... Us lazy suburbanites hiked approximately 10 miles in 2 days, and that's WITH Cindy suffering from Plantar Faschiaitis. The first day's hike took us up to Cascade Falls, and as you can see, it was well worth the hike!

Day two brought us around Cascade Lake and the Rosario Lagoon, which was another great one. Some would argue that it was even better, since it was (1) shorter, and (2) more level. Anyway, there was some more awesome nature to enjoy along the way, including this totally cool tree that was growing out over the water. I had envisioned a picture of the kids up in the tree, above the water, but then Cindy started talking about making backup plans in case they fell in, and suddenly nobody wanted to leave the safety of the lower trunk. Still, it was definitely a Kodak moment. (ummmm, I guess technically, it was a Panasonic moment...;)

A little further in our loop around the lake, we came across a bald eagle perched on a log in the lagoon! We were able to get fairly close - much closer than we had been the day before when we saw one soaring above the swimming area of the lake... but I wasn't close enough for a good pic. I did get a "kinda okay" pic though... (that's it on the log)

Our last day of venturing out saw us driving up to the top of Mount Constitution, the highest point in all of the San Juans. From the top of the mountain, you can see all the other islands as well as cities in both the U.S. and Canada, mountains, and really gorgeous deep blue water. But if that wasn't high enough for ya, there's also an observation tower that gave even more specactular views!

So the hiking was great! But there was more... Cascade Lake has a swimming area that the kids spent every afternoon in! We'd bought a little blow-up raft, and they never got tired of climbing in, flipping it over, wash, rinse, repeat!

And in addition to our cool bald eagle sighting, we also had some "Woodland Creatures" come to us, visiting our campsite. Some, like this young buck deer, were an awesome reminder of just how close we were to nature!

Others, like the thieving raccoons that trashed out camp in the middle of the night, eating anything with a high carb count (no bread or chips left... luckily, they didn't seem to like chocolate very much) just seemed to remind us that even though we were on vacation, Raccoons are still horrible creatures. Oh well, at least our chickens were safely locked in their coop this time!

Then, as suddenly as it began, it was Friday morning and time to tear down our tents and leave our beloved Campsite #85.

It's Saturday night now, and I just can't seem to accept that it's over... Gotta go back to work and the normal routine after just one more day... Ahh, sweet vacation memories... TAKE ME AWAY!!

Oh, and if you're one of those types who actually enjoys looking at other people's vacation pictures, just click here to go to our photo album!