We have lived here for 16 years and have never attended this parade. It took having an exchange student to get us to the parade. This was a classic parade: bands, firetrucks, police, dance groups, vintage cars and horses. The Clydesdale horses came plodding by and Robin asked if they were real. Yes, Clydesdale horses are real. I wonder what we would be surprised about. Every high school in the county had a marching band, and there were schools I hadn't heard of here as well. Some floats were better than others, such as the pirate ship. The surprise was the mermaids at the back. Of course we saw friends like Sara from dance, Linda from the radio and Jay, Robin's friend from school. When Jay saw us, his eyes widened in surprise but it almost looked like fear. We laughed. And then it was over.
"Life is simple, just add water"
And so we are. Every year we haul in the sand, pull weeds, smooth out the area and set up the pool.
Grateful for grown children that can do the work.
Grateful for a system that is in place.
However, we always have questions about the pool. Every year, there is something else we can't remember. This year it was do the poles go under or over the plastic strap around the middle of the pool. The consensus was under the strap. We even enlisted Robin to help out. Within hours we had it set up and filling. It had to be the hottest day of the year so far which is always the day we set up the pool. Next step is the solar heater. Once our system is set up, the weather will cool off and we won't use it for a month.
There are many moments that slip away, vanishing in the mist of memory. Then there are the few strange moments that seem able to live in my mind forever. Fishing is one of those things that will forever keep a place there. We don't fish very often, in fact the last time we fished (meaning John and the kids) it was particularly traumatic for them. I guess that is why I remember it so well. We still talk about it and laugh. I guess it has become one of those stories families tell about each other. Nine years later we are having another go at fishing. It was sucessful enough that he invited a friend the next time. We ate those fish from the first trip and sent home fish with Johnny from the second trip. Now he wants to try camping and living off the fish he catches. Good luck with that.
Its been too long since John and I just went away for the day together. Usually we go over night once during the winter and this year, we didn't feel like we could. I have to say that I really missed it. For us as a couple, we need to regroup, align our thoughts and reconnect. We've settled for little day trips here and there. Last year, the whole family spent an afternoon at Deception Pass so we chose to go back as a couple. We explored the island side of the pass this time. Apparently there is a trail system on the east side of the bridge on the island. We arrived in time to find a spot at the pull out. Immediately we headed for Goose Rock Summit, which has a bare rock top called the Balds. They were created by glaciers scraping the soil as they moved. From the Balds we could see the islands Deception Island, Lopez island, even Vancouver Island. On the way down, we took a little side trail and discovered Bald Eagles catching the updrafts. They are amazing birds. One landed in a tree right above our head next to another eagle that was screeching. John was standing near the base of the tree when one of the eagles decided to leave. I wish I had video of it but as it jumped off the limb, it folded it's wings back as it was diving and stretched them out at the last minute, giving them a few powerful pumps before heading over the cliff. The speed, the sound of the power of air throw the wind feathers was amazing and probably one of the neatest things to experience all day. We decided it was time for lunch so we headed back to the truck for a picnic lunch on the tailgate. Goose Rock Perimeter trail was next on our list. Again we crossed under the bridge and walked along the hillside over looking the water on the east side. This gave us great views of Strawberry Island, Ben Ure Island and Mount Baker. We had a little confusion over which spur trail to take back to make it a loop since it wasn't well marked but we would have ended up at the truck no matter what trail. We looped under the highway through a tunnel and then a short climb back to the truck. We grabbed Lona's hammock and a blanket to enjoy Macs Cove. Gun Point separates Macs Cove from North Beach at high tide. Since it was still early and we were ready to move on, we decided to check out a rhododendron botanical garden, Meerkerk Garden. It reminded me a lot of a botanical garden we saw in Hawaii. Privately owned, self guided tour, maintained by volunteers, not a lot of labels. There were some beautiful blooms and a gorgeous hexagonal rock shed that you entered through. We finished our day at a brewery, sitting outside, enjoying a cider for me and a beer for John with our dinner.