The Party Was Over and Then What?

On the Monday after the "big weekend," did we lie around and recuperate? Nope! My sister and her hubby were still in town. Since Jill and family were in Richland, WA, visiting friends, the four of us decided to go to Leavenworth and points east. After a great lunch at a German-style cafe and a quick visit to the Wooly Bully yarn shop, we continued east to Wenatchee where all the pear trees were in full bloom and then went on to Cashmere, home of the Aplets and Cotlets candy factory. Then after asking for directions, we found the Anjou Bakery which we'd read about in Marie Brenner's book Apples and Oranges. We bought some bread and cinnamon rolls because not one slice of pie was left that late in the day.

We didn't rest the next day either! That day we braved the elements and went to the Seattle Zoo with the grandkids. Much to our surprise all the animals were out in full force, more active than I've ever seen them. We were greeted by this beauty who put on a real display, turning this way and that so we could admire his tail.

The kids wanted to see the penguins, and when we went there, it was feeding time. Can you see the hopeful intruders?
We traipsed all over the place, saw elephants, bugs, giraffes, and lions. Thankfully the glass was there because both Mama and Papa lion were prowling around before they enjoyed a spot of sun.

Then on Wednesday, Jill and Michael took their family for a photo session while we headed off to Port Orchard, via Gig Harbor, instead of resting. My sister and I are fans of Debbie Macomber whose Cedar Cove series takes place in a town that resembles Port Orchard. We enjoyed a wonderful piece of pie at the Victorian Tea Room which just happens to be across the way from A Good Yarn, another yarn shop. Just for fun, we took the ferry back to Seattle, and Dick caught a surprising photo of this container ship leaving town. Can you see what's on the very top of the stack?

On Thursday, Jane and Ted went to Bellingham to see friends. Did we rest? Nope. David is crazy about trains, so we went to the History Museum in Tacoma to see the wonderful train layout there. Much to our delight and surprise, a choir friend was volunteering that morning, so David and the rest of us had a super duper tour. Afterwards, David wanted to walk across the bridge near the Glass Museum to see the real train tracks, and Dick spotted us.

(That night we had a choir rehearsal, and both of us were nearly wiped out afterwards!) However, everyone was raring to go the next morning. After Jane and Ted left for Oregon, we piled in the car and headed for the Seattle Aquarium. Again, the animals were more active than normal, especially the octopus. Again, we were glad it was behind glass! Unfortunately, I can't get Michael's great octopus video to load, so this will have to do.

The kids had a great time watching the otters and seals, touching the starfish, and looking at all the different kinds of fish. Even Daniel enjoyed himself!

Instead of going home like sensible people, we headed up to the Pike Place Market so that Sophia and David could see the pig that's in their book about the market.

The next morning they flew off to Chicago, and we spent the weekend returning carseats and high chairs and packing to head off to Oregon to spend a couple of days with Jane and Ted in their timeshare condo, but more about that later.....'