Exploring Seattle

"When are we going to be in a city?" Markos asks from time to time. Finally we're in one. We approached Seattle by ferry and took in views of the skyline and seagulls as we pulled into the docks. Thankfully a easy, flat bike path led us along the waterfront and around the city to our friend Camille's home. As we rode along the bike path remnants of the "Hempfest" festival remained as interesting persons, including a older man wearing only orange underwear, picked up debris from the weekend's events. Seattle itself has tons of steep avenues throughout the downtown area. (Thanks to our friend Matt, our search for a lightweight non-stick wok was carried out in a motorized vehicle.)

Our Seattle experience included exploring the sculpture garden, visiting the aquarium, a chance meeting with my sister-in-law Felina and nephew Daniel (thanks Facebook!) and a up-close view of Jupiter - Camille pulled out her telescope and taught us how to dial in the planet. We saw three of its moons and the shadowed stripes across its surface.

Sampson's Journal Aug 20th - Today we woke up at Twanoh State Park and had mango and oatmeal for breakfast. After breakfast we biked to Shelton for lunch. Later we went on a road that we didn't know where it went so we asked at the fire station. They said there was a different road so we went on it. After a while we asked someone and they let us camp on their land.

Markos writes - Aug 16 We saw Alan. He was happy to see us again. He showed us a wooden boat. He wants to buy the boat. It is green and white with wood trim. We also took a ferry.

Tarn describes travel by ferry - I like to ride ferries. We ride our bikes onto the ferry. There are ropes that tie up to hooks on the ferry. My dad ties the ropes to the bikes. There are stairs up to the inside and there our doors to go out.

Games to play while riding bikes:
when it's hot: "ICE"
Name all the words you can think of that have "ice" in them. Players take turns. This game is quite effective to divert young minds on a hot afternoon. Sample game:
ice-cream
ice skates
ice cubes
black ice
icicle...
next game could be "SNOW" or "WATER" etc.

"Colours" Markos and I played/created this game on a slow climb up the Cascades
Name ten things that you see or can think of that are "yellow", (next "red", "orange", etc)
example: yellow leaf on a tree, yellow line on the road, yellow flower, yellow spray paint
This game can take a very long period of time.

"The Interview Game" source: Janine in Republic, WA Very effective when Tarn is nodding off.
One player poses questions and the other answers.
Who do you like better, Batman or Spiderman?
Do you prefer apples or bananas?
Do you like to sleep in a bed or a sleeping bag?
Etc.

Some delicious one burner meals:
Farm stand Fritata
Chard, eggs, potatoes, onion, garlic, mozzarella
Saute onion, garlic and thinly sliced potatoes. On the side beat a dozen eggs and toss in thinly sliced chard. Pore over the vegetables. Slow cook until eggs are done. Top with thinly sliced mozzarella. Cover. Serve. salt and pepper to taste

Brown Rice Dinner by the Shore
almonds, brown rice, broccoli, red onion, garlic, granny smith apple, mushrooms, carrots and cheddar cheese
Chop and toast almonds. Set aside. Cook brown rice, simmering 15 min. covered, then set aside to finish cooking off the burner. Chop up broccoli stems, red onion, garlic and carrots while rice is simmering. Saute in a little bit of water. Add chopped mushrooms, broccoli florets and chopped granny smith apple. Cook a little longer. Mix all vegies in with the brown rice and top with cheddar cheese and toasted almonds. Cover so that cheese melts. Serve. Flavour with curry powder, salt and pepper.