Snow Beach

Beach at Golden Gardens

Trail through dunes, from meadow to beach

Grove, West Point in distance

Christmas is coming

A favorite thing about Christmas is Jo's decorating, and this year's mantle is especially fun, with her wooden houses surrounded by evergreen trees and Tomten figures.

Snow hips

Snow berries & rose hips at Golden Gardens, December 1st.

Pond in near background, Puget Sound in far background.

Fog & Sun

Autumn mornings at the beach can charm.

These are from several days ago.

Padilla Bay

Chris & I talk about day trips now & then, and occasionally manage to accomplish one. Our proposed destination for yesterday was Padilla Bay, East of Anacortes. My Laziness inspired the suggestion, since I could get Chris to pick me up on the way, and wouldn't have to drive & meet her someplace, or worse, drive myself home afterwards.

A primary factor in choosing where we go is providing opportunities for Schmoo to chase sticks and get wet.

Birdwatching was on the plan, but weather, tides, and perhaps being a bit early in the season tended against that.

When we saw these ducks out on the bay, my head first said "scoter," but I could only see poorly defined black silhouettes, and switched to "scaup." Out of laziness again, I didn't get out the binoculars but simply took a few pictures with intention of doing the identification when I got home. Surf Scoters.

Chris's favorite parts of the day were surely Schmoo's several attempts to come forward from the back seat to get in my lap.

Disruption

For the last few weeks, they have been demolishing the buildings next door and preparing to build townhouses.

It has been noisy and disruptive. Rumbles and banging and shaking and shuddering.

Sometimes the excavator was working about ten feet from the keyboard where I am now typing, and was trying then. I am just inside the corner of the house at the left of the picture above.

I like the name on the concrete pump.

I did consider making a photo-journal of the progress of demolition and construction, but decided that dealing with the disruption would be enough of a challenge without overlaying an additional "responsibility," even self-imposed.

I'm still enjoying photography though, subject to limitations of an over-filled hard drive (i have to constantly delete to make room) and a monitor that is not up to snuff.

Quality time.

Friday, Chris & went to Golden Gardens beach.

The ship & sailboat shot above was taken especially for Vera.

While I was thus occupied, Chris sorted rocks. It seemed to be quality time.

We like the beach.

The pond turtles seem to know how to enjoy quality time.

As do kids, when there is a creek to be dammed.

Vera likes lighthouses, so this is another picture for her. Pretty short lighthouse - she'll probably be disappointed.

Archie got a little quality time too (I am also obligated to post frequent cat pictures).