Early morning walk around the neighborhood in Snoqualmie (right out my front door). A lovely late afternoon at Rattlesnake Lake in beautiful North Bend, just 5 miles from our home. I have hiked to Rattlesnake ledge a number of times. But, every time I go to the lake, I'm reminded just how lucky I am to be so close to such a beautiful place. [View Full Entry]

---

---

The Olympic Sculpture Park sit on top of Puget Sound. It's a great, somewhat, new addition to Seattle's cityscape. Seattle really needed a place to walk, sit and just admire the scenery. This is the place for us, just a short walk north of the market. The Park opened Jan 2007, a nine-acre industrial site was transformed into an open and vibrant green space for art. The park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience sculptures in an outdoor setting, while enjoying incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and the Sound. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Since August we have had two terrific trip to Seattle. The first was to find our dream home, the second to settle into it. Being away from our home (while Tim is working in Pittsburgh) will be harder than I thought... we'll make the best of it. For Tim and I there is no place like Pike Place Market... it's our most favorite place in the world. The food, the people, the sights.... it just can't be beat! I guess this is the feeling of HOME. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Before we began to pack up our home in St. Louis. I had one place I needed to cross off my list of "Must do before I move" list. So, my friend Helena and I drove south (from STL) to Johnson's Shut-In state park. It was a perfect day, or as perfect as a day can be for me. I was with a friend, the sun was shining, and I was walking in a beautiful place. Plus, Helena bought lunch, which again for me was a HUGE perk. I love Helena as a friend, but the fact that she bring the [View Full Entry]

---

---

Tim and I decided that a lovely road trip to northern Michigan would be a terrific way to spend July 4th weekend. We stopped along the way to see my mother, brother and his family in Crown Pointe, IN. My brother has two boys, Jake (7) and Ryan (5). We had a great visit, and enjoyed some good ole' fashion Indiana garage sitting (see photos). The next day we travel up to spend the night with my dad and stepmom in Grand Rapids, and then continued the trip "Up North" to Elk Rapids, MI. Tim's dad and stepmother have a beautiful [View Full Entry]

---

---

Last week, I went to visit Tim in Pittsburgh. He is working a temp assignment there for a few months. Anyway, I had never been to Pittsburgh and thought it might be a fun place to visit (after reading about the "renaissance" that has taken place in Pittsburgh since the 90s). In the 70s, the steel industry all but left the Pittsburgh area, but still I was expecting to see a lot of smoke stacks and soot. I saw nothing of the sort. Pittsburgh is really a lovely city with a vital downtown, surrounded by the three rivers and rolling green [View Full Entry]

---

---

The first part of June Ken came to STL and we spent a great two weeks together. We took a day trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park (S.E. part of the Lake of The Ozarks). There are many great trails and a super cool old castle. Well, it's not a real old castle. Built the first part of the 20th century, but the material where bought in from europe (whoa). It caught fire and burnt twice. Finally after three different owners, it was made into a state park. We toured a Frank Lloyd Wright house that is about 2-3 miles [View Full Entry]

---

---

Hello, a little travel update. I was very busy with the Master Gardener Program the first half of his year, so not too much traveling for Tim and I. However, we did go to Florida for Ken's graduation the first part of May. I have posted a few photos from a day trip to Wakulla Springs, south of Tallahassee. I know most people go to the beach when they visit Florida (and Florida has some very nice beaches). I think if you really want to see the REAL Florida then you must experience one of the many natural springs. The cypress [View Full Entry]

---

---

Tim had some business in SF, so I thought what a wonderful time to visit this beautiful city (FREE hotel room). Plus, escape a few days of the HOT and humid Missouri summer. My dad grew-up in and around the bay area, so I asked him if he would like to meet Tim and I there to show us his favorite places. I'm so happy that he agreed. We met on a Saturday afternoon. We stayed at different hotels, that were both located near Union Square, so it was easy to meet-up. After we got settled into our hotels, we decided [View Full Entry]

---

---

Tim and I love to play tour guide in our "new" city. So, Ken and Fey are perfect victims.... HA. Ken has spent enough time roaming the midwest. Frankly, in my opinion there is only so much any one person can tolerant from the midwest..... Hey, I'm a midwestern by birth, so I can make such a statement..... and you know it's true. But, we make the best of it. We show the kids the Gateway Arch, a must do when in St. Lou. We have lunch at Morgan Street Brewery in Laclede's Landing (one of STL older parts/neighborhoods on the [View Full Entry]

---

---