Forty-Three Years and Still Together

August 31, 2005 was our 43rd wedding anniversary. We celebrated with an overnight trip to Portland where we visited Powell's Bookstore. You could spend a week there! It is a huge store with new and used books together on the shelves. Paul spent time in their separate, technical book store while I browsed the biggest selection of quilt books I've ever seen in their main store that is a square city block in size! We went from there to visit Paul's niece (Kathy) and went to dinner with their family. That night we stayed in Forest Grove, Oregon, a little west of Portland area. The next morning we drove north along the coast, taking our time and seeing some sights. We had hoped to visit Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark wintered, but we found that would be a two-hour tour, so will have to make it another time.

This view of the ocean through the trees was at a rest stop off Highway 101. 

We had been on the Oregon coast from Portland south, so we decided to take 101 north along the coast to Astoria before cutting back to Interstate 5. It was really pretty.

We happened upon a quilt and textile museum near Tillamook, Oregon. Pretty big quilt block on the side of the building! 

We stopped along the way for a tour of a cheese factory and lunch on the Oregon coast. After watching them make the cheese, we had samples and wonderful ice cream. A fun tour! 

The Tillamook Cheese factory with its logo ship the Morning Star. The ship was used in the early years to transport cheese from Tillamook to Portland. 

Dairy display inside the cheese factory. 

Another Train Ride

A day trip while Nate and Jane were here was lots of fun. We took Mason and Spencer with us and traveled for about an hour over to a location near Mt. Rainer--a little town called Elbe. The train ride was through the trees, with a view of Mt. Rainer at one point. The weather was beautiful on the hour and a half ride (45 minutes each way). The train had two covered passenger cars and one uncovered car plus caboose. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch and a tour of a tiny historic church in Elbe.

The steam train went for 45 minutes from the little town of Elbe near Mr. Rainier. 

Alex went along for the ride. 

Spencer was a cool passenger. 

John enjoyed it from all angles! 

Paul and Mason enjoying the ride. 

Nate capturing the view. 

Jane in the outdoor car on the train. 

A glimpse of Mt Rainer from the train (with a glimpse of Spencer's head). 

Temple Trips Continue

We continue to enjoy working in the Seattle Temple on Fridays. It is especially nice now that we are a bit more over the learning curve.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood! 

"I love to see the temple..." 

The temple grounds always have something blooming... 

Impatiens and fountain on Seattle Temple grounds.