My path:

This is the Arch of Arachne, aka The tunnel where you have to employ preemptive spiderweb swimming. Unless you like cobwebs across your face.

The rain I don’t mind. It fell on me and I caught it in my open eyes.

The Westcott Bay Sculpture Park was another delightful afternoon, this time traipsing through 19 acres of fields and woods, heading for the next big outdoor installation or being surprised by diminutive sculptures nestled amongst the ferns and trees.

This is the kind of museum made for kids: they can respond authentically to the art, without having to be quiet or still.

We did attract the attention of the resident mosquito population, hungry little buggers. Here, I’ve found one on my cheek when I got to this installation (way out at the end of the park, turned so cleverly away so you get a nice surprise).

These were some of my favorites:

Brian Berman, “Genesis II”, Indiana limestone

Georgia Gerber, “Loons with Chicks”, bronze

Sabah Al-Dhaher, “Resurgence”, marble

Tom Small, “Window”, granite

And a really gorgeous specimen of my favorite tree, the pacific madrone:

This was without a doubt the most rewarding event of our week-long camping trip. We took our kayak along, intending to paddle out among the orcas, but in the end found that we had a better view from Lime Kiln State Park (which was the first dedicated whale-watching park!).

The first day we trekked out to the point it was sunny and beautiful, but alas, no whales.

The second day, we went back with a picnic lunch and intended to stay awhile. Before we even got to the park, we saw cars and cyclists pulled over to the west side of the road, binoculars out, arms waving, shouts of excitement audible. Whales!

We sat on the hillside and were treated to a half-hour show of breaching, spy-hopping, and spouting. It wasn’t easy to capture with a camera (which I’m sort of perversely glad for: you had to be there in person:) ).

ETA: the whales were from the Southern Resident L pod.

Yesterday, hot and sunny as it was, drew lots of beachgoers. I didn’t make it to the group outing at Point no Point, but we did hang out at our very own Fay Bainbridge again.

Overheard: (from a shivering would-be swimmer): “I’m from Minnesota, and this is damn cold!”

Once again, my kids don’t care. They just run right in, and when it dawns on them that it might be a little chilly, they hop out and roll around on the warm sand.

Yesterday’s beach snacks: blueberries and lychees. Can’t ever have enough.

This is the first one we’ve made it to this summer, but there are still several left, and they’re always fun.

Here’s A. rocking to Submotive.

With Neruda on the mind and Seattle on the horizon.

This morning we paddled north of Eagle Harbor, to Yeomalt Point.

Beautiful, tons of fun, the annual day at the Boundys was especially fun this year with cousins who came along.

I got to play my cello, which made me so happy!

And K. did the pie-eating contest! (With whipped-cream pies, it went fast.)

Just today I noticed this five-panel piece on Japanese-American history. Artist Aki Sogabe, a paper cutter, has created a moving and very beautiful work, and I’m surprised it’s escaped my notice until now. Two explanatory panels begin and end the installation:

In 1941 approximately two-thirds of the farmers’ stalls in the Pike Place Market were occupied by Japanese Americans.

Today none.

Song of the Earth

Song of the Farmers

Song of Joy

Song of Sorrow

Song of Memory

The United States executive order 9066 forever changed the Pike Place Market and the lives and families of 120,000 people of the United States of America.

This hike was part of a family reunion this last weekend in Salt Lake City. Near Little Cottonwood Canyon, Bells Canyon is a steep climb up a sand and boulder staircase. The view is fantastic, as is the pristine reservoir.

The hike continues on up beyond where we stopped at the lower reservoir–it looked tempting!

Fay Bainbridge was on the agenda for today. Here are all three kiddos trying to get their driftwood log launched. “That’s far enough!” I called when they actually did get it afloat. I know, I know, but they didn’t have life jackets on and I didn’t want to go fishing them out of the water.

On our way back, we stopped at Suyematsu Farm on Day Road and bought a flat of raspberries. The farm stand lady told me about U-pick strawberries over at the Manzanita Road farm, so we headed over there and picked a flat in under half an hour–thanks to my three great little pickers! They’re going to keep it open for U-pick throughout this week, and we may be back for more later. There can never be enough strawberries in the freezer in February .