Pacific NW Vacation

I have to say that this vacation has been the fullest one I've had. We started Seatac Airport arriving on October 1 and drove to Greenwater, WA to the Buck Creek Christian Retreat Center in the Snoqualmie National Forest. From there we have been on both sides of Mt. Rainier traveled the Oregon coast along Hwy 101 to Florence and back North ending now in Seatac for our last leg of this amazing trip. We are finally relaxing a bit tonight in our hotel. It will be really nice to get up in the morning and NOT have to rush to pack up and leave again to drive to the next destination. We will be staying here until we leave Tuesday morning to fly back to Texas. We are going to spend a little time at the Pike's Market and of course the Original Starbucks, Jack's favorite store. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the real thing. These are memories that will last for a lifetime.

Day 8 - Vacation

We decided to drive across the Columbus River on to Long Beach, WA. Bobby reserved a quaint little motel with two bedrooms on-line (you never know what you get). The advertisement said "beach access" so it sounded really suitable for a short walk to the beach for the 2 little ones to play. Once we arrived, we realized it was a bit smaller than the advertisement (5 adults and 2 babies) and that the beach access is a long gravel road to the dunes, then over the dunes to the beach. Hmmmmmm..... not quite what we were all expecting; after further investigation, learned that there's a public access to the beach just up the road a bit. So we got in our vehicles and drove toward the beach road access and proceeded out onto the sand. It's a very windy day and sand was blowing, blowing, blowing...... Yep, you guessed it! We got stuck! Bobby just felt awful and showed a little of the Hyatt temper and took off walking, but shortly came back with new perspective and proceeded to make a plan to get us out. We all got out of the van and me behind the wheel, babies belted safely in the back seat while Alesia, Bobby, Devin & Leah proceeded to PUSH with all their might. They huffed and they puffed, but they couldn't push the van out but just slightly. Then along came two good ole boys in a white 4-wheel drive truck with a tie down strap and offered to help pull us out. Success! Bobby sped off the beach and parked it and started walking back toward the beach. By this time, these good ole boys had offered me, Alesia & baby Rylee a lift, which was nice because the sand was really deep and the wind was really blowing hard.

After a short walk on the boardwalk along the dunes (so very windy), we came back to the motel to rest and plan for dinner (yes, MORE food).

Okay now, back from dinner. It was almost as exciting as getting stuck in the sand. Just as our food arrived and Devon blessed the table, little Rylee gagged on a cracker and completely emptied her little stomach all over herself. I hate it when a baby gets sick like that. Mommy caught most of it a napkin in her hands, the nice server came to the rescue with towels, Daddy went and got clean clothes out of the car and all was better. Now back in our motel, settling in, Rylee calm and asleep, Isaac winding down and parents are kicking back for the rest of the evening. Me - just taking care of business.

With all that happened today, actually no great pictures to share yet. Check back later for more.....

Still on Vacation!

This has simply been the most amazing vacation I've had! I don't think I've ever taken off 2 weeks at one time and been to so many places on the same vacation as this one. After leaving Florence on Tuesday, we drove up the coast to the Sea Lion Caves. What a great adventure this was - more walking of course - to get to the caves to see hundreds of stellar sea lions all gathered on the side of huge cliffs by the Pacific Ocean. They do not stop barking and all seem so full of joy! The work it takes to get out of the ocean onto the cliff is mesmerizing and I could have watched them for hours. It seems as if they just get up on the cliff, and then another one takes a stroll to the edge and slides right back into the water. The waves are tremendous and so strong when they swirl into the cave and it sounds like thunder. Rylee really seemed to enjoy this part of the trip - as much as a 14 month old can. But I think her daddy enjoyed it much more - at least he showed alot more excitement!
We drove on to Newport and stopped for lunch at and had the most awesome tuna melt sandwich, crab cakes and clam chowder! Then off again to drive on to Lincoln City where we found the best hotel yet - the Coho Inn. Newly remodeled and decorated, we were pleased to have a room that actually had two bedrooms - this worked out perfectly for baby Rylee and her daddy could watch TV (that's very important you know)! I slept in the main room and left the sliding door open so I could hear the waves. The ocean was again above my expectations and the crashing waves sound like a rainstorm in Texas - only BETTER! The hotel also offered a free (yes, free) breakfast - one where you can cook your own waffles and eat all you want for FREE! Yes, we did partake in this meal. Gotta keep up our strength for the rest of our trip. Today's weather has now rolled in with the typical Pacific NW fog and dripping. Rather cold too. I'm really kinda glad that it's been like this today, because what's a trip to the PNW without a little fog? Before leaving Lincoln City, we drove down to the beach, I put on a plastic bag (over my broken foot / boot, of course) and walked the very windy, cold and wet beach! But, oh what a wonderful walk! I just don't think it can get any better than this! Back on the 101 headed North for Seaside. Stopped at several other points of interest along the way and met up with Ty Jones in Tillamook at the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch and a tour; tasting all the wonderful cheese and of course topping it all off with ice cream! We have not been shy on the calories and I have to say my trainer will really have his work cut out for him when I get back to San Antonio!
We made it to Seaside, OR and met up with Devin, Leah and Isaac and are staying at their family timeshare. This is a great place and seems like a really good idea for future vacations. I'll have to look into it.
After a tasty seafood meal and a short walk back to the hotel, the babies are bathed and in bed, their moms and dads are down at the pool and I stayed in the room with a glass of wine and my computer. This is the life!
Wonder what excitement is in store for me tomorrow. Stay tuned for more.....

Vacation!

I'm finally on vacation! Oh yeah, I've been away from the office for many reasons these past 18 months - death of my best friend and husband Jack Dear, the birth of 2 grandchildren, a broken foot . . . but now I'm really on VACATION! I have my computer but I'm not logging in to my desktop at work. I'm not making or receiving phone calls from the office and I'm not even thinking about how it's going there without me. I'm simply enjoying time off.
So I boarded a plane Friday, October 1, 2010 with my trusty companions, Bobby, Alesia & Rylee Hyatt, for Seattle, Washington. We arrived at noon and got into the rental car (a Toyota Sienna) and excitedly drove up 410 to Buck Creek Camp just past Enumclaw, WA. This gorgeous place was home for Bobby and Alesia before God called them to move back to Texas (for which I am so thankful). We spent three nights at the Creek Side Cabin; were joined by friends Devin, Leah and Isaac Wolters and then Jeremiah Shade and his girlfriend Rachel (didn't get her last name). We made a couple day trips - one to Sunrise on one side of Mt. Rainier then to Paradise on the other side. Hiking at Paradise was a bit more challenging with my foot in this boot, but I was determined to get to the destination to spread Jack's ashes. It took a while because once we got to Myrtle Falls, so did all the other tourists! Taking pictures, hanging out, blah, blah, blah. When the crowd finally split, I let his ashes out on the ground by the trees at the falls viewpoint. It was a bitter-sweet occasion - one I will never forget - nor do I want to.
We left Buck Creek Monday morning for Chehalis, WA to Devin and Leah's house. We took the little ones (Rylee & Isaac) to the Corn Maze (really think the adults had more fun) and then enjoyed a delightful dinner at Leah's folks house. Back to the Wolter's house to put the babies down, relax and watch a movie. After a delicious home cooked breakfast the next morning, we were on our way today to Florence, Oregon. We had lunch in Portland with a friend from Arizona (Jen Jones) and then on to Salem where we met up with my friend Sean Banks (interim HR Director from January to May in San Antonio) for a brief "hello and hugs". Then on the road again to Florence. We found a really nice hotel right on the beach front and ate amazing seafood at a great restaurant in town. Tomorrow, off again traveling on the 101 to our next stop.
More to follow......