The Cape

In November of 2007, Barb and I drove the one road all the way down to the end of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  One of the surprises to us were the number of huge homes that had been recently constructed.   We assumed that this narrow cape, as it juts out into the Atlantic, would be vulnerable to some vicious storms.   We were left with the question,  "What happens to all this recent construction if a huge storm hits?"  I guess we will find out this weekend.   God Speed NC.

Much of the Cape is a few feet above sea level.  The paved roads need to be graded to remove the sand.

The number of new "homes" this large were too numerous to count.

Ocean Shores

Nathan and Cailyn acquired a condo in Ocean Shores for Aug 11 - 14 in celebration of Alton's (Cailyn's dad)  birthday (14th) and Barb's (15th).  Kari joined us for one day.  It was a wonderful setting and the weather cooperated.  For the kids, it was their first real beach experience.  Fun!

one kite into the air

two kites into the air

Alton Jane and Barb with one of Cailyn's scrumptious cakes.

cracking crab

grilling tandoori without the tandoor

always working for the best shot

he is standing up

42

Since the kids have "grown" we've tried to get away for our anniversary.  Usually it has been a day trip, a hike on Mt. Rainier or a walk through some regional park or beach.  Since I no longer hike, the days' events have usually been on a bicycle or a boat.  This year, since we got a late start, we drove to Seattle and boarded our bikes for a cruise on the Bert Gillman Trail.  We fortunately chose to park at the Gasworks Park on Lake Union.  The weather was in the cool low 70's as we wound through the commercial district to the U of W and beyond.  The picture above is taken on the bridge over "the cut", the human made channel that runs from Lake Washington to Lake Union.

After a 90 minute ride which was fairly level throughout, we made our way back to Gasworks Park and sat lakeside for some hors d'oeuvres which Barb has packed.

As we sat and watched around 100 sailboats lining up across the lake, something magical happened.  A horn blew in the distance and suddenly all the boats turned, heading north toward us.  What followed (we learned it is called "Duck Dodge",  duckdodge.org,  and it happens every Tues eve during the summer, wind determined) was that the flotilla passed by us in all directions, around the lake, sometimes coming within inches of each other as each took on its own tack and direction.  The event occurred in complete silence, with only an occasion flapping of the sail. Each was on their own merry way enjoying the setting, aided by the light breeze, and the thrill of maneuvering through the myriad of boats.  Very entertaining and another event that Barb and I unwittingly walked into.  Fun.

We finished the eve with a dinner at Ray's Boathouse which, compared to 30 years ago when we first ate there, has lost a lot of its charm.

Connections in a Small World

Last night Nathan, Cailyn, Gkids, their friends Jess and Amanda and their two kids, and Barb and I attended a local Rainiers game.  Nathan had done some video work for the organization so we had free tickets.   When we went opening day last year, we met Annie, Nathan's contact with the Rainiers.  This time we met her again  and she had recently changed her last name to Wigen.  She married Brent, my cousin Kermit's son.  What a small world.  Annie, Barb and I sat together during the final innings and shared many stories.

getting settled

The girls and the "new" babies.

That was ball four.

With Annie Wigen

Gathering

My sister in law is the first Jane Aune.  This weekend brother John and Jane visited us for the weekend.  Sister Hope and LeRoy came over for lunch.  Nathan, Cailyn, Gkids, Marti Ann, Alton and Cabe joined us for the day.  Family at its best, immediate and extended.  It made no difference.  Such fun.

Jane Aune meets Jane Aune for the second time.

Auntie Hopie meets Grayson for the first time and doesn't want to let him go.