"The Coast"

Every August, for the past 20 years, Fisher's 90-something Grandpa drives 1000 miles to where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean to fish the salmon run. Nothing can prevent this trip (I do mean that - not even weddings or deaths). I think grandpa lives for his two weeks out at the coast. When Fisher interviewed for his job, it was agreed that he could have this week off to come back and go to "The Coast". I was more excited for the Fisher coming home part than the actual fishing part!

We loaded the car with camping gear, snacks, and kids and made the 13 hour drive to Ilwaco, Washington. We stopped overnight in Tri-cities and the following day at Multinomah Falls (below).
I spent most days in camp which was within walking distance of the beach! We could hear the waves crashing as we fell asleep each night. Curly and Lou had lots of fun playing in the sand. Curly's Grandpa showed her how to cast with a child size pole and she thought it was great - like father, like daughter.


Poor Lou woke up with a bug bite right between her eyes that swelled until she looked like a Star Trek character (I am not a trekie so I can't tell you which).
I went out on the boat fishing one day. I love the ocean and took tons of pictures....until I got sick. In between puking I managed to catch a few big, beautiful, salmon. My plan was to document the whole fishing experience - but all my attention was focused on keeping breakfast down - a battle I lost to the rolling sea.

That's my fisher!

Grandpa Lake doing what he loves!

It turned out to be a good fishing year and we came home with lots of yummy salmon!

We spent the last day sight-seeing. We picked blueberries and checked out the Long Beach kite festival.

Grandpa took all the kids on a short boat ride before the trip was over.

All good thing do come to an end and Fisher is back in Arizona. Only two more weeks until we move into our house! It's been nice for me to be able to spend a time with family and friends here and wrap up loose ends, but I have to say I am very excited to be with Fisher and in our own place.