Prosser, WA

Sept 10, 2013
We arrived at Wine Country RV Park in Prosser just after noon. We had lunch and sat out in the sun until my sister Terry arrived at about 3. We helped her get her RV set up. Then we made our plans for the next couple of days. After dinner the three of us sat out enjoying the warm evening.

Sept 11, 2013
After breakfast we drove around to several wineries and a distillery for some tasting. We had a great time tasting and checking out the gift shops at the tasting rooms. Of course we found some things in the shops that we didn't know we couldn't live without. Then it was back to the park for lunch and sitting around in the heat. In the evening our friend Greg Wozny came by to have dinner with us. Afterwards we all sat around the fireplace. Greg left at about 10 and we stayed out until about 1 AM. We are wild and crazy campers.

Sept 12, 2013
More of the same for wine country. The three of us went for more wine tasting on another hot 90 + degree day in Prosser. Then a visit to Chuckar Cherries for some samples and purchase a couple sauces and a stop at a very cute gifty shop. After getting lunch at Sub Way we went to camp for the remainder of the day. I went for a swim and lounged around the pool to cool off later in the afternoon. We had a light dinner and sat around the fire with Terry until about 10 and went to bed to rest up for our trip home in the morning. It was still 75 degrees at 10:30 at night.

Sept 13, 2013
We were up and the rode home at about 9. We went to an orchard in Yakima to pick up some apples for saucing. It was a nice drive but got cloudy when we reached Enumclaw. Welcome back to Western Washington.

Prosser, WA

Sept 10, 2013
We arrived at Wine Country RV Park in Prosser just after noon. We had lunch and sat out in the sun until my sister Terry arrived at about 3. We helped her get her RV set up. Then we made our plans for the next couple of days. After dinner the three of us sat out enjoying the warm evening.

Sept 11, 2013
After breakfast we drove around to several wineries and a distillery for some tasting. We had a great time tasting and checking out the gift shops at the tasting rooms. Of course we found some things in the shops that we didn't know we couldn't live without. Then it was back to the park for lunch and sitting around in the heat. In the evening our friend Greg Wozny came by to have dinner with us. Afterwards we all sat around the fireplace. Greg left at about 10 and we stayed out until about 1 AM. We are wild and crazy campers.

Sept 12, 2013
More of the same for wine country. The three of us went for more wine tasting on another hot 90 + degree day in Prosser. Then a visit to Chuckar Cherries for some samples and purchase a couple sauces and a stop at a very cute gifty shop. After getting lunch at Sub Way we went to camp for the remainder of the day. I went for a swim and lounged around the pool to cool off later in the afternoon. We had a light dinner and sat around the fire with Terry until about 10 and went to bed to rest up for our trip home in the morning. It was still 75 degrees at 10:30 at night.

Sept 13, 2013
We were up and the rode home at about 9. We went to an orchard in Yakima to pick up some apples for saucing. It was a nice drive but got cloudy when we reached Enumclaw. Welcome back to Western Washington.

Fort Stevens, OR

August 26, 2013

We can’t check in at our next destination until after 1 and it is only about 60 miles away so we got up,  had a nice breakfast and leisurely packed up and got on the road at about 11. We stopped for groceries and gas to fill some time. Heading north on 101 near Gearhart there was a bad car accident that delayed us for over 30 minutes. We arrived at Fort Stevens State Park on the northwest corner of Oregon at about 1:30.  It was raining. We got set up and went for a walk to the wreck of the ship Peter Iredale. When we got the ocean the wind was blowing harder than we have experienced maybe ever. The wreck is only a small part of the hull of the original ship. It was about a 2 mile walk round trip. The rain had stopped so back at our site we sat around enjoying the surroundings. This is a real nice park with lots to do and a lot of families enjoying themselves. After a real good dinner we sat around our fire for the rest of the evening.

August 27, 2013

After breakfast we drove to the historic area of Fort Stevens. This is part of the 3700 acres of the whole campground and fort. There is a historic walk we took that took over two hours and was probably over 2 miles. Fort Stevens was dedicated on July 4, 1865 to guard the Columbia River from invaders intent on taking the territory. It went through many changes through its history before being decommissioned in 1947. The fort is the only place in the US that was attacked during WWII. On June 21, 1942 a Japanese submarine fired on the fort. No one was hurt and we did not return fire because the fort commander didn't want to show where the firing batteries were. Also because the sub was out of range. The walk around the fort was very interesting. There was also a military museum we visited on the site. Then it was back to camp for lunch and enjoy our last day of this trip. One of our neighbors has been here a week or so fishing in the Columbia. The last two days they have gone out at about 6 and are back by 10 with their limits. They had smoked some of the salmon and were nice enough to give us a couple pieces. There’s nothing wrong with fresh warm smoked salmon and an ice cold beer. We spent the day reading and relaxing. After dinner we sat out enjoying the fireplace protected by our awning in a light drizzle.

August 28, 2013

We hit the road for home at about 9 in clouds but a promise of sunny skies. We got home just after noon and got unpacked while the weather was favorable. Next trip Sept 5 to the Columbia Gorge.

Fort Stevens, OR

August 26, 2013

We can’t check in at our next destination until after 1 and it is only about 60 miles away so we got up,  had a nice breakfast and leisurely packed up and got on the road at about 11. We stopped for groceries and gas to fill some time. Heading north on 101 near Gearhart there was a bad car accident that delayed us for over 30 minutes. We arrived at Fort Stevens State Park on the northwest corner of Oregon at about 1:30.  It was raining. We got set up and went for a walk to the wreck of the ship Peter Iredale. When we got the ocean the wind was blowing harder than we have experienced maybe ever. The wreck is only a small part of the hull of the original ship. It was about a 2 mile walk round trip. The rain had stopped so back at our site we sat around enjoying the surroundings. This is a real nice park with lots to do and a lot of families enjoying themselves. After a real good dinner we sat around our fire for the rest of the evening.

August 27, 2013

After breakfast we drove to the historic area of Fort Stevens. This is part of the 3700 acres of the whole campground and fort. There is a historic walk we took that took over two hours and was probably over 2 miles. Fort Stevens was dedicated on July 4, 1865 to guard the Columbia River from invaders intent on taking the territory. It went through many changes through its history before being decommissioned in 1947. The fort is the only place in the US that was attacked during WWII. On June 21, 1942 a Japanese submarine fired on the fort. No one was hurt and we did not return fire because the fort commander didn't want to show where the firing batteries were. Also because the sub was out of range. The walk around the fort was very interesting. There was also a military museum we visited on the site. Then it was back to camp for lunch and enjoy our last day of this trip. One of our neighbors has been here a week or so fishing in the Columbia. The last two days they have gone out at about 6 and are back by 10 with their limits. They had smoked some of the salmon and were nice enough to give us a couple pieces. There’s nothing wrong with fresh warm smoked salmon and an ice cold beer. We spent the day reading and relaxing. After dinner we sat out enjoying the fireplace protected by our awning in a light drizzle.

August 28, 2013

We hit the road for home at about 9 in clouds but a promise of sunny skies. We got home just after noon and got unpacked while the weather was favorable. Next trip Sept 5 to the Columbia Gorge.

Nehalem Bay, OR

August 24, 2014

Today we awoke and broke camp for our next stop at Paradise Cove RV and Marina about 70 miles south on the Oregon coast. In our camping directory this looks like a real nice park with two pools and very nice sites. We haven’t found any of that yet. Where we are parked we have a view of the marina on Nehalem Bay through the spaces between the big rigs in front of us. The sites are gravel and pretty close together. The clubhouse on the lower level is nice with clean showers and meeting area. We’ll do some exploring tomorrow to see if we can find the other areas. We drove to Rockaway Beach for a pizza lunch. There was an old steam engine train that was traveling the old tracks giving people rides that was pretty cool. After lunch we needed some groceries so we drove to Garibaldi to shop. Most of the towns in this area are very quaint. Then it was back to camp to sit around and enjoy the sunny day. At about 7 PM the steam engine that was in Rockaway Beach came up the tracks that cut through our park. I guess this happens occasionally because there were people standing near the tracks to see it. I think it was going to Nehalem.  At about 10 it came back south en route to Rockaway Beach.

August 25, 2013

Not much to say about this day. The weather was mostly sunny. The park is very boring. There are no families with kids playing around the park. I think the kids are at the upper area where the pools are. We drove up there and found there isn’t anything that we like about this place. Fortunately we are only here until tomorrow

Nehalem Bay, OR

August 24, 2014

Today we awoke and broke camp for our next stop at Paradise Cove RV and Marina about 70 miles south on the Oregon coast. In our camping directory this looks like a real nice park with two pools and very nice sites. We haven’t found any of that yet. Where we are parked we have a view of the marina on Nehalem Bay through the spaces between the big rigs in front of us. The sites are gravel and pretty close together. The clubhouse on the lower level is nice with clean showers and meeting area. We’ll do some exploring tomorrow to see if we can find the other areas. We drove to Rockaway Beach for a pizza lunch. There was an old steam engine train that was traveling the old tracks giving people rides that was pretty cool. After lunch we needed some groceries so we drove to Garibaldi to shop. Most of the towns in this area are very quaint. Then it was back to camp to sit around and enjoy the sunny day. At about 7 PM the steam engine that was in Rockaway Beach came up the tracks that cut through our park. I guess this happens occasionally because there were people standing near the tracks to see it. I think it was going to Nehalem.  At about 10 it came back south en route to Rockaway Beach.

August 25, 2013

Not much to say about this day. The weather was mostly sunny. The park is very boring. There are no families with kids playing around the park. I think the kids are at the upper area where the pools are. We drove up there and found there isn’t anything that we like about this place. Fortunately we are only here until tomorrow

Long Beach

August 19, 2013
Off to Long Beach this morning for 5 days at the annual kite festival. We left the house with sun in our eyes so it looked good for the drive. After leaving Hwy 101 near Montesano it got pretty cloudy and we were driving through mist by the time we approached the beach. It was cloudy and pretty windy until early evening when the sun broke through. The town looks pretty much the same as two years ago with no additional vacant businesses. We are staying in the Sandcastle RV park about 1/2 mile from town. Don the owner is really nice and mindful of our needs. He stacks the rigs in close so we don't have much of a "yard" but we don't plan on spending a lot of time in the park.

August 20, 2013
We woke to a beautiful sunny and windy day. Perfect for the kite fliers. After breakfast we drove to the Astoria area to do some shopping and preview a park we are staying in next week. Back in Long Beach we had lunch and walked to the beach to watch some competition and general activity. There was a group of quad line, that's four control lines, kite fliers rehearsing for an event. At one time there were 36 kites and another 16 kites doing synchronized maneuvers. Really amazing.

 There are always some very decorative kites that are anchored in the sand. Some are 100 ft long.

We also watched some kite fighting where several kites launch and try to knock each other out of the sky by crashing into each other or cutting the opponent's line. Then we stopped at the Castaway's Bar and Grill for a drink and a cup of fantastic clam chowder. Back to the park for the remainder of the day enjoying the great weather. We had a light dinner and sat out by our fire until about 10.

August 21, 2013
After breakfast we walked into town to see if there was anything new going on. More kites, sun and wind. A real strong wind. We walked back to the park on the paved trail along the beach with the wind dead in our faces. Quite brisk. After lunch we again walked into town to watch kite ballet. In this competition a flyer or pair of fliers fly their kites to their choice of music. Pretty entertaining. Then back to the park for dinner. The wind died down a little in the evening so we sat out enjoying the full moon and a mild night.

August 22, 2013
After breakfast we got drove to Oysterville on the North end of the peninsula to explore the old community and get some fresh oysters. Didn't find any of them I wanted so went to Ilwaco  and various other locations to find some. After lunch we drove, tired of walking, into town where Gail checked out the stores and other attractions while I went to the beach to see what the kiters were up to. I found a couple from California that we met here two years ago. Jim and Lynn are avid kite fliers traveling up and down the West coast attending numerous events from March-October. They were part of the 36 person flight I talked about and pictured earlier in the week. As I was watching some of the kites the wind stopped! I mean the kites were falling from the sky. It was very weird. I walked back into town and met up with Gail. I found some oysters at a fish market, brought them home and ate them. Pretty good but not as I had anticipated. We had our camping neighbors, Gil and Sherry Martin from Osoyoos, BC over for cocktails after dinner. They are a fun couple traveling the Washington Coast.

August 23, 2013
Well it was a cloudy day at the beach but the wind was up so lots of people were having a great time. After breakfast we walked into town and watched them. In one area the four line Revolution kites were gathered en masse and were putting on quite an exhibition. There were 64 kites in the air doing synchronized moves. Very impressive. Then back to camp for lunch and just sitting around. We were getting pretty lazy so went for a walk north of town for a change. Most of the RV parks and motels are full for the kite festival. We went out to dinner at the Lightship Restaurant. In the 80’s when we started coming here it was the Potlatch at the Chautauqua Motel where we stayed. The restaurant had gone through some changes over the years, none for the better, but now its quite nice. Gail had prime rib and I had New York steak. Both were very good and more than we usually eat. We watched the Seahawks beat up on Green Bay so that was a great desert. Gil and Sherry, our neighbors, went into town to watch the lighted kites and fireworks display. It was very cloudy and even rained during the time these events were to happen. We could hear the fireworks but the clouds were so low most of them went off in or above the clouds so they looked like muted flashes.

Long Beach

August 19, 2013
Off to Long Beach this morning for 5 days at the annual kite festival. We left the house with sun in our eyes so it looked good for the drive. After leaving Hwy 101 near Montesano it got pretty cloudy and we were driving through mist by the time we approached the beach. It was cloudy and pretty windy until early evening when the sun broke through. The town looks pretty much the same as two years ago with no additional vacant businesses. We are staying in the Sandcastle RV park about 1/2 mile from town. Don the owner is really nice and mindful of our needs. He stacks the rigs in close so we don't have much of a "yard" but we don't plan on spending a lot of time in the park.

August 20, 2013
We woke to a beautiful sunny and windy day. Perfect for the kite fliers. After breakfast we drove to the Astoria area to do some shopping and preview a park we are staying in next week. Back in Long Beach we had lunch and walked to the beach to watch some competition and general activity. There was a group of quad line, that's four control lines, kite fliers rehearsing for an event. At one time there were 36 kites and another 16 kites doing synchronized maneuvers. Really amazing.

 There are always some very decorative kites that are anchored in the sand. Some are 100 ft long.

We also watched some kite fighting where several kites launch and try to knock each other out of the sky by crashing into each other or cutting the opponent's line. Then we stopped at the Castaway's Bar and Grill for a drink and a cup of fantastic clam chowder. Back to the park for the remainder of the day enjoying the great weather. We had a light dinner and sat out by our fire until about 10.

August 21, 2013
After breakfast we walked into town to see if there was anything new going on. More kites, sun and wind. A real strong wind. We walked back to the park on the paved trail along the beach with the wind dead in our faces. Quite brisk. After lunch we again walked into town to watch kite ballet. In this competition a flyer or pair of fliers fly their kites to their choice of music. Pretty entertaining. Then back to the park for dinner. The wind died down a little in the evening so we sat out enjoying the full moon and a mild night.

August 22, 2013
After breakfast we got drove to Oysterville on the North end of the peninsula to explore the old community and get some fresh oysters. Didn't find any of them I wanted so went to Ilwaco  and various other locations to find some. After lunch we drove, tired of walking, into town where Gail checked out the stores and other attractions while I went to the beach to see what the kiters were up to. I found a couple from California that we met here two years ago. Jim and Lynn are avid kite fliers traveling up and down the West coast attending numerous events from March-October. They were part of the 36 person flight I talked about and pictured earlier in the week. As I was watching some of the kites the wind stopped! I mean the kites were falling from the sky. It was very weird. I walked back into town and met up with Gail. I found some oysters at a fish market, brought them home and ate them. Pretty good but not as I had anticipated. We had our camping neighbors, Gil and Sherry Martin from Osoyoos, BC over for cocktails after dinner. They are a fun couple traveling the Washington Coast.

August 23, 2013
Well it was a cloudy day at the beach but the wind was up so lots of people were having a great time. After breakfast we walked into town and watched them. In one area the four line Revolution kites were gathered en masse and were putting on quite an exhibition. There were 64 kites in the air doing synchronized moves. Very impressive. Then back to camp for lunch and just sitting around. We were getting pretty lazy so went for a walk north of town for a change. Most of the RV parks and motels are full for the kite festival. We went out to dinner at the Lightship Restaurant. In the 80’s when we started coming here it was the Potlatch at the Chautauqua Motel where we stayed. The restaurant had gone through some changes over the years, none for the better, but now its quite nice. Gail had prime rib and I had New York steak. Both were very good and more than we usually eat. We watched the Seahawks beat up on Green Bay so that was a great desert. Gil and Sherry, our neighbors, went into town to watch the lighted kites and fireworks display. It was very cloudy and even rained during the time these events were to happen. We could hear the fireworks but the clouds were so low most of them went off in or above the clouds so they looked like muted flashes.

Packwood, WA

July 28, 2013

Another beginning of another trip. We drove to Lacey to pick up Carley for our annual trek to Cascade Peaks near Packwood, WA. After getting her stuff and two bikes loaded we were off to Peaks at about 10:30. It was a sunny ride through Yelm, McKenna, Eatonville, Elbe, Morton and Randle arriving at about 12:30. We got set up, had lunch and Carley and I went fishing. Our usual fishing spot on Skate Creek was a lower than last year and we didn’t see any fish. We explored up the creek and found a new site we will try in a day or so. Back to the park after a couple hours to enjoy the sunny day. We all took a walk to see where we can access the Cowlitz River. We found a trail we can use when the others, Carley’s sis and Mom, Tracy and her family and the Hughes’ family arrive. Carley rode her bike around and played on the various toys until dinner. After eating we sat around the fire til about 10 when Carley went to bed and we retired at 11.

July 29, 2013

There were clouds on the hilltops when we woke but they burned off before 9. We had a nice breakfast and took a drive to find a productive fishing spot. In Packwood we stopped at the sporting goods store to ask questions. I asked when Skate Creek will be stocked. Bad news, they aren’t stocking it anymore  but he said there are still fish in the creek. The owner suggested a couple spots near White Pass so we drove about 15 miles to Knuppenberg Lake/Pond. It’s a pretty clear mountain pond almost to the top of the pass. Carley and I hiked in and fished for about an hour. We had a couple bites and one on but none landed. The fish were feeding on the surface so it might be better for fly fishing. On the way back we stopped at a Viewpoint of Mt Rainier. We have never seen her from that close from the east side. What a beautiful site here are a couple pictures.

Then back to camp for lunch. Carley went for a swim but the pools aren't heated enough for me so I stood in the shallow end for a while and sat on the side watching her. Later Carley and I took a bike ride all around the park just to check it out. It’s still about the same but the new owners are making efforts to clean it up. We all sat out in the sun until dinner time and back out for the fireplace until the bugs drove us inside at about 10.

July 30, 2013

The day started a little cloudy but the sun came through at about 10 to give us another beautiful day. Carley and I checked out a couple of fishing sites on Skate Creek but didn't have any luck. Our friends Hart and Amy Hughes and their kids arrived at about noon. They had been camping at Ohanapecosh Campground on Mt Rainier for three days. This is the fourth year they have joined us at Cascade Peaks. Their kids, Ethan and Emily, are 8 and almost 6 respectively. We have known Hart since he was in fifth grade with our daughter Tracy. We feel they are part of our family. After they got set up Hart and the kids and I went for a swim in the pool. Then back to camp for another lovely afternoon and evening. Whenever we see a truck with corn in it, our favorite snack and meal, we yell, "CORN!!! Oops there goes one now.

CORN!!!!!!!!!!!

July 31, 2013

After breakfast Carley and I went to Iron Creek to see if there we could get some fish. I caught one little skulpin but no trout. When we got back a neighbor told me he and his grandsons had been to Knuppenberg Lake and caught some pretty nice fish. He told me what they used so we’ll  have to go back and try again. Our daughter Tracy and family had gotten to the park while we were fishing and about an hour later Stephanie and Caitlin arrived so the family gathering is complete. This is a joyous time for us every year. We have such a great time playing and just messing around. Carley moved her stuff to her mom’s site so it’s just us in the trailer again. The “kids” are tenters so their site is a short walk from where we are set up. We got a little rain today and some pretty impressive thunder. It's the first time we have gotten rain when staying here in August since the first year five years ago. Later in the afternoon all the kids went for a swim while we, the guys, talked fishing strategy and other plans for the rest of the trip. Gail and I went back to our site for dinner and rejoined the gang for some fire time before retiring for the night.

August 1, 2013

I realized this morning that I always start my blog with the weather. This is strange to me because I have some diaries of my Great and Great Great Grandfathers that always start with the weather. When reading them I think, why did he always start with the weather? Who cares?. So I’m not going to do that because it was cloudy again today. All day. Geez, I can’t do it. We spent the day roaming around the park and visiting with other campers. We had all the little kids, six of them, at our place for the traditional dinner of Chili-ghetti and breadsticks. Here are a couple pics of what it looked like.

My buddy Ethan Hughes wearing his chili-ghetti.

Then we went to the other camp to enjoy their fire. We came back to our site at about 9 for the remainder of the evening.

August 2, 2013

I picked up Hart and Erik at about 9 this morning to go fishing. We went to Knuppenberg Lake where Carley and I had tried earlier in the week. Erik caught a nice trout fly fishing. We went back to the park where two of the granddaughters cleaned and ate the catch. I went back to our site and Gail and I read and sat out for the day. After dinner we joined the gang again at their place for a while. After dark at our site we were visited by 9 of the gang on bikes festooned with glow sticks. It was quite a festive site.

August 3, 2013

The dads took the kids, six of them, fishing on Skate Creek this morning. We caught a few small trout but nothing we could keep since there is an 8 inch minimum size. We had a good time and some of the girls explored the area and found a new place for us to try tomorrow. After lunch everybody went to the Cowlitz River to sit on a sand bar, dig a very large hole and cool off in the river. Gail and I stayed a while then left them to their fun. After dinner the group came to our area and we played a couple games of horse shoes. Gail and I then sat at our fireplace until we were again joined by some of the clan with more glow sticks on their bikes at about 10 PM. This is always such a cool outing.

August 4, 2013

Well, here I revert. We woke this morning with the sun shining gloriously with a promise of 80 plus. Hart, Erik and I took 5 kids to breakfast at the park store which opened their new café for biscuits and  gravy before venturing off to another fishing trip. This time it was pretty productive as far as catching but since we couldn’t keep trout under 8 inches we had cold cuts and leftovers for lunch. We did have a pretty good time since most of us caught fish. The term we use is “Whaddup fishes?’ Then it was back to camp for an afternoon for all except Gail and I lounging in and near the Cowlitz River. Gail and I took a walk to where the clan was enjoying the day. We didn't stay because it was too hot. At about 6 when they were leaving the river it was still over 85 degrees. Gail and I enjoyed the majority of the afternoon in our site chasing shade. Not the sun we chased earlier in the week. We went to the kid’s site for the evening and then back to our site. I have to tell you this. We have a Native American couple parked next to us from Shelton, WA. They are in the area to do a traditional “Cedar strip’ of trees. They have a crew of about 15 people to do a control strip of Cedar bark in several areas to supply them with basket making and other materials. The best part of this chat is that the lady next door brought us two pieces of high mountain blackberry pie and a pint Haggen Daz ice cream. We have had some darn good pie in our day but this was the best. The berry filling was perfectly cooked and the crust was flaky and sweet. What a great treat having this at the end our day.

August 5, 2013

We got up at about 8 to ready ourselves for the trip home.We had a wonderful time again at Cascade Peaks. When we were packed we walked to the kids' site to say our goodbyes. They will be another few hours packing up all the camping gear. We drove home through Olympia to drop off the twins' bikes since Steph didn't have room in her SUV. Then home at about 1:30. We are home for about 2 weeks then off the the Kite Festival in Long Beach.

Packwood, WA

July 28, 2013

Another beginning of another trip. We drove to Lacey to pick up Carley for our annual trek to Cascade Peaks near Packwood, WA. After getting her stuff and two bikes loaded we were off to Peaks at about 10:30. It was a sunny ride through Yelm, McKenna, Eatonville, Elbe, Morton and Randle arriving at about 12:30. We got set up, had lunch and Carley and I went fishing. Our usual fishing spot on Skate Creek was a lower than last year and we didn’t see any fish. We explored up the creek and found a new site we will try in a day or so. Back to the park after a couple hours to enjoy the sunny day. We all took a walk to see where we can access the Cowlitz River. We found a trail we can use when the others, Carley’s sis and Mom, Tracy and her family and the Hughes’ family arrive. Carley rode her bike around and played on the various toys until dinner. After eating we sat around the fire til about 10 when Carley went to bed and we retired at 11.

July 29, 2013

There were clouds on the hilltops when we woke but they burned off before 9. We had a nice breakfast and took a drive to find a productive fishing spot. In Packwood we stopped at the sporting goods store to ask questions. I asked when Skate Creek will be stocked. Bad news, they aren’t stocking it anymore  but he said there are still fish in the creek. The owner suggested a couple spots near White Pass so we drove about 15 miles to Knuppenberg Lake/Pond. It’s a pretty clear mountain pond almost to the top of the pass. Carley and I hiked in and fished for about an hour. We had a couple bites and one on but none landed. The fish were feeding on the surface so it might be better for fly fishing. On the way back we stopped at a Viewpoint of Mt Rainier. We have never seen her from that close from the east side. What a beautiful site here are a couple pictures.

Then back to camp for lunch. Carley went for a swim but the pools aren't heated enough for me so I stood in the shallow end for a while and sat on the side watching her. Later Carley and I took a bike ride all around the park just to check it out. It’s still about the same but the new owners are making efforts to clean it up. We all sat out in the sun until dinner time and back out for the fireplace until the bugs drove us inside at about 10.

July 30, 2013

The day started a little cloudy but the sun came through at about 10 to give us another beautiful day. Carley and I checked out a couple of fishing sites on Skate Creek but didn't have any luck. Our friends Hart and Amy Hughes and their kids arrived at about noon. They had been camping at Ohanapecosh Campground on Mt Rainier for three days. This is the fourth year they have joined us at Cascade Peaks. Their kids, Ethan and Emily, are 8 and almost 6 respectively. We have known Hart since he was in fifth grade with our daughter Tracy. We feel they are part of our family. After they got set up Hart and the kids and I went for a swim in the pool. Then back to camp for another lovely afternoon and evening. Whenever we see a truck with corn in it, our favorite snack and meal, we yell, "CORN!!! Oops there goes one now.

CORN!!!!!!!!!!!

July 31, 2013

After breakfast Carley and I went to Iron Creek to see if there we could get some fish. I caught one little skulpin but no trout. When we got back a neighbor told me he and his grandsons had been to Knuppenberg Lake and caught some pretty nice fish. He told me what they used so we’ll  have to go back and try again. Our daughter Tracy and family had gotten to the park while we were fishing and about an hour later Stephanie and Caitlin arrived so the family gathering is complete. This is a joyous time for us every year. We have such a great time playing and just messing around. Carley moved her stuff to her mom’s site so it’s just us in the trailer again. The “kids” are tenters so their site is a short walk from where we are set up. We got a little rain today and some pretty impressive thunder. It's the first time we have gotten rain when staying here in August since the first year five years ago. Later in the afternoon all the kids went for a swim while we, the guys, talked fishing strategy and other plans for the rest of the trip. Gail and I went back to our site for dinner and rejoined the gang for some fire time before retiring for the night.

August 1, 2013

I realized this morning that I always start my blog with the weather. This is strange to me because I have some diaries of my Great and Great Great Grandfathers that always start with the weather. When reading them I think, why did he always start with the weather? Who cares?. So I’m not going to do that because it was cloudy again today. All day. Geez, I can’t do it. We spent the day roaming around the park and visiting with other campers. We had all the little kids, six of them, at our place for the traditional dinner of Chili-ghetti and breadsticks. Here are a couple pics of what it looked like.

My buddy Ethan Hughes wearing his chili-ghetti.

Then we went to the other camp to enjoy their fire. We came back to our site at about 9 for the remainder of the evening.

August 2, 2013

I picked up Hart and Erik at about 9 this morning to go fishing. We went to Knuppenberg Lake where Carley and I had tried earlier in the week. Erik caught a nice trout fly fishing. We went back to the park where two of the granddaughters cleaned and ate the catch. I went back to our site and Gail and I read and sat out for the day. After dinner we joined the gang again at their place for a while. After dark at our site we were visited by 9 of the gang on bikes festooned with glow sticks. It was quite a festive site.

August 3, 2013

The dads took the kids, six of them, fishing on Skate Creek this morning. We caught a few small trout but nothing we could keep since there is an 8 inch minimum size. We had a good time and some of the girls explored the area and found a new place for us to try tomorrow. After lunch everybody went to the Cowlitz River to sit on a sand bar, dig a very large hole and cool off in the river. Gail and I stayed a while then left them to their fun. After dinner the group came to our area and we played a couple games of horse shoes. Gail and I then sat at our fireplace until we were again joined by some of the clan with more glow sticks on their bikes at about 10 PM. This is always such a cool outing.

August 4, 2013

Well, here I revert. We woke this morning with the sun shining gloriously with a promise of 80 plus. Hart, Erik and I took 5 kids to breakfast at the park store which opened their new café for biscuits and  gravy before venturing off to another fishing trip. This time it was pretty productive as far as catching but since we couldn’t keep trout under 8 inches we had cold cuts and leftovers for lunch. We did have a pretty good time since most of us caught fish. The term we use is “Whaddup fishes?’ Then it was back to camp for an afternoon for all except Gail and I lounging in and near the Cowlitz River. Gail and I took a walk to where the clan was enjoying the day. We didn't stay because it was too hot. At about 6 when they were leaving the river it was still over 85 degrees. Gail and I enjoyed the majority of the afternoon in our site chasing shade. Not the sun we chased earlier in the week. We went to the kid’s site for the evening and then back to our site. I have to tell you this. We have a Native American couple parked next to us from Shelton, WA. They are in the area to do a traditional “Cedar strip’ of trees. They have a crew of about 15 people to do a control strip of Cedar bark in several areas to supply them with basket making and other materials. The best part of this chat is that the lady next door brought us two pieces of high mountain blackberry pie and a pint Haggen Daz ice cream. We have had some darn good pie in our day but this was the best. The berry filling was perfectly cooked and the crust was flaky and sweet. What a great treat having this at the end our day.

August 5, 2013

We got up at about 8 to ready ourselves for the trip home.We had a wonderful time again at Cascade Peaks. When we were packed we walked to the kids' site to say our goodbyes. They will be another few hours packing up all the camping gear. We drove home through Olympia to drop off the twins' bikes since Steph didn't have room in her SUV. Then home at about 1:30. We are home for about 2 weeks then off the the Kite Festival in Long Beach.