Mount Vernon to Portland

Sunrise 

Belle

Phil

After breakfast, George, Debbie, and I walked down to the lake and back.

Then it was time to pack up to head to the Mount Vernon train station.

Mount Vernon station

Cool stained glass inside the station.

A nearby mural.

It was a full train.

We found some seats and stowed our stuff and then went to the cafe car. 

We managed to play a game of 10, 9, 8.

Some views on the train ride 

We arrived in Seattle.  It was a longer stop.

After Seattle, the cafe car opened up again.  We went for lunch.

Nor an inspiring lunch. We then played another round of 10, 9, 8. By this time we had lost our regular seats so we stayed in the cafe car.

I had wanted to take a picture of Kalama as we passed, but another train was in the way.  

Coming to Oregon.  This is a view of Mt. Hood.

We arrived in PDX

Rebecca met us.  That was unexpected and very nice.

We dropped Nathan off at his place and then we went home.  We started a load of laundry and I finished this blog.  It is good to be home, even though we had a fabulous time.  

Reviews - trails and such.

We went on the MAX, a plane, several cars, a bus, a whale-watching boat, a tram, a ferry, a taxi, an Uber, and a train.

I lost track of how many rounds of Bananagrams and of 10-9-8 we played.  We had some great meals. 

We went on 8 hiking trails.

Mendenhall Glacier Trail - easy well-maintained trail with a great view of the glacier and waterfall.

Mt Roberts Trail from tram to Father Brown's cross - lots of uphill, nice trail, fabulous view. 

Treadwell Mine Trail - - on Douglas Island - an informative, interesting walk through the woods, with old ruins and information about the gold mine.

Mt Bradley Jumbo Trail - - on Douglas Island - Lots of uphill hiking but through beautiful woods and meadows. Great waterfall

Flume Trail - very easy trail, on a boardwalk. The rain was the issue.  Couldn't see much of the Flume.

Rainforest Trail - - on Douglas Island - was a nice trail, fairly level, beautiful woods.

The 

Shrine of St Therese Garden Trail - on Douglas Island - not really much of a trail. The garden was pretty, labyrinth was nice, flowers were a little disappointing.

Rainbird Trail - Ketchikan - pretty but some parts were very challenging. One spot had a great view.

Skagit Nature Trail, Mount Vernon WA - Nice well maintained, flat trail.  Close to the Skagit airport.  

I will go back later when it is easier to get at earlier pictures.  I want to add one picture for each trail. 

Debbie and Joe's Saturday

 

Sunrise

Debbie and I walked to the lake and also to the mailbox.

After everyone had breakfast we headed to walk the Skagit Nature Trail South near the Skagit airport..

It was a nice trail, well maintained and flat.  The weather was still cool.  We picked a route that was about 2 miles.  

Debbie zoomed in and did a close up.

We passed the airport.  It seemed like there were a lot of planes taking off and landing.

Don't jump!

The trail was maintained by the local library.  That was nice to see.

It was fun during the day we kept doing Mt Baker photo stops.  

When we were through with our walk Joe drove us to La Conner for lunch.  We wandered around first because it was a little early for lunch. 

We went to the restaurant but they did not open until noon, so we went somewhere  else for some beverages.  

At noon we headed back to the Firehall Kitchen and Taphouse for lunch.

They had some games to play.

Jenga

Nathan and Joe playing Cornhole in back.

Nathan and I played connect 4 but they ran out of yellow discs so we had to quit.  No one won.

I had grilled cheese, tomato soup and Brussels sprouts (yummy with gorgonzola, cranberries and balsamic vinegar).

Ice cream at the Ice Cream Tower.

Interesting grate covers for the drains.

We then went to an Alpaca Farm and gift shop.

 

Cute Alpacas.

By then we were all tired and ready to go home for a rest break.  We relaxed for a while before starting up a game of 10, 9, 8 with a glass of wine.  

Then Joe started dinner.  He was doing Mahi Mahi and steaks in the Green Egg.  Debbie made salad and couscous.  

I had the filet mignon 

Joe with the Green Egg

After dinner and after we got the dishes put away we played a couple of rounds of Bananagrams.  

We walked down to the lake.  It was much cooler.

When we got back from our lake walk, Joe had a chance to show us the cars he has been working on.

TMI: He has 3 Corvairs a red 62 Monza 900, yellow Monza Spyder (turbo) 64, and a gold Corsa Turbo 65. The yellow and gold are both convertibles.  Then he also has 3 VW square backs.  Right now he is just working on the Corvairs.  

Sunset.  It has been a very full day.