Sunshine

Today 4/30/2014, is the the warmest day yet (80 degrees) clear and sunshine too!!!
I'm in heaven!!!

I had to get out and about to do a few errands and look what I saw all day long, 

right here in Tacoma!!

Towering high above I-5 in the clear blue sky...

beautiful Mt Rainier! Rarely such a view as this due to the overcast skies.

and I enjoyed a nice drive down through the waterfront district too... 

Commencement bay water is so calm today, like glass!

and the Point Defiance Park critters are still waiting to be fed... 

We are really gonna miss this place especially now since the weather has cleared and we are able to get outside!  Steve will start negotiating for his next contract soon...

I'm rooting for Denver, CO. I would love to gaze at the Rocky Mountains all summer long...

but for now we still have 5 more weeks to enjoy Washington State.

Point Defiance Park

The days have been sunny...but not warm. We are still wearing at least a hoodie and long pants. It's usually in the 40's at night and 50's during the day, maybe 60's if the sun peeks out. 

On Saturday afternoon, 4/26/2014, the sun peeked out for a moment. 

So, Spencer and I headed to a neighborhood park here in Tacoma!

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park

Wow! what a great park...we took the 5 mile drive and stopped at the lookouts along the way.

Here's the ferry to Vashon Island

We even visited a little seaside beach and people are even playing in the ice cold water!

so much wildlife here...Ducks 

and wildflowers...must be Spring but it's still 55 degrees.

so picturesque with many sailboats, fishing boats and kayaks!

hidden forest trails too!

and some music on this lovely afternoon...

someone didn't read the sign...lol

It looks like this guy is finishing off a sandwich!

yumm yumm there's more...  

we continue our drive and stop at a lookout..with a narrow trail to a ledge...

where we have the most incredible view of the day...

so tranquil...

and breathtaking...

and this is the edge of the ledge, literally...don't look down!

but I did and look what I saw...

California Sea Lions! 

But the best surprise of all...was the beautiful Bald Eagles!

I was looking out over Commencement Bay and they flew right in front of me!

I took at least 20 pics rapid fire and I was so excited to find these when I uploaded my camera! 

and the last shot of the day was this great view of the historic Tacoma Narrows Bridge! 

Spencer was with me but we rarely spoke all afternoon.

When we got home and I found the pictures on my camera he didn't seem as excited as I was...

but then he smiled and said, "Mom, I saw them with my own 2 eyes flying wild and free. 

I don't need to look at your pictures!" 

Yeah, I'm one happy mom right now and I'm reminded of one of my favorite verses...

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Portlandia Day 2

Steve and I woke up early on Easter morning, 4/20/2014, and headed out on foot in search of 2 things...coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts. 

Bliss!

I think it's that a way...

found it!

no line at 7:00 am

what should we order?

who knows? just pick some...

we have to get a voodoo doll!

and a tshirt... 

Rockets fans...this is the hex Portland put on Houston!!!

explains everything...

Success!

crazy good donuts... yumm

all the cool people walk around with pink boxes...lol

raspberry filled chocolate iced voodoo doll, lol

We picked up a maple glazed bacon donut for Spencer and took him for a surprise outing...

a classic arcade

http://groundkontrol.com/

another interesting building...The Armory, looks like a castle.

Now its a medieval dinner theatre.

We also hit up the Portland Saturday market on Sunday!

Eat like an Egyptian...

few pictures, but lots of crafts/vendors/food trucks and lots of walking... 

if only my cats would wear one...and made of recycled materials too! lol

Willie?? 

we mostly just did some shopping and sightseeing all afternoon, so much to see!

there's a high population of homeless kids too...

this sign says "will wrestle your mominlaw for a buck"

weirdos

We walked all over Portland but now our afternoon is coming to a close, time to head back to Tacoma...

here's the Union Station!

So ready to board our train, we're tired!

It was an uneventful boarding and train ride back to Tacoma. 

We enjoyed a lovely sunset as we crossed the Columbia River into Washington State...

ByeBye Portland for now!