The Tucker Family Circus: July 2011

The Olympic Peninsula was great! It might look a little gray but let me tell you - these pictures do no justice. It smells like heaven! Green- clean- crisp. No funky fish smell- no humidity. Yes, you are NOT sitting on the beach having margaritas served to you-- but it is a whole new universe. AMAZING! I want to go back with just me and Thomas-- it is a place to sit- pray- watch and just be. Gorgeous. Not to mention - killer sunsets. God has kept this part of the world a secret.....

Henry's first "beach" - NW style.

Yes- it happened to be cold but gorgeous...

Water was about 60' and so was the wind.

There is so much wildlife. The amazing thing is- when the tide goes out you see the most amazing things. Birds, starfish, little crabs, anemone, and WHOLE sand dollars!!! We collected over 20 whole, beautiful sand dollars.

The search is ON!!

Tide is out and that is a LOT of space to run...

Yes- they are still ALIVE!!!

Blaise wanted to bring it home- but it was still "walking".

THE HOH AND QUINALT RAINFOREST!

It's a LONG story- but this is a lovely memorial in the Quinalt RF.

I have never seen such beauty! I go back to the "smell of crisp clean, green". The Olympic Peninsula is an amazing place. You can have the ocean on you left, the rain forests on the right and in the South this the lake district along with the forest. Ok- here is where a LOT of our paper comes from folks. It was interesting to see that our logging industry came to a HOLT back in early 90's. Amazing thing- the "speckled owl" was becoming endangered bc the owl would "live" in certain trees up in the Olympic Pen. Welllllllll, it became close to extinction and BAM- the Feds close out the logging community in some of the Peninsula, like Auberdeen WA. ( Home of John Elway and Curt Cobain). It is one of the saddest places on Earth.... REALLY! Another thing of Gov. gone wrong. So the point? The spotted owl is being "taken out" by another bigger owl... thought that was called "The Circle of Life"??
Ok- off my soap box. The rest is gorgeous!
Anyone--- Can you tell me the difference between National Park and National Forests? See answer at the end....

A hike to be remembered for life.

Big Man hiked...he is good!!

The Lord of the Rings...

Hobbit Holes!

The "Ruby Beach" was such an experience.

When you look out- it makes your soul "breathe".

Tide was coming back in- Low tide is out past the BIG rock.
ALL the stones are flat and almost perfectly round.

They were having fun- but was a little chilly! I know- it looks like one of those family pictures of '"why did they bring me to this place" but they loved it!!

Biggest SLUG on the planet... for real!

Jax in "awe" of Ruby Beach!

WAAAAY out is the lighthouse!

The rainforest are lovely. They go from the ocean to lakes. There is the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest. My pictures do no justice but you MUST see. Google the National Geographic issue of the Hall of Mosses.... you will put this on your "bucket list".
The Quinalt Rain forest was amazing.... a lake on one side and 1 mile or so over is the ocean. Stories of the indians and how they preserve and produce the Salmon you eat on a daily basis. If there is a "trip" you need to plan with your children- this is it!! You won't be sorry. You will see so much and it will set a new view in your mind of what really happens in our world. Your children, grandchildren and college students need to see this. We get to go back with my Dad and family in August. It will be on the "East" side. We get to visit the Indians and fishing communities.... another lovely adventure.

A fallen tree- Thomas is 6'0

The Hall of Mosses- and a Nurse Log!

When 2 trees fall in the forest do they make a noise?

Quinalt Lodge

The Biggest Spruce Tree in the NATION!! This is the "root system"...Hello!!!!

Random spring falls and 2 Forest Fairies...

A great hike up the rainforest... and we found a BIG fresh bear scat... makes you look around!

The hall of Mosses! Amazing

ANSWER:
National Park: You cannot alter its natural state.
National Forest: You can --- including logging, etc.

Jinky came for a visit and brought Barbara with her. This is Thomas's Mom and Sister. We had a lovely visit. It was perfect timing-- Thomas's bday! I am pretty sure they enjoyed the visit. Nice, cool and beautiful scenery.....

Went to Silver Falls and I thought my Sis-in-law was to run the entire way up the falls. She was so excited. She just couldn't believe the beauty. The nice thing was- she even got to see SNOW in May!! The very last part of it was melting in the park. The parks were not completely open but it was fun to stroll around where you could. The rest of the time was "visiting" and playing with the kids. I think overall it was one of the BEST visits we ever had!!! We have been missing them ever since. Pretty sure my SIL is going to move here one day!!! :-}

If you wonder who Madelon looks like- here it is.... "Mini Me"- Jinky Jr. WOW- I mean CARBON COPY!! Look at their faces- even the smile is the same!!

RIDGE TO RIVER Jr. Race

Teams of 5 get together for the best kids race in the NW! It was a LOT of fun to watch the kids dribble, run, bike and jump their way through the race. The best part- the little girls won their heat!!

Basketball dribble, Running, biking and obstacle course of jumpy things. Some how my friend Marti and I ended up gathering the team together. She designed the shirts and I made sure all the kids got there for the practice. Mass chaos does NOT even explain it! Organizing 15 kids and their parents is tough. I had never done this before and they were asking ME what to do???? UMMMM- out of towner, folks!?!?! It all worked out and in the end- worth every second. I will not organize all the teams next year- but look forward to the fun of taking the "action" pictures. Oh- and no one broke a sweat... it was nice and cool. There is something exciting to see your kids racing! You can see from the faces- serious to laughing! I admit- I cried..... I know- I am a sap but I cried. I love these guys (all 5 of them)!!!

Teams:
RACE INVADERS- Jax, Peter, Leo, Nevada, Wyatt and honorary member Sam