Halloween

Halloween night we had dinner at our house with Jim, Vickie, Gail, and early guests Diane, Scott, and Tyler. The Oakes entertained us for a while (especially Tyler) then took their food portions home to be available for their trick or treaters. Tyler was dressed as a tiger. Gail left early after dinner for the same reason. Jim had brought a delicious unspicey chili dinner with corn bread homemade by Vickie. After dinner we played Pictionary which became a hotly contested game with Mary and Mike barely squeeking out a win.

Sunday, October 5 Hike

This morning Jim and Vickie, Diane, Scott, and Tyler met at our house at 8:15 am. I rode with the Oakes to meet the others at the Sky Country Trailhead on Cougar Mt. We started out on the country road until we reached the trail which took us along a beautiful wooded path. It was a cloudy but fresh and lovely day for a hike. Tyler was happy to be in his jogging stroller. After 1 1/4 miles, Diane notice Tyler was falling asleep. They wanted to keep him awake so he would not miss his nap time later on so they turned around and carried Tyler back the same route to the car. Diane told us later that Tyler got down and walked through the leaves for a while and enjoyed the walk. We continued down the trail to reach Long View Peak and Doughty Falls and then looped on back to the trailhead. We walked 5.6 miles. Although Vickie got stung by a bug and Jimmy got bitten as well, it was a great day!

Vacations

Friday morning, Sept. 26, Mike and I drove to Lake Quinault Lodge, which we have often visited, on the Olympic Peninsula. On the way down we stopped at Elma for lunch which we enjoyed so much that we stopped there again on our return route. There are several good restaurants in Elma the names of which I will add later. Both our lunches were delicious. We had a great time at Lake Quinault. The weather could not have been better. The sun shone through the leaves and branches of the giant old growth forest as we walked through several trails that surrounded the lodge and the beautiful glistening lake. We enjoyed meals both at the lodge and another fine restaurant, The Salmon House, down the road. It was a great 3-day (Jim would call it 2-day) vacation which we plan to repeat again soon. Although I forgot my camera, I am showing pictures of the Lake Quinault lodge and scenic outdoors

Tyler exercises on the treadmill

Scott, Diane, & Tyler at dinner

July 4, 2008 Mike and I along with Jim and Vickie drove down to meet Scott, Diane, and Tyler for dinner at the Tokeland Hotel wher stayed the night. The next day we walked on the beach and boardwalk and then had a seafood dinner prepared by Jim.

Tyler plays with his toys Sept. 3, 2008

Tyler at Little People's Party July 2008

Diane and I took Tyler to the Erwin "Little People's Party" for all the Erwin cousins' grandchildren. Tyler had a good time with all the people and had his picture taken with the rest of the kids. Tyler was the youngest with little Ella Homenchea next, 2 weeks older.

Rockport State Park

Saturday, August 23, Mike, Jim, Vickie, Gail, and I drove to Rockport State Park, It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed a delicious gourmet lunch prepared by Jim at a picnic table in a nearby wooded area. After lunch we hiked the Evergreen trail which took us 2 1/2 miles through the forest in a loop around the park. The Vine Maples canoping the moss covered trees were part of the scenery at this mini rain forest park. Even though I somehow lost my hiking boots there, this was a terrific day. P.S. I later bought some better boots at the REI sale the next week.

Adventure Trail

Today, Saturday, Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I headed out on the same trail we had hiked on Monday. This time with a map in hand from REI, we completed the loop from Adventure Trail around Brink Trail and Swamp Trail. After about two hours of hiking we stopped to enjoy the lunch we had each prepared. It tasted delicious and we enjoyed the picnic among the beautiful old trees. It was a great day! Tonight Mike and I stay all night with Tyler at his house while his parents attend Scott's high school reunion.

Tiger Mt. Hike

Jim's blog says "Mary, Mike, Vickie and I drove to the parking lot at the High Point entrance to Tiger Mountain. We started up the steep three mile route to a viewpoint, but two members of the party turned back after a little more than a mile. The other two continued on the 3.75 mile route shown below" We were sorry Mike and Jim got tired and we had to split the hiking party up. I would include pictures however I haven't been able to find them on Jim's Twitter site. When I do, I will add them to this post. It was a fun day and some of us plan on visiting Tiger Mt. again tomorrow

Ohanapecosh

Monday August 4, 2008 Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I drove up to Sunrise on Mt. Rainier. It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. The weather was warm and comfortable. After a nice picnic near the visitor center we took a hike around the base of the Mountain past beautiful trees, lakes, and forested creatures, all with the view of the enormouse mountain beside us.

Group Lowry family picture July 13, 2008

We took a group picture with Ann, Keith, Mary, Scott, Mike, Sue, Diane, and Tyler. We never knew when the flash would go off,so Diane and Tyler just barely made it into the room before one picture was taken.

Cousin Keith visits Tyler July 11 2008

Keith came for a visit in July and enjoyed playing with his cousin Tyler.

Tyler at home in his play room

Tyler's visit May 11

May 11 2008

Tyler visits Grandparents Oakes

Mike, Mary, and Diane Join Tyler at the park

Tyler at park May 4, 2008