The view that I am enjoying is not the one that some of you watch on tv with Whoopie Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar and the rest of them that I don’t remember, I don’t watch it. The view that I speak of is breath-taking. Before me through the picture windows I see Mt. Rainer. It’s peak is covered with snow and as one’s eye follows it down the mountain there is not a barren spot to be found. My sister in law told me it’s been too cold, not warm enough yet to melt the snow. The massive evergreen that line the hills smell of the outdoors. They frame the mountain as if they were designing it for our Creator.
As my eyes follow the tree line they are drawn into historic Gig Harbor where my sister-in-laws live. They reside in the Finholm District. The Finholm family who owned much of the land still has a small market in the town. You can reach it by car but walking the flights of stairs created for the direct route are an interesting way to arrive at the front door of this establishment. I will warn you to manage your energy, the trip back up will challenge your knees and your legs. Everyone needs a challenge don’t they?
I have spent part of my vacation here looking at the mountain and watching all makes and models of boats enter and leave the harbor. Tonight some will gather in the harbor for the fireworks display. it’s not put on or paid for by the town but by the residents who live on opposite shores from one another. They shoot them from one side and then the other. Not orchestrated in any way, they just do it. It’s beautiful and it shows the ability for people to reach across the harbor to create something special. If only our lawmakers in Washington could get along and do what we elected them to do. I can dream about it can’t I?
Tonight we will feast with family and friends and watch this spectacle together. My furry nieces and one furry nephew will watch too. Sadly though my furry niece Madison will probably head to the lowest level of the house to ride it out. She just got what we call ” The Thunder Cape.” It is a compression coat for dogs that helps to make them feel more secure. Think of it as a tightly swaddled newborn, comfy and cozy. This analogy shared by my sister-in-law helps explain how it works. It seems to help her along with a spritz of lavender aromatherapy. Treats also help to ease the anxiety. I wondered if it works for dogs will it work for people too? It could also replace “Spanx” for humans.
As the afternoon progresses more boats may troll or sail into the harbor to anchor and watch the show. I have enjoyed soaking up the sun and drawing in the crisp clean air from the deck.
Today is our last day here, tomorrow we will take two flights home. There is always a mix of emotions for the crew when we have to return to reality. We have enjoyed the hospitality of my sister and her husband in Portland, OR. We visited the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and took a submarine tour, very cool. Enjoyed a drive to Skamania Lodge for huckleberry creme brulee among the other fun things we chose to do together.
We traveled north to Gig Harbor, WA and still further to Seattle to spend time with my husband’s family. Relaxing in the exercise pool and hot tub with whirlpool. You can see the mountain while enjoying warmth of jets massaging your body. We walked downtown Seattle visiting Pike’s Market. I spied some enormous peaches that looked picture perfect, I went back and bought some after we ate lunch. They are so juicy you need a bib, or at least I do to consume them. We strolled the Seattle Zoo. Do I have a favorite memory of this trip? That’s a hard one. I think its about spending time with family. Laughing and sharing.
Some people take vacations that are planned down to bathroom breaks. I grew up that way. When you live in a large family things need to stay organized so that chaos doesn’t ensue. I made a pack with myself that I would not have itineraries or be on schedules that were planned down to the last minute. Life is not about always being on a schedule. Each day should not be about trying to accomplish so much that one wears themselves out and there are people who do. I am not one of them.
I want time to relax, to sleep in, yes I have been known to do that. I don’t need a schedule for the day, life changes and plans can change. I am not saying to throw the thought of coming up with ideas out the window ; I am simply saying not to be so regimented that you loose sight of the fact that vacations are for; relaxing…..Ahhhhh.
Two people could look at the same view that I am looking at as I write and neither one of us would come up with the same visual description of what I am seeing.I see a mountain that took millions of years to form. Iced like cake with frosting from the sky. Trees that go on for miles, tall, majestic and taking years to reach maturity. Home for the woodland creatures. The water sparkles in the harbor and the boats line it’s outer banks like a fine necklace. Priceless gems that each have their own name; each unique in its own rite.
I have expressed before that how we view our life makes a monumental difference in how we live our life. I feel blessed to have a wonderful family that despite my quirks puts up with me. How generous they are with their time, their talents and culinary abilities. Words cannot truly express what my heart feels and I have always considered myself pretty good with words. Sometimes there are no words that can sum it up. I will miss them all.
What view will you choose?
