Olympia Traverse

Over the weekend, we participated in the Olympia Traverse adventure race. We had a team of four that did mountain biking, road cycling, paddling, and running legs. We also had a lot of mishaps and set-backs (broken paddle!) but had even more determination and finished strong while raising money for Friends of Mia, an organization our friend started to support families who are dealing with childhood cancer. Fortunately, we finished at Fishtale Brewing for some refreshment and recovery after the grueling 80 degree day.

Brandee looking strong at the end of her long, hot run

Our team, all smiles

Gift

This past Sunday we went for a morning paddle to Tolmie State Park. On our return, we stopped to take a photo of Brandee with the mountains in the background. While getting set for another photo, I heard a strange sound coming from the back of my board and turned to see this...

Seal pup!

He(?) spent minutes swimming around and checking us out, even trying to haul out on my board. When we decided we should leave him, he just kept following us, probably for more than a mile. Eventually, he did turn back toward an adult seal. After having already paddled with very rare common dolphins earlier this summer, this has been truly special.

Crabs?

Seemed so small when compared to Brandee's board

Crabbing

Eric's been crabbing from his stand-up board. He's mostly been catching red rock crabs with a line and net but they've been great and compared to the size of Maryland blue crabs, they've been huge! Eric learned it all from crabbing with his family on the Chesapeake Bay years ago.

The Set-up

Lions Mane Jellyfish

Sunflower Sea Star

They refuse to let go

More than 7 inches across

In the Nisqually Reach

Betsy and Colin come to Oly-town

In early July Betsy and Colin (her boyfriend) came to visit us in Olytown. They came during the one good week of summer (warm sunny days) we've had so far. Good timing! We had a lot of fun and luckily our camera got fixed just in time. We spent one day sight-seeing in Seattle (Pike Place Market, Blue C Sushi and Theo chocolate in Fremont, coffee shops, etc.). We went to Mt St. Helens, the Little Creek Casino where Eric and Betsy won in Black Jack and Roulette, and paddle boarded/kayaked to Hope Island. There was also a lot time just hangin' in some of our favorite spots in Olytown.

Testing out the underwater camera. It works!

On our way to Hope Island with Betsy and Colin in the tandem kayak.

We made it!

Looking up at the canopy. The north side of Hope Island has an amazing old growth forest.

Wildlife at Hope Island.

We enjoyed beer and snacks at Boston Harbor after our adventure to Hope Island.

Mt St Helens on a perfect day.

Colin showing his love for the Northwest in front of the mountain.

Oysters and Eric's famous fish tacos on the back deck.