highlights from our trip to a place where all lollipops are banned by law::Washington

A week spent traveling around Washington was just what I needed!!!

"Summer" has come and gone way too fast. As May Term finished, just three days later I was moved down to Indianapolis. I then started my internship and life when into full speed. Even though I was only allowed to work 40 hours a week, I never felt like I was given a break. Until Washington :D

On Wednesday we flew into Seattle, WA. We were met by dad's cousin, Eric, and quickly left the mainland to find ourselves on the island of Vashon. At Eric and Sondra's cabin (in the middle of a Douglas Fir forest) we were welcomed with fresh Sockeye Salmon and Dungeness crab legs paired with a fresh salad with ingredients straight from their garden for dinner! The following morning we took a tour of their land, including their gardens full of berries, fresh fruits, flowers - basically God's beautiful work. We had breakfast from the garden, berry tasting! Then came inside to continue our food intake with a strata made from, yes, ingredients from their garden! Here are a few photo highlights from our time on Vashon!



Upon leaving Vashon Island Eric took us to his seafood processing plant, where we took a tour. Have you ever seen parmesan encrusted tilapia at Sam's Club? Or have you eaten king crab legs at Outback Steakhouse? Well that has come straight from his plant. Pretty cool!

Back in Seattle we went up the Space Needle, walked through Pike Place Market (a few times!), and placed our own gum on the infamous wall of gum.

Saturday rolled around and we decided we should probably see what Uncle Tim does...so we went to the Pacific Raceways to watch the NHRA in action.

Before leaving Seattle a trip was made to Forks, WA - Hello, Twilight central!! It was a lot of fun to see where all of Stephanie Meyer's ideas came from...& to see the La Push beach where the Quileute tribe resides. We also saw Bella's red truck in Forks.

After our lovely stay in Seattle, we ferried over to San Juan Island. The reason for going to this island was so that we could meet up with Sarah! She lives and works on this island for Sea Quest, a whale watching kayak tour. So on San Juan island we went whale watching (both by kayak and on land), hiking (note: Grandma took the lead!!), and of course enjoyed many bottles of wine and delicious seafood meals together in ideal locations!





This trip was all about family! We visited Schwartzentruber relatives, and spent a week straight with the Whites. I am so blessed to have such a loving, caring, fun-filled family!


Yet sadly, every good thing seems to come to an end. We left Seattle. But I will never forget what I woke up to that last morning reminding me how awesome God is!