This weekend we went to Deception Pass State Park, on Whidbey Island, for some camping and hiking. It was a bit more of a challenge than the last time we went camping with Nora (a year ago), as she wasn't doing much back then except drooling and sleeping. Times sure have changed!
The look on her face once we got the tent set up was priceless. "Nye nye? Tent? Nye nye?!" - it was the first time in ages that she was actually excited about sleeping! She followed me around the tent, proudly handing the stakes to me as I pounded them in. "Welcome!" "Welcome!" (she hasn't quite figured out in what order "Thank you" and "You're welcome" are supposed to go.)
But this ruse only lasted a few hours. Once we tried to get her to bed, she put up her best defenses...an hour of screaming and yelling later she finally gave in and went to sleep.
We were all worn out by the end of the day, and lulled ourselves to sleep with the sound of the crickets, the ocean, and the sounds of the fighter jets doing practice runs overhead. There is a massive Navy airbase on Whidbey Island.
The next morning it was raining. According to tradition, this means finding a greasy spoon somewhere for breakfast to wait out the weather. We drove down Hwy. 20 until we spotted the trademarks of a perfect location:
"Breakfast Served Anytime" sign? Check.
Lots of rusty pickup trucks in the parking lot? Check.
Named after the owner? Check.
Indeed, we were not disappointed. We had stumbled into the local Navy hangout. The restaurant's booth seating was crafted from salvaged bench seats from late 1980's vintage Plymouth minivans. Yellowed photographs of Navy flyers from every major war, newspapers, and other bits of memerobilia covered the walls. But what clinched it for us was when the waitress arrived at our table and said "what can I get for y'all?" in a flawless Texan accent. We had arrived!
We spent the remainder of the day exploring Whidbey Island, starting with a hike up the hills around Deception Pass. Nora rode on my back, which turned into a game once we got into the woods. Whenever we went under a tree, she would yell "treeeee!" then duck down and put her head on my shoulder. Climbing up the hills with a squirming 20-month-old on my back was a great workout, which I certainly needed after our EXCELLENT breakfast.
Enough with my rambling...on with the pictures! Enjoy!
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2 comments:
Wow what a camping trip!! You telling about Nora and how excited she was when putting up the tent reminded me of when we took you camping at that age, Brian. You absolutely loved it, except it was a tad bit easier for you to get to sleep (never any problem there).
Nora's love of nature fills our heart with joy. Her Great Grandpa Goranson would have been very proud of her!
Nana
What fun Nora is having! All your pictures look like you're having some great "family" time together even at 6 a.m. The campground looks so lush and green and quiet - - fighter jets, though? Yikes! You'll have to catch up on sleep at home!
It was great reading about your breakfast greasy spoon adventure, too. Have you started work on a travel/adventure novel or some short stories yet, Brian? With your writing skills you could sell volumes!
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