Friendly Forks, WA.

Well, little did we know, that this is the location focus for the ever SO popular book series, Twilight.  Now, before you think that my family is living under a rock, :), we HAVE heard of the books and movies, of course, but, have not had any interest in reading them, or watching them.  GASP!! 

Personally, I am not an advocate of teens, who are vampires and warewolves, mind you, battling it out as a type of gang, and having a sexual relationship. 

I know it is just fiction.  However, I want to be careful and I want to encourage my young and impressionable children to be careful.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."  Philippians 4:8


SO, when we arrived in Forks, we noticed all kinds of Twilight marketing on the stores and signs around the small town.  But, we came to Forks for something much more exciting!

Olympic National Park and the Hoh Rainforest!  (The only rainforest in the United States!)

This place is too cool!  The trees were over 200 ft. tall!  There was a nice trail to walk through, so we had a good time playing around.  :)

This is a blurry picture of a HUGE slug.  It was about an inch wide and about 4 inches long!  YUCK!

We also earned another Jr. Ranger badge!  Go Golden Gang!

This is a picture of the creek next to our campsite inside of the Hoh Rainforest.  Ice blue, freezing water like I have never seen before!  :)

Our time spent in Forks, was short and sweet, but I wanted to also add, that we met some VERY friendly and thoughtful people in the town.  If you remember, we are in need of a new tow-dolly, or towing system?  We have been searching for one that will fit the Sienna since early July when we bought it.  As we drive state to state, we are on the 'look out' for new or used dollies.  Well, we noticed one in Forks.  LONG story short, it did not fit or work correctly on the van.  :(  But, the man who helped us, and  another man we met outside of the local laundry mat, were really sweet.  In fact, one of them called a few days later to check on us!  I am just constantly amazed at the kindness of strangers.  I am so thankful to the Lord for putting such genuine and wonderful people in our path as we travel.


Blessings,
Steph

Salt Creek Recreation Area, Campground Review

Me oh my!
This place is BEAUTIFUL!

For 3 days we stayed here, and absolutely loved it.
The campground is spread out in 2 main loops, one with a gorgeous beach view, and the other in the forest.  We were in the open area with a beach view with a clear shot of CANADA! 
YES!  We could see the mountains in Canada from our campsite!  :)

Price- $25/n for water and electric.  There is a dump station and fresh water refill if you need it.

 Ammenities- No laundry or pool, but a wonderful field and playground.  There are also several WWII bunkers, the many trails, hiking, and the rocky beach.  One trail took us to the sandy beach which is nice, as long as it is low tide!  :)

Make sure you come prepared, the nearest Walmart or large grocery store is at least 30 miles away. 

We loved this campground!  I would definitely recommend it!

Blessings,
Steph

Port Angeles, WA.

It has been three BEAUTIFUL days here!  Literally, the temperatures are a high of 65, and lows at night in the 50's!!  IN AUGUST!!!  We have been wearing long sleeves and jackets and burning campfires ever since we arrived.  :)  Did I mention, it is AUGUST?

We went exploring on the beach, and were able to find all kinds of sea anemones, hermit crabs, clams and muscles. 
We also went on several hikes and trails at our campground, and found old WWII bunkers!

In true Golden Gang fashion, we also went out into the rocks at low tide, jumping like frogs from rock to rock.  :)  It was fun until you landed in the FREEZING PACIFIC waters!

Of course, Todd kept Parker on his shoulders most of the time, and Parker held on for dear life!  Even at the age of 40, he has the best balance of anyone I know!  HA!

We have enjoyed our time here, with all the natural beauty from the ocean, eating berries from the wild bushes, and watching all the deer freely strolling through the park with their babies.  :)

Blessings,
Steph

Zach's Corner!!!

The WWII Dog Fighter Plane!

Blessings,
Steph

Seattle & Pike Place Market, WA.

On our way through Washington, we decided to stop through Seattle.  It actually reminds me a lot of Houston; with all of its traffic and crowded shopping.  However, we were looking foward to going to the famous, Pike Place Market.  SOOOO many people have referred us to this place! 
Now, I see why.  :)
It is a market, like no other.  It operates everyday of the week, almost all day, and is CRAZY busy ALL the time!  This place is hoppin' with shoppers looking for the freshest, purest, 'whatever' that is needed or wanted, and they want it NOW! 

For a parent, this place is ultra scarey.  I found myself squeezing their hands and counting their 5 little heads over and over again.  It is just so crowded, and people are packed in like sardines.  Zach mentioned that this is a taste of what New York might feel like!  :)  HA!

This fish company was so fun to watch as they would toss HUGE cuts of fresh fish across the room!  They also had simple chants they would yell out, that no one but them could probably understand too.  :)

The SIZE of these crab legs were mind boggling!  The fresh shrimp and lobster tail were also awesome.

The experience in Pike Place also included live music, of many kinds; from country, to folk, to old rock-n-roll and even this man playing oriental music that made you feel like you stepped into China.

As we were walking, we noticed what LOOKED like a statue, but low and behold!
She was a REAL woman, painted from head to toe, and literally works for tips in a jar, just standing there.  ALL DAY!  Can you imagine?!  I can not imagine having to paint myself like that everyday, day after day.....

I have to say, though, she was really good.  You could barely see her breathing.  :)
When someone 'tipped' her, she would bend a little and blow a kiss to the patron.  Just amazingly cool!

Todd decided to buy the girls some beautiful fresh flowers.  Their eyes got SO big, when they realized it was for them!  :)  (the really nice part, too, was they were only $5.00!!) 

Pike Place definitely has a lot to offer, and is a place that you should try and experience at least once.  Many people, here, are working so hard to earn a living, and give a great product.  Just stick to your budget, and you will have a great afternoon!  :)

Blessings,
Steph

Sage Hills RV & Golf Campground Review

When we were in Warden, WA., we stayed in this campground.

It was out in the middle of no where, but a great resting place for a couple of nights.  :)

Price- $25/n for full hook-ups

The sites were spread out nicely, and some had lots of sun, some with lots of shade.  There is a pretty nice golf course with really affordable rates.  Todd and the two oldest boys played 9 holes after 3:00 for under $50. 
There is a very nice, clean pool too!

What I also appreciated about this park, is the laundry room.  It is not the biggest, or the cleanest that I have been too, but, it is the cheapest!  :)  $1.00/ wash and $1.00/dry.  The machines work really well too! 

The only downer about this park, is there is not a playground, and when the wind blows just right, you can get a good whif of the dairy farm nearby.  Hence, why there are A LOT of flies. 

As long as you are looking for a night or two of rest traveling through Washington, I would recommend this RV Park.  :) 

Blessings,
Steph

State #13 Washington!!

There are many things I like about this lifestyle, however, one of the interesting parts of traveling, is being totally surprised by all the landscapes. 
As we left Idaho and its rolling hills, we entered Washington state, and its puffy, prairies of wheat!  I had NO idea that we would see so much farm land in this state.  :)  Do you know that Washington actually produces more potatoes for french fries than any other place in the WORLD!!??  Cool stuff.
It is actually harvest time now, so we actually saw  the heavy equipment out and many John Deere tractors. :)

Just as we started getting comfortable watching the fields for miles and miles, the land started changing. 
A LOT.

Desert!  In Washington!?
YES!

Sage brush and weeds galore!  Unbelievable!

We stopped for a couple of nights in Warden, WA., in a campground in the middle of no where.  This place was actually really nice, with a pool and golf course.  :)
The kids had fun playing on the putting green, and Todd and the big boys actually played a 'twilight' game.  Zach was especially excited, because he got to drive the cart!  HA!

This was such a sweet moment.  My oldest, patiently playing with my youngest......just warms this Mama's heart, ya know?  :)


After our stay at Sage Hill RV Park, we started heading west. 
Guess what?

Yep.  More changes in the landscape!  LOVE IT!
Although, I was expecting this:

It was so fun hearing the kids exclaiming their 'WOW's!' and 'LOOK AT THAT's!'  as we drove through.  The clouds were also SO low, that it seemed like we could reach out and touch them!  :)

So far, Washington has been a great experience and quite surprising.  :)

Blessings,
Steph

Latah County Fairgrounds Campground Review

While we were in Moscow, ID., we stayed 10 days here.
The location is perfect for families, or couples that don't mind being really close to a city park. :)

Price- $20/n for FULL hook-ups (30 AMP)  there is also a dump station on the grounds.

Ammenities- Although, there is nothing else to offer the camper, there is an AWESOME laundry facility on the main road in town with a play center, snack machine, restrooms, and plenty of washers/dryers.  It is by far, the BEST laundry place I've seen....so clean, you could eat off the floor!  HA!  The city pool is also only a couple of minutes down the road too.  Everything is so close to the Fairgrounds, that we did not feel that we were 'missing out' on what we needed.

The park is very clean, and safe.  I would recommend this, and would definitely come back. 

Blessings,
Steph

Simply Wonderful Time in Moscow

Well, we have been in Moscow, ID. for 10 days.  During these 10 days, we have met some of the nicest, friendliest, just genuinely sweet people!  :)

Not only were we parked to the BEST neighbors, (Hi, Mr. & Mrs. Rose!),  but we met a family that is just a gift from the Lord.  The Hennessey's also have five children and are a military family.  They were so welcoming; inviting us over for dinner and playdates for the kids.  Todd was fortunate enough to help work, replacing their roof, too!  Now, I know that might seem weird, that someone would WANT to work in the summer heat on a roof, but he was genuinely excited.  It is such a blessing to be able to serve your fellow Christian brothers and sisters.  Since we are traveling, and are not in the same church fellowship week after week, we do look for ways to serve or help or give.  Sometimes, it is something as simple as making a dessert, or picking up trash in the local Walmart, but we DO want to contribute and serve!  :)

Our 'campground' was actually the local Fairgrounds.  In our backyard, was this wonderful playground!  Every morning, they would turn on the sprinklers, so the kids figured out real quick how to take advantage of that!  :)

Our time in Moscow was unexpectedly precious.  We made life-long friends, enjoyed the gorgeous weather and were truly blessed by the small town hospitality.

Thank you Hennessey family for all you gave and shared!  We can not wait to see you guys again!

Blessings,
Steph

Good Ole' Fashion Fun

Our time in Moscow, Id., has been wonderful.  We are staying a little longer than originally planned, because I ordered some curriculum online, and I am waiting for it to show up at the post office.  :)  However, the longer stay has been just what we needed.

We drove through the small town and shopped the many thrift stores, bought books and paperdolls at Hastings, and have played at the park every day. 

A couple of evenings ago, for dinner, we decided to grill fresh corn on the cob for the first time.  YUM!  I made a king-ranch chicken casserole and also bought some fresh cherries.  It was one of the best dinners, and SO simple.  :)

We all had cherry stained fingers, and corn juice all over our mouths, but, our tummies were full! HA!

Sunday afternoon, after church, we decided to drive around the 'downtown' area and we happened to run into the local Historical Society's fund raiser.  It was filled with good ole' fashion fun. 

The girls washed linens in an old wash tub, played dress-up, and a sweet lady taught us how to tatter.  :)

There were stations for crafts, home made icecream, watermelon, and a tour of this beautiful home tour.  This 1889 home is preserved by the Historical Society.  The furniture inside was just gorgeous.  All the floors, appliances, everything, is original.  :)

The kids also participated in a fun water-balloon game, which ended in a fun water-balloon FIGHT!  Balloons were flying all over the place, and kids were screaming and laughing.....it was great!


You just never know what you might come across.  :)
Blessings,
Steph

We are in Moscow!

Yes.  We are in Moscow!!




Moscow, Idaho.....that is.....  :)

This is the city pool, or Aquatic Center that we went to last week.  It is absolutely, the best city pool I have ever seen!  Slides, diving boards, wading pool, fountains, fun, fun, fun.  :)
Although, the water is freezing, the kids didn't seem to mind.  :)

They even have the blow-up obstacle course floats!

The residents here, are able to purchase a pass, but for us, we bought a day admission for $26.  Totally worth it, and affordable for a great water park!

They have a reasonably priced concession stand too! 
The kids bought these HUGE snowcones for $2.00.  (the kids shared, because it was so big, there is no way they could finish one off by themselves!)

Summer time in Moscow is just beautiful.  The average temperature is around 80 degrees during the day, and 50 degrees in the evenings!  This Texas family LOVES it!



Blessings,
Steph