Cape Alava- Washington State Coast

This beautiful boardwalk leads over 3 miles to the ocean. It's an immediate transition from densely wooded forest to sand, salt and kelp beds.

This rock outcropping is only accessible at low tide. It's called Tskawahya Island or Cannonball Island and is extremely sacred to the Makah Indian Tribe. While you can walk out there, you are not permitted to walk onto the actual island. Instead, you can explore the rocky sea shore.

Petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks leave lasting haunts of years and years past.

"Rope assist" crossings are in several locations along the route where the coast decides that you can't pass on the beaches and rocks.

Three year old bald eagle. Juveniles don't get their white heads until 4 years of age.

Sea Otter enjoying a clam.
This friendly little sea lion kept a curious eye on us as we sat on the rocks above.

Seals and sea lions hang out on the rocks out beyond camp (often making a racket).

In our yard this afternoon...

It was a treat to see this little fellow sleeping in the yard today, then grazing on greens in the meadow. Vil's response when I emailed him that I'd seen a bear in our yard today- "figures". He'd been out in the yard all morning, then headed out for a work meeting. I came home and the bear came out to sleep in the yard. I happened to be chatting with my sister on the phone (does it run in the family? How is it possible that I've been on the phone with my sister and seen bears 2 times? Double the bear karma with similar bear-whisperer DNA?), anyway, I looked out and saw this. I had to do a double take to figure out what I was seeing.

He snoozed for a little while, then got up and grazed a bit on foliage. I was able to grab a few shots and even a little video. Bears are awesome sights.

Love my job!

Wednesday came and brought with it the highest temp of the year so far- 77 degrees. It was the first day since Sept. of last year that the Northwest reached over the 75 degree mark. And what a perfect day to have the privilege to be a guide with my company! Up Shriner Peak in Mt. Rainier National Park, we huffed. Truly, it is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Park, if not in the State. The vistas are mind-blowingly beautiful. And.. as most vistas do, this one required lots of huffing and puffing to gain the privilege of having solitude and views. My co-guide hung out with the group that wanted to take a more leisurely pace and but my group was ready to conquer the giant and sweat! This is why I love my job so much- this day, this very day. It was as perfect a day, as one can ever have... and I was paid.

Slugs

I wish I knew more about them, really. When you really think about it, they are pretty amazing creatures- what else moves that slowly and leaves such a sparkling trail of silvery shine in it's wake? The other day they were EVERYWHERE- on every surface and nearly every plant. So far no damage to the new plantings... fingers crossed they love the grasses and native plants better.

More landscaping!

Nobody said it would be easy, but we did it! We've successfully landscaped our side yard and planted a strip of grass. We continue to be surprised and happy about the outcome of our rookie landscaping and our own blood, sweat and tears.

So good story- as a deer prevention, I found some coyote urine granuals to sprinkle around the new plantings. I had almost completed the whole section when Vil turns around and says "what is that behind you?" I turned around and low and behold.. was a coyote. We hadn't seen one since last summer. He ducked into the woods and returned 3 times before V threw a rock near him to scare him off. No doubt, he was interested in finding out if a new pack had moved in. Last night we watched a buck stroll over to our new plants and decide they weren't for dinner- mission accomplished (for now)!

(The house numbers have been removed from the pictures for security).