Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Summer Fires


We've entered that scary time of year when everything is so dried out that even a spark from farm equipment can set a field on fire. This particular fire was located in the middle of Cappy's Trails very close to our home. So close that I was able to "respond" via mountain bike. It was quite a hike down to the actual fire. Fortunately, a minor discovered this fire, told his mother, who then notified the authorities ... and HOORAY for EJFR for extinguishing it thoroughly and completely!





The core of the fire was located very close to this small transient camp. And not just the run of the mill transient camp either ... very nicely put together with a foam mattress, desk, chair, candles and a jug of cleaning spray. People are ingenious. Looking at that foam mattress and imagining how incredibly dark it must be in the middle of those woods at night (especially when the coyotes start singing) ... I am grateful for my blessings, my family and my home.

Beckett Point Fire, Port Townsend WA



 "According to a witness, the fire “exploded” down the hillside above the fishing community when whipped by winds of up to 20 mph. Beckett Point is 10 miles west of Port Townsend, approximately halfway down the east side of Discovery Bay." http://www.ejfr.org/press-releases/index.php#Beckett





It was amazing being there firsthand to witness the men and women of the local fire departments and the members of DNR work together to control this potentially deadly brush fire. No injuries and no real property loss. Way to go!

Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands

Goodbye Sweet Summer!


We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for our impromptu flight to Roche Harbor. I'm always reminded how beautiful our region truly is when we visit the San Juan Islands, and last night was no exception.


We had the most incredible meal at McMillan's ... Prime Rib for Steve and some sort of Chicken delicacy with garlic mashed potatoes for me. (I highly recommend the restaurant) Mid meal, we watched the Color Ceremony on the docks while the sun set in the background. 


As we made our way back to the runway, a gorgeous full moon rose-up to fill the horizon.  It was truly breathtaking ... a warm summer breeze, a golden sunset behind us, and a glorious harvest moon in front of us. Wow.




Monday, March 21, 2011

Video Bday Party


Video of the birthday party at the Seattle Children's Museum! Toddlers rock!

Video Sisters


Video of the LittleBits just being sisters. This song is the same song that their Mother and Aunt and I used to dance around to. Fond memories! It's pretty awesome to watch these two little ones start their own awesome memories. May we always remember to stomp in the mud puddles ...

PS. Several experiments show that you probably aren't going to be able to view the video from any kind of cell phone : (  

Video Pacific Northwest


Beautiful images of the Pacific Northwest to some awesome Celtic music! ("The Heather, She Grows ... Elyra Campbell") Photographer is of course Crystal Craig. I put this together for our family in North Carolina so they can see some of the beautiful reasons we choose to live on the West Coast. 

(And only because people keep asking ... High quality images from video may be purchased at: http://www.dreamstime.com/Crystalcraig_info )

If you are having trouble viewing the video from your cellphone ... it's probably because I can't figure out how to save, upload or configure the video for mobile devices yet. Still working on it : (

Video ChitterChatter




LittleBit ChitterChatter video! A creative compilation of Aya and Nya performing toddler speak.

Video Home Sweet Home


My Pops requested that I put together some West Coast video to show our family in North Carolina. Dad and I have a Big Trip coming up in April and we're really looking forward to seeing everyone! This one is all about the HippieShack ... my and Steve's little space in the woods of Port Townsend. (You might not be able to view this from your phone)

SuperMoon Party

On Saturday, March 19th, the moon was closer to earth than it has been in 18 years. Did we really need this good reason to get together with friends and celebrate? Not really ... but we did anyway. And we had a blast! Thanks to Scout and Sheila for hosting a wonderful get together!







Oh, and by the way ... Sheila is having her cookbook printed soon! Anyone that wants to purchase a copy of this amazing collection of original organic recipes inspired by the local northwest garden, please let me know and I can hook you up! 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Belltown to Market

After the LittleBit birthday party, Steve, Amanda and I bolted for the Market. It's always an interesting jaunt through Belltown where Amanda once dormed when she was a student at the Seattle Art Institute. I think the building was recently condemned (no fault of Amanda's of course).






I have great memories of hiding out in Seattle's Pike Place Market. It's one of the most diverse hubs you'll find in the Pacific Northwest Region. The smell of king crab legs and fresh cut lavender mix wildly with baked strawberry-rhubarb piroshky ... the guttural tones of fish mongers and seagulls rise in harmony to the ebb and flow of the of local vendors and world travelers. Street musicians, university students, cruise couples ... cobblestones, ornamental iron, stained glass ... organic ginger, beeswax candles, tie-dyed aprons ... gotta have a fresh made doughnut and rice paper candy!







Steve, Amanda and I were able to stop in at the Pike Place Bar & Grill to share a fanfare of steamed Vanila clams, crispy calamari, asiago parmesan spinach dip and baked potato skins. We had to be rolled onto the ferry to get home!

LittleBit Birthday Party

Another year whooshed by! Ayana is now 3 and Naiara is 2, less than a year apart; Irish Twins they call that! (maybe because only Irish women are crazy enough to space them that close together?)

Amanda drove up from Coos Bay Oregon to join Steve and I for the girl's birthday party. The three of us jumped on the Bainbridge Ferry and were treated to a non-rainy day view of beautiful Downtown Seattle! I stood on the bow of the boat and took as many beautiful captures as my frozen fingers would allow. Sunny, but still frigid (the weather).


Then we attempted to hail a taxi from the ferry dock and ended up in a stretch Limo ... I kid you not! That's right, we have style!




The Seattle Children's Museum (downstairs of the Seattle Center House next door to the Space Needle) is one of the greatest venues for hosting a LittleBit birthday party! This year Renee' booked the "Undersea Room" with an amazing assortment of hand painted mermaids, sea turtles, fish and kelp decorating the walls. Aya was excited to see the Castle on the wall (lighthouse)!


I followed the LittleBits around as they ventured through the theme rooms. Starting at the grocery store, then to the bus depot, and off to the construction site ...




Several of the children showed up before the party to take advantage of quality room time. As the day wears on, the rooms get rather crowded with children and the toys tend to wander out of their originating theme rooms.




Eventually, the pizza and fruit were served up and more friends and family flowed into the room until there was nothing but chaos. Seriously, a two-and-three year old birthday party emits sounds, sights and smells that are distinctively unique.




Then came the most important part of the party ... Cake time!




And presents ...




Then we planned our escape. Out the back door ... Leaving the mess and chaos to the youngsters. Heh, I love saying that!  Until next year!!!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Snow, Snow, and even more snow!

During the last few hours of Steve's Duty Chief shift, the snow finally arrived in Port Townsend. I was invited to ride along to patrol the township and keep an eye on the road conditions. With camera in one hand, iPhone in the other, and a latte in the cup holder ... I was ready for an exciting ride-along!

 We fueled up at Mean Bean. Jeremy, the owner, informed us that he and his family were supposed to be heading out of town to Idaho for a trip they delayed last month due to weather conditions. "I guess Murphy always wins!" he said. I think I'm related to a Murphy.



So far, so good. Traffic moving well, not too much accumulation on the roads. Sanding trucks and snow plows already hard at work. Doing well. Heading to the office for some collaboration with the Chief. (And apparently to dip into the Girl Scout cookies hidden in Steve's desk)



The snow started kickin' up quickly! Can hardly see the Chief ahead of us. We're headed back to town to be "available" for incoming calls we know will be starting soon.


Down in the boat haven some die-hards are braving the unusual PNW snow to finish demolition of the "Salish Shine" (an old girl come to the yard to be put to rest)







It was about here that the calls started coming in. The roads started getting slick, the visibility difficult in spots... Sirens, radios, and non-stop excitement! Sliding, slippin' and bonking all over town!



 Heh. Only in PT. If you could only see the icicles in his beard. So cool.



Kept expecting this one to not end well. Apparently he was either very lucky or from Alaska. 

At the end of the day, things went pretty well for our "winter storm". There will be lots of work for the auto-body shoppe in the morning, and I was able to capture a few great stock shots for my portfolio. Cheers and thanks for checking in!