What does a girl want for her 44th wedding anniversary

To go fishing of course!

At the ever challenging Henry's Fork

A rather long quiet time

After we completed our impromptu tour of the Pacific NW, we arrived in Victor ID for a 2 week house sit.

The weather was hot, the fires created an everlasting overcast of smoke, there was no rain to wash things down..... so.........

We actually didn't do much. Hiking was taking a chance on getting black lung disease, but we did get out.  The fish were unwilling to play in the heat, although we did try. And the steady days of sun didn't offer up too much in the way to take "interesting" photos (neither did having a background all washed out by smoke!). On one trip over Teton Pass, the smoke was so thick, it blocked out the sun.

So here is the set of photos taken of all "exciting" things we did.

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

Yup, an empty portfolio.  --- I could have gone back to previous times in Teton Valley and stolen some photos, but that would be unfair.

Although there was this!

Digital Detox

On the Washington Coast we were so far off the digital grid that, if we needed to communicate, we would have needed to go analog --- and use this thing!  Yup, they actually work.

Rialto Beach Washington Coast

Rialto is an ocean element of the Olympic National Park (the park consists of mountain terrain, rain forests and ocean side wilderness.) We just stopped off at Rialto, but found out that one can hike along the coast and not see any development at all for 20+ miles north from Rialto.

We just stopped, walked around and took some pictures. The same "haystacks" that you see on the Oregon coast are found at Rialto, along with pounding surf and riptides (not need to go swimming!)

The primary reason for heading to Rialto was that Alicia had to stand in the Pacific Ocean and thus connect the Atlantic and Pacific on this trip.

Moonscape

Heading to the Olympics

We took a ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca - Victoria to Port Angeles - about 1 hour 45 mins and arrived on the Olympic Peninsula.

Entered Olympic National Park and headed directly to Hurricane Ridge - the most prominent vista in the park.

A quick look

On the ferry

The Olympics

Hurricane Ridge - mountains at 6-7000"

Crazy People or Just Having Fun

While in Vancouver, we ran across an Anime Festival. -- mostly a cartoon thing. But people get into it big time and dress up as their favorite character. LOTs of different characters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime

Very colorful, and very willing to be photographed.

I really like this person -- had to walk?

Water Taxi

We finally get a ride on a water taxi.  Took it about 300 yards to lunch.

Thing looks like a floating checker cab.... just had to take a ride.... flat fee about 4.80US to anywhere.

At Lunch!

Victoria - Butchart Gardens

Okay, I like gardens, flowers and things pretty that bloom. I like to get see gardens and design them. I like all kinds of gardens. I like walking in botanical gardens. I'll take a tour of most anything.

Our friend Deb suggested that we drive about 45 minutes to see the Butchart Gardens. We agreed, and after we got there we were blown away.  It was incredible. Crazy incredible.

http://www.butchartgardens.com

It is WAY to much to capture in photos, but I will post a bunch and let you enjoy.

The Sunken Garden -- in a former quarry!

alicia and deb

At the Carosel

Bob or Chippy with dinner

The girls in the Mediterranean Garden

Bev and Mike -- this is for you and a test of you are reading
This is what the shrub in the cookout area will look like in a few more years.
With special treatment from your arborist!