Ozette Triangle - Backpacking WA Coast, pt ii

making our  way down 3 miles of the beach to sand point.

at times, hiking was slow because of trees that had washed up.

nothing beats walking along tidal pools on a brisk
washington-coastal morning!

andrea looking for starfish and other aquatic creatures in a tide pool.

at times we had to crawl over, or under, huge trees!

we were surprised by how much plastic had washed up on the beaches.
some folks created art-like scuptures next to their camps, we just
realized, and felt guilty, of how much plastic we "consume" at home.

at wedding rocks there are legended to be over 50 petraglyphs.
we only found a few, but what we saw was impressive.

this was our favorite 500 year old petraglyph!

on the coast, you always have to be aware of the tides.
at some points, the tide is so high that there are no beaches.
the above marker is a 'hedland marker.' it marks an area that
a hiker must leave the beach.

deer shouldn't be on the beach; there's nothing for them!
but we saw two! they hiked with us for a mile or so.

a typical coastal rock/island/outcropping.

at sand point and ready to leave the beach for a 3 mile hike through the
woods to our car.

andrea thought she'd be sly and sneak a kiss; i noticed it. :)
notice the hedland marker in the back ground.

we highly recommend this short hike for everyone. next time we make
 the trip we'll let folks know!

Ozette Triangle - Backpacking WA Coast

out to the olympic penisula to backpack the ozette triangle.

there was a great boardwalk that lead us over the boggy marsh.

keeping a close eye on the decaying boards.

across the meadows where lars alhstrom was, at one point, the furthest west settler.

gazing out, trying to to imagine the homestead that once stood here.

through more rain forest and marshes.

arriving at the coast, we had to cross a small stream and find a campsite.

we 'dropped-pack' at our campsite and saw what the coast is about.

not a bad location for a night's sleep.

taking it all in.

after camp was setup, we went exploring.

rocks in near-perfect spherical goodness.

not even out here can we get away from home repairs!

happy!

a little tidal pool with a little crab.

brooke found a large tree to climb.

it's amazing what washes up, and how it washes up.

andrea, pondering the existence of the tree roots. :)

back to dinner. we're sure glad we decided to pack in some pinot gris!

 enjoying the post-italian dinner beach fire. rough life.

waiting for the sun to go down, enjoying the sounds of barking sea lions on a distant island.

.perfect end to a perfect day. we dosed off in our tent listening to the waves crash against the shore.

Rattlesnake MT [Ledges and East Peak]

in preparation for our summer vacation, and general
enjoyment of the seattle outdoors, we'll behiking
a lot of elevation. we started on rattlesnake mt
for a warm up. this was our view from the "upper ledge."

family portrait.
we enjoyed a nice lunch with a half-dozen other people.
tip: hike further to the "upper ledge" to avoid the crowds.

happy hiker!

tired hiker.

this is townsend's favorite part of hiking.
we'll call him an "extreme napper."
he puts up with us so wel!

as we reached east peak, and settled in for snack.
towno sauntered over, laid his head on my shoulder,
and signed deeply. he was, as usual, distraught.

sun halo.
we snacked, rested, and took in an amazing view
of mt rainier before heading back down.

oh yeah, we also gave towno some encouragment
for the trek down!

back at home in the post-hike fetal position.
does anyone else have a lazy gsp?!

India

I had an opportunity to take a trip to India with a group of 10 people who I didn't really know. Seems like my cup of tea!

[We left Wed. March 3, and made it to Chennai late Friday night]

This is the train we would be traveling in for the next 14 hours to Visakhapatnam, India, where we will be working for the next 7 days.


Villages along the train tracks. Very impoverished.



el bano. lovely.


Villages along the train tracks. Very impoverished.


Our cozy cabin. Anita, Catherine, Denyse.


It was fascinating to see the country roll by on the train ride, watching the many, many people doing their daily activities: riding to work, washing laundry, working the fields, repairing the tracks, selling goods.


Another village with wild water buffalo.


a boy filling up a jug of water.


Families live under these bridges.


Working.


We made it to Visakhapatnam in good time. An 'auto' rickshaw.


two boys waiting for their father.


We went to church Sunday morning in 'the slums.'


Pinky playing the hand drums!



the church service


We had the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted. A few of us traveled up a hill to see these gods, Shiva and Parvathi


Denyse, Catherine and I overlooking the city.


Visakhapatnam


We then took a trip down to the beach to say we waded in the Bay of Bengal



just another day at the beach!


Two boys selling sea shells


We made it to our post for the week. Our group would be teaching Vacation Bible School to more than 500 kids! 120 of them live there in the Children's Home/Orphanage, while the rest are able to go home.


Today's Memory Verse



smart kids!


Bruce with some girls.


Arjuna (the director) with his girls.


Denyse with her new friends


Sruthi and me. She was attached to my hip the whole week! Cutie.


Prishanti and Sruthi


Raji and me. (Arjuna's wife and the mother of my good friend in Seattle, Archana!)



The kids sang this song for us almost every day. We love it!
"The tree that was planted in the middle of the field..."


You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around....


Prasad


Kusama, Ramadevi, Sei, Devi - I love these girls!!



A beautiful Hindi dance
(boys will always be boys!)


hanging out during play time.


Sei, Sruthi and me in our 'secret spot.'


the older girls jump roping


Sruthi, Prishanti, and Sei in their bedroom


Kamala Priya. She will be going on to Junior College next year, and eventually a 4 year college to study nursing! Brooke and I have signed on to support her to continue her education. The more children who have this support to continue, the more opportunities to break the cycle of poverty in this country. What a great opportunity. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me!


On the last day the teachers of the schools, along with all the kids, presented us with these beautiful flower necklaces!...what a gift!!!


colorful tapestries


children outside the school


The kitchen and cafeteria at sunset.
The last day we attended the graduation for the Masters of Theology school that shares the campus with the children's home.


Driving in India is nuts! The lines are merely suggestions, and it is perfectly acceptable to drive within 2 inches of another car/motorcycle/rickshaw/bus/truck, and to use your horn every 30 seconds. who knew?



A taxi ride in Chennai
(accompanied by the driver's sweet music)


The streets of Chennai .



Our final drive in India concluded with a crammed rickshaw along the streets of Chennai, back to the airport.
India...you are so beautiful. In many different ways.
Now back to America.


First....a quick stop in Singapore to unwind for a day. Much needed!

Thank you to everyone who supported me prayerfully and financially for this trip! It has definitely changed my view on life and has made me especially grateful for all that I have.

And thank you to all you beautiful children at the home. I will never forget the memories, joy, and laughter we shared. You have changed my heart in so many ways.

That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified!
Isaiah 61:3