Townsend _ spring 09

my how he's grown; still goofy, just bigger.

this looks like one of those silly middle-school pictures.

can I have a treat?

I'm so worn out.

I can still fit!

was this made just for me?

I love to play in the yard. It's one of my favorite things to do.
And I like to eat sticks.
Yeah.
Play in the yard and eat sticks. with Olly.


this is my friend 'Olly.' he's an octopus, but I still like him.


I am trying to help them build my fence.


3 inches!

can't wait.

when oh when will you open?
will you be open before 7am?
will you sell organic, fair trade coffee?
we can't wait.

Mt. Si - a Seattle Classic

Mount Si is one of Seattle's classic hikes. This means one of two things...great views, and extremely busy. I refuse to do this hike on the weekend, so Townsend and I set off on a sunny Friday to hike this 4100' peak.

Just getting started in the old growth forest of the Central Cascades.


Stopping for a quick water break. Thank goodness that our Vet recommended that Townsend get his giardia vaccine!


A 250-year-old Doug Fir.


Townsend was enjoying all the sniffs.


We both started slowing down about 3 miles up, but kept pushing. We heard the views were worth it.


Wow. They were right.


Mt. Rainier from Mt. Si


This is the Snoqualmie Valley from the top. It's hard to see in the picture, but this looks along the valley to Bellevue, Seattle, the Puget Sound, all the way to the Olympic Mountains on the peninsula.
It was quite breathtaking.

Here's our view from the top looking west. Maybe we'll have to come up here to see the sunset.


Townsend loved it!


We met a nice older gentleman, Dave, at the top who snapped this picture. He climbs Mt. Si every week.

Hopefully we'll be back again soon. It's a great conditioner for summer backpacking. And it's always nice to have some rewarding views at the top.

Now....the hike back down and a long nap awaits us.

mariners v. rays - safeco

andrea scored free tickets to the mariner v. ray game tonight! it's always a treat to head down to safeco; quite possible one of the best ballparks.


man, these were awesome seats! we haven't gotten seats like this in a long time. about twenty rows behind home plate!

we had beautiful weather to boot.


garlic fries. a safeco favorite. i even managed to push down a hot dog.


the view.

thanks to whoever gave us tickets!

we have it.

i'm looking forward to my $20.

joint birthday bonfire

we had some folks over for a joint birthday party: danelle and sarah. one wanted a bonfire, and one wanted ice cream; so we had both! and washed it down with some funfetti cake!

it was a great evening hanging out in our backyard, watching the flames dance and the stars appear. thanks to all who came out!

morning bike ride of vashon island

took this morning to pack up the bikes, drive to the ferry [read: FERRY!], and ventured over to vashon island for a bike ride. ambitious plan, given the hills, but none-the-less fun!

enjoying the rural-like scenery and calmness.


trying to keep up.


self portrait while riding.


pausing for a "photo-opt." [read: we were dog tired!]


cascades from vashon.


olympics from vashon.


andrea looking 'tired' at the boat dock. i think she looks more sly then anything, but we were both quite tired.