Friday, July 16, 2010

GeoWoodstock and the Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer

Slow summer days spent reading and relaxing are days from my distant past. It seems that each summer fills more quickly with all kinds of activities - this year wedding planning has taken over most of my free time and cut into manyof my normal activities. That's one reason I really enjoyed taking a few days over the Fourth to camp with DH, Kirsten, and grandson Hans over in Fall City, WA. Geowoodstock VIII was the motivator for the trip and Hans jumped into the activities with both feet and didn't want to quit!

The actual event was in Carnation on July 3, but there were several meet-and-greets beforehand, and our campground was occupied mainly by geocachers from all over the country.

Grandpa and his new geocaching buddy.

Geowoodstock itself was quite the spectacle of 4500 cachers and lots of vendors and other activities and speakers of interest. Thankfully, the weather was pretty decent during the day with the sun even making an appearance for awhile. (Much of the weekend was cloudy, if not actually rainy.)

On Sunday, the 4th, we went into Seattle to the Groundspeak headquarters where they had more hunts and vendors. We left early in the afternoon so we could head up Snoqualmie Pass for a hike/cache hunt Gary had been wanting to do for a long time. As we neared the exit, the clouds were gathering overhead and I knew it was going to rain. So I cheerfully sent the gang off on their hike (6miles!) and I stayed in the car reading and napping. They came back pretty wet, but with the forest cover, not as wet as I thought. And Hans enjoyed the hike and was ready for more!

We headed back to our camp, built a little campfire in the drizzle, and waited for dark to play with the sparklers.



We made a pretty good decision to stay in camp and not search out a big fireworks display as some folks bought plenty, taking them down to the beach on the river (not far from our camp) and we had an up close and personal fireworks display without dealing with traffic!!

Next day, Monday, we packed up and headed home - back to the sunshine and warmth we love here in Eastern Washington!

Since then, Melanie and I, along with some of her bridesmaids, have put the deposit on the venue, got the caterer situation under control, and next week I'll be talking with a baker who has a great reputation. Decor ideas are coming together now that we have the venue, and Melanie has even found some pics of bouquets that she likes. I'm so glad we're getting these things nailed down before she takes off firefighting - especially since we don't have much time. October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) will be here before I can turn around!


9 comments:

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Sounds like you had a great time on your outing! Wedding plans sound like they're starting to fall in place which is a very good thing!

mainely stitching said...

Oh what fun pics, Von! Lazy days of summer indeed... One can wish!

Lynn said...

Good for you that the wedding plans are coming together so early!
Your GeoWoodstock days really attract a lot of people! Sounds like everyone enjoyed themselves despite the rain!

Carolyn NC said...

Sounds like a great time off! And I'm so with you on the wedding details. But you're moving along, which is always good! It's the little things that always manage to consume my time. But we're counting down - 5 weeks from today!

a woman who is said...

Wow no wonder we haven't seen each others roses this summer. Life has been so full! Great time with your grandson over the 4th...now wedding plans galore. Hang in there! At least the heat is keeping me inside and more pron to chillin a little.
I have to check out Waitsburg and the lavender garden one of these days...sounds right up my alley.

Brigitte said...

You must have had a great time there. Those pictures tell about it :))

marylin & poussy said...

best regards
marylin

Margaret said...

What a wonderful wedding date your daughter & finance have planned. Although these preparations are keeping you very busy you must be having a wonderful time.

Love your GeoWoodstock pictures. It looked like such fun despite the rain.

marylin & poussy said...

Hi, I make you a young hello in passing at home,
Best regards marylin