We're Back

Back from Vacation
and lots and lots of work to do. I've got bags and bags of laundry to wash and camping stuff to put away. It was a great trip, but it is nice to be home. I'll keep adding photos a little each day so that you can see a little of everything we did. I also read three whole scrap magazines from cover to cover and have lots of great ideas for some new goodies to create. I think I'm going to have to make a whole kit based on the colors of the rain forest and another with the wonderful colors from the beach. We had nice, sunny weather too which is rare on the Washington Coast. So check back often and maybe I'll have some freebies up soon. I'm just aching to get some scrappin' done too, after all I just took over 500 great photos last week, but first I must clean, and organize and get my bills paid. Jeff seemed to handle the trip alright with his back pain getting a little better every day. Although today he is back to the couch again. Not sure if he just doesn't want vacation to end or if he has over exerted himself. I think the first choice is probably more likely.

The Hoh Rain Forest
is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!! This was our fourth trip to the forest, although we hadn't gone in 7 years! The last time we went we met my brother Randy, his wife Shannon and Shannon's little brother Kevin there. It rained the whole time (it was the end of June) and I don't think they had a very good time. They probably also didn't believe us when we were bragging this place up, so here's my chance to make up for it! Is this a gorgeous place or what? This untouched forest is hundreds of years old and is so natural and fresh! Talk about inspiration! Moss grows on everything. The trees are gigantic and when a fallen tree starts to decompose new ones grow right over the top. The "Hall of Mosses" trail is in the dense trees and absolutely gorgeous! I got stung by a wasp, which really stunk, but got these gorgeous pictures on the walk.

Here is the Worlds Largest Red Cedar Tree. We took a short hike up to see this amazing site. It is 63.5 feet in circumference, 19.5 feet in diameter and 174 feet tall. It had some green still at the top and a lot of things growing out of it, but was hollow inside which was quite interesting. The kids jokingly walked into the back of the tree and started picking out which rooms they wanted to have for their bedrooms. Yes, it was really that big inside! See Zoe... she is doing her "signature" Peace Sign, which she keeps sneaking into every photo I take of her lately!

We were lucky enough to see this herd of Elk right outside the campground on our way out. Our campsite was right next to this creek so I'm assuming they probably walked right by us and we didn't even know it. We got very close to take some photos (as did a line up of cars on the side of the road). Quite an amazing site.