Decatur Adventure

I can't remember the last time we took a family vacation.  Just the 5 of us.  And with no other goal than to spend time together.  We finally did it.  And it was awesome.
I asked my well traveled clients where we should go, and one of them offered us her vacation home on Decatur Island.  It was so perfect.  Relaxing, rambling over the island, watching the mist on the water, the sunsets, playing Sorry, working on puzzles, doing art projects, sacrament meeting in the home of the caretaker via phone connection to Lopez Island.  It was serene, beautiful, perfect.

Libby studied the NW tribes in her class this year.  She was so excited to see this totem pole!

Kathy, my client and our fabulous tour guide, and the Decatur Northwest ferry.  It was a great 45 minute ride out from Anacortes.  

The whole family together.  Libby constantly making faces these days.  

Candid picture on the boat deck.  So beautiful.  

The view on the top deck.  2 very handsome dudes. 

The view from "Sheep Hill" a serious hike from our place.  

On that first hike, the girls really wanted to see the ram of the sheep herd.  And, we did!  Both of them!

Apparently Derek is a champion (scout camp) rower.  We attempted a race.  He certainly beat me.  I can't go straight to save my life.  But it was pretty fun.  

I brought an art project for us to do every day.  Derek thought this was a silly idea until he realized that this was his nap time.  Then he fully embraced our art endeavors.  We did pipe cleaner art, rubbings, and then painted with watercolors.  

Sisters, in vibrant colors.

I loved how this tree was growing out amid these rocks.  Determination!

We got in some strength training along with our walking.  We walked about 7 miles each day (and these were some major hills!).  That was a lot for little Ben legs.  But he did it!

Shell collecting.  Very important endeavor.  Now, what to do with all those shells?  Another art project?

King of the Hill

Princess of the Hill

About to get VERY VERY cold.  Lake swimming. I didn't think they would actually get in (I sure didn't!) but they did, and had fun.  We definitely went back for hot cocoa!

In the water with daddy.  

I finished the puzzle I brought.  Then I attempted another puzzle.  It kicked my trash.  It was only 550 pieces, but all these seashells, like 50% orange.  Derek finally just put it away.  I was relieved.  

On the last afternoon we discovered Pirate's Cove.  It was great.  It was the rockiest beach, but fun for the kids. Libby and Ben climbed up this ladder high enough to see some crab parts and yellow jackets in the crow's nest.  They didn't venture onto it.  

Sarah playing on the pirate ship.  

We traveled around a bit by golf cart.  It was really fun.  Ben kept calling it the "go cart."  Then, like clockwork Sarah would say, "It's a GOLF CART, not a go cart!"  Like 14 times a day.  This was when we were all loaded up for home.  

Since we ate a pretty healthy and totally homecooked diet all week, we splurged on the way home.  The "Best Rootbeer float in WA" said one review of the Fidalgo Drive In.  Not sure if it was the very best, but it was certainly the biggest I've ever seen.  Libby wanted one by herself.  We made her share it with Mom and Dad and we still didn't finish it!
  

Ahhhh.  It was hard to come home.  But, the best part of coming home is that realization that while we are sad to leave, we are actually happy to come home.  We are so blessed to have a great life, a challenging but fun routine, and another chance to get away later this summer.