Moving Day

December 30 - Moving Day

If the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, our move to Arkansas began with some great friends who were willing to walk thousands of steps taking our furniture from the house to the moving containers.  We couldn't have done it without them, and wouldn't have wanted to either.  The stress of moving day was made much easier and even enjoyable by such industrious and good humored friends.  I know they're sorry they won't be able to help us unload - at least, that's what they said.  

This was the first day of our adventure.  The house we occupied for the past few years is now empty and ready for new residents.  Lynn and I are now tourists in the place that has been home for the last decade.  From the 15th floor of the Hyatt downtown, we're resting up from the intensity of the last few days and planning to enjoy a few relaxing days before beginning our drive to Arkansas.  Planning to leave on January 2 but we'll see.  For now, we rest.

Don't let this fool you.  This is just a fraction of the items waiting to be loaded into the shipping containers.

If you only knew the amount of education and business experience being used trying to get these legs off!

 This was one of the most challenging pieces of furniture.  It took all the ingenuity we had to get the legs off.  We'll remember you when we're all together around the table for dinner.

Polly seemed to enjoy giving directions to the guys.  Lynn and Judy were wondering why all the guys had to help take the legs off of the table. 

Loaded to the gills and ready to move.

The garage - staged and ready for loading.

This is the home for all our possessions for the next few weeks.  Actually, the movers underestimated what would be needed so a fourth was ordered and delivered.  Even after the super organizing and downsizing by Lynn The Organizer, we have a lot of stuff!

Sunset at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Saturday, October 11, 2014

While on the way to have dinner with friends in Richmond Beach this magnificent cloud formation caught my eye.  At the risk of being a few minutes late I took a detour to Saltwater Park just in time to join several other fellow cloud gazers and take these pictures.

Anacortes, WA

Friday, October 10, 2014

Following an overnight stay at Bay View State Park we drove a short distance to Anacortes, WA for lunch followed by a walk along the main street.  As we neared the end we noticed people gathering along the sidewalks and were soon met by the sounds of the local high school marching band warming up for what turned out to be their home coming parade.  I couldn't help but think of how many towns, large and small, across our country share this common experience of parades, marching bands, and Friday night football.  It made this short day trip feel like a home coming for us too.

The band warming up before leading the parade

I stopped here looking for the Guemes Island Ferry, one of the smallest in the state.

We didn't have our lunch here but it's definitely on the schedule for next time.

Bay View State Park

Bay View State Park is on Padilla Bay between Burlington and Anacortes, Washington.  While not as large as many state parks I've found it to be a great place to get away for a night or two.  It's about an hour's drive from where I live in Edmonds, Washington so it's possible to take a spontaneous trip as Lynn and I did when these pictures were taken on October 9, 2014.  We stayed in cabin #3 which has the best view of the sunset.  A nice campfire, some steaks on the grill for dinner, and a beautiful sunset made for an enjoyable one night get away.