Tag: San Juan Islands
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2019 The Year of This and That: Week 10
Have you ever had a week that felt busy in the moment but didn’t result in a list of accomplishments? My best case scenario for a week like this is that everyone made it through without any major problems and each busy day lead to something good later so by this…
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2019 The Year of Sunshine, Soft Colors and Decatur Island: Week 3
Sometimes a look back at soft, summer pastels is a nice way to pass through the dark days of January. Our warm winter continues but by this time of year the short days start to wear on me and I dream of long evenings outside until 10:00 pm enjoying the…
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My Year In Pictures: September Weeks 3 & 4
If you’re a follower of my Instagram feed you already know I’ve moved on from summer photos to fall and we’ve all been enjoying pretty leaves, gardening and seasonal changes so I’m pushing the fast forward button here and posting the last two weeks of September together in one fell swoop. I…
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My Year In Pictures: July Week 4
Hard to believe July is already in the past but at least we had a good time while it lasted. 🙂 This week’s set of photos is a mixed bag combining some favorite vacation shots with scenes from my walks through the city and a new order ready for shipping from…
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My Year In Pictures: July Week 3
After seven months of staying close to home and really stretching to make my daily images appear interesting I finally got out to take some pretty island photos. One of the creative challenges about keeping up this daily/weekly series is what to do when busy days mean no time for photo scouting…
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My Year In Pictures: July Week 2
While there are two different ways to view the lack of regular entries on my posting calendar the end result is the same… I’ve fallen woefully behind in my recap schedule. The good news is I’m keeping up with my daily Instagram/Facebook/Twitter pictures so there are plenty of new images to write about…
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Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Nature (Invincible Summer)
In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camus When our winter days are cold and dark I hold tight to moments like this knowing summer will come again. I took this Whidbey Island photo on a picture perfect August day as we hiked along Ebey’s…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Symbol (Summer Smiles)
Share your smile with the world. It’s a symbol of friendship and peace. Christie Brinkley This morning I’m remembering our 2014 Lopez Island adventure and dreaming about planning a return trip. One year ago today we hiked to the top of Iceberg Point and Ryan’s smile shone brightly from morning to night. Sharing friendship and…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Muse And The Spirit of Our Inner Child
“The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.” Stephen Nachmanovitch When I saw “muse” was the theme of the latest Weekly Photo Challenge I knew the days ahead were going to be full of beautiful photos and posts as bloggers around the world let us peek behind their creative curtains while…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Gone, But Not Forgotten
The remote beaches and rugged coastlines of the San Juan Islands are frequently mentioned as one of the top vacation destinations in the world but travel magazines rarely mention their history as a haven for turn of the century smugglers and rum runners. Famous privateers made and lost fortunes smuggling drugs, immigrants and…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Nighttime
“How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss Long summer days are one of my favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest but nighttime still comes far too fast. Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Nighttime.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity.
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iPhoneography Monday: 8-25-14
I snapped this cute little bunny enjoying an afternoon snack outside the Lopez Islander Marina during our visit last month. Rabbits are everywhere in the San Juan Islands today even though they are a favorite attraction for the tourists the critters aren’t native to the area and are seen…
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Travel Theme: Meeting Places
There’s nothing quite like the mix of summer weather, interesting beaches and kids with plenty of imagination and time on their hands. Driftwood forts are a common sight on Lopez Island and each beach we visited had at least one great structure ready and waiting for the next group to meet…
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iPhoneography Monday: 7-28-14
Today I’m taking Sally’s 4th Monday Challenger’s Choice prompt literally and posting a goofy family vacation shot as part of the Street Photography category. Walking back from a lazy summer afternoon at the pool can be just as much fun as playing in the water if you get to…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer Lovin’
When I was a kid three activities ruled my summers: Root Beer popsicles, great books, and riding my bike as fast as possible. I’m a little afraid to try Root Beer popcicles today for fear they won’t live up to my memories but I always have a book to read and…
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Travel Theme: Decoration
I thought this cheery beach smile from Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island would be fun to post as part of Alisa’s weekly Travel Theme: Decoration.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Relic
This International Boundary Monument sits on top of Iceberg Point on Lopez Island, WA and marks the 7th turning point of the US – Canada border along the 49th parallel. As part of my plan to see as much of this beautiful island as possible in a four-day vacation we…
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Travel Theme: Glow
Maybe I’m just looking for another opportunity to post a tulip picture but I can’t stop looking at these glowing red tulips under a stormy spring sky. Yesterday I drove a very excited Ryan to Anacortes, WA to join a group of 18 middle school kids and 6 scientists for an…
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Travel Theme: Round
We found this old wagon wheel just down the beach from the driftwood pirate ship I posted yesterday. The owners of the property have a knack for collecting and re-purposing old items and interesting pieces of wood but I think this wheel is at the end of its road… Posted as…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top
On top can be a feeling, a perspective, or a physical location. The Daily Post – Sara Rosso This eagle perched on a weathered driftwood pirate ship had to feel like he was sitting on top of the world… Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Infinite
Infinity can produce contrasting effects on (and in) us: it might make us feel dwarfed or amplified, afraid or empowered. The Daily Post – Ben How do you feel under a summer sky filled with the constantly changing combinations of fluffy, white clouds? Do you feel small in comparison to the infinite expanse…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
I don’t know what it is about small spaces that pulls children inside, ready to play, hide or even relax. I was one of those kids who didn’t like being squished into someplace small but as you can see, Ryan and his cousin Emma have been doing it for years.…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow
After catching four-year-old Ryan with his third stolen cookie of the afternoon I really needed to take a quiet walk away from our family picnic on the beach… He was ready for me to leave too and I can still hear him say “I’ve got this beach figured out mom, take a…
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Black and White Weekly Challenge: Abstract
Sonel’s newest theme for her Black and White Challenge series is the word “Abstract”. I really like how these simple shades of black and white accentuate the abstract, natural shapes in this sea star and driftwood stump in the San Juan Islands.
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Travel Theme: Tilted
Alisa’s current travel theme challenges us to show images illustrating the word Tilted. I spent a few days looking through my archives and finally chose two photos from summer vacations that were a little off kilter… I really admire the tenacious nature of these tough pine trees surviving on the edges of the San Juan…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgic
Nostalgic. Sometimes, we long for the past: for moments we want to remember or recapture. The good times. The golden years. Or perhaps we’re homesick, or longing for something — or someone — that might have been. Cheri Lucas Rowlands The Daily Post I have been in a…
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Black and White Weekly Photo Challenge: Bridges
The third week of Sonel’s black and white challenge asks us to show the word “Bridge”. For more unique interpretations of bridge please visit Sonel’s Corner and her Black and White Challenge: Bridge.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Curves
Curves. I bet you can find curves wherever you are. Show me! Sara Rosso – The Daily Post Sara’s right, curves are everywhere when you begin to look. I have a gallery of curvy images to share from some memorable summer vacations around the Pacific Northwest.
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Journey
Photographers, show us JOURNEY – The Daily Post Spring Break 2012: Four beach front Island cabins filled with 9 adults, 7 kids and 4 dogs. Boat access only, no grocery stores , plenty of warm clothes, hiking, exploring and great memories.
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Travel Theme: Pathways
This week Alisa asked us to share photos of pathways we have travelled. These are a few of my favorites from our adventures through Washington State from the water to the mountains. To see more paths from around the world take a look at Where’s My Backpack and the Travel Theme:…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape
This was a long day spent trying to escape from our escape… They call it Shallow Bay for a reason! For more great tales of escape and adventure please visit the Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape.
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Travel Theme: Beaches
This week Alisa over at Where’s My Backpack says “let’s have a beach party!” If you have visited my blog more than once you know I love spending time by the water so this theme should be a breeze. Well, looking through all of my Northwest beach pictures is a…
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A Word A Week: Orange
This week Sue’s dictionary at A Word in Your Ear has opened to the word “Orange”. I love listening to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons so for this challenge I thought it would be fun to show you how orange changes through Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter in the Pacific Northwest.
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Travel Theme: Pale
Alisa of the wonderful Where’s my backpack has asked us to search our archives for pictures that embrace the word “pale”. I usually lean toward bright and bold colors but there are days when softer hues capture my attention. If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme please follow Alisa’s directions below: Create…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Forward
In response to today’s Weekly Photo Challenge I have two pictures of a great friendship moving forward through 11 years. When my son was one he found a new friend at daycare. It didn’t matter to them that they were boy and girl and happily, 11 years later, this still isn’t a factor in their…
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My Favorite places in Washington (State) Part One – The Puget Sound
If your view of Washington State begins with Sleepless in Seattle and ends with Grey’s Anatomy you’ve seen some beautiful scenery but happily my home state has a lot more to offer. As the population center, Seattle receives most of the publicity but did you know there are six distinct geographic regions within the state…
Northwest Frame of Mind 