Friday, August 31, 2007

So close!

I saw this commercial on tv tonight and hoped it would be online somewhere... Gotta love youtube!
This would absolutely be my husband if given the opportunity!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Orcas Island 2007

We finally got to experience our Christmas presents from 8 months ago! I gave Ben a San Juan Tour in a 1929 Biplane... and a few days before Christmas, when I realized he was still lost on what to 'get' me... I told him not to worry - we'd make his a 2-part gift and I'd enjoy the second half. He really hated not knowing what he was giving me so he made sure to put something really great in my stocking (the new Jeremy Camp cd!!) ...My gift would be to stay the night in Orcas Island at one of the beautiful Inn's!

Sunday afternoon Ben and I made the trip to Anacortes, spent the day browsing wonderful little antique shops, then enjoyed a yummy dinner and the Mariner's game at this little tavern in "Old Town".
Monday morning we woke up early to catch the ferry to Orcas Island, grabbed a quick lunch at this horrible little place (the sign out front saying "good food" really should have been an indicator that they were trying too hard!) And then made it to Rod's hangar to go on our flight. It was absolutely AMAZING! I was a little freaked out on more than one occasion, but Ben smiled like a little kid the entire time! He's always wanted to fly and I know this experience has fueled that little "want to be a pilot" flame! Ben wanted to do some big loops and spins but it wasn't that kind of flight (thankfully!) We did however make a very sharp turn into a downward spiral while Rod gave it a little gas to show us what "2 G's" felt like. He also took us right through a big puffy cloud and we got to stick out our hands to touch it! SO COOL! It was very cold and wet (obviously)...

After the flight we drove to Mt. Constitution and checked out the view from the top (again), and climbed this really cool old lookout tower made of big stones. Orcas' main town, Eastsound, didn't have the cool little shops we'd hoped for and everything, including restaurants, closed abnormally early... but it was still fun. Gas was $3.64 a gallon, so we were glad we could walk everywhere to avoid having to buy gas on the island! Still weary after the lunch we'd had, we thought we'd be safe and had pizza from a cute little pizzeria we'd found. (It was full of the locals so we felt much better!)

We stayed up most of the night to watch the Lunar eclipse. We had a deck off the back of our room and could see the moon over the water - it was beautiful! It was Ben's first eclipse, which added a sweet excitement! Finally about 2:50 am the moon was fully covered, and because it was Tuesday (my birthday) Ben went in and got my present and gave it to me on the deck. A beautiful pearl necklace with earrings!

On the way home we stopped at the Berry Barn in La Connor for some fresh baked pie and ice cream, and hit the Burlington Outlet malls where I got a couple new work outfits... And really cute shoes!

It was a wonderful end to a very difficult month!


Anacortes Ferry Terminal


We're ready! (Well, HE'S Ready)

Can't beat the view!


Thanks Rod... Now focus on flying!

2 G's!

More pictures



After



Mt. Constitution

Ben getting his arm stuck, while trying to unstick one of the door handles.



Eclipse



He's so good to me! I LOVE my boy!!!