Rattlesnake Ridge

Since there was 20% chance of rain and the temperature were in the 60s on Saturday I went for a hike.  Rattlesnake Ridge is east on the I-90 just past North Bend.  It is a great hike for it views, level of sweat, and free parking.  There trail was fairly busy but not bad; it is a family friendly trail,  It is 1.9 to the top there are great shots of Mt. Si; it was really beautiful.  At the top of Rattlesnake Ridge you can climb on some rocks or the trail veers off to the left.  After taking pictures from the rocks I decided to keep going on the trail for a little while.  The only problem is that once I am on the trail I want to see where it ends.  I was having a hard time stopping I told myself I would turn around at 3pm.  I got a little spooked because I was alone for quite some time and I prayed that the Lord that I would see someone soon.  A minute later two guys came walking from the opposite direction and were able to tell me what the rest of the trail was like.  I had a great time hiking and enjoyed the amazing beauty of the Northwest.

 This shot was taken at the top of Rattlesnake Ridge. 

 Beautiful Cascade Mountains

Mt. Si in the Distance

I like how the branches, like fingers, are showing how big Mt. Si is

  

 The rock that you see is the top of Rattlesnake Ridge.

 Me

This is the lake near the parking lot.  Although my pictures don't reflect it very well, the lake is a beautiful blue.  It is similar to lakes that are blue from the glacier runoff.  I am not sure how well you can see them but there were tree stumps along the shore and couple that were sticking out of the lake.

This picture was taken at the trail head.

Tulips and Mt. Rainer

I am still pretty unfamiliar with how to use my camera but I have made some progress.  I have a better understanding of Aperture and Shutter Speed and so I went out and practiced a little the other Saturday.

 

Turning 36

For my birthday this year, we started celebrating a day early.  Derek, Alexis, the kids, and me when to PHO for dinner on Friday.  I have never tried PHO and thought my birthday would be a good time to broaden my international food experience.  It was pretty good.  On Saturday, Derek took me to a Sounders Game.  Derek and Alexis bought me a Sounders Jersey and Scarf; now I am a real fan.  I have never had a soccer jersey and it is something I would not buy for myself so it was the perfect gift.  The twins gave me hand soaps from Bath and Body Works which smell so nice.  After the game Derek and I stopped at the "Berliner" in downtown Seattle and had a Doner Kabab (it was quite as good as the ones you can get in Germany).  That evening, Derek, Alexis, and I went to the Temple since it was ward Temple night in preparation for Ward Conference.  I had a very nice birthday and feel much wiser now that I am 36.

Derek, Holly, Greta and Evan.  Alexis made a very delicious yellow cakes with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting.

Glass Blowing

Alexis bought a Groupon that allowed up to make our own Easter Egg or Bunny.  We got to choose the colors and then when instructed blow the glass.  Although it was less hands on then we anticipated it still was neat to see the eggs and bunny being made.  Evan, Greta and I blew eggs and Alexis made a bunny.

Evan made his egg first.  He choose Green and Yellow

Greta chose pink and white for her egg.  I liked her combination of colors the best.

I am not sure whose egg this is but you can see the stripes.  Our colors where not visible until the glass started to cool.

I choose blue and yellow stripes for my egg.

My finished egg

Dusty Bottoms, Lucky Day and Ned Nederlander in Seattle

In February, my friends, Nikki and Sandra, came for a weekend visit. Friday night I picked them up at the airport and we went out for authentic Australian food at The Outback. Saturday we went and had brunch at Chinooks which located at the Fishermen's terminal. It was neat to see all the fishing boats. After brunch, we went and cheered on the Arizona Wildcats who were playing the Washington Huskies. It was a good game but the Wildcats unfortunately lost.

Derek, Alexis, and Holly cheering on their Wildcats

Ned, Dusty, and Lucky

After the game, I took Nikki and Sandra (Dusty and Ned) to the Seattle Temple and then up to Snoqualmie Falls. Holly and Nikki freezing in front of Snowqualmie Falls. From here we headed to Uncle Si's and had some delicious pizza and draft beer (the root kind).

On Sunday after church, I took the girls to the Cedar River trail and we walked about a mile to a bridge. Nikki showed me how to use my camera in manual mode and I took senior portraits of the girls. Nikki's (Dusty) Senior Portrait

Sandra's (Ned) Senior Portrait

On Monday we headed to Seattle. We stumbled on this park as we were walking. It was really cool to see trees with sweaters.

We went to the top of Smith Tower where legend has it if a single woman sits in the chair she will be married in 1 year. Nikki hoping to prove the legend true.

View of the Space Needle from Smith Tower

After Smith Tower we went to the Underground Tour. Originally Seattle was built at sea level and there were all sorts of flooding issues. After Seattle was destroyed in a fire, the city decided to rebuild above sea level. Nikki and Sandra looking through a store window. Some of the shops around this area actually have parts of the original Seattle for their basements. If your in Seattle I highly recommend this tour; it is very interesting.

We also went on a Harbor Cruise. Unfortunately, the day was fogging and wet so we couldn't see the Olympics and Seattle skyline was hard to see, but we enjoyed the cruise anyway. Nikki and Sandra were able to experience a common Seattle day.

Part of the Harbor Cruise included going into the Shipyard which I found really interesting.

After the Harbor Cruise, we went to Pike Place Market. This was my first time to actually go through the whole market. Did you know there is a yummy donuts stand where you can get 6 little donuts for $2?

When we were leaving Pike Place Market we found these cool lamppost.

The last day the girls were here we went for a hike in the rain. Sandra and Nikki all bundled up again.

I just love how green things are here

I had a lot of fun laughing and taking the Ned and Dusty around Seattle.