The Great Northwest

 It was a different sort of gangland 'campout' this year. Instead of a campground we pitched tents on B's sister's lawn in Lacey, Washington. It was mostly rainy, which made for some tweaks to the program but we still managed to do what we had hoped: visit Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens and the rainforest. The Ealys didn't make this one, so it was just the Hicks, Marshall-Holes and us (B, Jess and me only).

Tara and an Evergreen exchange student were in the house as well, so it was pretty full by the time we all piled up inside when it got cold and blustery. We managed, played games, read and B.S.'d.

 Brian overlooking the glacier on top of Mt. Rainier. It was an amazing hike, crowded like Disneyland at the beginning, then thinning out a bit towards the top. The wildflowers were in full bloom.

 We didn't get to see much of the rainforest, we only had a couple of hours (the drive alone took half the day). But we did see a corner of it and hiked along a gorgeous river. I miss the moss.

We spent one day on the water on Puget Sound. The rain let up just enough to make it pleasant (but not overly summery). We used the boat to shuttle out to an island used as a state park and it being a weekday, it was very quiet. The brave ones went tubing of course and the not-so-brave ones relaxed.