Washington Park

 Last week we met up with some friends and took a drive up to Washington State Park just west of Anacortes.  It sits on a peninsula near the tip of Fidalgo Island. On a clear day you can see stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and over the San Juan Islands from the walking loop that circles the park.  As you can imagine, it is a favorite spot during the summer for camping, picnicking and boating.  However, on this cold and blustery November day, we just wanted to take a drive and find a place where we could get out into the fresh air and stretch our legs.  I only had my old camera phone with me but hopefully, I captured a sense of the day.

As we walked by we saw a seagull on his perch overlooking the strait.  On our return trip an hour later he was still there.  I wonder what he was contemplating as he gazed out over the water. 

We wandered in and out between the rocky shoreline and the trees.

We saw one intrepid sailor braving the choppy waters. 

Eventually, we made our way down to the cove beach.

 

We ended our day with a late lunch at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Mount Vernon.  I loved this painting of the Farmhouse that was hanging on the wall inside the lobby area. 

 

 We were very fortunate to have been able to enjoy a quiet meal there as a few days later our governor shut all restaurants down again for the next few weeks. We are praying for those who will be facing more hardships as the holiday season approaches.  However, we are also very grateful that at least we can get outside and take in the breathtaking beauty of this magnificent place we call home.

Adieu and many blessings to all who stop by.

 

 

A Lakeside Drive

Yesterday after meeting a friend for breakfast I decided to take a little drive around the lake.  We have a new craft shop in town so I stopped there first to see what new things were on display.  I was expecting autumn decor but low and behold it's now Christmas! No! No! No! It's way too soon!  Remember when the Christmas decorations didn't go up until after Thanksgiving?  Needless to say, I am not ready for that, so I quickly left.

Next, I drove down to the local park.  The air was brisk and clean and I had the place to myself.  I took my very first walk by myself without a cane! Yay!!  It was just a short one but that's OK.  Thank you Lord for your blessings! 

A little group of ducks came to greet me.  No doubt checking to see if I had a treat for them.   Sorry guys. 

I was able to walk out to the end of the dock and back.  The view from there is beautiful.  I am really missing my good camera!

We brought our granddaughter to this park area to play a couple of times over the summer.  My mother just lives around the corner from here. 

I didn't stay too long as there was a storm coming in.  The wind had already blown many of the leaves down to the ground.  I loved being outside all bundled up, but I still couldn't have moved quickly enough to stay dry if it suddenly started to rain, so I slowly headed back to my car.

Once I was back in my car, I drove on around the lake until I arrived at our little village.  Here I stopped and again walked a short distance to the boat dock.  In the summer, this spot is hopping with little boats busily arriving and leaving the water, but now all was quiet.  It was a good spot to watch the clouds roll in.

 Looking across the lake from here my house would be up a hill behind the tall trees in the center of this photo.  I used to walk from there around the lake and to this spot at least once a week.  Lord willing I will again, but right now I am so happy to be able to do what I can now.

The sky was getting darker so it was time to head for home.  Autumn color is still vivid in my back yard.

even in the wind,

And inside too,

 
I finished my front entryway display.  A few little pumpkins and a couple of pine cones filled in the spaces and made it complete.  I think I like it and will enjoy having it greet me throughout the rest of the autumn season as I come into the house

 Thank you for stopping by.  May the Lord bless and keep you. Adieu!

A Walk in the Arboretum

The clouds have been gathering and the sky is getting dark.  Soon I will begin to hear the sound of raindrops on the roof which will probably last the rest of the afternoon and into the night.  Last week however, it was a different story as my cousin came to visit and we were able to enjoy a lovely walk in the sunshine at the Evergreen Arboretum located in one of our local parks. It's not very large which makes it a perfect place for me to enjoy all the beautiful plants without getting overtired.  There are many types of evergreen trees in this garden.  However, I was more interested in the flowers and shrubs.

Here were the last of the late summer dahlias still in bloom and such a pretty shade of yellow tinged with peach.

Nearby was a section filled with different shades of pink and purple.

I don't know if this is a type of fuschia or something else altogether.  The color combination is striking.

This bench was the perfect place to stop and take a break and to enjoy the tranquility surrounding us before moving on to navigate the steps up to the fountain.

  

 

The green leaves on this maple tree won't begin to turn golden until November, but the seed pods have already turned a bright orange-red, and it won't be long before the wind causes them to propel down from their clusters like tiny little helicopters.  When my children were small they used to love to watched them slowly spinning down to the ground.

Autumn seems as though it has barely touched this garden, but the trees in other parks in the area are telling a different story.  Across the way from the pool where The Investigator and I go for some of my Physical Therapy  these trees have already shed many of their leaves leaving a crunchy carpet to walk upon.

And once again, I have brought a taste of autumn indoors.

If you look through the windows you can see the autumn colors both outside and in.  So I leave you with this wonderful quote by Albert Camus which says everything I feel about this time of the year. 
  

"Autumn is a second spring

when every leaf is a flower" 

 Thank you for stopping by. Adieu.