Wake up call

The following morning we got up rather leisurely and had a fine breakfast, overlooking the beach.  While still telling stories around the breakfast table (some gals still in their PJ's), a SIREN blew.  And then we could hear helicopters and a voice over a loudspeaker: Tsunami warning!!!  Evacuate.  What??? Really???

We started hustling around, closing up suitcases, throwing them in the trunk of the car, and driving up to higher ground.  We all had our cell phones with us and looked for a place where we would have good reception.  Was this evacuation real?  After intense Google research, we discovered that it was a test - a drill.  Wow, was it ever convincing!  So after about 20 minutes we were able to return to the cabin, unload, and feel considerable relief.

I'm on the far left, then its Kathleen, Janet, Mary, and Pat. Donna is not in this shot.

Later I walked down to the beach and looked for some interesting driftwood - small pieces, mind you.  One neighbor of Pat's has a couple dogs that like to chase a stick, and they tend to get new visitors engaged in that activity.  Me included.

We could see big container ships passing by, going up the straits of Juan De Fuca. 

A lot of driftwood is washed up on these beaches, and the kids have a ball building...

Setting out on a new adventure

October 14, 2015 I flew to Seattle, met 3 other gals (one of which I knew), and in a rented car we headed for the Olympic Peninsula, a new place to visit for me! 

The mission: Join 2 more gals (total party of 6) to become lighthouse keepers for a full week at the New Dungeness Lighthouse near Sequim, WA. 

Phase one of the mission was to drive to Port Angeles, where one of the gals had a glorious cabin on the beach for us to stay in before and after the week at the lighthouse. It took several hours to get to Port Angeles from Seattle, and that included catching a ferry to the Olympic Peninsula.

Waiting in line to get on the Ferry as soon as it arrived.

Mt. Rainier in the background.

It was a beautiful day, and with "clear-enough" skies, I could see Mt. Rainier as we made the crossing.

It was dark by the time we arrived at the cabin, and Pat had supper on the stove and the table set. Dinner was a good opportunity for all of us to start getting aquainted. (3 of the gals had been roommates in college, and the other 3 of us were there because of our association with one of them.) 

Nature's design

High contrast patterns in the aspen trunk.

Splashes of color

The African Violets are doing so well and provide a wonderful splash of color in my computer room.

Slow change

It's a rather slow change in fall colors occurring here in the Wind River Valley.  The trees in my yard are slowly turning yellow and have dropped only a stray leaf or two.  The change is so gradual this year.. the trees indicating they want to extend the season for as long as possible.

Rehearsal Throw

I started this lap afghan/throw when I started our theater rehearsals, and I finished it just as we ended our final production.  So, I'm calling it my Rehearsal Throw. 

I used fiber from my stash, and I'm quite thrilled to get a quite a bit incorporated into this afghan.  I used a fan and feather pattern, and it was so easy to memorize.  Plus, I was on big needles.  It was the perfect mindless/wind-down project to grab after rehearsal and before bed.

Today I decided that I needed to get it washed and blocked so I can get the next project started.  I soaked it in the bathtub and then put it in the washing machine for a spin cycle.  I've not done that before, but say, that really does a nice job of getting the water out of the yarn. 

I folded the afghan in half and am letting it dry that way...not being too concerned about specific dimensions, or anything like that.  I'm looking forward to wrapping up in it as the temps continue to fall.

Cast photo

A few minutes before we starting seating dinner guests for Saturday's production of "Wash Your Troubles Away," we gathered for a cast photo.

 Then, I stepped into the picture - for posterity.

And then things got a little crazy.  Must be show time.