Tag Archives | outdoors

Exploring Tide Pools

the beach / tide pools near  Me Kwa Mooks Park pic1 w700 x 950h-1

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The days have been cloudy with the usual rain in the forecast this week.  Bill, the kids and I took advantage of the break in the weather, low tide, and sunshine and drove to the beach and had a fun day exploring.  It was a short drive to Me Kwa Mooks Park in West Seattle near Alki beach.  Just across the street from the park,  with our boots on, we were ready to venture out into the tide pools.

The beaches here in the Pacific Northwest are great destinations for our family to visit.  {see other pictures at the beach here and here}.

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Happy Father’s Day ….. {Osprey backpack & diy gift tags}

Happy Father's Day diy gift tags.

Happy Father's Day,  Osprey backpack

Happy Father’s Day!

Backpacking, hiking and exploring the great outdoors is something Bill loves to do with the kids throughout the summer.  For Father’s Day gift this year we will be giving Bill an Osprey backpack {Stratos 36}. It’s a good quality backpack with lots of features that Bill really likes. .

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2014: Fly Fishing 101 & 201

Fly Fishing

{Caleb at the age of 3 learning how to fly fish in the backyard.}

It’s that time of year again when Orvis will be offering Free Fly Fishing 101 lessons at their stores nation wide {to find the nearest store click Here}.  You just have to sign up and be ready to learn. The Orvis staff will provide all the necessary equipments and supplies during the session to get you started.  After the 101 class, you will be given the opportunity to take the 201 class for a small fee {highly recommended}.  They will take you out to a lake, a pond, a stream or a river {depending on the store location} and guide you through fly fishing.  With a little bit of luck, you will catch a few fish!  This blog post is a recap of the fly fishing 101 and 201 classes that Bill took the kids to last year {Orvis store in Bellevue, Washington}.

To read the full blog post and watch the Orvis video from last year, click Here.

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Fly fishing  101

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Fly fishing 101 class

The fly fishing 101 began outside by getting familiar with the fly rod and learning how to cast.  Instructors were present to take everyone through basic casting techniques.  This lasted for about an hour.
{above picture, Caleb at the age of 8}

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Fly fishing 101

The session ended at the Orvis store going over tying knots, fly selections, understanding the differences in lines, and other basic information.  It was also a great time to ask questions and clarify anything that may have been confusing.

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Fly Fishing  201

Fly fishing 201

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Fly fishing 201

The fly fishing 201 class took place away from the Orvis store at a location out in the country surrounded by green pastures, trees and mountains.

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Fly fishing 201

The fly rods were assembled and ready to be used.

Fly fishing 201 class

Another quick fly casting session out in the open field got everyone ready.

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Fly fishing 201

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Fly fishing  201

Caleb brought in the first catch of the day.  The instructor was at his side guiding him every step of the way.

Beginner or haven’t fish in awhile, it’s time to get out to the water.  Bill will be introducing some friends, my brother and maybe our kids {again} to the Fly Fishing 101 at the Orvis store {Bellevue, WA} in May.

{to find the nearest Orvis store, contact, and/or register for the class click Here }

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Sources:
Fly Fishing 101  ⎜ April 19 & 26  ⎜  May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31  ⎜  June 7 & 14  ⎜
Fly Fishing 201  ⎜ May 4 & 18  ⎜  June 8  ⎜

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posted by: Bill & Kay

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November {a little this & a little that…}

our chicken, Ms Ellie

This is Ms. Ellie, one of our 7 chickens.

our chicken, Ms Ellie

Ms. Ellie has been living in our house for the past few months.  Still not sure what is wrong with her, but she is doing better.  I have been trying to get her back with the flock, but not quite there yet.  I am very hopeful, just one of the chickens still  likes to peck her {any advice will be greatly appreciated on this subject}.  She does go out and mingle with the other chickens during the daytime and at night, her home is in the our house.  The first time I forgot to bring her back in, the search began with a flashlight and calling for her {I don’t think that helped} just to comfort my anxiety.  She was nowhere to be found. Finally, my daughter Hannah called me to look out the back door to see Ms. Ellie waiting patiently to come inside.  I haven’t had any problems finding her now.

.little green pumpkins

Although it’s late in the season, I finally started to clean the garden.  These little green pumpkins are just some that I’ve collected, not sure what to do with them yet. I will keep you posted on that.   apples

 It’s time to pick the last remnant of apples for my applesauce and put away my favorite old rickety ladder.

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applesauce

Already made four batches of applesauce, one more to go and I will be done.  I put a little twist on the recipe the last time I made it and substituted 1/2 pound of cranberries and added a little more sugar.  It turned out great.  {find the recipe Here}

moss

It’s moss season, actually it’s moss season year round… just more now and into spring time. These branches are simply beautiful to look at, the variety, colors and textures in one area.  I think a wreath may be a d.i.y. project in the near future.  I love using them in decorations, but not so much when they completely take over the yard like unwanted weeds.

fall colors & geese

A drive around town to see the fall colors.

 Fall City farms and mountains

A view of farm lands and mountains in the distance.

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Ideas are stirring in my head while putting this post together.  Can’t wait to try them and if successful, I’ll be sharing with other things this November!

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posted by: Kay

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