I was thinking about setting up a new blog and viola! Already did that after our Europe travels - life just got in the way and I haven't blogged for 10 years!
As we start this next chapter, I am so grateful for our family & friends; for the employment opportunities we had and for all the random stuff we've done together. If one of us thinks it, the other encourages it - and suddenly, we're off on a new adventure. I can't wait to see where the next 10-years take us.
Sharing a few highlights from the past 10-years which don't cover the ton of great family & friend get-togethers, holidays, birthdays, plays, little trips, cat photos and of course, hiking. Not in order within each year, but some favorite memories:
- 2016
- Whistler trip
- Silverwood, ID
- Glacier National Park
- Hiawatha trail
- 520 bike ride (grand opening of the new floating bridge)
- Group Camping at Sun Lakes ('it's after 10')
- First public acknowledgement of 'retirement planning'
- 4th of July at Ocean Shores
- 2017
- Vancouver, BC trip
- Japan trip (avoid August!)
- Philmont Scout Ranch with Venturing Crew - 12 days backpacking
- 2018
- Costa Rica trip
- Spring barrel tasting w/friends
- San Francisco trip - Not a Flame Thrower
- Anchorage trip
- 4th of July at Ocean Shores
- 2019
- 20th anniversary cruise - the Baltics
- So CA trip - just me, Michelle & our kids. Disney, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo, Sea World
- Megan graduated WHS
- 2020
- Sold the trailer (~Feb 2020) - Bad timing there! We would have used it a TON in the next 2 years, had we only known
- COVID Shutdown (Mar 2020)
- Broken ankle & fallout from surgery (during COVID)
- 2021
- Evanescence and Halestorm concert
- Hiked Spray Park Loop at Mt. Rainier
- Cabo & LaPaz, Mexico trip - warning, streets flood when it rains
- Whidbey - week rental while kid's bathroom was being remodeled
- Chelan - girls' getaway with Michelle
- 2022
- Sophia & Sherry trip to New York
- Salmon fishing in Sitka
- Summited Mt. Edgecumbe: 3,201 ft
- First ever Opera, 'Marriage of Figaro'
- Kona, HI trip
- 2023
- Sophia graduated WHS
- Sophia started at Oregon State University - Go Beavs!
- Dan & Sherry summited Kilimanjaro & did a 5-day safari
- First ever hike to see the Larches - Maple Pass Loop
- 2024
- Scuba - dry suit certification
- 25th anniversary trip to Maui (brought 2 kittens home to their new adopted families too - great experience!)
- Whistler summer trip (Scandinave Spa is amazing)
- Miata 💓
- The Offspring - trip to Anaheim, CA
- Port Townsend - Girls' getaway with Michelle (Guys went on a motorcycle trip)
- Kauai, HI trip and hiking Waimea Canyon's Awa-'awapuhi Trail
- 2025
- MBA completed - Jan 2025 (started Oct 2024)! Woot!
- Retirement parties 😺
- Green Day & Sublime at Bottlerock Music Festival
- Ozzy's last concert, "Back to the Beginning" in Birmingham, UK & a short visit to Ireland
And here we are - starting the next chapter of our lives!
