Friday, October 10, 2025

10-years in the making

 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
  • 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

And here we are - starting the next chapter of our lives! 

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