Monday, July 26 Barry and I returned to Vinny for our final week in Washington at the Lakewood Elks RV. We spent time each day with Barry’s mom. Barry has been here most of July to have quality time with his mom. It was nice for her to have so much time the last few weeks with just her baby boy.
Arlie is doing great at age 87. She loves to go out to eat. Barry and I rarely go out to eat, but have been out more times this month than the previous two years altogether. Because I prefer to cook over eating out, I fixed a couple meals at mom’s place for the three of us. It included ice cream for dessert one night and a homemade peach cobbler for dessert the next time.
Taco Tuesday has become routine for Arlie, with Debbie and Jack (daughter and son-in-law) who live next door to her. They like great deals, and at Ben Dews you get 3 street tacos, and a margarita for $8. I made it for two of them. I got mine without a tortilla, and let Arlie have my margarita. Daryl was able to join us on July 25, but I forgot to get a picture of all of us.
Two years ago Debbie and Jack introduced us to Snake Lake, Tacoma’s Nature Center where they walk almost daily. Barry and I went one day this week. We hit the jackpot for wildlife! We saw a deer upon arrival. We saw 8 turtles on logs by the bridge, squirrels, a blue heron, birds and a raccoon!
BLUE HERON
I thought this display of different houses was really cool to see. There is an identification label on the left front corner of each.
I was able to play pickleball most mornings in East Tacoma about 6 miles away. The people were really nice and were genuinely happy to play with me. When they heard I was just visiting they invited me back anytime I’m in the area again. Since we didn’t tend to go over to Arlie’s till about noon or after this worked out great. I had some great games.
SPECIAL ONE-ON-ONE TIME with MADDOX:
Maddox came to Arlie’s BBQ, but Barry and I neither one had the chance for much other than the typically polite, but rarely engaging, “HI, How ya doin’?” since the grandkids were there, as well as Abby and Richard. When not busy barbecuing for the 20+ people, Maddox was comfortable just hangin with Justin, Erika, and Mac. We couldn’t leave Washington without at least trying to have some private time with Maddox.
Monday, Aug 1, we met Maddox in Kirkland after he got off work. I didn’t want us to meet at a restaurant, and then be limited time wise, regularly interrupted by a server, and likely have other people closer to us than we’d like. I wanted something more casual and fluid that would be more conducive to real conversation. I didn’t want to feel a time constraint. A relaxing park setting where we could have a “picnic” dinner together was what I envisioned. Being attentive and present with each other was the priority – not the meal. Barry found Houghton’s Beach Park in Kirkland. It was perfect. To avoid heavy traffic we arrived a couple hours early and just enjoyed our area on the grass with the wonderful water view and snacks.
Maddox arrived about 4:30. Time flew by as we engaged in genuine conversation. Originally, I planned for us to swing by a local grocery such as PCC to get a BBQ chicken and a couple deli salads for our leisure picnic dinner, but we made a change in plans. Parking appeared to be scarce. Since there were two restaurant options bordering the park we wouldn’t need to move and lose our prime parking spot. We walked to the Beach House Grill. There were a few tables on the outside patio right by the water. Perfect. Dinner was great. The view was unbeatable, and the company topped it off.
Now these were awesome “street tacos”! My seafood salad was amazing!
These four hours together were rich with genuine conversation. Such wonderful one on one time was awesome. We have yearned for this kind of time with Maddox. We could now leave Washington with our hearts filled with love from the special time we had with each of our kids!
Barry and I treasure the time we had with all family and friends on our month-long visit. We love each of you ,and wish you health and happiness as you continue to live your lives, and making your dreams and ambitions reality. It is time for us to be MovinOn with ours. We will take a month along the very scenic route of 101 south through Oregon and California to return to the Chula Vista area. We would love for you to visit us in Yuma during the winter!