The sun never shines on the 4th of July in Seattle. When it did this year, that should've been our first warning. When two weeks of sunny and even hot weather followed, that should've been our second warning. By the time we flew in from Amsterdam on July 12th and headed out camping at Fort Flagler with Matt's dad and sister Wendy on the 16th, the rains returned. At least our new tent held up and we could take shelter in Grandpa Dean's camper trailer.9. Seeing old friends.
Matt's 20-year high school reunion took place two days after we arrived in Seattle. Recovering from jet lag is one thing when traveling alone. When traveling with kids in tow, it takes on a whole new meaning. Extended sleep deprivation did wonders for memory ("What's your name again?") and made a fun but already surreal experience even more surreal.
8. Can you hear me now?
As fate would have it, our trip coincided with Matt's company closing an investment round. Rather than taking advantage of the periodic "sunbreaks" to stroll on the beach, fly kites or just hang out with family, Matt was instead on his phone and laptop for hours each day. His makeshift "office" -- a covered picnic shelter with unobstructed views (no walls), fresh air (exposure to rain) and a feeling of being at one with nature (bird droppings everywhere).7. Wendy's graduation party.
Big Sistah just graduated with a mastah's degree in psychology of animal behavior. Threw a blowout party for family and friends at her Vashon Island log cabin retreat. By also spending the night there with Ben and Sophie, we gave her new fodder for animal behavior observations...6. Wildlife.
Deer near the campground. Bald eagles overhead. And a visit to the Sequim Game Park, which is filled with a diverse yet rather beleaguered-looking array of animals - from roaming buffalo that sidle up to your car to peacocks that flash their feathers like you're the hottest bird that ever happened to drive by their roost. One llama in particular took a special liking to Grandpa, or at least to his bread handouts.5. Ben Franklin would be proud.
Grandpa treated Ben and Sophie to their first kites. Had good winds one afternoon. Of course, they were spurred on partly by a large thunderstorm that was passing some miles to the west. At one point, it seemed the thunderhead was getting too close for comfort and we made a quick dash for the car. But the foreboding, dark storm mainly just provided an impressive backdrop.4. Please, sir, may I have s'mores?
Few things motivate children more than food. And when it comes to camping food, there's nothing that competes with the combination of graham crackers, chocolate and roasted marshmallows. Don't want to clean up those toys? Don't forget what you can have tonight if you do. Not gonna finish your breakfast? Remember the s'mores. Don't want to nap? Don't forget what good nappers get at the campfire later...3. Daddy, why do you have to be on the phone all the time?
This is really just more of #8 above. But it's a question no parent wants to hear. One that unleashes feelings of guilt without end and fears of childhood scars. Visions of future counseling sessions in which the then grown-up child wrestles with deep-seeded feelings of abandonment by distant parents who were preoccupied with work, even on vacation. Parents who later develop odd-shaped tumors on the sides of their heads from over-exposure to mobile phone transmissions.2. Who needs Tylenol PM when you've got legal documents to review?
The sheer mind-numbing properties of a well-drafted stock purchase agreement cannot be overstated. Anyone with insomnia or restless leg syndrome, or who drank too much coffee late in the day only needs to peruse a legal document of this kind to experience an immediate and overpowering urge to close one's eyes and enjoy a fast track to REM sleep.1. Someday, we'll have a real vacation.
Despite these endless complaints, there were more than a few wonderful moments and family bonding times. More s'mores around the campsite at Grandpa's house, countless hours of fun with two electric remote-control cars Grandpa gave Ben and Sophie, and unbridled frolicking on Grandpa's front lawn. Next time, we'll have even more of these moments...
