A lot has happened since my last blog. My dearest friend passed away in May. Then we had to go to Ocean Shores to scatter the ashes of my Mother and her second husband. This is where my "Summer Journey" starts. 
My Mom was tied to water in a way I don't think even she realized. She was deathly afraid of water and was well into her 30's before she learned how to swim, which consisted of getting her face wet and learning to float. This was all done in the shallow end of the city pool. She used to get so mad at me for swimming out beyond where I could touch bottom in the lakes around here. She even grounded me for a week because I swam across Deep Lake where my Dad owned a lumber mill. And I had an adult rowing a boat right along side of me the whole way! That didn't matter to Mom. It was "over my head" and I was flirting with DEATH!! Then, after my Dad passed away when she was 55, she met her second husband. Together they traveled all over the west coast and she found she love the ocean. They spent many summers, camping in their trailer, on the beaches of Washington and Oregon. They picked agats, sand dollars, shells and driftwood. They flew kites and took all the Grandkids on many adventures. And much to my surprise, this was where she wanted her final resting place to be. So, on July 19, her wishes were carried out at Ocean Shores, Washington. About 30 of us gathered to say goodbye.
We "beachcombed" and flew kites, one of which was anchored and left in the sand as a tribute. We shopped, ate at the restraunts, stayed at a Motel on the beach and did all the touristy things Mom loved to do. So, Mom, just like I'm sure the kite did, you're on your way to a new adventure. You can tell us all about it when we get there.
Hopefully the next installment, Crater Lake, will be coming sooner than this one.
