Summer Review

It's been a busy summer! It's been so busy and so much fun. I've gotten to see so many places that I've never been before. Lots of stuff to cross off in my 1000 Places book. :) I haven't posted much so here's a quick summary of some of the highlights.

June

A weekend with some friends on Orcas Island. I'd never been to the San Juan Islands before and loved the gorgeous scenery! Here we are on Mount Constitution, Canada in the distance.



And another gorgeous view from Orcas.


Then I got to spend some time in Utah with my dad and some family. We spent such a wonderful day in the Logan Temple with lots of family I don't get to see very often. Words just don't do that day justice.



Then my dad and I headed south in this beauty. That's not exactly a barge...it's a Grand Marquis!


We went to Arches National Park . So beautiful! And so crazy! It felt like one giant movie set. This earth we live on is pretty amazing.



And my dad discovered this great new look. :)




Then it was off to the east cost for a drive from DC back to Seattle.

My very first burger from White Castle in Ohio (I think). Harold and Kumar were no where to be found. Sadly.


And here we are in the car on what is, I believe, the very first hip-hop day. Obviously it's a new scene for both of us. Love me some Jay-Z! :)


The worlds only Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.


Wall Drug in Wall, SD. I'd first heard about this several years ago and wasn't really sure what to expect. I really didn't expect it to be so big! Very entertaining.



Mount Rushmore! We got there kind of late in the day but we got to see the evening show and the lighting of the monument. Definitely a must see, if you're ever in the neighborhood.


July

For the 4th of July I traveled to the exotic Tri-Cities to celebrate with this fun crowd.


Here are some of the fireworks from our show, brought to you by my brothers.



Some of the kids like the fireworks more than others.





And while I didn't have to travel for this one, it's definitely a touristy thing! We rode the duck tour! Dorky? Yes. Fun? Totally! :) It's a land and sea tour around the Seattle waterfront, down town and Lake Union in this beauty.


And on Lake Union we got to see the Sleepless in Seattle lake house. It's the greenish one just to the left of the center of the photo.


August

Womancation 2010: Tennessee
We spent some time in Nashville then drove to Memphis and spent a couple of days there before driving back to Nashville to fly home.
Here I am outside Tootsies. Verdict - the honkey tonks in Nashville are great fun! Where else can you wander in and out of all the clubs you want without paying a cover charge? The music was great too!




And in Memphis we saw Beale Street and the famous Blues clubs that line it. We were there on Saturday night and got to see street performers as we wandered up and down the blocked off street.



Then of course we stayed a night at the Heartbreak Hotel across from Graceland.



We couldn't use a flash so the picture is dark. But here's me in the Jungle Room! It was awesome, in the tackiest kind of way.


And here I am at the Meditation Garden at Elvis's grave site.


I wasn't going to put this video on here...but it just makes me laugh too hard NOT to. Here is Kerry rocking some karaoke with the King. Look out, this mamma's got some moves!!! :)


We didn't go through the museum but this is the Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. The front of the motel has been preserved and is the front of the Civil Rights Museum.





And the trip was rounded out with a paddle boat tour of the Mississippi River.



It's not a comprehensive review but this hits some of the summer's highlights so far.
This weekend's agenda...get some stuff done at home! Finally. :)