Northwest Critters

A few weeks ago I took the Chatterbunch to the Seattle Zoo, a two and a half hour drive away through freeway-land. The seven (yes, 7!) of us bundled into my trusty Grand Caravan, along with cameras (Lucas & me), drawing materials (Jada), cool hoodies (Ed, Maurice, Lucas), classy purse & jacket (Crystal) and a stroller, diaper bag, snacks, drinking cup, etc, etc... (Xavier). I'd forgotten the paraphanalia that accompanies a day tripping 2-year-old. I'll forgo whining about camera gear in the future...
The weatherman had promised us a sunny hot day and silly woman that I seem to be, I had dressed without MY cool hoodie or classy coat in a short-sleeved t-shirt and capris...

The animals loved the rain. The otters were playing with their food and the normally sluggish grizzlies ran to get the food being served on the fly. Even the lion female strutted her stuff for us.
In spite of the show the animals put on, the critters who captured my heart were these.




I will return another rainy day with my camera to capture the animals dancing. I'll even wear rain gear and dress in layers like a good PNW resident. Try as I might, I guess I'm a Nanni first. These faces are my favorite source of artistic inspiration, whatever the medium.
I mean, how could I resist a face like this one?

Thank You, Teddy

Last weekend my honey and I got away for a time of R&R. We revisited a favorite spot, introduced to us years ago by Keith and Chris (many thanks, guys!). Loading up the camping gear, a borrowed air mattress, a feather comforter, and throwing assorted food items into the cooler, we took off for the clean air and solitude of Crescent Lake on the Olympic Peninsula.
Just down the hill from our campsite was our own private beach where I did some sketching while Ed pondered the mysteries of the universe...

Setting up camp uncovered some surprises. Ed filled the air mattress, bringing it over to where I had set up the tent, only to discover the tent was made for a double mattress. After wrangling it inside the dome, the tent floor lifted from the ground...
While laying the fire we discovered we had forgotten the axe to split the wood. It went like this:
"Jenny, where is the axe?"
"I don't know. Didn't you bring it?"
"No... I thought it was in with the camping gear."
"Oh... I thought you had packed it separately."
This conversation preceded frantic searching through the camping gear, revealing we had overlooked a few other items essential for cooking over an open fire. Thank goodness we both had brought aluminum foil and a sense of humor... As we shuffled foiled-encased chicken and salmon over the flames, Ed declared, "No axe, no spatula, no skillet, no tongs... NO PROBLEM!"

We played on and in the cold and incredibly clear water and were gifted with glorious sunshine...
And took a walk through the silence of the forest. We got re-focused and refreshed in this pristine setting thanks to the vision of one individual: someone neither of us have ever met personally. In 1938 the Olympic Peninsula was set aside as a National Park by then President Theodore Roosevelt. A single person, pursuing his or her dream can certainly affect the lives of generations yet unborn. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise... Go for it. my friends.