Seattle, Alice Lake and cousins Brad and Craig

My cousin Brad Williamson lives just an hour East of Seattle on a beautiful lake with Maggie and his daughter Emma, 15 and a kitty. They fixed us a delicious Salmon dinner on their porch. Lovely. Brad made a huge hanging sphere light that hangs in the tall trees overlooking the lake. What a piece of heaven they share. Although I hadn't seen Brad for ages, it was wonderful to reconnect. We loved all of them. Have to come back to the Pacific coast.

Views from Seattle to Brad's

Road up hill to Brad's

At Brad's beautiful yard

We camped in his driveway overnight

Brad's house is right on the lake. The gardens are fantastic.

Hard to see the house from here. backyard is fabulous. So is inside! He has Uncle Ed's big handmade ship and Maggie's artwork displayed.

We had time to wait for Brad to get home from work so we took a nap and then I did a watercolor. We ventured down to the lake too. Beautiful setting.

Natalie and Brad

Norm loved Maggie's Fairy Garden

Emma, 15, beautiful and talented

Isn't this just gorgeous?

RED rhododendrons 

Maggie and Brad

Emma hooked the cord to power up Brad's ball of lights

Brad, Maggie and Emma served us a great dinner on their porch. Lovely evening visitning.

 In the morning my cousin Craig Williamson surprised us with a visit at Brads house! He is K-9 Policeman of the year  and his K-9 dog Dennis is famous in the area. (Dennis recently died early of cancer. Very sad). We were so glad to catch seeing Craig too!

Craig came to visit in the morning!

Craig, Natalie, Brad -  cousins.
Love the red flowers with the gray trees

Dennis

Craig Williamson

Monday, April 6, 2015 From Clifton Park, NY to Jonestown, PA KOA Campground

We said Goodbye to out 22 year old son Dan, and our cousins and started off to Pennsylvania. Driving over the rolling hills of New York State we saw the snow starting to disappear and the temperature go from 28 degrees to 65 degrees by the end of the day. We enjoyed seeing all the farms, cows, horses, antique shops, trees and we stopped in Cooperstown, NY to go to the BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. A fun day. We slept in our camper for the first time in a KOA spot beside a Creek.

Sequoia National Park

The drive up northeast towards Yosemite was full of orchards of oranges, peaches, cherries, grapes.

Seattle and my Cousin Nancy

What a wonderful day. The weather was perfect..sunny and 72. Norm and I ventured into Seattle again on our own and found the Houseboats on Lake Union. What fun. They were all so different- large to small, kayak to sailboat attached, plants everywhere- even potted trees. It's its own little community. Many houseboats were very stylish!

Sculpture at Entry to Houseboats

Blue Heron

We met my cousin Nancy for lunch right by the water and her office. She works in the Public Health section of the Hutch Cancer Research Center..a huge complex here in Seattle. We had not seen each other in many years but I recognized her right away. We got caught up quickly I think. We didn't get to meet her sweetheart Laurie- but another time. Maybe he and Nancy will come East to stay with us sometime. The lunch was at an  "I Love Sushi" Restaurant and even though we had to wait a bit- it was worth it. It was delicious. Nancy was able to take a longer lunch hour. Very fun to see her and visit.

Nancy's Office is only 1/2 mile from the space Needle.

My Uncle Ed (Nancy's Dad) was an architect and designed many buildings in Seattle. Unfortunately many are hidden now by taller buildings. She thinks one building is the 2nd from the right (not counting the real tall one)

This is the view from the roof-top garden eating area where she usually eats fast and has a walk every day.

Cousins Nancy Williamson and Natalie Stafford

It is so nice to meet Nancy again!

I

YUM!

The truck was parked nearby

Upon her suggestion, we drove up the Magnolia Hill to find the Catherine Blaine School, named after our relatives that helped settle Seattle in the 1860's. It is still there K-8. We talked with the secretary a bit and took a few photos. There is a community Center at the school building also- but not connected to the school system.

Then we went to find the Seattle  Locks- another suggestion from Nancy. Great idea. We found the Chittenden Locks and Ballard Park and stayed to watch boats of all sizes and types go in and out of the Locks. We saw the young fish being sent into the ocean. Not very many fish in the fish elevator at this time of the year- but it was fun. Nice exhibits.

Railroad Bridge usually stays open

We walked in the arboretum in the Ballard Gardens. Saw many new-to-me- plants and flowers. Took more photos for research.

Plein Air Artists after we left.

Not bad

We decided top off our fun trip to Seattle by going to the Space Needle for dinner. We got right in and had a fabulous dinner..Alaskan Halibut and a baked Chicken. Of course a chocolate pudding cake for dessert. the restaurant moved around the space needle every 47 minutes. You could see all of Seattle. Very fun. We said it was to celebrate Norm's Birthday (June 7th)

Dungeness Crab Cakes with Curry sauce. Very special

Alaskan Halibut

Semi-boneless Cajun baked 1/2 Chicken

Chocolate Pudding Cake

Chihuly painting behind piano

Space Needle from below

Chihuly Glass

Home to feed and walk the dogs. Laundry. Blog. Then go to Brad's tomorrow.