Clifford, Troll, Firemen

After a late start the kids & I made our way to Third Place Books where Clifford the Big Red Dog was making a guest appearance. Nate & Carm enjoyed storytime, but their collective leeriness of small men in large costumes (can't blame them) made them hang back when it was time to give hugs.



We've been reading the book Larry Gets Lost in Seattle a lot lately. We've been to most of the places Larry & Pete visit, but today Nate reminded me that the Fremont Troll might be a good stop, one of the tourist spots we haven't seen.







On our way to lunch we noticed the Seattle Fire Department was having an open-house at the station in the University District. We stopped off to play around on the fire trucks and learn about the equipment firemen carry. Note that Nate's totally tuned out to what Fireman Dan is saying...something going on in the background caught his eye.

Ready for takeoff!

I forgot to mention - I took Nate flying a couple of weeks ago. For me it was the culmination of a dream almost 5 years in the making. Nate was in utero when I started flight school and I remember lying awake at night thinking how cool it would be to take my son to the Islands for the day or to give him a birds-eye view of Mt. Rainier.

The forecast called for overcast skies and showers, a marginal day overall, so I tried to prepare him in case we weren't able to fly. When we got to the airport I checked the weather again and the ceiling was high enough for us to make a go of it. Nate helped me during pre-flight by removing the tie-downs and checking the fuselage, propeller and tail for problems. After that I loaded his booster seat in and plugged in his headset. Nate's always thinking ahead - note the sippy cup!


I was concerned he might be a bit scared, but as soon as the wheels left the ground I heard Nate let out a "yeeee haw!" He was actually laughing pretty hard. We made our way out to the Snohomish valley and flew around, dancing between bands of clouds.

Nate flew the plane by himself (for about 2 seconds) and then with my help the rest of the time. He was a bit aggressive with the controls, resulting in a 45° bank descending turn, which is only slightly uncomfortable at 110mph. "Treat it like a baby, son," I said.

We headed back in to the airport after 45 minutes or so, packed up the plane, and drove home. He loved it and talks about going again all the time. Yesterday he was trying to talk me in to bringing Carmen with as well, knowing full-well Dad's minimum age for flight is 4. "You promise to keep your headphones on, right Carmen?" he says. "Yeah!" says Carm. "Yeah, right," says Dad.

Hiking to the ice caves

We took a day hike to the Big Four Ice Caves today. The skies were overcast and the temperature was moderate, so after a quick stop to the grocery store for lunch and supplies we hit the road.

An hour later we arrived at the trailhead. Nate paused to check the map before our journey. I know what you're thinking about Carmen...obviously her father dressed her this morning...


1 mile. No big deal for this crew.


Oh no! The bridge is washed out from the flooding last year!


We decide to go around, crossing the river by walking over the fallen trees.

Carmen waits patiently as Dad shuttles Nate to the other side.


We made it!


After a quick break for a snack and 30 minutes of ascent the mountain is so close we can almost touch it.


Warning signs abound. We heed them.


We finally make the ice caves, and they're ginormous, as Carmen likes to say.




Nate explores, Carmen lunches. That's my girl.


The walk back down to the car was a snap for the kids, even though they were running on empty, having delayed their nap. They were asleep inside of 5 minutes, always a sign that the adventure was fulfilling.