We had a lovely family excursion planned for our last
weekend together with #2 daughter visiting from
New York. We were to get up early on Saturday morning,
meet with #1 daughter and her family, and
drive the 2 1/2 hours down to Woodland Washington
to do a little spelunking in Apes Caves (near Mt. St. Helen's)
and then visit the nearby Cedar Creek Grist Mill.
The weather at home was a brisk but sunshiny day.
The weather on the mountain...
We couldn't park near the entrance to the cavesbecause of snow (:~{ and the little girls couldn't
walk the 1/2 mile to get there, so we played in the snow
and took a short trek around the "Trail of Two Trees".
This is a small 'tube' formed when two large trees were
felled by the lava and then burned
leaving an empty space where the trees had been.
Daughter #1 following the boardwalk.
Auntie Shan showing the girls where they wouldcome out of the tube.
Miss Morgan checking it out.
Miss Morgan checking it out.
She is ready for the adventure...
but Miss Raegan would have none of it ~ even with Grandpa!
With flashlight in hand, and a little help from Grandpa,
On our way back down the mountain to go to the
When we arrived at the Grist Mill we discovered that
Grandpa and his 'little sweetheart' Morgan...
trying on each others' hats!
but Miss Raegan would have none of it ~ even with Grandpa!
With flashlight in hand, and a little help from Grandpa,
Morgan eagerly enters the tube.
She, her Mommy and Auntie were the only brave souls
to navigate the 40 ft. 'L' shaped tube.
Did I mention I am claustrophobic? :~O
~*~
On our way back down the mountain to go to the
Grist Mill, we stopped at a lakeside park
to have our 'winter picnic' lunch.
Let me just say ~
COLD!!!
But, lunch was delicious ~
cheese and crackers and venison summer sausage,
oven baked chicken,
potato salad,
sweet potato chips,
fruit,
and juice.
But it was so bitterly COLD! We ate quickly and made a hasty
retreat down the mountain!
~*~
When we arrived at the Grist Mill we discovered that
IT WAS CLOSED!!!
So disappointing since we had checked the website
and they posted their hours as open every Saturday
and they posted their hours as open every Saturday
hours 1pm. - 4pm.
Grandpa and his 'little sweetheart' Morgan...
trying on each others' hats!~
After we shared some yummy homemade oatmeal raisin cookies
provided by daughter #1, we said our farewells and
promised to come again when the weather
and millers are more cooperative!
~*~
" Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines,
though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food,
though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
13 comments:
Raeann,
What wonderful pictures. I am sorry you were disappointed that the Mill was closed. The snow tube looks a bit scary to me. I am not quite as adventurous, I'm afraid.
Blessings,
Gina
What beautiful pictures! It's just breath taking and beyond words. I hope your time with your family was special even though things did not work out as planned. Just being together is fun, don't you think?
Enjoy the rest of your winter...Christa
I so enjoyed this trip with you, I love to see happy smiles on happy faces. You have a beautiful family, and of course you know how memories are so important to me.
The scripture you shared is truly one of my favorite ones, I committed it too memory many years ago, after finding it while going through a very trying time in my life. Reading it today brought back a memory of the faithfulness of God so many times in my life.
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Sue
What wonderful family photos Raeann!! BUT...where is the one of you? ;-) Your little grand-daughters are beautiful. What a fun, fun day...even without the mill adventure. Sorry that it was closed. :( I'm not sure I would have wanted to go into that tube either.
Have a lovely day my friend!
Blessings,
Camille
Beautiful pics . . . beautiful, comforting Scriptures - some of my favorites! Disappointments in your day? Yes, but you made some wonderful memories, too! You seem to have handled the change of plans well!
I so loved seeing all your pictures~great fun.
Thanks for sharing with us~
Ohhhhhh ... I would have been so disappointed too. But you had your family in the adventure and it sure sounds like you made the best of it. A winter picnic ... you are brave my friend. Beautiful pictures.
You captured the mill just beautifully! And all the pics are lovely! It was a grand time we had, wasn't it? I really like the scripture you chose to go with it. ;)
xoxoxo
How unfortunate for you all. But at least time was spent with your family. And it looks like you had a wonderful time.
I think that will be a trip for me to put on my wish list.
Tina Kay
Sorry about the grist mill but the pictures are simply beautiful and it looks as though wonderful times were had by all ... the scenery with all that snow is GORGEOUS!!
Such beautiful photos! Though cold on the outside, I can tell your hearts were warmed through spending time together.
Thankyou for sharing such beautiful pictures! I LOVE Grist Mills!I try to visit them all over In the US and in canada!To bad it was closed.
Many Blessings Linnie
PS Great skripture ;-)) AMEN!
**Habakkuk 3:17-19**
Raeann~
I love the post and the pictures, but I'm with you {I'm claustrophobic too}. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and saying hello...I sure have missed you, but we can make up for that :)
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