9-8-19 Snohomish, WA

R & T RV Park - The nicest one so far!

Family is a precious commodity.  I know, I have one!  Snohomish, WA is Family Central of No. 1 son’s clan, Rick, Trina, Kennie and Joseph (Rachie was MIA).  We are parked in Rick and Trina’s back yard for a few days of laughing, touching base and telling lies over drinks and fabulous food.  We were lucky to hit a few days of.... shall we say, “cloud failure,” which does occasionally happen in the PacNW….. so it was especially nice to spend time on the back patio in the sunshine at cocktail time.

Meet Kona, the Wonderdog!
She guards whenever Gramma
is in the motorhome.

Saturday was the big day.  First, Trina, Kennie and I went junkin’ to the garage and estate sales around the neighborhood and hours later, came home with many treasures and lighter wallets.  That was a ton of fun for me and I hope for them, too.  I just love junkin!’  But the big event came in the afternoon.  Rick and Trina had planned a “seafood fest” for friends and family including Rob’s brother Paul who is up here at this time.  Well, well, well.  The kids went above and beyond, much to the delight of everyone. 

Shucking oysters by the truckload!

There was a big box that had been shipped in, chock full smoked oysters and scallops, live oysters, mussels and clams.  At an earlier time, Rick had gone ocean fishing and brought home another addition to the feast, salmon steaks which he seasoned and bbq’d.  More?  OK, there was a boatload of king crab legs and breaded and fried rockfish.  But weren’t there sides, you ask?  Yes, indeed.  Slices of baguettes to be dipped in seasoned olive oil and a plate piled high with various Wisconsin cheeses to go with crackers and designer beers.  Maybe there were a few healthy items like lettuce, we didn’t notice.  The homemade chocolate chip cookies clouded our vision.  A feast fit for a king (or a queen, ahem).

Cookies!  And some humans...
Kennie and Trina

No. 1 son, Rick

Brother Paul

Kelly (obviously rooting correctly!)

Mary, the best part of Kelly

This party was the prelude to the big finale, the Huskies-Cal football game.  But the PacNW weather intervened with lightening, thunder and a deluge that emptied the clouds as well as a stadium full of fans, players and coaches.  The game did not resume till 11PM, long after our eyelids drooped.  Turns out it would not have been worth muscling it through to the end, Cal beat my Huskies by one point at the very tail end of the game.  It’s a bitter pill, Berkeley beating my Dawgs.  Thanks God I missed it.  The memories of family and our gastronomic extravaganza live on!

Rob, Rick Trina, Kennie, Brandon,
Joseph and Lindy
and the irrepressible Kona, protector
of Gramma

Check out time at DeLaMare Park is 11AM, give or take 3 hours.  We gathered up our things, stowed our treasures and packed away spices from the wonderful garden.  Hugs and kisses all around and we are ready to launch.  We face black clouds and green and yellow spots on the weather map.  Hey, we’re in the PacNW.  It’s OK.  This, too, shall pass.  We are on our way to Grayland.  An interesting name.  Considering that we are in the PacNW, it is more an adjective than a noun.  We shall see.