Lake Aldwell

On the drive back to Forks from Port Angeles,

there is a view of Lake Aldwell with a pulloff from the road.

We often stop here.

The clouds are covering the layers of mountains at the far end

of the valley, but it is still a gorgeous view of the lake.

Objects in mirror are closer...

We drove to town today, and got some beautiful pictures along the way. As we drove down the road on the way home, I gave a 'shot' at the view of Lake Crescent in the rear view mirror. When I reviewed the shots tonight, I found more in the picture than I thought. Different, huh? I like the speeding ground behind, and the words, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

Made me chuckle. Hope you enjoy it, too.

Comes the Dawn

Dawn comes daily, but I don't usually see it.

I just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Beautiful autumn weather

Today was a variable weather day in Forks. You can see the rows of marching clouds. This was taken toward the northeast - the direction the clouds were heading as they marched by. We would have clouds, blue sky, clouds, blue sky, VERY DARK clouds, blue sky... I love days like this. If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes; it'll change.
We were outside working on the last stages of painting the house, so kept praying for clouds only, no rain. We didn't see rain today, surprisingly for Forks, and thankfully for today. We did get the painting on the house done. Hoorah!

Autumn

We are seeing the color changes of Autumn, the cool snaps, the feeling of Autumn everywhere. Summer is at last, finally over!!!

West End Thunder 2

These are more pictures of the old and classic cars that were in the 4th of July parade. I'm not sure if any of these are from the West End Thunder group; I think they are visiting groups. There are some great cars. How many do you know?

West End Thunder Weekend

This weekend, like many here in the summer, a local car club, West End Thunder, is host to racing at the airport. While we don't attend the races, we do enjoy the times we are able to see and enjoy the old and classic cars that West End Thunder members restore and drive. They were part of the Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade. I took quite a few pictures during the parade, though I didn't get all of the cars. There was also a couple of other car clubs in the parade.

This first car is the one I call the "before" - before the car club gets to restore it. It led the line of the "after"s.

How many of these cars do you know? (I had to get help from my husband, and he wasn't positive about a few.)

More garden details

Grandpa teaching his grandson how to fish,
with an audience of frogs.



You can't quite see the gator watching them in the back.






This is the 'gator in the grass.









I happen to like pansies and violas,
and the colors here are pretty.

Stephenie Meyer Day

It's Stephenie Meyer Day here in Forks, named for the author of Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. Sept 13 was selected because that's Bella's, the protagonist's, birthday in the books.

There was a birthday party for Bella at the library, and the Chief of Police served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (that's a reference to the books).

There are signs in windows of businesses here, as well as at the locations for the "hunting."

There was a "hunting permit" available at the Chamber of Commerce, for which you went to six places in town talked about in the book, and got stamped. There was a special drawing held for those who got all six stamps. We had fun going and getting the stamps just for the heck of it. We have our "permit" to show our granddaughters when they ask us about it.

JT's Sweet Stuff gave out wax vampire teeth.

J&P Produce handed out garlic cloves.

Chinook Pharmacy had mini first-aid kits to give out.

Peninsula College served apple cider while registering students.

Several businesses had postcards of sites from the book.

We went to the Forks Community Hospital for one stamp - notice the sign in the window.

Forks High School was a main scene in the books, the building above with the red doors.

All of the businesses were helpful, and we just had fun - which was the point of doing it.

We hope they do this again.

There is an interactive map at http://www.forkswa.com/65.html with pictures of book sites.

Stephenie Meyer's website is at http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html .

Crane carving

This crane really has a stare. The smaller picture is from directly in front of it, and could look very intimidating. I'm glad I'm not a frog.
The cattails also look wooden. The dragonfly looks like, maybe, ceramic.

More beauty and another beast

Another detail of yesterday's garden, with a little surprise awaiting at the base.

This isn't a real skunk, but we do have them around here. I wouldn't be sticking around to take a picture if it was real!

Beauty and the Beast

This beautiful landscaping has so much detail in it, it's difficult to see it all.

I've taken several pictures that I'll distribute over the next couple of days.

Notice the 'gator in the grass?

Sneaky carving

I was concentrating on taking the picture of Edgar for yesterday, and my husband told me to be careful where I walked. I looked down and this guy was grinning up at me from his hiding place among the flora.

He reminds me of the Schmoo from Lil Abner. One woman at the garage sale commented that it dates her and me, as we both know the Schmoo. Do you remember the Schmoo?

Meet Edgar

We went to a few garage sales today, taking advantage of the sunshine to take a day off. As we pulled around a curve in one driveway, we were greeted by this carving. We asked about it, and were told his name is Edgar, and he came with the house. He looks as though he is peering over something - maybe the tree wasn't as big when he was put there. He is looking toward the river.

The smaller image is a close-up of Edgar.

Stumped for a garden idea?

We like the way leftover stumps are used in gardens here. This one became a garden. Beautiful colors. Looks to have been a large tree.

This looks the way nature grows right over the top of stumps left in the forest. We see them as we drive and hike.

Just stuck there...

This cloud seemed to get 'stuck' on this hill east of town, pegged there in the middle, turning colors. Pretty.

Getting ready for winter

This is the time of year that we lay in a supply of wood to burn for winter. This is our yet-un-stacked pile in the rain we've had off and on the last couple of days. Rain makes for a good excuse not to be doing all those pesky outdoor chores. Yes, I do love a good rainstorm! ;~)

History on approach

This is a biplane that was flying around yesterday before noon, before the rain started.

It circled a few times, did at least one touch-and-go,

and flew almost right over the house, then landed at the Forks Airport.

A little piece of history on approach to the airport.

I couldn't get the camera fast enough.

It was a bright yellow-orange and neat to watch.

This turned out to look like an old photo.

I also converted it to black and white and sepia.

Click on the thumbnails to see a bigger version.

What do you think? BW? Color? Sepia?

Beaver antique store

This is the antique store in Beaver, Moore Trading Co. I think the old truck parked here is a Ford, with wooden side panels. Very cool. Wish we could have gotten a better shot of the truck, too.

Firetruck Head-On

This is a closer shot of the antique firetruck in Beaver. We just liked the way it looked.

September Theme Day - Street Lights/Street Signs

These lampposts are all along our main street, Forks Avenue (also known as Highway 101). I like the old-fashioned style, and the hanging flower baskets on them. They hang seasonal signs on some. They're pretty when lighted as well. The library sign is carved wood - appropriate for a timber town. The library is part of the North Olympic Peninsula Library System.

My husband has watched them water the baskets early in the morning using a pickup truck with a tank in the back. One would think we get enough rain around here (10 feet per year), but summer has been drier than usual, we're told. Everything else is green on its own. No sprinkler systems anywhere, that I know of.
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