Wednesday, July 6: Carnation

And we're back! Vacation was great but we're glad to be back home. We're happy to see that this week is going to be nice and sunny. Wednesday our plan is to pick a few berries and make some jam. We already picked a few pounds while in Sequim today, but we'll head out with anyone else that wants to pick some more. Because of the cool start to summer the berries are a bit late (by now we would normally be at the end of the strawberry season and beginning of raspberry time) - so we will likely only be able to pick strawberries. We will be making a few batches of freezer jam with the berries we pick, and you are all welcome to join us for that.
We are planning to pack our lunch and find a nice spot to eat out in the Carnation/Fall City area.  There are a few Greenway Challenge sites out that way, so we may be able to snap some photos on the way.

Here are the details:

• Berry Picking: 

Harvold Farms in Carnation.
Berries are $1 per pound (Cash only).
We always bring our own containers to put berries in (tupperware bowls).
Location:
Harvold Farms
32325 Northeast 55th Street
Carnation, WA 98014-6309
(425) 333-4185
Depart from Bellevue: about 12:00 pm
Lunch....somewhere and then play a little.
We plan to be at Harvold Farms from 2-3:00pm

We will be back to our house at about 4:00pm to make jam.

• Jam making

If you want to just come to make jam, that's fine.
What to bring:  1 quart of berries, jelly jars and lids (1 batch makes 5x8oz containers of jam), package of fruit pectin.
We have plenty of sugar to share, so no need to bring any.
If you don't have jars and berries but want to just come and see how it's all done, just bring yourselves.
We'll be sure everyone gets a jar of jam to take home.
4:00pm
Our house
3835 139th Pl SE
Bellevue, WA 98006

Off to the Treesort!

No outings planned this week as we are taking our family vacation to the Treesort!

http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html

On the way back we'll visit the Redwoods, Oregon coast, and then up to Sequim for the the 4th of July.

See you in July!

Friday, June 24: Redmond - Sammamish River Trail

Ok, so we "cancelled" our outing to Meydenbauer Beach Park today because the weather was so cold and rainy this morning, but then the sun came out and we hurried over to the beach and had a great couple hours before the rain began again. Tomorrow (Friday) we are heading to Marymoor Park to ride our bikes along the beautiful, flat Sammamish River Trail. The Plan is to ride out for about 6 miles, have a picnic and then ride back. Bettina and Marco will be meeting us at our half-way point (Redhook Brewery) for a picnic, so feel free to meet them there if you don't want to do the ride. If we are feeling peppy and the weather is still nice we may go and check out the Redmond Watershed Park as it is one of the sites on the Greenway Challenge list. We'll see how it goes.

So if you come...

Meet: Marymoor Park at the first parking lot by the Subway sandwich stand.

Bring: Bikes, helmets, water, snacks or lunch. You must pay $1 for parking.

Time: 12:30 pm

Links:

Marymoor Park

http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/inventory/marymoor.aspx

Redmond Watershed Preserve

http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=4175

Thursday, June 23: Running Expo

Thursday evening we are taking the bus into Seattle and making a quick visit to the Health and Fitness Expo at the Qwest Field Event Center. Although we aren't running this year, we like to go to the running expo - free samples, good deals, and lots of excited people! We will leave Bellevue from the Eastgate Park n Ride station at 5:00. We take the 554 Express bus to the 5th and Jackson stop and then walk from there. I know it's late in the day, but you are welcome to join us! The expo is also open Friday from 10-7.

Thursday, June 23 Meydenbauer Beach Park - cancelled

Thursday - it's raining, and so unless it warms up dramatically we will not be going to the Meydenbauer Beach Park. We'll find somewhere indoors to hang out - maybe the laundry will get folded and put away today.

Wednesday, June 22: Kent

Wednesday we are heading to the exciting city (town?) of Kent!

The boys and I are meeting some friends of mine at Kent Station at 3:30...so that is why we have chosen to explore this area.

Departing Bellevue: Noon

OR meet at the museum around 12:30.

First Stop: Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum

5917 South 196th Street

Kent, WA 98032-2132

Hours:

Tues & Thur: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Wed thru Sat: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sun & Mon: Closed

Admission General Admission: $10

Seniors (60+) & Students under 16: $5

Members & Children under 6: Free

http://thunderboats.ning.com/

Last year we loved seeing the hydroplane races during Seafair, so we were excited to see that there is a museum nearby displaying photos and memorabilia about these speedy racers. The museum is a little expensive, but we thought we'd try it out.

I don't think we'll have much time to do anything else before we have to head to Kent Station...but if we do, we will likely stop at one of the nearby parks.

Other places to visit in this area:

Green River Trail - walking/biking

Ikea - shopping

Kent Station - shopping

Old Fishing Hole - fishing for kids under age 14

2011 Greenway Challenge — Mountains to Sound Greenway

We do the Greenway Challenge each year - it's a fun way to learn about new places along the I-90 corridor. There are sites and events posted for the challenge - you take photos and submit them for a chance to win. We have had a great time each summer with it! Check it out:

2011 Greenway Challenge — Mountains to Sound Greenway