Friday Harbor. San Juan Island

On the deck of the ferry we wrapped ourselves in warm sweaters and settled in for the ride to Friday Harbor. Jonas tossed the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and curiously gazed out over open ocean waters. Jess let her hair blow in the wind and I could smell the scent of sea water as wisps of my own hair floated in front of my face.

The smell of ocean mist warms my heart.












































There are moments in life when you are able to catch a glimpse of pure happiness. Sitting on a friend's dock in silence, watching the joy of children as they splash in warm lake waters, listening to the soft sounds of summer.

When you step away from the hustle and bustle of our every day lives you tend to open your eyes a bit wider. You tend to see the world around you in a new light, you see those around you with a new love and you view yourself a little differently. Perhaps a little better, perhaps with a little more respect.

I want to share my vacation with you, share each and every experience, but I've had a hard time putting those memories into words. I am at a loss of how to describe the beauty of the island. The richness it holds, it's history, it's depth. It's like a new found treasure that I want to tightly hold in my hands. Tuck under my bed and not tell a soul. I don't want to share my secret because a part of me feels if I share it may be lost forever. I used my camera as my eyes. As I captured each moment I thought that perhaps I wouldn't need words. Maybe the photos would speak for themselves.

These photos are from our first day. A long plane ride across country, a drive from Seattle to Anacortes, a ferry ride to Friday Harbor. We settled into our new "home" and headed over to our friend's house to swim in the warm lake and enjoy local food and good wine.

Even thought our first day had some bumps in the road it still ended on the side of perfection. Unfortunately, Josh left "Guy" (his stuffed giraffe and best friend) in Seattle, Jonas was stung by a wasp on the head, and Josh sliced open his leg and probably needed stitches. But as parents, it's our job to set the mood. It's our job to smooth out those bumps in the road, and when you are surrounded by such beauty and nature it's not too hard to do.

I'll be dedicating the next week (or so) to our trip. Sharing photos and thoughts and dreaming of heading back to the island one day.

I've also decided that we need a slide like this coming off our roof and into a pond! Can you believe our friend Beau built this house!