North by Northwest

We had a 10 day trip to Washington, and I think it was one of my favorite trips to the Pacific Northwest. I've tried to determine what made this trip better than the rest and have compiled a list, if you will:

• We spent very little time traveling, and when we did travel it was in a comfortable car. In the past we had to drive from Portland down to Eugene, back up to Olympia and then up to Seattle and back to Portland to fly home. On some of our trips, I was pregnant or nursing (which could be their own bullet points--the fact that I'm not, that is), which only added to the car-sick feeling I couldn't ever shake. Now his parents live in Olympia near his sister and everyone comes to us. And the rented van with air conditioning was a big bonus. Basically, I like to feel that the world is revolving around us. ;)
  
• The weather was typical PNW weather for most of the trip--a welcome change from the 90+ temps+humidity we have here. I'd rather just have rain than 90 percent humidity any day. I enjoyed running in rain and with long-sleeves.
• We spent alot of time outdoors. When family gets together, it is important to talk. This time there was a good amount of sitting and talking, but almost enough hiking and playing to balance out the equation.
  
• Camp Muir Hike. Pictures will say it all.
• I'm becoming more comfortable around Eric's family. They are very warm, kind, and friendly, but since we don't see them very often, and since they aren't "my" family, I have never felt as comfortable around them as I do my own family (which is normal, I know). However, after 9 years of marriage, I think I'm starting to feel less nervous about what they think of me.
• We got to help out some. We have helped with projects on trips in the past, and with all the hospitality shown to us, it feels good to do what we can to give back. Eric helped his brother and brother-in-law each finish some building projects they had, I pitched in with the cooking, and we all helped with picking cherries that needed a'pickin'.
• I wasn't pregnant or nursing. Did I already mention this? Well, it deserves repeating. Traveling with a kid in your lap (whether in or out of the womb) is less fun. I love babies, but don't love traveling with'em.
  
• The boys were exceptionally good on the airplane (about 7 hours total each way). No, we didn't have a dvd player. Just toys and books. And having Asher strapped into his car-seat was a bonus.