Summer, that glorious time which all students crave as the days lengthen, the sun awakens, and the flowers begin their adolescent days, came just as I felt I was sure to lose all self-control and power of thought. Spring quarter took its toll on me and the sweet release of summer vacation came not a day too soon.
The perfect end to my quarter came with the nasty job of packing up my all too tight living quarters, saying goodbye to my roommates and welcoming my family to my city for a short little tour before returning to the land of my birth. Although my mom and step-dad had been to my city before, it was a first for Rennie and Howie and I therefore took advantage of the opportunity to show them all my favorite places and sights before going off to explore new territory outside the city and mainland limits.
First stop on the agenda after packing all my crap very tidily in the back of Don's truck was Pike's Place Market; a personal favorite locale of mine due to the awesome environment cultivated by fresh fish and produce, lively and unique people, gorgeous waterfront views, and the large assortment of 'who knows what' crafts and such that people sell there. It is, in my opinion, the best permanent farmer's market in the world--however, I recognize my view is limited due to the fact that I have never left the country. Rennie's favorite part of the market was the baseball size cups of fresh Dungeness Crab cocktail which we enjoyed while exploring the market. I believe Howie was intrigued by the somewhat disgusting and repulsive but fabulously colorful and unique gum wall located in Post Alley. I myself have contributed six pieces of gum to the wall and I am sure I will have more to offer in the future.
After the market, we headed off to find some of my favorite look out points to view the city from a different perspective. First there was Gasworks park which is located on the Northern edge of lake union and has a gorgeous view of the city. While there I took the liberty of assuming my favorite position behind the camera and tried to capture the wonderful many perspectives offered through a camera as nice as my mom's.
After Gasworks we headed over to the park on the top of QueenAnne Hill which has an equally as great but very different view of the city as well as the Puget Sound. We played around taking odd pictures for nearly a half hour before mom and Don got bored and decided to drive around and look at some of the cool old houses that occupy the Seattle area. I am still working on convincing them that they should just move up here and buy on of those cute houses, but I will always be fighting a losing battle because of the great distance from our favorite place on earth.
A new day brought the hope of new adventures and so after a comfy night just outside the city, we headed for the ferry docks and took off to drive around Whidbey Island. We got to go to an old fort area with a seriously cool light house and some awesome old stronghold areas. I felt like a soldier crawling and walking around in the cement and iron structures. (I still need to get all the picture I took from my mom).
Leaving the fort to grow tiny in our rear view mirror, we headed for Deception Pass, a beautiful bridged area that looks both far west and far east as it straddles a wide waterway separating Whidbey Island. After much debate from looking down at the water and the cliff-sides holding up the bridge to determine how high the bridge actually was, we looked at and information sign and found we were all sorely mistaken in our guesses (apparently it is only about 200 feet).
When the time came to head in the direction of home, Don decided to head east through the mountains by Steve's Pass in order to show us what I like to call "A little slice of Switzerland." There is this cute little German town in the middle of nowhere Cascades and it really does feel like you are on a different continent once you enter the town.
While we waited for Don to park the car, Rennie and I went walking and sat down on some bleachers to listen to a band playing in the town gazebo. As we sat there enjoying the music, a little tiny old man who seemed to barely move his feet as he walked came over and asked Rennie to dance. It was so adorable my heart nearly turned to goo! We later found out that he used to be a great ballroom dancer and had all the ladies after him. I always think when I meet people like that how much I would love to just learn their story, hear what they have gone through in life. People always make me so curious and full of wonder.
Reality hit the day after we returned home. I hadn't even had time to fully unpack and the next morning at nine I was off to work. Luckily back at school I had taken the time to seek a summer job ahead of time and was able to find a cute family in desperate need of my services as a nanny, and thus my summer began full throttle.
The family I nannied for had two little boys ages six and three whom I will refer to here as S and lil'I. They were both extremely cute kids and I did enjoy spending my summer with them, but I must say that by the end of the summer I was so relieved to be moving on from them. I don't think it was by any means their fault, but those two kids were some of the worst behaved children I have ever encountered in my life. Their parents, due to some very complex situations, have basically been unable to actually parent them for most of their lives and as a result they have very little sense of discipline and respect that sometimes seems innate in children who are constantly properly cared for. I had a hard time of it but in retrospect it was probably a good opportunity for me to learn from.
The hard work of summer also brought the joy of reuniting and spending time with old friends. Many of my days were spent catching up with Nile, Carli, Anna, Megen, Lizzy, Jane, Mallory, and Audrey as we tried to make time for each other in our busy and very different lives. Nile and I hung out as often as we could doing random things like renewing our driver's licenses and hiking when it didn't feel too hot. It is crazy to think now that this summer was our last time getting to really hang out for the next two years as she is now heading off on her mission.
Time with my girls was spent mostly in focus of Megen's wedding. It still feels weird to realize that my friends are getting married. I still don't feel like I should be old enough for such things, but nevertheless seeing her get married and having all of us there to support her as the first one of us to bid adieu to the single life was wonderful. Wedding shower, Bachelorette party, and wedding reception. All were amazing and completely surreal.
Now to the part that really makes my soul ache for summer, talking about Bear Lake. My favorite place on earth and the place I imagine heaven to be most like. Any time not spent working or hanging out with friends (so basically every weekend) was spent at my cabin, on my boat, on the beach enjoying the sun and all that the summer really has to offer. Wonderful food and time with family, reading books, watching movies, doing puzzles, riding the Cosmic Orbiter...it all makes me wish I could be there now.
When Chelsi and Sam came to Utah in August, we had our mini family reunion up at the cabin for a whole week and together we all enjoyed the many wonderful aspects of the last month of summer, including my birthday. We went up to Bloomington and were happily surprised to see that someone (aka. Dan) had put up a fresh rope swing for our jumping pleasures, handily equipped with a waterski handle. The buzzing feeling in my stomach every time I swing on that rope and anticipate the bitingly cold water is something I have grown accustomed to longing for year round. Fulfilling it only made me anticipate it all the more for next year (or however long it will be before I am able to return).
My birthday was of course celebrated in its normal and appropriately Bear Lake manner. I woke up to the sun and a decent looking lake, I enjoyed wonderful food, lots of love, and some cheer making gifts; and that was all before the real presents of prime waterskiing spots, an Old Ephraim pizza, fresh chocolate covered raspberries, and a night of "brushing my teeth" in the lake with my sisters. It was my best 21st birthday ever!
Before Sam and Chelsi left town we were able to get some time with them in up at the ranch and had fun enjoying horseback riding, mountain views, giggly children, and of course, amazing food.
Just before leaving for school again I was finally able to take part in celebrating the mission of at least one of my guy friends from high school. Even weirder than watching my friends get married is seeing them start to return from their missions acting all missionary and adult-like. Time goes by so fast!
It shouldn't be long before Rennie heads off on her own mission. It makes me somewhat sad to watch my two best friends prepare to head off around the world to serve for the church but at the same time it obviously also makes me thrilled. They are both going to be such great missionaries and learn so much including two languages. I am mostly sad just because I can't go with them, but I know my adventures will come in time.
Well, this concludes the tales of my summer. It was abrupt, I know, but stay tuned for my documenting of my return to Seattle. I can promise that story will be much more detailed and interesting.
Until next time...Such is life.
1 comment:
So fun to feel "caught up" Aubrey! What a writer you are! So fun to see this!
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