Fourth of July Fizzle

My expectations were high (too high?) for this holiday; they always are. I reveled in the glorious weather forecast, braved the LONG ferry lines on Friday(got there 45 minutes early and still ended up in an auxiliary line) and looked forward to lakes, games, beach walking, and friend time. And it did work out that way until about 5 on the Fourth. We had played bocce, bocce beanbag, read, sat at the lake, competed at horse(I won!), talked, played poker and drank some beer. Saturday, one set of friends had to leave because of work today, but the other couple was staying; we were planning dinner out, then amazing fireworks. In spite of issues like crowds, people in skimpy bikinis who shouldn't be in those swimsuits, NO ICE whatsoever on the island, ferry problems to get off the island, we were looking past those obstacles because we would be hanging out with our buddies. But at 5, these friends suddenly and surprisingly decided they were going home because their dogs would be uncomfortable in the trailer--like it wasn't hot in their closed up house? Mr. Stargazer and I looked at each other in shock and without even communicating much started packing up our stuff. So, although we didn't NEED to come home, it didn't seem worth it anymore to stay. Home was nice, but it wasn't what I was planning and I felt a bit let down all evening. Here are some photos of the scenery on Anderson Island, as taken by my little digital since I was terrified to take the D-80 camping:
Starfish are cool!
In spite of my admonitions, Mr. Stargazer kept trying to "sneak up" on this heron. P.S. It didn't work.
These friends and I took an almost 3 mile walk in the beautiful 70 degree morning weather...to get me an espresso. I'm so addicted!
The D-80 would have probably taken a way better photo, but here is the Christine Anderson boat with Mount Rainier in the background. I never get tired of our mountains and water!

Doesn't this dead jellyfish look exactly like a huge cracked egg?
They wouldn't pose for a picture(Mr. Stargazer is very uncooperative), so I just snapped a random shot. What was he pointing out? Probably some plants or wildlife, like...
...the deer and her two fawns that we spotted right by the campground. I know they're a nuisance to gardeners, but they are SO cute.
Coming back home on the ferry on the Fourth, I took yet another picture of the mountain!

And maybe being home to chaperone spend time with Alison and her boyfriend isn't such a bad idea.

Comments

[kayak woman]

Those are beautiful pictures and that cracked egg comparison is spot on!! In my youth, oh five years ago or so, I'd've probably packed up and left in that situation too. Nowadays, I think I would try to find something to do that my friends wouldn't have been interested in. But I'm sort of an introvert anyway.

[kayak woman]

P.S. Whenever I come across a picture of my late father-in-law pointing like Mr. S. is doing, I know that he was *directing* something. Moving boats around the yard or whatever. :-)

[mccgood]

Sorry you had to come home early. Camping sounds like so much fun, my husband and I always say we want to go but we never end up going.
And yes that dead jellyfish does look like an egg.
Have a great week!

[Marie K]

Great photos, love the starfish! How tall IS Alison's boyfriend, anyway? Sorry your trip was cut short unexpectedly but maybe it did save you a ferry headache.

[Michelle]

Eww on the jellyfish! I just love your pic of the mountain. Absolutely gorgeous. I envy you the weather--it has been over 100 degrees here for a week!

Sorry it didn't work out as you planned.

[Lee Anne]

Wow, I thought that jellyfish was an egg and had to even look again after I read your description. Ha! Sorry things didn't live up to your expectations...mine seldom do any longer. But I still never give up...crazy me. It rained here all day, at least you were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. ;)

[wende]

I'm sorry it didn't work out and that you felt you had to come home.

We ended up with the opposite happening. We planned a solo evening and ended up hosting the neighbors up the street. They have 2 girls BW's age and were walking to the gathering spot for the city fireworks display. We invited them to stay since our porch has a better view and then the kids went through a jumbo box of fireworks and ate cherry pie. Good times... but not the quite evening I was envisioning!

[Eileen]

Sorry you felt like you had to come home early. Hard to count on people sometimes. I love to be home on the 4th and not fight the crowds. Maybe next year you should just come to my house and watch all the fireworks from my deck. People spend thousands of dollars here and put on a great show.

[Tonya]

While I was scrolling down to look at your pictures, the "egg" caught my eye and I thought someone was demonstrating that it was hot enough outside to fry an egg! SUCH a bummer you had to come home early. It was such a beautiful day! (Today? Not so much!)

[Stephanie]

Love that first jellyfish picture; not so much the 2nd cracked egg one :)

Too bad about having to come home early. That'd be a bummer.