While Clint's Away....Nancy still finds time to play!

As many of you know Clint has been in Beijing for the last month at the Olympic games.  Though he would be the first to say that there were many long days and sleepless nights as he worked hard to assure that all the VIPs got the transportation they needed to the various venues...He certainly had a 'once-in-a-life-time' experience attending the Olympic games and catching the spirit of the games.  More to follow on his games experience later.......

I unfortunately had to stay behind and work.  But, I did manage to find some time to enjoy the rest of the summer.  I took a girl's trip to Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia.  We spent the night with Kim in Seattle and she took us to an amazing Vietnamese restaurant and we certainly perused Pike's Market.  After two nights in Seattle we headed up to Lopez Island (a breathtaking Island off the coast of Seattle that is considered part of the San Jaun Islands).  It was an incredible island that is only accessible by ferry or boat.  My mom and I took the Clipper Ferry up to Lopez and joined my brother-in-law's family at their vacation home for the weekend.  The island is only a few miles long and many things are accessible by walking or biking.  There are actually a lot of bikers who travel on the ferry and bike from island to island (A possible idea for a future vacation).  We spent the weekend sailing, crabbing, roasting hot dogs, skipping rocks, running, biking, eating, watching sea lions, climbing rocks, climbing on drift wood, playing with the nephews, visiting Spencer's Spitt, eating sweets from the bakery on a daily basis, visiting the local farmers market...and the list goes on.  Hats off to Rusty and Larry for being wonderful hosts!!

The Gang outside of the greatest Bakery on Lopez Island

After the heavenly weekend in Lopez my mother and I were off to Victoria.  We stayed at the Fairmont Empress (I highly recommend it) that sits right on the Victoria inner Harbor and adjacent to the British Columbia Parliament Building.  To our surprise we arrived the day before British Columbia Day, their national holiday.  So the weekend was filled with free concerts and events that all took place in the Harbor.  We didn't need to find the party, the party came to our front door!  Sunday night we sat on the lawn of the hotel listening to the Victoria Symphony playing on a barge in the middle of the Harbor and then topped off the night with fireworks.  The next night we heard a free Sara McLachlin concert and you better believe I was thrilled.  Of course mom and I spent an entire morning at the Buschart Gardens in Victoria and my mom impressed me with her extensive flower knowledge.  The scenery was beautiful and I only hope that some of my pictures portray a sliver of the beauty of the flowers. All in all it was an amazing vacation that certainly provided for some wonderful girl bonding and helped to keep me busy while Clint was away.  

A peak into the rose garden at the Buschart Gardens

A small glimpse at the amazing flowers in the Gardens

The Fairmont Empress Hotel looking out over the Harbor