GOLF IN WASHINGTON - Just off the Road

"It's the US OPEN and it's going to be in WASHINGTON!!!"  When I heard my spouse exclaiming at the top of his lungs sometime last winter, I had no idea that this event would become a family reunion of his 3 brothers, their families, and a bunch of golf bags and cameras.  The Chambers Bay course is located about 1 1/2 hours south of us, so we made plans to go and ordered our tickets early.

Not surprisingly as the event neared, our packing included not only his golf clubs but every camera, lens, filter, and other photography accoutrement in his possession.  Sadly, my shoulder is acting up right now, so when I took a practice swing in the backyard and ended up on my knees, clutching my arm, I decided that I'd be content to carry the tripod and extra camera for this trip.

There's another benefit to attending a PGA tournament.  Our nephew, John Wood, caddies for Hunter Mahan on the tour, and since the closest we normally get to him is seeing his arm on TV, this would be a chance to actually see him in person.  Happily, one of our brothers lives near Chambers Bay and he and his wife offered the use of their lovely home on a golf course, no less, so we had a place to stay and dine.  The rest of this story involves the acquisition of a 21' motor home, but that's for another time.

Our first day at the tournament was practice day, and since this was our first PGA event, we didn't know what to expect.  Turns out that practice is cool, since the players don't really care about a score, so they actually toss the ball to different locations to see how it runs, and do all sorts of other pro things.  Even Tiger Woods looked relaxed, and we had our first chance to chat with John - the nephew.  As we walked around the course, it was apparent that this would be no easy task for the players.  I'm no expert, but Chambers Bay looked like a killer to me - I won't be playing it anytime soon, even with two good arms.

Friday's play was amazing - I'll never know how those guys actually get the ball from tee to green in par.  Of course, some of them didn't, but it was still pretty impressive, watching the beautiful swings and putts.  The best part, though, was the family reunion, and the time spent sharing something that the four brothers have in common.  They love this game!

MYSTERY - Just off the Road

  Hiking in the woods near Marymere Falls in the Olympic National Park, we were surprised to happen upon this mysterious little house built into the base of a giant tree.  There was no sign of where it came from, who built it, or who lived there.

  Our grandson got on his knees and peeked inside, but could find no sign of life.  The story we invented was of a little family who came around only when there were no "normal-sized" humans to disturb them.

  We live close to the area where vampires and werewolves roam, courtesy of The Twilight Saga series of books and films.  Consequently, we rather expect to find unusual beings or at least signs of them.  But this little home, too small for either Twilight species, is not threatening, nor is it explicable in human terms.  It simply exists in a little spot in the forest, beckoning passers-by to invent stories to fit inside its small rooms.

  I've heard it said that imagination is necessary for life.  What a neat place we live in that encourages imagination to take wing!

WHAT IS IT? - Just off the Road

 Taking pictures of everyday things can get a bit boring, but not when my husband is around.  The other day, he called me over to his computer and showed me this series of photos and asked me to guess what they were.

Naturally I could see that they were bubbles, but how in the world did he manage to get the exotic colors, and the textures that seemed to be changing in front of my eyes.

After several attempts, I gave up and he disclosed his secret - he had poured water into a Pyrex bowl, added some canola oil, set it on a cardboard box, and slid one of his favorite, colorful sweaters under the bowl.  To get the movement, he barely stirred the oil and water and voila!  Magic!!  Who knew I had a magician in my very own house?

SUNSET - Just off the Road

Our little family spent a day recently near Forks, WA on Second Beach - the beach made famous by the TWILIGHT series.  If you ask me, though Twilight was pretty cool, this beach really doesn't need a book or movie to give it credence.

My husband, the photographer, insisted that we go prepared with water, lunch, snacks, and headlamps, since the only way to get a sunset picture is to stay until the sun sets, after which it gets dark.  I must admit that, after seeing this incredible sunset, the hike went by in a flash.  We were all dazzled by the beauty that God shares with us if we're only willing to hang around and watch.

WARMER CLIMES - Just off the Road

Last week we spent a few days in a warmer place... Laguna Beach, CA.  It was warm enough to swim in the pool, or even the ocean.  The resort had multiple pools, with the wall of one adorned with rather cool fish and sea kelp.

In California there are lots of plants that we don't see around here.  Cactus, ice plant, bougainvillias, and other species that like hot, dry weather.  So different, but after a few days, I realized that I really don't like California too much.  It's beautiful, but busy, impressive but expensive, warm but wearying. 

Don't get me wrong, it was nice to get up early and walk on the beach. visit amazing galleries, dine in fabulous restaurants, but when all is said and done, I'll take our lovely, quiet, quaint little town anytime.

FOOTBALL - Just off the Road

Driving around the week after the Super Bowl, I couldn't help but replay that last minute in my mind.  Why oh why didn't Marshawn get the ball?  What was Pete thinking?  Would they have another chance next year?

But then my 12th Woman kicked in, and I realized that in my car was this Seahawks cup, just waiting to be photographed by my loving 12th Man.  He's gazing across a field, just waiting, still fierce, and determined to WIN THE SUPER BOWL in 2016.  Go Hawks!!!

FEATHERS - Just off the Road

 There are lots of birds where I live.  All types, colors, and sizes.   I never paid much attention to birds before, but now I'm an unofficial bird-watcher, thanks to my daughter, a variety of feeders, and my friends at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner.  Who knew that they even sell books that feature bird feathers?

Never one to miss an opportunity, my husband took this Northern Flicker feather and made it the focus of his recent class in close-up photography.  We spent a full day in the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, seeking out backgrounds for my flicker feather.  "The Feather as Art" is the result. 

 

Beginning with moss, moving to bark patterns in a Western Red Cedar stump, progressing to sword ferns, then rocks, he was able to create a photo that highlights the beauty of a simple bird feather.  This is such a special place if you take the time to look.