A Trip to the Pacific

Harry and I flew to Seattle last Wednesday for a vacation and to be at my cousin, Mike's wedding. On Thursday we decided to take a trip to see the Pacific Ocean (a first for both Harry and I) and to Astoria, Oregon.

We drove past so may forests that had been clear-cut. The great thing is that each of the logging companies replants the forests that they cut down. Each one of these replanted forests gets a sign that tells when it was cut and replanted.


This is a little town on Wilapa Bay... the Oyster Capital of the World.


Since Wilapa Bay is the Oyster Capital of the World there are TONS of mounds that look like this... all oyster shells!


A gorgeous tributary leading to the Pacific Ocean.


Finally, after a couple hours of driving, we made it to the Pacific Ocean... Long Beach, Washington.


It was a cold day, but we put our feet in the water anyway.


It was an absolutely beautiful day with just a hint of fog.


After spending some time on the beach Harry and I got a very fresh seafood dinner. There was nothing wrong with our camera, the food was that steamy!


Another view of Long Beach, from much higher up. After lunch we started hiking up to Long Head Light House, where we got this picture.


The marshy area just to the east of the beach.


A view of the cliffs.


Harry and I enjoying the view. We think this photo looks fake, the background is so beautiful.


But here is the proof, it was really this breathtaking!


Finally, we made it to Long Head Lighthouse.


The cliffs just to the left of Long Head Lighthouse.


The cliffs just to the right of Long Head Lighthouse.


We love it here. Harry and I want to move to Washington after all of this!


Finally, to end the day, we drove to Astoria, Oregon across a 4 mile long bridge across the mouth of the Columbia River. We are on the Washington side of the river and the Oregon side is in the background.


Halfway across the bridge.


Finally, for all of my friends reading the Twilight series, at one point we were only a little more than an hour from Port Angeles and about 2 hours from Forks. I kept telling Harry about the settings in the series and it was pretty cool to be able to see some of the areas the author has been writing about.

We will be posting many more pictures documenting our trip in the days to come... so check back daily!

No Vegas... Yet

Jem and the Holograms (our trivia team) has been playing in a 4 week tournament to win 2 tickets to Las Vegas. We had racked up a good amount of points, but we did not win the first of the Vegas tickets. We will begin another 4 week tournament next week, hopefully we will do better next week!

The team (minus Joanne who had to work)
Laura, Jessica, Siggy, Danny, me, Harry, and Shannon

Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon

On Monday, Harry, some friends, and I traveled into the armpit of the south (Columbia, SC - home to USC) to see Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon. It was a great concert and the trip reinforced my opinion that Clemson is a million times better than USC.

Harry and I waiting for the concert to start.


Bryan, Nicole, me, and Harry


Pearl Jam performing

Happy Father's Day!

Harry and I are lucky enough to have the best Dads in the world!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Harry and Dad during one of Charlotte's few snow storms.


Dad, Martha, Clay, me and Hasan in our backyard.
I picked this picture for 2 reasons, you get to see Dad's rockin red, white, blue, and gray sweatshirt one more time and you get to see my sweet cast!

A Weekend to Celebrate

This past weekend Harry and I had quite a bit to celebrate... our 5 year anniversary as well as Madison's 3rd birthday. We traveled to Raeford on Saturday to visit with Edward, Martha, Madison, and Luke as well as celebrate.

Madison and Luke spent Saturday playing with Madison's birthday present, a Barbie Jeep.


Luke felt safer playing outside of the car, not that I can blame him.


Madison enjoyed swinging with me.


Harry and I on our 5th anniversary, Sunday, June 8, 2008.


Happy Birthday to our beautiful niece.
We don't mind sharing our special day with you!

Charlotte Sure is Tasty!

On Friday Harry, Joanne, Shannon, Laura, and I went to the Taste of Charlotte downtown. Taste of Charlotte is an annual event were local restaurants set up tents downtown to sell small portions of their most popular menu items. We had a great time and got to sample some delicious food!

Harry and I, we were trying to decide where to eat.

Joanne, Shannon, Laura and I as car models.
Don't worry, we didn't quite our day jobs.

Horseback Riding at Latta Equestrian Center

Harry and I wanted to do something outdoors today and we decided to go on a trail ride at the Equestrian Center at Latta Plantation (located in Huntersville, NC). Harry had been horseback riding before; however, despite growing up with a horse, I had never been. Sad, I know, but Hasan was never broken.

Harry with his horse, Fudge.


Meeting my horse, Star.


Harry, saddled up and ready to go.


On the trail!


My view of the trail ride.


Harry on Fudge and me on Star.
Fudge was being a little difficult at the time this picture was taken.

After a lovely trail ride Harry and I encountered an interesting sight right next to our car. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer was arresting 2 men in the parking lot. We can only guess that the arrest was drug related, based on the appearance of the 2 men. It sure was an eventful ending to a great day.

Perp #1 in the back of the police car.


Perp #2 awaiting his turn to be put in the car (he is already hand-cuffed).

Look Into My Eyes...

get your wallet, send money for treats!

Biltmore Trip 2008

Today the entire 5th grade at LCE took a field trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. This was actually my second trip to the Biltmore Estate, and although it was a great trip, it did not compare to my first visit to Biltmore (on June 8, 2002 Harry and I got engaged at the Biltmore Estate).

Heather (the math and science teacher I am partnered with), Bobbie (our AP) and me


The million dollar shot (of a billion dollar home)


The LCE Class of 2008

BBQ at the Homestead

Today Harry and I hosted a BBQ at the house. Some good friends came over to celebrate the long weekend, as well as Marshall's birthday.

Harry and me

Marshall and his daughter, Julie


Joanne


Julie, looking as cute as ever!


Allie, daughter Julie, and Shannon


The whole Cesena family


Harry, in his "I love the Lord of the Rings" pose


Volleyball team Joanne, Harry, and Shannon demonstrate bump, set, spike


Allie, Marshall, and I pose for a more artistic Volleyball team picture


Our "special" friend Joanne loves to dance


More dancing


Even more dancing


Harry, Volleyball Superstar!


The whole gang after a long evening.

Happy Memorial Day!

An Encounter with the Time Bandit Captains

Today, Harry and I traveled to Books-A-Million in Concord to meet Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand, captains of "Time Bandit" on Discovery's "Deadliest Catch" and authors.

Waiting in line to meet the Hillstrands with our copy of "Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs"


Harry, me, Captain Jonathan (left) and Captain Andy (right)


"To Harry -n- Meredith, Chip Ice or Die! Capt Andy"
"Live, Love, Shut up AND Fish! Capt Jonathan"