What defines a great vacation? 

Well, in addition to huge breakfasts featuring bacon, fresh blueberries, and at least one egg more than you can possibly eat, it starts with great friends.  Thank you, Brint and Phyllis, for inviting us up to your condo!  And thanks, Mom and Dad, for arranging the trip!

We left early enough on Friday morning to justify stopping for lattes along the way, although this being Seattle, you don’t need a “morning” to justify a latte.  The number of drive-thru coffee shacks along the roadside in this part of the country speaks volumes of this region’s caffeine addiction.  Lucky for us!  It is always a good time for a latte!

Eventually, we left the drippy Seattle weather behind and crossed the snow-covered mountain pass to Eastern Washington, where the grey clouds and pine trees gave way to sunshine and scrubby desert hills.  We drove through acres of apple and cherry orchards to find ourselves in the foundling wine country of Lake Chelan.

Trading apple orchards for vineyards is not such a bad change!  In fact, some might even call it a sign of maturity.

This was the scene from our balcony, where we had dinner together and watched the supermoon rising over the lake:

Jake and Eli were really excited that there was a pool.

We are ready to go!

And so are the rest of us!

Our long weekend was packed with watching fish from the dock,

Gazing awestruck at the beautiful scenery,

Chocolate taste tests,

Beer taste tests (Mac and Jack’s, Elysian IPA),

Winery hopping,

and building sand castles at the beach.

Eli was especially attracted to collecting rocks and huge pieces of driftwood:

Daddy is pretty much an expert at building cool sand castles!  Thanks Dad!

Brint and Phyllis, we are grateful that you allowed us to come and crash your Zen this weekend.  The boys loved all the beach presents and playing with your dog, Medley, but most of all we were just happy to have your company.  Thank you!  We hope to see you next time over another huge plate of blueberry waffles!