Rainmaker Rodeo

Saturday, May 24th, we walked with Daniel to the St Albert Rainmaker Rodeo and Music festival which was set up adjacent to our campground.  The rodeo with bucking broncs and cattle roping, a petting zoo, a pony ride, a family circus and the midway were such fun,  Daniel fell in love with the miniature goats that he is petting and this little banty rooster that he had in his lap.  He enjoyed his pony ride and then Grandma and Daniel had a ride on a helicopter ride in the midway.  A highlight was the family circus where several acts of contortion and  gymnastics were enjoyed along with a man-shooting cannon and a man swallowing fire along with other stunts with fire enthralled him.  Of course there was a disclaimer that these tricks should not be tried at home.  A fun day!

Daniel at Soccer

Saturday morning is soccer.  Ever seen ten or so little munchkins all running after the same ball, no matter what team?  So cute.  The coaches are so good with the kids.  They get to play different obstacle courses and have water breaks often, then they split the team and play a short game against another team .  At the end there is a snack time where each parent is scheduled to bring treats for the kids.  Well this particular Saturday, watermelon was the snack, Daniel's favourite and he made sure he had a front row seat.  We had to watch that he didn't put his rind back on the tray of slices.  At one point he had a piece of watermelon in each hand and was eating from both.  What a hoot! A great way to spend an early Saturday morning!
He is fully dressed in soccer attire, complete with shin pads and socks; their tem is the grey team and so all the kids on his team wear a grey shirt, large enough that it can be worn over a coat or sweater.  Dapper!

Fun with Daniel

 Every opportunity we can, we take Daniel for the day to the park.  This particular weekend was his first weekend to meet Bailey and Winston and then to play in the park near our St Albert campground.  He loves slides, swings and sandboxes.  We had great fun walking the boardwalk for 2.2 miles and then playing on the slide and swing.  Of course, anything that makes music is high on his list of fun too.  Then the sandbox saw him playing with his mini motorcycle, making roads and streets in the sandbox, burying it and finding it again.  Of what fun!

Tulip Festival in LaConner, WA

 It's Spring!  Yes it is!  Finally!  One of our favourite places to visit on our way north is LaConner WA.  During the month of April, a tulip festival is in full swing!  An organized tulip tour takes one along countryside roads where acres and acres of fields of colourful tulip are grown.  Absolutely stunning!  Roadside stands sell these by the dozens or in pots along with fruits and vegetables.  Throngs of tourists clog the country roads on the weekends.
Besides the tulips, we like to walk to the downtown area for brunch at the Calico Cupboard and check out the many craft shops along the main street.  There is also a harbour with many large launches and sailboats belonging to locals as well as many from British Columbia.  Lots of money here!  We visited here Easter weekend!  It rained over the weekend, but this did not dampen our spirits.  Only one day was it difficult to walk the dogs our usual 5 miles.  Lovely weekend!

Mount Hood Oregon and Mount Washington

 Looks cold, doesn't it?  And likely it is!  This is Mount Hood, the highest point in Oregon seen from Eugene to Salem along I-5.  Because of its immense height and its stark white snow covered cliffs, this landform cannot be missed as we travel northwards.  Not sure if this is skied in winter but I know that it is scaled by  brave climbers in summer, right Billie Outlaw?  We know that you have climbed this one!  This is mid April...looks like it will be snow covered for quite a long while yet!  Watch for Mount Washington photo to come.