Happy Thanksgiving...

Summer Road Trip Part 2.....

I know... it's been much longer than just a week or so when I promised to have another post of our trip up, but I have been so busy and time got away from me, well actually mom. :):)

So we left off after being on the island for two days... San Juan Island, WA..... A beautiful area! Map above, Friday Harbor is the little town that we took the Ferry into and that is the island we stayed on. :)

We had some rain which mom took me out for a rain walk. It was fun in my new stroller as it kept me dry. Mom didn't stay dry, but it was a light rain (until we headed back). The rest of the day, we hung out in our cabin watching dvd's and cartoons on my portable tv that I brought. Our cabin is in a remote setting and quite rustic. We love it. No phone, no tv (except for mine :)), and mom's cell phone barely works.

The next day, mom took me on an aerial tour. Yep, up in a small plane. I got my own seat, own headset, got to listen to the pilot, mom and our friend talk. It was beautiful. We saw Orcas, lots of islands in WA and Canada, Vancouver and Victoria, BC. Just beautiful and I loved it! We went right by our cabin. The photo ID's our cabin! :)

That evening, Captain Spencer called and said, "Superpod coming down the westside of the island and will be right out of Snug Harbor by 7pm. Want to go?". Off we went! :):) It was beautiful!

My aunt Patricia came out to the island with her friend to go whale watching. She was late, but we picked them up and made a dash for Snug Harbor.

No resident Orcas were around, but there was a report of Transient Orcas north of us in Canadian waters. So off we went. :):) Captain Spencer let me ride in his seat and guess what, "I am ready for Captains School!". I loved sitting there. I sat nice and tall and looked all around to make sure no one was going to hit us and vice versa. :)

After we returned, we went to the San Juan County Fair. It was a small fair, but fun! Actually, my kind of fair. :):) Then Aunt Patricia and her friend took the "red-eye" ferry back to the mainland.

The next morning we went out again with Captain Spencer in which we didn't see any Orcas, but we did see Harbor Porpoise, Bald Eagle and lots of Harbor Seals. Saw some kind of deer, Turkey Vulchers and Capt. Spencer made a Kelp Doll for the other kids that were with us. He gave us a lesson on kelp!

We spent quite a bit of time with the Orcas from shore and from boat. We did some hiking, which was really fun in my new stroller. I got to go places that I could never go to in my wheelchair. We hung out at the cabin, toured Roche Harbor and other popular sites on the island, and of course, I had mom give me a daily drive on the island. She thought I was crazy for wanting to spend more time in the car after the long trip to the island. Nop! I loved it!

We had some more rain.....

Friday morning we went out one last time with Captain Spencer to

say good-bye. We had a great Orca trip, but unfortunately on the way back, the boat was injured, so we had to take our time getting back in. Saturday was our last day there, so we took a trip out with Captain Jim Maya. It was fabulous! We saw all 3 pods come together forming a superpod on the west side of the island. The 3 pods had a brief, but amazing ceremony when they met up. Amazing animals!

Captain Spencer Domico with Island Dream Wildlife Cruises and Captain Jim Maya with Mayas Westside Charters are both excellent Whale Watch Wildlife Cruise Companies to go out on the water with. They both are out of Snug Harbor, and will make your trip very memorable!

That evening after we said our goodbye, took one last hike down to the lighthouse at Lime Kiln and then we headed out on the ferry to Anacortes (mainland). Sunset was beautiful.

We drove through all the traffic up through Seattle to Federal Way where we stayed the night.

The rest of our journey home is coming soon...:):)

On a different note... I love my new school and teacher. I have so many new friends and am doing great. The only thing I don't care for is that I live just 2 blocks from my school which means I have a VERY SHORT bus ride - what is up with that???? Next year when I go to High School, I hope my bus ride will be longer than just 5 minutes!

Mom and I just moved into another apartment unit in the same complex. We have been waiting for an apartment like this one to come available since we moved here last April. We love it and can now call this home! :):) We have been busy this last week unpacking and settling in. I now have a lovely backyard to put my swing up in and to layout. Cubby loves it too. :)

Mom is almost done with football season. It's been a great season for her and the older kids are graduating, moving onto College after this season. She is going to miss them. They are great kids and two wonderful families she takes photos for. Luckily, most of this season, I have been able to stay home with grandma. Yea!

Halloween....

Me at school on Halloween....

Hope you all are doing good and had a great Thanksgiving!! :):)

Until next time...

Love,

Kayla