I spent a few days enjoying Northern Oregon: taking walks, going for drives, playing with the dogs, chatting with my grandmother and her husband, Hershey, and dreaming in the basement. It was peaceful and relaxing... I don't think I got up before 9:00am on any of those days. Then, it was on to my cousin's house near Tacoma, WA. Although I have thousands of cousins (it seems) that live in Oregon and Washington, there are a few near my age that are more like brothers than part of my extended family. They are the type to drop everything and drive me the 2+ hours up to Seattle and back, just so I can take a photo of the Pike's Place Market sign. (Thanks, Danny & Dougie!) I spent two days up here and had a blast hanging out with my cousins and their significant others.

The first day was spent in Seattle & Alki Beach.