Sunrise

In the summer, sometimes I would get up super early in the morning to take pictures of the sunrise.

Then I got smart.

In mid November, the sun comes up at 7:06 am.

Purty, huh?

Twilight... I've been there!

Last summer we traveled to the great Northwest to visit my husband's family, and while we were in the neighborhood, we decided to take a side trip out to the Olympic Peninsula. Since myself and three of my children have read all of the Twilight books, I suggested we plan a stop in Forks. That way, I reasoned, when we see the movie, we can lean over to our poorly traveled friends and say, "I've been there!" I wonder how many times I could say that before my friend punches me. Hm... I'll let you know

Yes, Forks, Washington, is a real place. Ms. Meyer didn't make it up. And yes, it really does rain there. A lot.

Here is my tall 8 year old standing next to the rain gauge at the Forks Visitor Information Center. As of August 2, it had already rained 4 3/4 FEET this year. That's 57 Inches, folks, with five months yet to go in the year. Average annual rainfall in Forks is 102 inches (8 1/2 feet).

All that rain makes the countryside incredibly green and lush.

And grows REEELLY big trees.

And REEEELLY big Banana Slugs. Vampires? Meh. I got bigger problems keeping this slug from gnawing off my finger!

Welcome to Forks, Home of the Highest Gas Prices in America (on Aug 2). Yikes.

Bella's workplace...

The Highschool...

The ONE stoplight in town...

A caption on this photo seems a tad redundant...

But look what we found around the back side of the building!

Bella's Truck. My children were truly thrilled to see this replica at the Visitor Center. They are grimacing because -- shocker -- it is raining.

No visit to Forks would be complete without a side trip to La Push and First Beach.

It's hard to go wrong with rocks, sand, water and a gorgeous sunset.

We spent one night in Forks, and it was plenty. It really is a "blink and you'll miss it" little nothing town on the highway. Rainy most days, even in summer, overcast on the rest. A perfect spot for vampires to hide.

A thousand words and all that...

What does this picture say to you?

Give That Photo A Name!

Okay I love this picture. It makes me smile every time I see it. Why? Well, it must be because I can relate to the fury and desperation this cat is feeling. But mostly I love it because it's just plain funny. I have been saving it until I could come up with the perfect caption to use as a post title. But I am feeling creatively challenged lately and so I need a little help.

This is where you, dear readers, come in.

Apply your collective creative genius and give it your best shot! The winner gets to come and watch me get my eyebrows waxed.

Just kidding. The winner gets to ask me anything you want to know - and I'll post the answer right here on this here blog.