Our first stop inside the park was the Bald eagle exhibit. These eagles are in an open air exhibit with no net to prevent them from flying because this pair of eagles has injuries that prevent them from flying away! So sad…but on the other hand I’m glad they are here at the park to see up close and enjoy them. These truly are amazing birds.

Before we headed down the hill to the herd-tram, we had to take a photo break.
I really like this one of Sarah and Isabel.

Just as our herd-tram was about to leave, a lone female caribou walked right up to our side of the tram looking for some shade from the hot sun.

This time I was able to get a whole group of female mountain sheep and calves! These ladies were trying to keep cool.

I was so excited to take this picture! Three years ago, the park only had 1 moose and we didn’t get to see her. This time, they have 4 moose and we got to see 2 of them!

Male Roosevelt elk trying to keep cool in the grasses along the marsh.

Our herd-tram has ended and we got to see all 8 species of animals that wander around in the free-range area.
We saw: Bighorn sheep, Bison, Mountain goats, Black and white tail Deer, Moose, Roosevelt Elk,  and Woodland Caribou. Along with 2 raccoons (one had babies) and 2 swans.

In the wetland exhibits we got to see otters, beaver, and a raccoon that looked like it wanted to escape!

Sarah, Isabel and the otter.

Waiting for the beaver to head back to the window so she could see it.

There it is! What a big beaver you are!

In the Forest animal exhibits, we got to see; a badger, a skunk, and we missed out seeing the baby porcupine!

Heading out of the park we stopped by the moose; unfortunately we couldn’t get anyone to take a picture of the 3 of us.

Racing back to the car for some much needed lunch. We had a great day, tomorrow we head to the airport…

]]> http://www.espinozafamily.net/blog/2010/07/07/northwest-trek-with-sarah/feed/ 0 http://www.espinozafamily.net/blog/2010/07/06/a-closer-view/ http://www.espinozafamily.net/blog/2010/07/06/a-closer-view/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:39:14 +0000 Carey http://www.espinozafamily.net/blog/?p=3456 This afternoon we headed up to Eatonville so Sarah could get a better view of Mount Rainier, we weren’t disappointed. Enjoy!

Pulled over along the highway to Eatonville.

Good shot!

She got to decorate the dress all by herself with super sticky felt flowers and trim. With some help from Sarah, she was able to get the hair on as well.
(Sarah was able to get a “pattern” from Flowers dress and hopefully Mommy can get another dress made for Flower so Isabel can decorate that one as well.)

This is “Flower” and the front view of the dress that Isabel decorated all by herself.

The back view of Flowers dress. For some reason, Isabel decorated the back of the dress more then the front. Thank you, Sarah!

The first one she got as we were walking around downtown Puyallup attending
Meeker Days.

It’s a salmon on a fishing pole. She loves that bulging star eye!

The second one, a flower, she got yesterday when we took Daddy out for dinner for Father’s day.

The front of the 2 bedroom/1 bath rental looking north from the garage.
(All these house photos were taken over the first 2 days we were there and at about the same times; that’s why it’s evening)

Side door looking west. They use the side door as the front door and the front door remains locked.

Back of the house. Not a good shot but it’s the best I could do with the placement of the trees in the yard.

A view further down the yard, closer to the steps leading to the beach.

What the owner calls a “garage”. I call it a large storage room; you can find galoshes of all sizes and clamming shovels/buckets too. Along with other odds and ends for the house. Didn’t really go in; just poked my head in…

~~~~~~~~~~

This morning we three girls headed to the beach, while Gino relaxed his back for the big fishing trip later in the day. Poor guy, his back went out the day before we left on the trip, so he was in some pain.

Isabel waiting for me to head to the beach.

This truly is a rare sight! Daisy is NOT a water dog; Dakota was the water dog. So to see her head out into the water all by herself was so exciting! I would have let her off the leash but with her whole foot issues lately, we were worried that the rocks and shells would cut it open again with her running around free range.

Baby crab…I saw several of these this morning clinging to the rocks and scattered along the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night with Gino gone and Isabel in bed, Daisy and I spent some time down by the water for a bit and then headed back up to the deck to sit and watch the sights around me!

Can you tell what this BIG guy/gal is!?!?!

Last night (the 7th) while we were roasting marshmallows, we watched as a bald eagle soared through the air catching it’s dinner for the evening. So AWESOME!

Tonight (the 8th), I was lucky to see it again and get a photo. Unfortunately, this is the closest I could get to it (0therwise I could have trespassed onto the neighbors property and gotten a closer view!). Earlier in the evening, just after I laid Isabel down for bed, I happened to catch 2 bald eagles soaring and locking claws just over the house! It was so thrilling to see this display…but I didn’t have the camera to get them when they were so close to me!

Down by the water, Daisy and I watched ducks and a blue heron out along the shore. Daisy was so fascinated by them, if she would have been off the leash, the birds and my crazy dog would have been gone! Also got to see what might have been a large otter (couldn’t tell in the dim light) cruising out in the water, maybe looking for a crab dinner in the bay!

Not knowing what to expect, Isabel was a bit disappointed when she realized there wasn’t any sand; she got over that in a hurry when she realized she could have just as much fun throwing shells and other stuff in the water!

Having a great time playing in the water.

Shells and rocks littered the ground.

Some prettier then others.

The biggest mussel we’ve even seen. I tried prying it open but the little
bugger wouldn’t budge!

When we arrived the owner was at the house mowing the lawn and talked with Gino afterward about the bay. Come to find out during the month of July (best to get your reservation in early!) they rent the house out for those who want to cast some crab pots out in the bay!

(click image to enlarge)
The view off the deck looking toward the Strait at sunset.

The highlight of the day was making some smorse’s.

Getting the marshmallow just right.
Isabel can’t wait for her first taste of the gooey goodness!

I think it’s safe to say she likes them!
She ended up eating 2 before she started getting cold and wanted to go in.

Her bag is packed and she’s ready to go!
She packed mostly books and left just enough room for Lula.

“Let’s go to the beach, Momma!” she says.
“We have to wait until tomorrow.” I say.

While the church sang, “Hosanna” by Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown,
the kids came out waving palm branches.

Can you see Isabel in the above photo? So glad I had my camera…

For such a job well done, she got a sucker!

Remedy Drive.

Fee.

Francesca Battistelli.

David Crowder*Band.

Opening for Mercy Me (who put on an amazing show!); can’t wait for their new CD coming out in May. It’s going to be awesome!

Afterward, all the members of each band sat down to give out autographs for the fans. We would have waited in line but it so past someone’s bedtime and she was DONE! Maybe next time…

David Crowder*Band.

David Crowder.
Ask Isabel, he’s her man! She loves his music!

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