Camp David Junior

I guess some of you are wondering about Camp David Junior, the wonderful lodge murals, the cabins and the setting on Lake Crescent. So here are some pics that should give you a better idea.

The lodge, Qui Si Sana,  has wonderful high cathedral ceilings. The original murals from the early 1900s were preserved when the lodge was updated and reinforced in 1981.

Here's a close-up of the mural in the corner behind the TV.  The colors are rich and vibrant despite the age of the murals.

Many of the cabins have wonderful skylights. This cabin is called Ne Yan  Da. The kids who come here for summer camp love the native american names for the cabins. I wish I knew the meanings.

The interior of the cabin is composed of three rooms. A central room and two bunk rooms. This cabin sleeps eleven. Note the great interior light and super sturdy bunks. 

Womanfest Fall Retreat

Every year I look forward to the annual Womanfest Fall Retreat at Camp David Junior. It was last weekend. It was wonderful to spend time with friends, both new and old. Here are a few photos. Enjoy!

Dr. Dale Holiday (center) makes a presentation to a group of women at the retreat. Irma Schneider is pictured at left. Susan Norlund (far right) soaks up the sun and the information simultaneously.

Annie Haggenmiller, Lucy Baily, JoAnn Hamilton, Lee Maxwell and Sheila Martin were among those listening to Dr. Dale Holiday's presentation. The lodge porch is a lovely space for small group events.

Women who have special skills often elect to share their skills with the larger group. Jaye Butler taught Ingrid Schneider (pictured above) how to make her own fanciful balloon hat.

During the retreat there is always at least one craft project which is ongoing throughout the weekend. Laura Lilly and Heidi Kaas work on making handcrafted cards for sick children, which was the craft project this year. More than 25 sick children received cards made especially for each of them after the retreat.

Cedar Bough Bags

I sold this set of Cedar Bough Bags yesterday. Every time someone buys something I get a thrill. The person who bought these lives in New York state. The last person who bought a similar item lives in Georgia. Wow. How cool to be connecting with people in other places. The web is such a gift!

These Bough Bags are filled with Western Red Cedar -- the predominant species of tree in the Pacific Northwest.  The smell is a little gift from heaven. It smells like walking through the woods on barefoot feet, crushing forest underneath, feeling strength and infinity in every step.

Beaded Amulet Bag Necklaces

A friend taught me how to make amulet bag necklaces like the one above. The necklace is perfect for carrying a few small meaningful things, a couple of  folded bills, or a vial of your favorite perfume.

The bags are rather like medicine bags for carrying items of personal significance, like the whisker of your favorite cat or dog, a lock of a loved one's hair, and a pebble found on your favorite beach.

I usually make them during the fall and winter months. They are for sale in my Etsy Shop. Now that the weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, I am thinking about making more.

MV Lotus

This wonderful old Edwardian Yacht was tied up at the public dock in Port Townsend when we were there the other day. We walked down to take a look at it.

As we were walking by, this gentleman leaned out the door and invited us aboard. What an incredible treat! Stepping aboard immediately sent us back into the past when the MV Lotus was built in 1909.

This lovely functional fireplace is in the main salon. All the woodwork is original and most of the furnishings are also original to the yacht. There is an old photograph of the owner, Maurice McMicken, sitting in a chair that is still in the salon.

Here is a view of the galley. Clearly some newer appliances have been added since 1909. Note the toaster on the counter. Still a bright and welcoming kitchen after more than 100 years.

The master suite boasts a private bathroom (not visible, but off to the left) and a seating area shown below. There 2 other good size bedrooms each with a double bed, two smaller bedrooms with bunks for crew and kitchen help, and a shared bathroom complete with claw foot tub.

Summer at Siren's

Yesterday my husband had the day off. Since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to go to one of our favorite spots, Siren's Pub in Port Townsend.  On a beautiful day it is the perfect place to hangout and watch boats go by on Port Townsend Bay.

Above is the eastward view toward Indian Island from the pub terrace. The large boat is a Washington State Ferry going to Whidbey Island. They regularly ply the waters between Port Townsend and Keystone. 

This view looks north toward Whidbey Island. It was basically a windless day, so the water was very calm. We always get the Nachos and sip a local micro brew.

Healing

This beautiful totem pole welcomes patients to the Jamestown Family Health Clinic . It is just one of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's many totem poles. It tells the story of a wren who outwitted the wind.

The pole is hand carved from a single log which has been split lengthwise. Here you see the back of the pole.

This beautiful water feature is is between the parking area and the front door of the clinic. The soothing sound of flowing water relaxes patients as they come to their appointments.

Deer Country

This mother deer and her little fawn really enjoy sitting in the high grass near my home. The mother is looking out toward the bay. The fawn is watching me taking the picture. I see them both every morning.

Here's a close-up of the fawn, born about eight weeks ago. The baby's spots are almost gone. But the ears are still way large-out of proportion to the rest of the body-just like a puppy's feet. How cute is that?