America 2015 - part 5

Back in Normandy Park, behind my parents' home is a newish park that runs along the backside of the park-like homes in the neighborhood

I felt something big fly over me, not trying to conceal itself.

What is this? I've never seen an owl up close before, and he wasn't afraid of us, just looking between my husband and I repeatedly, and looking down.




It's called a Barred owl, nothing special, but to me, extremely so. Gorgeous! Later he ""who-who'd" for us as we searched for geocaches in those woods.



The next day we went to Carnation to attend a Geocaching event, where my husband would return a defective coin to its owner. I saw yet another evacuation sign for my home and had to take a photo. So far I have evactuation signs for Tsunami, Flood, Earthquake, Volcano, and Dam Failure.



In Carnation we ran into my friend Tami, who lives up in the hills near there. She was so shocked to see us! We promised to meet up soon. Later I insisted that we have lunch at Ixtapa, my favorite Mexican place in Carnation, cuz the owners have Spanish horses and parade them through town, and there are photos all over the walls of these gorgeous horses. Also, the mole enchiladas. This is my first taste of real  ("real") Mexican since we arrived. You can see the luscious mole sauce on the left side of the plate. Oh it's to die for. Later, the owner sat at the table with us and just talked. I love American restaurants, where the owners will sit with the guests. Just looking at this photo, I'm almost drooling in the memory. No, there is no mole in Germany. Nor any other worthwhile "Mexican" food.



The geocaching event was in an iconic barn in Carnation on the Tolt river. There was free lemonade for all, but it had way too much sugar for me. My man stood in line (you can see the line in the photo) to sign us in, and then ran into the person he needed by luck, immediately. The guy said to him, "Oh, I knew it was you by your strong accent." This upset my husband because he didn't realize how thick his accent was. I said, "Mine too, in Germany. We cannot change it. And, it's cute."





As soon as the geocoin mishap was amended, we intended to go caching along the Tolt river, rather than participating in the event, cuz we had brought nothing for their potluck. They assured us, American style, that we should eat freely as much as we liked, but we didn't feel right about it. And at this point in my trip, honestly, I had no desire for hot dog nor hamburger.

I also noted that these geocachers appeared differently from the German ones we see at events here. They were, well, more rugged and in general, older, with raggedy hair and beards, and just-rolled-outta-bed clothing. But of course, they were NICER, almost to where we were taken aback. (I must  note that in both Portland and Seattle, thick full beards on young men seem to be the new standard. I have no idea.)

When we mentioned that we intended to hike out, the organizer pointed us to a man who had no one with him, who had hoped to find a cache on that day. A newbie.

Of course we'll take him with us!



The pretty, pretty Tolt river, heading from the Cascades. People were swimming in it, just as people swam in every bit of water we encountered on our July tour of the PNW. Lord, stop the heat!

The man with us talked to J amicably as I kept stopping to take photos of inane things.




This is the wobbly bridge we walked across to the trail system.




It's the cougars you have to be wary of, even though wariness does not help. The bears run from you, as I've proven, chasing them on Baasha.




OK well that's different.



I kept saying HOLD STILL for pityssake....as he screeched at me for walking down his trail. In Germany, all the squirrels are red. I think in Canada, they're black, right?  I like them all, even this grey complainer.











As we took the newbie into the trails, we passed the cars and I stopped suddenly, what is this? I've never seen this symbol outside of Germany, (on the far right in this photo)  and I would have never noticed if I hadn't paid attention, because Germans don't advertise their affections on their cars or their persons. I almost doubted myself as I pointed to it and asked my husband, "Is this our state's Schalke football league?" Yes. I had no idea this team in our state of North Rhein Westphalia had fans outside of Germany. I wish we could have run into the car's owner, just to clarify, but there were trails to explore.




They came all the way from Arizona in their large-version Prius that doesn't exist in Germany? Well, we came farther.: )



On the highway to Carnation there are Elk. I've ridden with them unintentionally near here. They seemed to be as big as my horse. But unafraid.



The entire month we were there, we enjoyed the privilege of the carpool lane, that is, a special fast lane designated for people who have more than one person in the car. Without this, life in the Seattle area is unthinkable. We have one of the worst traffic problems in the nation, and what can we do.

Here's our sign allowing us to blast past everyone else. It's strange, I don't know how I could live if 405 or I5 were my daily suffering. OK I dealt with the Viaduct everyday, but I knew hope was in store. Do we have hope for Seattle traffic? Is their tunnel digging tool working? Aarene would know.



My husband loves this sign, coming into Burien from SeaTac/I405. It's not readable until you are directly at it, when it's too late to do anything about it. Since it amuses him, it's here.


 
Once home I caught this pair of Flickers, the male on the left showing his ruby neck. Sadly, a Flicker died during our visit in the yard, hunted by a raptor. We got a handful of spotted orange/black feathers, but it was sad, my parents love their Flickers.

Next: Mt St Helens!