Mom Visits and More

Scott's mom came to visit us for a few days in August. We did several things while she was here, including going to see Snoqualmie Falls.
Two kayakers playing around near the base of the Falls
We also went to an outdoor concert at a park near our house, to listen to a jazz band.
And dance, of course
During one of the beautiful Pacific Northwest summer days, Mom and Tracy went to Rattlesnake Lake. Here is a picture of Rattlesnake Ledge.
Tracy brought her wetsuit and did some final training for her olympic triathlon that weekend.
The triathlon was in Satsop, Washington, near the coast. We decided to make a weekend out of it, to see the Pacific Ocean. Here we pack up the car.
Tracy prepares for her first olympic-distance triathlon: 1-mile swim, 25-mile bike*, and 6.2-mile run. *Some participants were misdirected in the bike, including Tracy. They all did an extra 5 miles!
Getting her number...29
It was a small event, with only 47 participants doing the olympic distance.
The race begins!
Loch Ness Tracy?
Finish goal: under 3 hours. Actual finish time: 3:00:56. With the extra 5-mile bike, that's not too shabby!
Tracy: I can't believe I did an extra 5 miles!
Scott: I should be in bed.
After the triathlon, we drove to Ocean Shores Beach. We aren't much of beachgoers, but it was a nice change of scenery. Except for the cars parked on the beach.
Up close and personal with the Pacific Ocean
It was cold!
Mom and Scott relax on the beach. Scott reads Harry Potter for the second time.
Tracy takes a self-photo, without even meaning to get the surfer, too!
Someone's sand castle becomes an island.
Mom on the beach
The next day we went to the southern part of Gray's Harbor, to a town called Westport.
The beach in Westport was not as populated or touristy as the one in Ocean Shores. It also had more surfers and less cars. We preferred this beach.
A surfer gets comfortable in the sand.
Scott and Tracy walk amidst the seagulls.
And chase some away, too
Gray's Harbor is an accurately descriptive name...it was gray outside for the entirety of our weekend.
Westport has Washington's tallest lighthouse, the Gray's Harbor Lighthouse. Can you find it among the trees? The water surrounding the lighthouse has long since receded.
Some original stones from the lighthouse
We walked up these winding stairs to the top, but weren't allowed to bring a camara. So this is as much of the inside that we captured on film.
One final view of the ocean before heading back home. And look...there's a ray of light poking through the clouds!
It was so nice to have you visit us, Mom!