Salmon and Islands

This week was full of adventure! The first one consisted of my third graders and lots of salmon. We went to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for our first on only field trip of the year! I had some great parent volunteers and we were split up into 5 groups and got tours of the hatchery. My kids were so smart and could answer all the questions the guides had! It was cute to see them so excited. We went on Tuesday, which is the day the hatchery does the spawning. When we got there though, they had already gotten enough eggs, so they were "surplusing." Our kids got to touch the eggs, see the dead fish still flopping, and also got to see the workers killing the fish by hitting them on the head with a bat. Let me tell you how fun that was to explain to them, and their parents. Overall, it was a great experience!

the entrance to the hatchery for salmon

salmon being sorted after they were surplused and killed

On Saturday, Ian and I wanted to go somewhere fun, as the state parks were free this weekend, and I had a three day weekend, so we wanted to get out. Eventually, we decided to go to Camano Island State Park, about an hour and a half north of us...on an island! It was our second island adventure, and Bainbridge was our first. We went with another family in the ward, Kamie, Nate, and their cute daughter Emma and had a blast! It was an easy hike, but so fun to weave in and out of the forest and views over the sound to Whidbey Island and the Olympics. We loved the company and the views! Afterwards, we even got to get some BWW's...so Ian was extremely happy.

the loop trail

whidbey island and the Sound

huge jellyfish!

there were lots of beautiful leaves on the ground

I am so grateful for this relaxing weekend, and the time to actually enjoy it, rather than rush around doing errands, cleaning, or working. On that note, I am also grateful for all the veterans who have served our country, and those currently serving for allowing us to enjoy our freedoms and days off in their honor. :)