Funko Headquarters

We made a special trip to Funko Headquarters in Everett, Washington in honor of my son's birthday. This is a place he has wanted to visit. We visited early on a Sunday morning. They open at 10 and the drive is about an hour and 15 minutes from our house. There was already a line forming when we got there.  However as soon as the store opened we got right in.

Visiting Funko Headquarters  - Everett, WA

Seattle Aquarium

 My youngest turned 19 and he wanted to do something special. He requested to go to the Seattle Aquarium. 

It was my first time to the Aquarium. We reserved our tickets because of  Covid there is a timed entry. Masks were required.  We visited on a Saturday and it was a popular destination.

They have a male and female octopus. The one picture above is the male octopus. 

Of course the otters were the show stealers.

Fort Casey

 We spent the last day of Spring Break at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island in Washington. It is about 90 miles from our house. This is what my High School Senior wanted to do. It is a favorite state park of ours to visit. 

It is fun visiting all the bunkers. We overheard a gentleman say how refreshing there were no safety signs.  There are lots of steep stairs and open areas you could fall in. There is pretty much nothing you can't climb on.

We also visited the beach below. I don't think we had ever done that. So much driftwood on the beach and lots of little structures made with the driftwood.

The visit wouldn't be complete without visiting the light house

Price Sculpture Forest

 

A couple of Saturdays ago, my Husband and I ventured to Price Sculpture Forest in Coupeville, Washington.  This was a rare no rain Saturday morning .  I have visited many sculpture parks what is so unique about this one it is in the woods.  

There were a variety of sculptures in various mediums.

You aren't sure what is awaiting you around the corner. They even had some sculptures hanging in the trees.

Our favorite was Nature's Keystone.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning. Note that parking in the lot is limited but people were parking in the street. It is an excellent path for social distancing.

Flower Mural

 

I have been seeing pictures of this mural on social media. So, I decided to change my route home so I could check it out. The muralist Khara Ledonne painted it on the homeowners fence. Check out this article about it

Northern State Recreational Area

Abandoned building. Actually had a tree growing out of lower roof

window in abandoned building

Part of the Northern State Recreational Area encompasses some of the former grounds of the Northern State Hospital(mental hospital). The hospital was closed in 1973 and part of the facilities are used for Job Corp and a drug rehab.

Our hike/walk this past week took us on the historical route around the former Northern State Hospital and Grounds. Much of this trail was on paved road. This is the first time me and my family visited. It was about 45 minutes away. The recreation area also includes a large frisbee golf course, covered area, restrooms (closed due to COVID). There are some historical markers.

The buildings of the hospital were designed in a Spanish Revival Style. The actual grounds are quite pretty with big trees and sprawling lawns. The son of the designer of Central Park designed the grounds.

Chapel Stain Glass

Chapel - Didn't realize my youngest had his tongue stuck out

During its early conception the whole hospital was self sufficient with crops, dairy, cattle, and food processing. The original site included 700 acres of farmland. Considered quite progressive at the time sought to give patient vocational skills. The dairy was constructed of concrete by the patients. Most of the farm building have lots of graffiti. I love the cupolas

Dairy

Another local blogger took some pictures in the dairy area - Renee at Little Earthling.

On the creepy scale this is mildly creepy. I wouldn't want to hang around at dark. This was a easy trail. Some spots on trail are crossed by a Frisbee golf course so be on look out. On the Sunday we were there it was quite busy with Frisbee golfers. The course runs somewhat along trail.

More information on Northern State Hospital

Whatcom Falls Park

small falls at spillway from fishing pond

I had a chance to walk around Whatcom Falls park (Bellingham, WA).  We have been having some beautiful fall weather and I just love all the fall color. It was good to get out and walk with Mrs Epi. 

Washington State Bucket List

I found this blog draft and I decided to post.

I have lived in Washington State for 14 years and there is quite a few things I would like to see/do that I haven't. I thought I would make a bucket list and work on seeing or doing those things. I managed to complete quite a few of these bucket list items in 2017.

Bellingham

Crab Cruise

     Crab Cruise (completed 2017)
     Sucia Cruise
     Oyster Dome Hike
     Rock Trail Hike

Deception Pass
      Jet Boat Tour
      Camping

Ebey's Landing

Diablo Lake Tour

Port Townsend Glass Beach

Olympic National Park (all of it)

Mt Rainier - We have driven Pappy through Rainier a couple times.  These are the hikes or things I would like to see - Grove of the Patriarchs and Trail of Shadows

Mt Saint Helens - Ape Caves and Lava Canyon

Seattle

Chihuly Glass Museum

    Chihuly Glass Museum at the Seattle Center - (completed Dec 2017}
    Gum Wall
    Smith Tower
    Kerry Park
    Gas Works Park

San Juan Islands
    Orcas Island - Moran State Park

Mina Mounds - (I know I am weird)

Tulip Festival Mt Vernon- attempted to do this many years ago but the traffic was backed up to I-5

Palouse Falls

Seahawks Game

Seahawks Game  (completed 2017)

Camping ( see Mrs Epi, I added this) in the great PNW

Marine Park Playground

The playground structure in background is built to look similar lighthouse that was here originally

It has been forever since I have had a playground review.  My kids are teenagers but we had a chance to visit Blaine, Washington's newest playground - Marine Park Playground.  I thought it deserved a review.  This park is right along the waterfront with views of Vancouver and the Peace Arch Border Crossing.

Nice Size Climbing Rock

Ship complete with sails

This park contains two great play structures. One is a light house and the other is a giant sailing ship. There are lots of things to explore besides the slides and such - bells to ring, drums to play, rain sounds to make, optical illusions to see. This is a thoughtfully designed playground. There is a gang plank to the ship that is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. There are rest rooms nearby in the adjacent building and across the street at the marina.

Along with all the great hands on things for kids are picture panels of the waterfront with snippets of the history of Blaine's water front.

This is a great place to visit if

If you sat in the long wait at Peace Arch border crossing, this is a great place to get the wiggles out.

In the summer if you just took the Plover Ferry from Semiamhoo, this is a great place to bring your lunch and catch a later ferry back

You brought out of town guests to visit Peace Arch State Park.  There are only swings at the Peace Arch so after look at the arch venture over to this great kids park. Adults get their history and garden fun at Peace Arch and kids get their fun at Marine Park Playground. 

The Lighthouse Play Structure would be awesome to watch the sunset from.

Luxembourg, a Hedge Maze, Leonardo De Venci, and Glacial Rock

You know you have had a interesting weekend when it included Luxembourg, a hedge maze, Leonardo De Venci, and Glacial Rock

Saturday we had the pleasure of meeting some geocachers visiting from Luxembourg.  I am pretty sure that it is the first time the Luxembourg flag has been spotted in Sedro Wolley. They had an event in Sedro Wolley which at first seems a highly unlikely spot but it turns out they have friends here.  It is always a lot of fun to meet up with other geocachers and swap some caching stories.

Afterwards we took our kids to The Berry Barn. They have a hedge maze.  We had a good time exploring that.

 

 

Maze Overview

Cody in the Maze
The Trees that make the maze are tall

Charlie on the Slide
We all tried it out. 

On Sunday, some of us continued our adventures with a really short trip into Canada to get our badges for geocaching road trip 15'. Just over the border, we completed a difficulty 5 cache - Leonardo's Log: The Renaissance "Selfie" Stop and the earth cache Aldergrove Park Glacial Erratic.

Our drawings in the cache - Leonardo's Log: The Renaissance "Selfie" Stop

Chuck holding the GPS in front of Giant Rock- Glacial Erratic

Rock Hugging is the Best- Glacial Erratic. Just for your info he hugged it
22 times.