17 Years

Our anniversay fell on a Saturday this year, just like it did 17 years ago when we were married.  We got to get away this weekend to celebrate.  Friday night we had a hard time deciding where to go for dinner, so we ended up at the local drive-thru, then took our burgers and yummy shakes to the beach to watch the sun set.  It was cold and windy, so we stayed in the car, unlike the young couple parked next to us who hung out on their truck roof, cozily snuggled together.  I commented to Brad, "That was us 17 years ago."  But we did get out of the car for a few minutes, just long enough to take a picture together.

A beautiful sunset, made to look even better with the "sunset"setting on my new camera!

Saturday morning we went into town to the Farmer's Market, where we purchased fresh king salmon, some hand-crafted cheese, and a loaf of artisan bread for our dinner.  (Also went to the grocery store to get veggies, not quite the season for asparagus and new potatoes at the Farmer's Market.) 

Then we headed up to the Fine Arts Center, perched high above the city with an amazing view of the harbor.  There's a house turned art gallery, which displays local artists' paintings, photographs, and other "indoor" art, and then there's the year-round "Art Outside" exhibit, where you follow paths through the woods and discover all kinds of amazing outdoor art.  I loved it!  Here are some of my favorites:

It's hard to see from the picture how intricate and beautiful these copper leaves are. 

This was my favorite.  Reminds me of the exhuberent way children play while they walk together.

A doorway, of course!

I would love to come across one of these on a ramble through my woods. 

Later in the afternoon, we went on a hike to one of my favorite places.  It was about 45 degrees colder than the last time I was here, we took the shorter route (a little over a mile, instead of three), and the water was nowhere near as calm and inviting as it was over the summer, but still a beautiful spot, and I was able to show Brad since he wasn't with us last time.

Last time I was here, there was no snow on the top of the mountain!

When we returned, I turned our Farmer's Market finds into a delicious meal:

And then we soaked in the hot tub under a clear, starry sky!  Perfection! 

Sunday morning was slow and relaxing, no rush to get home.  We sat outside on the deck in the sun, watching the beautiful lake and moutain, then I went for a walk.  Eventually we packed up and headed back.  It was so nice to spend time together without all the distractions.  We could actually have a conversation without being interrupted!  That alone was amazing.