Here comes the sub - daily life at New Dungeness Light Station

We were lucky enough to see two subs this week as they passed us in the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

The first was a sub going out to sea with two menacing looking armored escorts.  The escorts were so close, it was hard to see the sub in between.  They were accompanied by two more Coast Guard boats and a fast pursuit boat.  They made an impressive showing. 

The other was a sub coming in to the sub base at Bangor with just two Coast Guard boats as escorts.  We were able to see the whole sub as it went by. 

We had great weather all week.   A couple of HOT days when we enjoyed the sunshine.  A breeze came up almost every night.  Lovely sunrises and sunsets.  It was clear enough to see the Olympic Mountains and Mt Baker most of the week. 

As usual, we had swallow nests and baby birds.  This time there were three nests on the station and they all flew the coop during our week.  Have a good life babies!

Lighthouse Keepers for the week

This week we are staying at the New Dungeness Light Station in Sequim, Washington as volunteer light keepers. 

Jim Thomas from Idlewild, CA raises the flag in the 4th of July.

We are sharing the 3 bedroom keepers quarters with two other couples.  One from Brush Prairie and one from Oceanside/Idlewild, California.  We are lucky to have such nice folks sharing our space.  We are alternating fixing the evening meal and Jennifer set the bar very high with grilled salmon and a pasta salad the first night.  I fixed razor clams and shrimp last night.  We are eating very well.  Our duties include putting up the flag each day, mowing the grass, taking care of the house we are living in, keeping the public picnic and restroom facilities clean and giving tours. 

This is the view from our bedroom window. 

It was gorgeous weather on Saturday and we had 87 people.  Only 37 people yesterday since it was overcast in the morning and although it did start to clear off, the wind was fierce by evening.    We were able to see fireworks from Port Angeles to Sequim.

Beijing - Cloisonne factory - Sacred way of the Ming Tombs

Watching cloisonne being made is a sure way to make you appreciate it! 

What skill to place the metal dams, fill the colors and fire it.  Then fill and fire, over and over. 



Our last place to visit the the Sacred way ofthe Ming Tombs. 

It was a pathway the emperors used to walk to show respect to their ancestors. 

And then there were the horses. 

 Ride um Dirwin!

He wouldn't ride these saying the ridge on the back might be painful. 

Can you see Don standing by the neck on this one? 

He liked my hat.

It was quiet, not crowded, and the huge statues were delightful.
And it is good luck to touch the snout of a turtle and pat THE END.

Beijing - Great Wall - Olympic Venue - Kitemaker

The Great Wall is stupendous. 

We sent to a section north of Beijing that is very well preserved and was a major gateway into the city.

Don is showing how the archers could stand and shoot out the archery holes and proper cannon cleaning technique.

The steps are very uneven and can be from 2 inches to more than a foot tall. 

You can see the wear on the stones at each edge.

There is a great local custom that has newly married couples putting a lock on a section of chain here and throwing away the key. 

Going up was hard, but going down was harder. 

This is just looking down!

and down!

The Olympic venue north of Beijing was great to see.   This was the Olympic torch.

They are struggling to make the buildings profitable now.   What a beautiful structure. 

Smoggy air.

And I want these mini bird nest path lights!!

Don in front of the Water Cube.

We took rickshaws to see a local kitemaker and have lunch in a locals home.

This is the typical broom that is used to sweep the streets.Pat, Rachael, Gregg, Verlon, Marie, Cyndi, Loreen and Dennis enjoy lunch.

Working bamboo for kite frames.

This was the CCTV building on the only blue sky day we had in Beijing. 

There is still the lower level smog showing. 

Check out the window washers!Typical tenements