September continues to with mild weather that calls for bike riding. And camping. 😉 But the weather is indeed turning and this morning’s chill was just a reminder.
Finishing up our final packing and preparation for the hour drive to our SOTF Flowers and Fun in Carnation, I had prepared early enough that I was afforded some time for a morning bike ride ;’-).
Rounding a corner I was pleased to come upon some of the fall color of this garden that is outside the fence of the gardener’s yard. I would expect it to be INside the fence but this was a surprise. Releasing my tight grip on summer is aided by the bright colors of fall.
That summertime grip continues to loosen with the early siting of Halloween.
Goodbye summer…..
Off we went for the hour drive to Carnation for our Flower Fun Camping outing. We arrived with plenty of time to set up camp before joining the first event —- potluck appetizers enough to be dinner, and our fireside chat, meeting and introductions. Our hostess, Lisa, gave us the rundown of activities available over the next 3+ days.
DAY 1
So many choices!
Okay, let’s sort this out by the day! Our first day’s menu of activities …
Susan and I would lead the ride to Fall City with Aroma cafe/coffee shop at the halfway mark.
Time to get bikes and gear ready, but first a few had time to make their flower headbands.
Bikes gradually gather.
Bikers gradually gather to their bike.
Counting the two of us, there were 14 riders. Nese said line up and I will take a photo with my tripod.
That wasn’t working so the group hailed down a guy going to the shower. Nese gave some instructions, Lilliputian style ;’-).
With my impatience setting in, I took my own photo with all these smiling faces ;’-).
Finally — time to ride. These roads are quiet farm roads that would have very light to no auto traffic.
Sharing the roads.
Corn to the right of us, corn to the left of us…
First stop —— SUNFLOWERS. Screeeech go the brakes and we pull over for this attraction.
How happy sunflowers make these gals. Plus it is more or less the “logo” for this event😉.
Moving on, we had a happy stop again as we had so enjoyed our visit here last year, at the Pony Party farm.
We had a grand time visiting here last year and felt fortunate to meet and talk with the owner. So we made a stop this year not knowing what to expect. But she came out and remembered our visit from last year and chatted with us for a good amount of time.
The goats came up for us to feed them animal crackers we were give for them.
Lots of little things to notice all around.
It was difficult to pull everyone away…
Eventually we did continue our ride to the Aroma cafe for lunch and/or coffee/tea. We filled two picnic tables but I didn’t get one photo of us there. The only photo is the one of three of us (Denise, me and Nese) in the tree house.
After this stop was where we would do a little bit of climbing to retrace the flat part of our route. And then — there was road work going on the had us stopped for at least 15 minutes. And the road work was to tamp down newly laid and oiled chip seal. Not the best riding surface.
We maintained our good spirits and smiles while we were detained. These women are full of smiles and patience,
Finally we could move on and I could hold up my promise to stop at the Little Farm roadside stand that we had passed on the way out.
Many were interested in the farm grown fresh goods and a few bought some things.
Picking chard and lettuce from the field. Cannot get any fresher than that.
We thought we would make one more stop — at Remlinger Farms.
We did stop, but found they are closed until Saturday (this was Thursday).
Time now to get back to camp, rest up for a moment, get cleaned up and ready for the evening.
While we were having more fun than anyone on our bike ride, others had fun as well. Some went to Snoqualmie Falls, always an impressive sight.
Some wanted to do trailer tour and take a look at each other’s rigs. Off they go…
Then there was dinner where we were to wear something ‘flowery’, and perhaps a wig. Most wore flowery, a few wore wigs.
…and THEN it was time for bed! We had a wonderfully full day that pleased everyone who got their choice of activity and sights to see.
Adventures with Nancy 