Fun Weekend at Lake Roosevelt!

Yes, we are still playing around the water - this time in Washington State.

In 1941 the Grand Coulee Dam was built on the Columbia River as part of the Columbia River Basin project, creating a 130-mile long lake - Lake Roosevelt.

What a view!

Named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, of course!

Lake House

Wonderful friends Pam and George were so nice and invited a bunch of us to stay the weekend at the Lake House.

Nice boat!

It is a beautiful family home that sits right above Lake Roosevelt.  We had a great time!

Captain George

We packed so much food and liquor you would have thought we were staying a week - not just 2 nights.

Beautiful Pam!

Pam and George made us feel so welcome and took excellent care of all of us.

Cruising along the river

Ritch and Sue (Union High School buds) drove over from Vancouver.

So happy they did.

Can't believe we have known them for over 45 years - seems like yesterday!

Sue making us laugh all day!

Lovely Annette!

We were so happy to see Annette (sans Keith).

We first met her in Fiji and bonded. She is wonderful.

Doug and Brother Ken - nice surprise

Brother Ken, from New Hampshire, flew in early and surprised us - so happy he did.

Cruising along the lake

Plus, Phil and Danette of course.  We don't go anywhere without them!

So we spent the weekend on the pontoon boat (with the big engine) cruising up and down the lake.

Pretty Danette

The water was a little cool, but it didn't stop us from jumping in - for a quick dip.

Crazy guys - going to hurt!

And paddling around on the paddle boards.

Annette and Doug stirring it up

It is definitely harder than it looks. I got wet!

Plus, there was crazy guys jumping off big rocks - yikes.

Lots of deer along the shore

There were lots of deer along the shore - they didn't seem to be too worried about us.

Hanging at the Whitestone Winery (Yurt)

We stopped by the Whitestone Winery and drank wine in a Yurt.

Now that is a first.

No Paparazzi!

There was supposed to be a seafood boil, but it didn't happen.

We still had a good time playing Bag Toss on the lawn and relaxing.

Enjoying the lake

A very pretty setting!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

We had such a wonderful time.

It went way too fast.

Hanging at the beach

So nice to spend the weekend with wonderful friends and family.

Thanks so much, Pam and George. We want to go again!

Going up the river

Sunset on the water

Yard Art in Wilbur - hah!

Made it to the USA - whew!

It took us 4 days to get from Savusavu, Fiji to Pasco, Washington.  We were pooped when we arrived at Midnight on our 2nd Monday!

Ready for vacation

Maybe we are getting too old for this traveling stuff - no way.

Lots of sugar cane

The first day, we hired a cab to drive us to Labasa ($90FJ).

Mystery tree

It was a pretty drive over the mountains and thru the Waisali Rainforest.

Plus lots of sugar cane fields and trucks heading to the mill.

In Labasa - nice place to stay

We spent one night at the Grand Eastern Hotel. A very nice hotel with a great restaurant. We wandered around the markets and did a little exploring.

Uh Oh - the Small Plane!

Next time, we want to check out the sugar mill - it is supposed to be a great tour.

The next day, we hopped the small plane to Nadi. Pretty view from 10,000 feet.

Overlooking Fiji

We had reservations at Jetset Accommodations, but there was a flaw in our plan.

They decided to close down for a month for renovations. Uh Oh!

Sweet Sue and Owen

We were checking out other options - like the Beach Villas.

It was so rundown - yikes.

Fortunately, our friends Sue and Andrew insisted we stay the night with them in their lovely home - we are thankful that we did.  Thanks, Sue and Andrew - we owe you!

Beautiful Cici and Owen

The next day, we got to visit Cici and meet her new son, Owen.  What a cutie pie.

Eeewww - a big snail

Plus, wander around their beautiful yard - gorgeous orchids and a big dog!

Then down to Port Denarau just in time to catch up with a lot of our friends and hang out at one of our favorite places - Cardo's.

Love these orchids

It was a very nice reunion - so nice to see all those familiar faces.

Time to catch our 11 hour flight from Nadi to Los Angeles. Fortunately, we slept most of the way!

In LA - had to try it

Once we landed, we rented a car for 4 hours and drove to El Segunda in search of cold beer and great burgers!

Tavern on Main - El Segundo

We found them both at the Tavern on Main, plus lots of TV's.

Our kind of place and so much better than hanging around the airport!

Then a flight to Seattle and another one to Pasco.

Arriving (finally) after midnight.  We were very happy to see that Brother Phil was waiting for us.

Relaxing in Pasco - finally!

So we are all settled in and enjoying our favorites - bacon cheeseburgers, tater tots, salmon, corn on the cob, and great cold beer and good red wine.

Plus, family and friends we haven't seen for awhile - of course.

We have been busy getting ready for the family "event" next week.

And, friends have invited us to join them at their house on Lake Roosevelt this weekend.  How fun!