Out Doing Things We Enjoy

 April 2020

(Again, I'm glad I journal my days. Given we're now in Sept. 2023 there is just no way I would remember every single event, feeling or thought from three years ago.)

I love waking up to a cloudy or rainy sky. I can't help but to linger in bed, enjoying being cozy and warm. This Saturday was exactly like this. Felt so good. It was a chilly day. It's still quite cold in April here. 

We headed to Lincoln Park in W Seattle. As we arrived, we noticed the gate to the parking lot was locked. It's really unfortunate that officials choose not to accept facts. They don't want people gathering in order to help stop "the spread" but being outside in the open air is a good thing.  Although the parking lot was closed people found parking elsewhere. It was good seeing people out enjoying their day. 

Just being by the water is so restorative to one's well-being. Breathing in the fresh air and looking around the beautiful scenery is so calming. I can't help but to become full of gratitude about all that God has done for me and in our lives. I always leave spending time by the water in a better frame of mind. 

I want Riley to appreciate nature. To respect it. To enjoy it no matter the weather. I've noticed that when we spend the day out in nature, he's in a good mood. He forgets to complain about petty things. Skipping rocks and noticing wildlife is always a fun way to create meaningful moments while out in nature.

The ferry is always fun to ride and to just look at. It's so cool that WA has ferry boats. I think they're great. We lived in WA for ten years and we never grew tired of them. Not even when we had to wait an hour to board one.

We stopped for some doughnuts as one usually craves something sweet with a cup of coffee on a cold day. We didn't eat them right away though. We ate them after dinner at home.

Our final stop was at California Burrito in Federal Way. They have really good carne asada burritos although they sometimes have pieces of fat which I hate so before I eat mine, I open it and take out any fatty pieces, wrap it back up and enjoy. It's so much better this way.

We had plans on going to the beach, but Riley woke up with a cough, so we stayed close to home. Jacob took a back road that lead us near the Mt. Rainier area.

I love seeing green pastures and cows grazing. I've never experienced living the farm life but I would guess it's such a gratifying way to live even though it takes such hard work. 

Driving on an unpaved back road. I remember that Jacob was driving very slow on this road because he had just bought his car and didn't want the loose gravel to scrape the sides of his car. It took forever to reach the end of the road.

We kept driving and found snow. It was a pretty sight. The road kept going but we came across a locked gate. Back down we go.

I would say that half of our weekend outings consist of just getting in the car and going for a drive. A lot of the times what we end up doing happens spontaneously. These outings are just as much fun as a planned one. What's important is the memories we create along the way.

The simpler we make our lives, the more abundant they become.