whew

Its been a busy couple of days.  Sat we slept late and then went to ocean shores and mailed some letters, other business stuff and errands.  Took the dogs to the beach and met a dog named Gustav.  he is an Old English bulldog which is different than a bulldog.  quite the fellow but he was to tired to run with Iris which made her sad and then down right pissed off because he got every ones attention and not her.  It was pretty funny.  Then we came home and Leroy dumped me and the dogs and went back to town to meet a guy we met at the interpretive center to go fishing.  He was gone 4 hours, didn't catch anything that was big enough to keep but he learned a lot from the guy and had a great time.  Came home all smiles and talkative.  While i was at home i sat in the sun and watched a episode of the quilt show and then did some sewing.  I made two of my superior class kits and had a nice day and was just finishing up when Leroy came home.  So we both had good days. We really enjoy Ocean Shores and with each place we are we write down pros and cons, to help us know what we are really looking for.  Like I think i already said, we like the idea of this town, the layout, the way it is geared to outdoor living, the way it is easy to get around, the way it is flat and great for biking and walking, and the fact it is cheapppppp.  You can get a really nice modest clean and newish home for very low prices. So it helps us know what we are looking for, whether here or wherever it clarifies our goals better.  That's what we have wanted to do.  Look, learn, check prices, what you get for prices relatively, and what places have to offer that we need and want and like.
Today we met the same guy on the beach at 8am.  He gave me lessons on the beach rocks and tide pools and the life there and i learned oodles. I held sea anemones, star fish, learned how to find beach jade and jasper and moon rock agates and petrified wood, and sea glass.  So did Maysen but he was too cold to take pictures of today and to windy so he only saw a little bit.  We did pick up some beach treasures with him to take home.  Leroy fished and still didn't catch anything big enough but he had a wonderful time.  Then at 11 we came back to the resort and had the cinnamon rolls we ordered, Delicious.  Then a quick clean up and we went up to Port Garnier to an Indian potlach.  44 different  tribes from the west coast, Hawaii to Canada came in their canoes.  Then they come ashore and have a potlach for days where the tribes get together and visit and share cultural stories and share things.  its very cool and only happens here every 10 years.  We decided we wanted to check it out so we went down and got in on it, from seeing the boats to eating with them.  It was quite the experience and they respect their Elders so we got treated like royalty.  We had elk and crab and some of the greatest fry bread you can imagine.  Came home stuffed.  All that both days was interspersed with at least three walks a day of 1 1/2 to 2 miles each with the dogs. Leroy got a tshirt but i got a blanket today which came in handy when it was time to come home.  It was cold, windy, misty all day long and on the beach you really feel it. We saw native dances, songs, drumming, art, etc. All in all it was quite an experience which is probably a once in a lifetime deal.  To be included in a traditional potlach is pretty special. A lot of times they will simulate one at Indian culture centers or deals, but its rare to be included in the real deal.  Came home tired but invigorated from the weather and all we saw and experienced.
As i said Maysen stayed in the car cause it was cold and windy and wet so he got in on a bit but mostly watched from the car.When Maysen came out here  we got him surgery and he got a back bone, then he broke his backbone and we had to have a second surgery to fuse it but he is doing well and seems to feel fine tho days like today are a bit hard for him.  You know, the weather and all.  But he watched from the car and we took pictures for him so he will take them home with him.  Leroy wishes he could stay with us a long time he so enjoys showing the world to him.