Escaping the Florida heat, I spent the last weekend of July up in the Great Northwest with my family. From West Seattle we took a short ferry ride across the water, passing Vashon Island, and disembarking at Southworth.  My family and I had found a rental cabin on Harstine Island through VRBO.com.  We spent the weekend at the cabin, relaxing, eating and enjoying a few days removed from the rat race.

On the ferry, looking at Vashon Island.

Me on the ferry

The cabin was behind a beautiful log house on Harstine Island.  They owners gave us the use of their big deck overlooking the sound, where we grilled salmon and enjoyed a wonderful bottle of champagne.

They also let our three elderly dogs stay with us in the cabin;  a 15 year old border collie, a 12 year old Scottie and Viv, an age unknown shih tzu my sister adopted from Salty Dog Rescue in Seattle.  (saltydogrescue.org)

Our dinner on the deck of the big house

The cabin

The view from the deck

We cooked, drank champagne, and even roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.

Me and my mom enjoying the view

The cabin’s deck, grill and fire pit

Preparing to make s’mores at the fire pit

Making s’mores

Viv enjoys some down time.

View of the big house from down below

Rupert goes exploring

Flowers and a fig from my sister’s well tended garden in Seattle (the fig picture is not retouched, no color added.  The sun was just right and lit up all the figs on the tree.)