Sunday, May 3, 2009

Grayland WA with family

Every year when we return to the NW we so enjoy visiting family and friends. Since 98% of our family & friends live in this part of the country, we are able to really enjoy our time in the midst of those we love.Darlene & Gene

Dianne’s Uncle Gene & Aunt Darlene live in Grayland, WA, and they are the most gracious of hosts, not to mention wonderful cooks. Their property allows us room to park the motor home with hook-ups and gives as an opportunity to visit and explore this part of the coastline Grayland, WAof WA with very knowledgeable longtime residents. We always love our visits here!

Dianne’s 82 year old Mom who lives in Missouri, was visiting with us in Oregon. She was able to travel with us to visit her younger brother Gene & his wife Darlene. Their youngest brother, Vern and his wife Doreene, also joined us. It had been much too long since these 3 siblings were able to be together at one time.Vern, Doreene, Frank, Dianne, Darlene, Gene, Nadine (Mom)

Gene gave us a wonderful tour of the area and a history lesson of Westport to boot. They both volunteer their time at the Westport Maritime MuseumWestport Maritime Museum which we all toured on a bright & sunny day. This is a historic museum building which was built in 1939 to serve as the Coast Guard's Lifeboat Station in Grays Harbor. The Colonial Revival structure served in that role until 1972 when a new station was built several blocks to the South, and in 1985 became the museum it is now. It was definitely worth an afternoon of viewing and reading the important role of Coast Guard, how cranberry growing provided a way of life, what life on the edge of the ocean was like, and how whales and whaling shaped the lives of those that lived and worked here.

In another building the 3 siblings stand in front of a lit and rotating display of a first-order Fresnel lens from Destruction Island. It is AMAZING. Fresnel lens-Vern, Nadine, Gene It is considered to be one of the finest first-order lens display in the world. We had a great time with everyone and enjoyed exploring the area and so hated to leave--but alas we must.

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