Summer Feels

Madelyn Tworek, 5, left, Katie Tworek, second from left, Bentley Tworek, 1, lower center, and Brealyn Tworek, 7, right, of Columbus wait for the Big Red Express' first stop on Saturday, June 28, 2014 in Columbus, Neb. The 16-car train left with University of Nebraska athletic department coaches and officials from Omaha and will make its way to North Platte, Neb.

Zach Jaixen sits on Kelli Jaixen's shoulders at the Big Red Express' first stop on Saturday, June 28, 2014 in Columbus, Neb. The 16-car train left with University of Nebraska athletic department coaches and officials from Omaha and will make its way to North Platte, Neb.

ayakers take the water before the start of the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series tournament on July 19, 2014 on Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, Neb. Participants fished in the final monthly competition for largemouth bass. The winner of the competition with the largest cumulative fish, Kevin Workman of Lincoln, won the series.

 Adam Gordon casts into the water during the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series tournament on July 19, 2014 on Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, Neb. Participants fished in the final monthly competition for largemouth bass. The winner of the competition with the largest cumulative fish, Kevin Workman of Lincoln, won the series.

 Haley Fahrer, 4, of Bellevue reacts after casting on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Zorinsky Lake in Omaha.

Graison Bullers, 6, of Springfield plays at the splash pad on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Buffalo Park in Springfield. The water playground is free and open to the public.

Lyndi Jones paddles with her dog Max at Driftwood Paddleboard Adventures on Friday, June 27, 2014 at Standing Bear Lake in Omaha. The company offers Date Night events on Fridays.

 Becky Hauf, left, of Pilger holds her granddaughter Baylee Jo Hauf, six months, center, as she consoles Sally Sandall, right, a para at the school, as the Wisner-Pilger Middle School is demolished on Friday, July 11, 2014 in Pilger. The school suffered extensive damage after it was hit by a tornado in June 2014.

Riley Ross, 6, left, of Wisner, links arms with Sydney Porter, 7,  of Wisner as the Wisner-Pilger Middle School is demolished on Friday, July 11, 2014 in Pilger. The school suffered extensive damage after it was hit by a tornado in June 2014.

Desks are pulled out of the Wisner-Pilger Middle School is demolished on Friday, July 11, 2014 in Pilger. The school suffered extensive damage after it was hit by a tornado in June 2014.

 LaRene Nahrstedt, who attended school in Pilger,  pulls desks of of the Wisner-Pilger Middle School as it is demolished on Friday, July 11, 2014 in Pilger. The school suffered extensive damage after it was hit by a tornado in June 2014.

Ginger Theisen does physical therapy in the pool on Monday, July 7, 2014 at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center in Omaha. Theisen was nearly killed last year during bad accident when she fell off of a horse. Her life support was removed but miraculously she woke up from her coma.

Ginger Theisen is checked when she becomes dizzy by Physical Therapist Michael Herrington on Monday, July 7, 2014 at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center in Omaha. Theisen was nearly killed last year during bad accident when she fell off of a horse. Her life support was removed but miraculously she woke up from her coma.

Vanderbilt takes the field after winning the Virginia vs. Vanderbilt College World Series Championship Series game on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Vanderbilt takes the field after winning the Virginia vs. Vanderbilt College World Series Championship Series game on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Vanderbilt takes the field after winning the Virginia vs. Vanderbilt College World Series Championship Series game on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Vanderbilt takes the field after winning the Virginia vs. Vanderbilt College World Series Championship Series game on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

4 Mario Garcia jumps on a table and cheers after the U.S. scores a goal as people watch the U.S. play against Belgium in the World Cup on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Barrett's Barleycorn Pub and Grill in Omaha.

 Paul Mosher, left, and Kristen Whitney, right, cover their faces as they watch the U.S. play against Belgium in the World Cup on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Barrett's Barleycorn Pub and Grill in Omaha.

People react to a missed goal as they watch the U.S. play against Belgium in the World Cup on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Barrett's Barleycorn Pub and Grill in Omaha.

 Susan Clement-Toberer, left, holds a skull she dug out of the ground next to Kate Noble Weitz, second from left, Dave Wingert, center, and Ariel Roblin, right, at the ground breaking for the BLUEBARN Theatre on Monday, June 23, 2014 in Omaha.

Luke Krajewski, left, and Matt Krajewski, right, look at a plane during the Omahawks radio controlled airplane club at Hawk Field on Thursday, June 19, 2014 in Omaha.

William A. King Jr. pictured on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 with his recording equipment at his home in Omaha. The radio host has been working for years to get his radio show set up as an FM Station primarily for the north Omaha community.

Zienna Peterson, 10, cooks Terrific Turkey Tacos on July 15, 2014 at her home in Omaha. The dish will represent Nebraska at the Kids State Dinner in the White House this July.

Matt Vanputte roasts a hotdog the night before the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series tournament on July 18, 2014 on Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, Neb. Participants fished in the final monthly competition for largemouth bass. The winner of the competition with the most cumulative inches won the tournament.

A biker rides as the sun sets on Thursday, June 26, 2014 over the UNMC Student Plaza in Omaha.

A magical week in the Pacific Northwest

Last week in celebration of Ryan's new job as the University Photographer for the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the move here we took a trip to the Pacific northwest. We started in Seattle where we spent the morning exploring and doing touristy things (Pike's Place Market, coffee, gum wall, etc.) and then headed straight for Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. We camped at Baker Lake, aka the most beautiful place I've ever been. 

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Every day was an adventure and the locals helped us find the hidden gems including a natural hot springs, suspension bridge and some beautiful drives. Both days it rained but we were in such awe of the beauty around us that we barely noticed. Even when our camping stove set on fire and potentially could have exploded we barely blinked before we foraged for dry wood to build a fire. The morning before we left we took a plunge into the icy glacier lake.

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Ryan in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Ryan tending to the fire at our campsite on Baker Lake.

Our morning view from our campground on Baker Lake.

Our morning view from our campground on Baker Lake. Most of the boats left before sunrise fishing for Sockeye.

Suspension Bridge along the Baker River Trail.

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

We hit the road again towards Vancouver. Despite living a few hours from the Canadian border most of my life, I had never been. We smelled like campfire and all of our clothes were damp so we welcomed a hotel bed and shower. I had no idea what to expect in Vancouver and everything exceeded my expectations. Vancouver was larger and more bustling than I had imagined. It had a unique cylindrical skyline nestled in the mountains. We explored downtown and Stanley Park on foot before we headed back towards Seattle.

Vancouver, BC.

Gum wall, Seattle.

Downtown Vancouver, BC.

Downtown Vancouver, BC.

Downtown Vancouver, BC.

On our way back we followed advice to take an alternate route to the highway called the Chuckanut Drive. It was a scenic drive that looks out over Chuckanut Bay and the San Juan Islands. We stopped at a few lookouts on the map (including a place that only sells espresso and hot dogs) and took our time at a Zen Garden, and a hike at Teddy Bear Cove. We were met with a surprise at the end of our drive where we stopped at a berry farm/bakery that made homemade Strawberry Shortcake! It was by far the best I've tried.

The best strawberry shortcake.

Ryan in the Zen Garden.

Ryan looking out at Chuckanut Bay.

By the time we were on our way back to Seattle we were floating. We ended our trip with pizza and beer with friends in Georgetown (I think we forgot to take any photos...oops!) and a late night coffee to keep us awake until our red eye flight.

Here is a map of our route:

Washington stole our hearts...we may have to make this an annual trip.