Firsts

I almost forgot to show you the pictures I took while I was in Washington. I had never been to the state of Washington before, this was my first time.

Camping in the far Northwest was only one of a few firsts for me this last month.

Everett (north of Seattle), Washington is not the place to visit in the winter. It's a good thing we weren't visiting but were there to work. There are a lot of things to see and do in the area, but in the winter, the cold rain seems to never stop, so it is unpleasant to get out and do anything. The daylight hours are few--about 8--so by the time the day's work is done, sightseeing is out of the question. I did a lot of sitting and watching it rain.

We did get out for a few hours one dreary day when the rain let up for a while. We headed to a ferry that took us across Possession Sound to Whidbey Island.

Notice the heavy cloud cover, the gray skies, the rain falling in the distance? Close to 24/7 the whole time I was there. The locals say that the summers are absolutely beautiful in Seattle, and I believe them. Someday maybe God will take me back there in the summertime.


We drove up the length of the island, seeing what we could see from the highway through the raindrops on the windshield. We stopped at Fort Casey Military Reservation which sits on the bank of Puget Sound and walked around a bit. The air was wet and crisp but we had a good time anyway.

This lighthouse was closed for the winter so I can't tell you anything about it except I thought it was too cute.

This old fort that once guarded the Sound had some nice big guns.

Looking across the sound, I could see mountains beyond the bank of clouds.

On second thought, maybe the area is beautiful, even in the winter.

The sun tried to shine down on our day...

and across the way--God's first promise to all of creation. (A comforting first.)

 I think this is the first time I've seen such green grass in the middle of winter. Even in the deep south the grass doesn't look this green. (An unexpected first.)

Another first for me was seeing the bikini huts that sit, tiny and independent, in parking lots about town. I'll spare you the photos! Just in case you are not familiar with these establishments, they are tiny little drive up coffee stops where the employees are girls clad in bikinis. I can't decide if this marketing gimmick is sad or sick. Maybe both. (A troubling first)
Personally, I prefer coffee shops nestled inside a warm book store with employees fully clothed and wearing long aprons to protect their bellies from hot spills. I'm just sayin'....

With bad weather approaching and the work complete (except for some stray paperwork that could be done from anywhere) we decided this trip would not be the trip for going places and doing things. We packed up and headed for home.

Another first in Oregon--it is against the law to pump your own gas. There are no self-serve pumps in the state. You can pay at the pump with your card, but you don't do the pumping. I'm not complaining. Who wants to stand out in the cold rain and pump gas?  (A surprising & pleasant first)

Now I have to show you the funniest first I encountered on this trip. It was a sign which hung on a post between gas pumps at a convenience store. We were in Washington (pumping our own gas) when I spotted it. Keep in mind that children don't drive, children don't usually pump gas and children are often under five feet tall. This sign hung high, above my eye level...

which (to me) pushed it past funny into hilarious.

Firsts can be fun, frightful, fascinating, and full of surprises. First steps, first words, first bike, first car, first kiss...Firsts escort us all the way through this life no matter how long we live.

There is one first that I'm looking forward to with great joy and anticipation.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

A final first--I can't wait! Hope to see you there!