Mantis of Destiny's photostream  

Todd and Sam know what to do with a beach pretty much anytime they come across one! In this case it's just after sunset on a beautiful August evening and the tide is slack... time to break out the paddle board!

This is Agate Pass between Suquamish and Bainbridge Island. For centuries the Suquamish tribe had an enormous longhouse on this beach. Now there is a park a few hundred feet towards the bridge from here (where the main part of the longhouse was) and a bunch of little houses like the ones you see, built much more recently. I have heard that out in the water along here there are rocks with paintings -- relics from days long ago when the sea level was considerably lower. 15,000 years ago the sea level was about 300 feet lower in this area, prior to the retreat of the ice. I have heard there is archeological evidence that this beach has been inhabited by humans for as much as 5,000 years. So Todd and Sam are basically playing out a scene that in various forms has been a common experience for many, many fathers and sons over the millenia here.

interactive sphere. (Flash)

interactive sphere. (Flash)

interactive sphere. (Flash)

interactive sphere. (Flash)

Luna is no longer with us. She was such a good kitty. The best kitty. We loved her more than I can describe. Here she is near the end, sitting up briefly in her favorite chair, breathing with great difficulty because of the tumors growing in her lungs. She was with us for 17 years. She fought through so much in her life, including being abandoned as a kitten and the loss of a front leg when she was 10 years old. For seven years she had to walk like she was on a pogo stick, and in recent days that meant that every step aggravated the breathing problems. Finally it was too much.

What a strong, determined spirit she had. We miss her so much.