We visited Wyatt & Sara’s family on Vashon Island early in November. Even though Washington State was on Connecticut’s self-quarantine list, we decided to take a chance on this visit, since we had cancelled a planned April trip, when we were less familiar with travel during pandemic conditions. We hoped we could test out of a long quarantine, which is what eventually happened, but we were prepared to be careful and to quarantine if necessary. As it turned out, this trip would have been worth it.

Working from home seemed to agree with Sara and Wyatt. Without the daily rush of the ferry commute, they were relaxed and very welcoming. We got to spend more time with Sara, in particular, something that we did only sparingly when she was working in Seattle. It was a pleasure getting to know her better.

Of course, their boys are wonderful. Curious and full of vigor, they are a perpetual motion of inquisitiveness and mission.

We went on a 3-day/2-night journey to the Olympic Peninsula, a part of Washington that appears to border on the prehistoric; a mossy fern-laden environment with old-growth trees and a rain forest feel.