Howdy! and Progress So Far

Hi all!

We thought this would be an easy and efficient way for us to keep in touch with/update all our friends and family as we travel down the west coast and eventually make it to Hawaii...so here goes!

We left Juneau on the night of the 12th and took a three day, four night "poor man's cruise" down to Bellingham, WA on the Malaspina (one of the ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway System). The ride went smoothly with stops in Sitka, Wrangell and Petersberg, until Ketchikan where Ben acquired food poisoning and Molly developed a bladder infection. Yuck. After a visit to the hospital for antibiotics, a very uncomfortable night and a disagreeable day, we both began to recover and spent our last day happily wandering the ferry and watching movies.

The ferry docked at 7:ooam Alaska time in Bellingham, and we drove off and down to Anacortes, where we got a wonderful breakfast and then caught the Yakima (one of the Washington State Ferries) over to Orcas Island. Which brings us to the present! Ben and Molly are currently staying at Bright Meadow Farm with Ruthie (Molly's god mother), Abby (Molly's god sister) and Dean (Ruthie's husband).

Today, we drove into town and went to the farmer's market to get cooking supplies. As is to be expected, we got distracted and also visited Crow Valley Pottery, the book/coffee shop and a variety of other places. After that, we drove half-way up Mount Constitution and hiked the last two miles to the observation tower. As we were coming down the mountain, dark clouds rolled in, the heavens opened and thunder and lightning boomed and flashed around us. We made it back to the car, soaking, but still smiling and rumbled down the road back to Bright Meadow.

In keeping with tradition, Molly cooked Dominican rice and beans this evening and we all munched Newman-Os for desert. Yum. Now it's off to a movie and then bed. 

Here's hoping everyone is healthy, happy and well-loved. More soon!

Love,

Molly and Ben ~ xoxoxo