Gardening and Observing Life in SW Washington

Foul Weather Fun

Posted by: BriarCraft, 4:53 AM GMT on January 25, 2012

January 26:
I made a quick trip into Toledo this afternoon, to buy some milk and mail a couple bill payments. As I was grabbing my purse and sweater, I looked out the window to check the weather. By golly, the sun was peaking out between the clouds. We were having a break in the foul weather! I made some fresh tea in my thermal mug, grabbed my camera, and told DH my little errands were going to take more than the usual half hour.

First, I drove across the bridge over the Cowlitz River to a nameless county park. The main feature of this little park is a pond with an island where a flock of Canada geese and assorted other birds like to spend time. The pond is separated from the river by only a narrow strip of land that looks suspiciously like a little levee and I wonder if perhaps the pond was once a swamp. Whatever its origin, it makes a safe habitat for aquatic birds year round.

A domestic gray goose that apparently got loose and decided to hang out with the wild fowl.

A happy mallard pair.

On the way home, I decided to take a right at an intersection where I normally turn left. Five miles later, I pulled off at the Blue Creek Trout Hatchery and boat launch. The hatchery and adjacent park are owned by Tacoma Power as a public service. Tacoma Power has two hydroelectric dams farther up river and because of that, they are required to provide for native salmon and trout.

A local fishing charter boat heading out.

They'll motor upstream a couple of miles and then drift-fish back to the boat launch, hopefully catching some steelhead along the way.

The moral of this story is that, even during foul weather season, there are occasional breaks. This afternoon was one of those and I took advantage of it.

January 24:
I play board games. If you've spent much time here, you know that already. A group of gamesters gathers in our home on Saturday evenings to play games. Hubby goes to a friend's home on Tuesday evenings to play more games. Sometimes we go to a nearby coffee house that turns the lights up for Wednesday game night. And when the weather is nasty, DH and I each tax our brains by setting up yet another game with each of us playing for 2 people to make it more challenging.

Recently, I was asked what kind of games I play. This was my answer:

And, no surprise, that got some interesting responses. Some folks might say we're off the deep end with our game collection, and what's pictured here is maybe half of it (really gotta get another bookcase!!!).

Well, that got me to thinking:
1) I can't be the only nut around WUville!
2) Wonder what other folks do for fun?

No matter where you live, even if that place fits your own personal definition of paradise, there comes a time
when it's too cold or too hot or too wet or too windy
when you can't play golf or ride a bike or surf or garden
when you fall back on a hobby, a craft, a pastime, an indoor activity with family/friends/pets

Admittedly, foul weather provides a great opportunity to catch up on domestic chores or paperwork or wander the interwebs or learn something new. That's all well and good, but what about for fun? I thought it might be fun to share and perhaps inspire others with what we do for foul weather fun. You don't have to be a nut to qualify (although that might help).

As always, your random thoughts, photos, graphics, rants, grumbles, and general nonsense are welcome. And they don't have to be limited to foul weather fun. That's only a starting point.

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Updated: 1:14 AM GMT on January 27, 2012

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Live. Love. Harm no one. Help when you can. Be happy.

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ToledoTel Toledo, WA
Elevation:	302 ft
Temperature:	47.9 °F
Dew Point:	46.0 °F
Humidity:	93%
Wind:	Calm
Wind Gust:	0.0 mph
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