The Journaling Reads:

San Juan Island
Early 80s.

I will always remember our camping trips when Jackie was little as some of the fondest memories. all the laughs we had, even when they sometimes rivaled Chevy Chases National Lampoon Vacation.

While camping on a friends wooded property on the Island and enjoying many fun and relaxing days with them, one early morning we went mussel hunting, digging, scraping, or whatever you call such activity. It was a cold overcast August morning when we set out on our adventure.

We spent a goodly amount of time looking for the things on slippery rocks after the tide went out and they are very much the same color as the rocks. When found, it takes a lot of strength to get them off those rocks with a strong knife and then into a bucket they go to grace the dinner table later. Also, their shells are very sharp so Jackie was given gloves to wear so she wouldnt cut herself. Bob just toughed it out. Hes a man after all.

Jackie really got into the hunt with her Dad, even though like me, she doesnt like seafood. It became a challenge and she liked showing off her catch. I just couldnt get into it at all. It just seemed way too much work for a meal, so I was happy taking photos and enjoying the fresh sea air. It takes a lot of mussels to make a meal. A lot.

Later that day our friends prepared the mussels along with crab and shrimp, all caught off the island. Bob had never tasted mussels before and he liked them, but he is a seafood lover. Jackie and I tried them, but neither one of us was impressed. Anything that springs back in your mouth after you bite down on it, isnt going in my mouth again, and I certainly didnt like the taste. I believe I enjoyed a salad.

But when all is said and done, I have to say our camping days, no matter where we went up and down the coast, were some of my happiest days. Our adventures in our trailer were a blast even though not everything went smoothly all the time, and thats more than okay because they always bring a smile and fond memory bubbling up to the surface, even trying that mussel.

What a fantastic page, the photo with the colors and texture is great and beautiful, the journaling is gorgeous, you always remember a time or place that makes you very happy!

I always say after every travel disaster I have had (and I've had bombs go off in Mauritius, airports taken over by military in Burma (Myanmar), mud slide in Borneo and a few nights at Miami airport as a hurricane had gone through) they are always the trips I remember well and they do make such entertaining stories!

Love the blending, hues of your photo! Stunning page!!

this is fantastic!

how fun to have such fond memories! love the blending and colors and textures - really a lovely page!

Wonderful journaling and love photos and texture. We camped a lot with the kids when they were small. One fall morning as we were trying to warm ourselves up, my daughter's pants caught on fire!

Awesome journaling, Barbara! Your page reminds me what this thing we call 'memory keeping' is all about!

Love the colors, the story, the vine. Takes me back to my time at San Juan Island in the early 80's. Such a wonderful place.

Wonderful design and retro feel to the page.