I recently made the dreaded trip over Snoqualmie Pass to visit my sister and family, and participate in Sam & J’Neil’s fantastic scavenger hunt.  I say dreaded, because I drove…. and it’s a long drive (4 hours)…. and I drive fast….  Â
In fact, here is a picture of the badge of the officer who gave me a ticket just outside Ellensburg.  Is 82 in s 70 mile an hour zone REALLY that fast? : ) Â
Every trip to Kennewick, which is on the southeast corner of Washington, is a study in contrasts.  Here’s what it looks like on my side of the state (taken at Snoqualmie Pass).Â
I call it “Eden”
And this is what it looks on Kristin’s side of the state.Â
I call it the “lone and dreary world.” Taken near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Need I say more?
Fortunately, once I arrive in Kennewick I get to enjoy the company of Kristin, Craig, Sam and J’Neil. The scavenger hunt was a ball – Kristin and I had a great time coming up with ideas for crazy things the kids needed to find or do, and then she put together an incredible (and organized, of course) adventure for the kids. I think she should package and sell it! Best scavenger hunt ever! I keep hoping she’ll start her blog and share this stuff she creates…Â
But in the meantime, here is a picture of J’Neil’s team meeting one of their “action” requirements….Â
                 
 Sam’s team won (I wish I had video to share of the eulogy he gave at the funeral for a dead bug) and found the final clue first, leading them to the biggest treasure chest where they divided the loot. The silly string was a big hit. But J’Neil’s team was pretty happy with their bounty as well. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Don’t you wish Kristin was YOUR mom?
Yay! I don’t have to wish, Kristin IS my mom!! The Scavenger Hunt was really fun. My friends still comment about it. Thank you so much, my wonderful mother and fabulous aunt, for putting it together. It was awesome. Kayla, Jacob, and Kristen’s silly string fight was pretty exciting, even though Jacob didn’t do much retaliating. Jacob (descamp, the younger one) loved his barbie… I don’t know what she’s up to now. Thanks, again. You both are truly FANTASTIC!!!
Oh, and that picture, that’s like three combined is like looking at an optical illusion, it’s hard to tell if it’s three together, one whole one, one with a treasure chest on top of it… I’ve been looking at it for the past two minutes.
Aw, how fun. No- I don’t have to wish that Kristin was my mom, because YOU are my mom- and you’re just as creative as she is. You both have this insanely creative gene that you let loose, occasionally. And it’s wonderful. It must have skipped me… hm…
That looks like so much fun!! (And Eden is beautiful… the lone and dreary world looks too much like where I live) I’m glad you had fun, J’Neil! Those are times you will always remember and talk about with your friends for years to come!
LOL… inserting the photo of the cop was hilarious.. I laughed out loud.. Did you ask permission to take the photo, or did you do it clandestine? Better be open about it, grabbing hold of a camera could be mistaken as a gun… I’d hate to have you shot.. It would have tainted the joyous mesaage of the rest of this story.. : )
Thank you for this post…I love the pic of the cop and of your scenic drive. YES I WISH KRIS WAS MY MOTHER!! ever since our trip to Canada…she is fun, prepared, organized, thoughtful and basically wonderful.
That scavenger hunt looked perfect and perfectly fun.
Ok, I just have to comment on the lone and dreary world picture – you’ve been too kind. There is way too much green in the foreground! It appears to have been taken looking over some water – probably the Yakima River, or possibly just after crossing the Columbia past the Hanford Reach. We have nothing around here that green unless we irrigate it. A true picture of our world can be seen between Yakima and Ellensburg. Alas, outside of our settled areas it’s even drearier than it looks here…
Yes, it’s true Craig. I took the Hanford/Columbia River route home this trip rather than that horrible drive between Yakima and Ellensberg… it is EXCEEDINGLY lone and dreary.
The police officer was not really thrilled with the idea of his picture being taken… but we kept “chatting” (he was friendly) and I kept asking (I was taking a picture of the flashing lights in my rear view window as he walked up to the car).
He finally gave me permission to take a photo just of his badge/flashlight…. and then went on to explain that the black tape over his badge was in honor of a fallen fellow officer. A young officer in his 30s somehow contracted that hantavirus and died, leaving a wife and small children.
Oh, it was all such great fun. I partticularly like when we started off explaining the rules and one kid asked Allison to do it Opera style. So she did. A few kids looked a little alarmed, but most of them thought it was hilarious.
It was so great to have you here! Thank you for making the long, arduous trip. It made it all much more fun.
That looks like it was all a lot of fun!! I guess I’ll have to muster up some really creative genes for when my girls get a little bit older. Man, those Washington police officers sure know how to give out speeding tickets don’t they?! Well, at least Brandon has some company now. 🙂
Sorry to hear about the ticket, but it does makes me feel a bit better about the ticket I got when I was there with you. That’s pretty funny you got a picture of his badge.
That scavenger hunt looks like so much fun! Not only are you and Kristin creative in coming up with the idea, but you actually have the energy and enthusiasm to see it through, and get everyone else to have fun with you! That’s a great talent!
I still remember the fun murder mysteries we used to have at Craig’s house (and Grandma Renee’s). I’d love to do one of those again. (But of course I don’t have the drive to put it on myself…) 🙂 That’s why we need you!
Kristin, you are a Marvel of Motherhood ™. I am so impressed. Anyone who can entertain and enthrall a group of teenagers needs a medal. You two are an amazing team in action, for sure. Love it!!!
It looks like you guys had a total riot!! I have always been amazed at Allison and Kristens talent and the way they are always “There” for each other..
You two are awesome…
thanks. It was great seeing the pictures and reading the posts. It would have been so fun to be there watching the kids and the two of you enjoying every minute of of the hunt. Sorry about the ticket :o(