Rounding Third

**NEW PICS ADDED TODAY (10/19/07)**
So that's a bit of am obscure baseball reference (watching game 5 of the ALCS) to say "about to head for home". We are in our penultimate week of work here at "The Duc" and starting to actually preemptively miss the place. Work has been abundant (hence the infrequent posts--little time to type and little else to say but "still working!") but we are still really enjoying ourselves here, despite the incessant rain (and windstorms!). The staff is slowly dwindling as they find their ways back to more permanent residence or move on to their next seasonal adventure. Alex and I are looking forward to our own bed, our dog Abby, homecooked food, our friends, and the comfortable familiarity of our hometown and street. We are thinking and talking and praying a lot about our next steps. It is likely that we will be looking for employment upon our return though I may be taking a detour of sorts before making permanent berth back in G'town (that's still a wait-and-see situation). We are also looking forward to the blessing of children which inevitibly suggests permanence of residence and employment. We cannot deny though, that this "working vacation", or "domestic mission" has given us a hunger for more travel and experience and adventure. We are seeking the will and pleasure of our Lord in this and all matters for we know that He has our best always at heart. Our latest days off, when they finally came!, took us on Monday to the local summit of Mt. Storm King and some of the best views of Lake Crescent that can be had. It was 2000ft of elevation gain in about 2 miles (whew) and we are still feeling it. We hopped an early ferry to Victoria, BC this past Tuesday. Pretty much just took a walking tour of the city and found some good food and beverages at the Sticky Wicket (more obscure Cricket reference I think) and lots of fun coffee shops and other quite assorted stores and sights. We didn't take in any of the many museums this time but really enjoyed the modern, ecclectic, and friendly feel of the city. The unexpected bonus on the return trip was a pair of whale sightings. We only saw their blow spouts from a good distance, though Alex thought she saw a dark body rolling in the waves. Very cool cap to the day. Back to work now and anticipating a busy week and a half leading up to closing day (the 28th). There will be a Halloween/End of season party that day after close and then Alex and I think we're going to spend the last night at Kalaloch lodge, on the beach, with a fire going. After that we are pondering plotting our route home via Redwood National Park, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and possibly Zion Park or Bryce Canyon. We hope to do a good bit of camping and so take 5-7 days to get back east. Will share more as the time draws nearer and we settle on the details. Will get new picture up tomorrow (I hope!). Love to all.
dk