Washington Visit Part 1: Arrival and Arlie’s 2021 BBQ

We took the scenic drive from Seaside to Tacoma/Lakewood…of course. LOL It was actually a very pleasant drive. Although there was one point when I noticed a deer at the edge of the road that was a bit unnerving. I tapped the break to slow down and Barry said he braced for impact, but she just watched us go by. It was as if she was trained to watch for traffic. I was truly grateful. However, when we later looked at the dash cam and side cam, I noticed that there was a second deer in the brush behind her. Yikes! We could have had two (or more?) leap out in front of us. Thank God, they stayed put!

ARRIVAL to the Puget Sound
We arrived at the Lakewood Elks on July 7, 2021. ($150 each week.) This became Vinny’s home for our stay in the Puget Sound till August 4. With this location being only about 6 miles (10-15 min) from Barry’s Mom in Tacoma, it was perfect. Unfortunately, it was only 30 AMP electric and no sewer hookup, but since this was only going to be a home base for us, especially Barry, it shouldn’t be a problem. Since there is a dump station on site, it would be convenient to dump either tank if needed, but we hoped to make it till we leave. We made it! (Thanks to taking showers at Mom’s, only having one of us at the motorhome for two weeks, and having a total of about 5 days without either of us “home”.)

ARLIE’S 13th ANNUAL BBQ
For the 13th year in a row, Arlie (Barry’s mom) hosted a family summer BBQ. This year it was on Saturday, July 10 since we would be there, as well as Justin, Erika, Isaac and Mona. I was glad that both Abby and Richard were also able to attend. Maddox was the grill master. While some family members were unable to make it this year, the overall turnout was amazing.

Safeway lost the picture for the cake, so they did a BBQ theme and didn’t charge for the cake. The year 2020 on the cake really cause confusion. The cake is usually decorated with the group photo from the previous year. Arlie started putting the year that matched the photo on the cake. That was confusing enough, but since the picture from 2020 didn’t make it onto the cake this year, no one thought to have the date changed to 2021! We all agreed that it would be best to leave the year off on all future cakes. Instead she could just put “Arlie’s BBQ”. I actually really liked the BBQ themed cake instead this year. Since Arlie gets a puzzle made each year from the group shot. or just go with a fun BBQ themed cake like this year.

Isaac and Mona loved their new water painting books that I bought a couple months ago. They were perfect for giving them something to do at the BBQ!

**Aunt Abby engages with her niece and nephew.**

This was the second Arlie BBQ that Justin and Erika have been able to attend. Incidentally, it is the second one for Mac, too. Mac is Justin’s best friend from growing up.

Isaac was given a “hand clapper”. Soon he had control of those still present when he said “Everyone clap.” And they did. Isaac handed Daryl the clapper to use. Daryl didn’t seem to know how to use it and the video below shows how Isaac kept going back to “help” him.

VIDEO: Isaac helps Daryl use a hand clapper