Roslyn, WA

Our big vacation for this year may have been our California trip during Spring Break, but that doesn't mean we're not going to have some adventures this summer!  A couple of weeks ago, we headed up to my favorite town, Roslyn, WA.  I'm not sure I can articulate what makes Roslyn so special to me, but I think it's the combination of the history, the family, the adventures, and the quirkiness.  As such, I wanted to try to capture all of these elements.

The Sights

Outside of the Ronald general store.

Ronald General Store - your source for soda, antiques, and used puzzles.

The Outhouse.

Roslyn, as seen from above.

Presbyterian church

Back of Catholic Church

Red sun

The Brick -Washington's oldest operating bar

Tree hugger

She wasn't scared of us in the least.

Inside the power house at the #8 mine.

Looking into the shaft of the #9...imagine going down there every day...

Outside the #9 and #10 mines

My great grandparents Herman and Anna Swanson's home in Roslyn.

This home is on the National Register of Historic Homes.

The City...again.

My Great Uncle Clarence's grave.

The Cemetery in Roslyn is separated into different societies and ethnic groups.  Below is the Fraternal Order of Eagles section.

Mt. Olivet - the African American section of the cemetery.

City Cemetery - the oldest section of the Roslyn cemetery.

My Great Grandparents grave - Herman and Anna Swanson.  Herman was a coal miner at the #3 and #8 Roslyn mines.

Outside the Roslyn Historical Museum.

The statue honoring Roslyn's coal mining heritage.

The Adventures

One of our favorite places in Roslyn is "The Rocks".  This is a set of boulders atop a hill above Roslyn that kids have been playing on for generations.

Ellia tries her luck on the tall rock...this is the one that took out the seat of Papa Ron's pants during his last visit.

Siena catches her breath after the long hike up the hill.

Coming down Sliding Rock!

She made it!  Siena's down and her britches are intact.

All the kids stuck in the Dancing Rock crack.

Mason with Sliding Rock in the background.

Get a room guys!

Smelly flower...

When the weather's in the upper 90s, nothing feels better than a cool mountain lake (Cooper Lake to be exact).

Miss Rory having fun.

After Cooper Lake, we found a great spot to swim and build a dam along the Cle Elum River.

Luis, Yaya, Papa Ron, and Cousin Dave spent the earlier part of the day in Leavensworth but came to the river to cool off with us in the afternoon.

Ellia and Berren helping to build the dam.

Pure joy.

The next morning we headed up (literally 2 miles uphill) to the #8 mine.

Cousin Dave, as the official family historian, lead the way up the trail.

The kids take a break on the trail.

Checking out what remains of the #8.

Siena checking out the power house at #8.

The kids atop the #10 mine entrance.

Looking into the #9 entrance.

No trip to the #9 would be complete without the kids on top!

Mason learning some coal mining history.

Siena is too!

Checking out some power house ruins at the #9 and #10.

Mason and Berren found some original glass from the power house buildings.

Mason found some more mining equipment.

He also found an old wagon.

The next day, the Johnson's joined us for the historical Roslyn town walk and another trip up to the rocks.

This includes the dogs and little miss Cora.

Joanne looks a bit tired after climbing up that hill.

Travis and Tyson using their combined muscle to get that stroller up the hill!

I guess Travis wasn't too tired because he made it up the tall rock!

Mason, Cora, and Joanne check out Sliding Rock.

The kids instruct Travis on proper sliding technique.

I can do it!

Uh oh...how are my britches?!?

Tyson navigating the Dancing Rock gap.

Papa Ron dismounting Dancing Rock.  Luis waiting to, uh, catch him?

Mason break dancing on Dancing Rock!

Sometimes it takes a family to get Mary Lou to the top!

Checking his zipper...

Cousins piling up on Travis while Cora gets a ride on Remy!

"It's the Circle of Life!!!"

Mason in front of the Masonic sign!

Kids checking out coal at the museum.

Mason getting a taste of how it would feel to ride the mine cart.

More cousin Travis rides...

Sometimes an old dog needs a ride so the baby gets the boot!

Mason at the #5.

Topping off a wonderful several days with a family dinner.

Family Times

Six monkeys in a pickup - Ellia, Siena, Jocelyn, Mason, Rory, and Berren.

Goofy kids with Bruce and Mary Lou.

Me with all the kids on top of sliding rock.

Me and my boy!

Heidi and her kids!

My family...

Mason with Cora.

Amanda, Tyson, Cora, and Remy.

Cousins and more cousins!

The other generation!

The kids (Travis included) on Dancing Rock.

The whole family outside of the museum.

Swanson grandchildren - Joanne, Dave, Mary Lou, Larry, and Ron (aka Dad)

We had a blast on our Roslyn trip.  Now vacation is over and we're getting our house into ship shop shape to put on the market.