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The Curtiss Jenny
Saturday, July 25th we took Todd to the 2nd Annual FHC Skyfair event at Paine Field (Everett, WA). FHC means Flying Heritage Collection, which is Paul Allen’s collection of military aircraft and vehicles. According to the event brochure, “These rare aircraft and ground weapons took decades to locate, acquire, and meticulously restore to their original wartime condition. Not only does each artifact appear exactly as it did in combat, most are fully functional.”
For more information, check out the Flying Heritage Collection website.
The event started at 10 AM and ended at 4 PM. Our plan was to arrive for the flying demonstrations that were scheduled to start at 1 PM. That gave Todd the opportunity to have his morning nap.
When we arrived at the parking lot, we were surprised to learn that we’d be bussed to the event site a few minutes away. When Eric needed someone to hold Todd while he folded the stroller for bus transport, a young Navy Sea Cadet was surprised to have a baby abruptly plopped into his arms before he could get out, “I don’t know how to hold a baby.” I chuckled with both hands full, holding our stroller contents. The young man was a good sport as Todd checked him out. He managed to smile while saying he was about to have a heart attack. It was pretty funny.
Then, Todd got to ride his first “school bus.” Right away, we could tell he was excited. He enjoyed standing up on Eric’s lap, peering over the seats and looking out the window.
Todd’s first bus ride – July 25, 2015
After we paid our admission, we went inside the hangar to check out the planes and vehicles. In addition to riding in the stroller, Todd got a chance to walk around a bit. He also found a set of stairs to climb. He was having a great time!
Inside the hangar
Inside the hangar
Then we went outside, where the band, “Route 66” was playing 1940’s dance music. Seriously, we did not plan Todd’s outfit ahead of time!
Route 66
Next, we walked to the viewing area for the flying demonstrations (they also fired some cannons out of tanks).
FHC plane
In the air
FHC plane
Finally, we had the opportunity to board this plane. Todd got to sit in the co-pilot’s seat.
Pan American Airways
Eric & Todd
Todd the co-pilot
Do you see Todd?
We toured one more hangar before we boarded the bus once again.
Zero 61-121 wreckage
Afterward, it was time to eat, so we dined at Casa Tequila. It’s one of our favorite local restaurants. We love their vegetarian (vegan) fajitas. Todd enjoyed spoonfuls of guacamole and refried beans, and bits of mushroom.
Dining at Casa Tequila
We all had a really nice day!
Well, I’m a week late on this one, but better late than never…
Last Saturday– July 11th– we took Todd to see the goats at Goatalympics, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. This is an annual fund-raising event for New Moon Farm Goat Rescue & Sanctuary (located in Arlington, WA).
I’m familiar with this event because I volunteered Fridays at the rescue, from the Fall of 2008 until December 2013. (I stopped volunteering shortly after I found out I was pregnant with Todd, due to 1st trimester fatigue followed by an increase in my work hours.)
In Goatalympics’ first couple years, Eric and I helped out by timing and judging. It was fun but a bit hectic back then! We didn’t attend the 2013 or 2014 events. Now– with the benefit of past experience and a more coordinated volunteer effort, the event runs efficiently and it gets bigger every year.
This year what I absolutely LOVED about it was the addition of 2 vegan food trucks (more on that later). They were obviously a hit with everyone because they sold a ton of fantastic food.
Vegan Ice Cream!?
We showed up shortly after it started (which was 10 AM) and were delighted to see such great attendance early on. The goat events were already underway and there were several tables set up with numerous silent auction items to bid on, as well as raffle prizes. We found Ellen (the owner of the rescue) and her parents, and we said our hellos. We three hadn’t seen Ellen since just before Millie, our cat (and Ellen’s former cat) died in February of this year.
Arriving at Goatalympics
Goatalympics – July 11, 2015
Todd meets a wether
A wether is a castrated male sheep
Checking out the goats
Good view of his 1st tooth! – July 11, 2015
Todd & Eric
Todd & Elisa
Of course, we had to partake of the vegan food offerings. We both ordered the Beer Battered Avocado Tacos from the No Bones About It vegan food truck. While we waited for the food, Eric let Todd stretch his legs and “kick some tires.”
“No Bones About It” vegan food truck
Future mechanic?
Off and running!
Beer battered avocados (GF) in corn tortillas with smoky chipotle aioli, creamy cilantro slaw, tomatoes and comes with a side of charred tomato salsa.
After lunch, we walked over to where the adults race cars…and then where the kids race cars. Todd enjoyed shaking the fence.
Always interested in plants
Todd
Back at the Goatalympics, we each got a vegan ice cream sammie literally right before they sold out. The only flavor left was Matcha (green tea) ice cream with almond sugar cookies. It was actually a nice opportunity to try an ice cream flavor that I normally wouldn’t get. Of course, it was scrumptious (the tea flavor was subtle)! The ice cream is coconut milk based. Todd got a few licks and a few bites, too.
Elisa at The Cookie Counter
Almond Matcha tea ice cream sammie
Look at the size of this!
I feel kind of bad that I didn’t take many goat pictures, so I’ll leave you with these pictures, taken at New Moon Farm on August 10, 2012. Notice I was wearing my 2012 Goatalympics shirt!
Little did I know that day…that exactly 2 years later would be the day before my baby’s due date. So crazy! My life is now categorized in my brain as being either BT (Before Todd) or AT (After Todd).
Elisa and Opie (wether) – August 10, 2012
Part of the permanent herd at NMF – August 10, 2012
Goats are so sweet!
If you want to read my other posts about New Moon Farm Goat Rescue & Sanctuary, simply click on my sub-category tab for that, under the main category of “Animals.”
Freeheel Vegan 