“Even during those times when the path is darkest,
Northwest Gathering 2013 was held at Andersen’s RV Park in Long Beach, Washington. I think most of us are still basking in the memories – treasuring the moments we spent together. The photo above was taken by a man on Andersen’s staff. He has a photography business on the side. One afternoon he climbed up on the roof of the office to capture the moment for us. You can see that we were tightly packed into the RV park. We had the entire park for all four days of our gathering. The photo shows our proximity to the beach and the Pacific Ocean just a ways beyond. A short trail took us to the beach anytime our hearts desired. Early the first evening I decided to take my camera and slip away to the beach by myself. At first I wondered about the wisdom of going alone but the sea was calling and I didn't want to miss what was happening. The sun was about set.
As I got to the point where the path ended and the beach began, I looked ahead and I realized I was not alone. There, straight ahead of me – on the beach – was a row of Sisters lined up in their chairs to watch the sunset!
I had to laugh at the thought that I would be the only one to follow the sun! More Sisters arrived and soon we were just a group of gals who had one thing in common. We had come to watch the sunset on the beach. It didn't take long. We saw what we had come to see. The sky changed before our eyes and we weren’t disappointed.
After awhile it was time for me to head back to camp. I turned to go and as I walked through the sand, I looked up and saw the moon. 
There’s nothing quite like walking a sandy path from the beach under the full moon. The sound of the waves, the colors of the sky and the sand beneath my feet made me smile. I felt such peace. It was a good start to a few days away. My trailer was not far from the end of the path. When I got back it was time to turn on lights and get ready for nightfall. Before I headed over to sit by my neighbor’s campfire I turned on the little lights my sweetheart had helped me hang on the rock guard awning over my front window. Once they were lit I stood back and smiled. 
I was finally settled in. This was the what I had waited for. I had no idea everything the days ahead would bring but I knew it was going to be good. This was only the beginning.
Today I said goodbye to a group of Sisters – all part of Sisters On The Fly Eighth Annual Northwest Gathering. We were Sisters from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, from British Columbia, Canada and a few who came from California. Saying goodbye was hard since we had laughed and played and talked and chatted and eaten and shopped together for the last four days. I’m still reflecting on our time together on the Washington Coast. There is so much I’d love to tell you. And I will. Soon.
In the meantime I must shift gears and get back to ‘real’ life. My dearest and best-est friend from college days is coming tomorrow. She and her hubby will spend some sweet hours with us before they head home on Tuesday. While I ponder things from the past few days and while I try hard to get back into things at home I leave you with a tiny peek of my time away. It’s a time I will never forget. Time spent with gals I will never forget. Friendships made. Bonds established. Plans for the future determined so we will meet again.
Sisters On The Fly books. . .
Chalkboard signs. . .
A row of petticoats hung high. . . 
And a welcome sign at our Sisters Camp hosts site.
As dusk begins to settle down around us, lights in all colors, shapes and sizes come on around us. A vintage thermos that was made into a lamp and a tiny chandelier light the way around this tiny trailer. 
Lights shaped like little vintage trailers make me smile. I have lights like these that will hang from the front of our big trailer through the next few days.
Lights that cascade over a big umbrella catch the attention of everyone who passes by.
The view from our campsite was wonderful. Through the windows on the side. . .
And at the front.
My sweetheart was right at home on the lake. Fishing was good! He caught his limit each day – fresh fish on the grill makes a tasty meal. We brought fish home in the freezer to enjoy in the near future. 
We didn’t go up the mountain to Timberline Lodge this time. We stayed pretty close to ‘home’. It was time to get away and relax. And we did. There was no cell phone, computer or TV. The nights were quiet and sleep came easily. I only ventured out in the boat once. 
Joey didn’t get to go on the boat this time. He did something that seemed to bruise his ribs or shoulder on one side – we think he hit it on the steps in his excitement to go outside one day. When I put his little life jacket on him so he could go on the boat with me it seemed to press on that area. It was obvious that it hurt him so he had to stay behind. (He’s better now!) He watched it all and waited patiently for me to return home again.
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. ― A.W. Tozer