Bainbridge Island

This is our 4th year going to Bainbridge Island in October. We always go for the pumpkin walk at Bainbridge Gardens and then find some fun places to explore for the day. This year I decided to make it a young women day activity and it was so much fun. Paige, unfortunately, was not able to go with us because she got sick and needed to rest and we missed her so much. We had three young women go and some of the other leaders. Nate was a good sport and went as our priesthood representative and spent the whole day with all girls though I'm sure he is used to that by now. :) I wish more young women could have gone but those that did go we had so much fun with them and we spent the entire day exploring the island.

A week and a half before this, for one of our Wednesday night activities, we painted our own pumpkins to take with us. Our first stop was at the gardens. We ended up walking through the trail twice. The first time the young women sped through it, mostly looking for the perfect place to put their own pumpkin. We wandered around the other parts of the garden and then I had them go through the pumpkin walk a second time and had them slow down and had them point to any pumpkin they liked and why it spoke to them.

Then we went and explored Fort Ward. We first had a picnic lunch and I told them a very brief history before walking down to explore what is left. The best part of this was sitting by the water. I loved visiting and the girls all loved the water, finding shells and rocks, and enjoying the gorgeous views.

Then we went to Halls Hill Lookout and Labyrinth. The girls all did the labyrinth and loved it. Then we walked over to the lookout and talked about how you would apply it to the gospel. We talked about how we follow the path and we have to focus on the path we are on if we want to get to the center or the Savior. It is easy to be distracted by other things but if we keep focus, keep trying, and repent or get back on the path then we can make it back to our Heavenly Father. We also talked about how we all went at different paces and that's okay. We also talked about how at times you feel like you are so far from the center and you aren't sure if you are going to make it back to the center but if you keep trying and focus then you can do it. 

Then we went to the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. During WWII, the Japanese were ordered to go to concentration camps and this is a memorial for those from Bainbridge Island that had to go through this. It was a reverent and somber experience and but so good.

The dock they walked off to get on a boat to leave. They didn't know where they were going or if they would ever come back.

Then we went and saw Pia and Peacemaker. She is an 18 foot troll. There are 5 in different cities/areas and they are so amazing. They are all created by the same artist and are all a little different and made by all recycled materials. 

Then we went to McDonalds for dinner.

And last we took an evening ferry ride back to the mainland. The view of Seattle at night is gorgeous!

What a fun day!