Grandma's Clam Bake

One of our mother’s final wishes was to have a clam bake after she passed. She loved Northwest Indian customs and visualized a last meal being shared by family in her honor.  One of her favorite things was going to Blake Island to watch the Indians perform their cultural dances and experience the delicious smoked salmon meal.  In her later years she traveled and collected Indian artifacts from baskets to arrowheads all over the SW and Mexico.  We were very fortunate to get everyone together for the occasion; Durlyn & Bob, Kim, all the Nash-Webber’s, all the Conner’s, and us of course at Christa & Nash’s Samammish rental home.

Earlier in the week, Walter had gathered up some supplies to help Quinn and Brody make sailboats to launch as part of the clam bake ritual.  They were great little helpers and enjoyed making and decorating four boats. One for each grandchild. Note the safety glasses.

Grandpa overseeing sailboat operations

Quinn measuring something?

Brody giving close inspection...btw those are toy tools and goggles they are using

Beautiful finished sailboats ready to launch.

After a delicious clam chowder and salmon dinner we headed down to Lake Sammamish to launch the sailboats and spread some of mom’s ashes.  We shared some mom stories and said a few words honoring her memory.

Launching the sailboats

Sailboats kept heading to shore - maybe a little trimming the sails would help

Three generations spreading Grandma's ashes

Our Family

 

It was a lovely evening on the lake and the kids all decided to end the day with a swim in the lake.

Thank you family for all your love.