December 2010 The Holiday Season

You Might Have to WAIT a Bit for Pictures to Load

Dec 3rd: Down from the attic came all the the goodies to “Deck The Halls”Now the fun begins. Anita is hard at work decorating the house for gatherings and people hopefully stopping by. Pretty much throughout our flying lives we very rarely decorated  and being we usually are not around the house all the time this time of year. We neglected to do much house decoration. This could be FUN

Dec 4th: A fun morning sunrise. The air is clear and as in the seen in the slidshow pic. You can see Venus in the upper right of the picture.

Dec 11th: Wow how the week has flown by. Anita has been very busy preparing chez DeLeo for the up coming weeks of guests. This morning I broke away and did the Seattle Motorcycle Show. This evening we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from Kathryn Flanagan. She brought smiles and one of here fine calendars with a sampling of her art work. Shortly after she headed on her way. Bob Hesse arrived for some Christmas cheer and some GREAT soup that Anita had prepared. Looks like tomorrow is a day of rest. Monday evening our neighbors Dave and Patti Page are coming over for our annual get together before they head off to their den in Sun Valley for their winter hibernation.

Dec 13: Had Dave and Pati Page over for snacks and drinks.

Dec 14: Had to check out Snoqualmie Falls with all the major record breaking rainfall. Well it was as expected!! The good news was there were hardly any people there checking it out. The bad news was it was pouring, But it was a well worthy adventure and something that I have always wanted to do.  Dore and Judy Cross time GREAT evening spent with Dore and Judy. After a Steak Tommy dinner. We sat around the fireplace and visited for hours.

Dec 15: The morning started out with a THUMP or should I say thumping. With all the record breaking rain the lake has shot up way too much and the boat on its track is only about 6in out of the water. The problem arises when all the crap that flots off other people’s beaches gets redistributed and our bulked seems to trap more than our share. Anyway around 1 am. Anita and I were waken to the sound of a drum. “Could it be the Christmas Drummer Boy?” NO WAY It was a log wedged under the boat and banging on the hull. So it was time to don my led headlight and bathing suit and venture into the cold dark water and dislodge the pesky log. Got Er Done!! Hopefully the water will start to recede and my boat worries will go away for another day. Today’s big plan is to start heading the crap around the bulked so it can continue on it’s merry way to find a new home. There is one good thing about this annual crap migration. I do always find some treasures. Be it a good timber or two or as I spotted this morning a nice new dock bumper that will find a happy home on our dock. Anyone need a   ball? We always get a great selection of those

Dec 17: Chuns for dinner Spent the day preparing for the evenings event. Oh yes I did have to rebuild one of my laptops that went south But after a bunch of tweaking and tinkering. All is well! In fact I am blogging from that laptop now.
Everett, Barbra & Molly arrived around 4:30 followed by Ann Denhart around 5 . Molly is Barbara’s 92 year old mother. Who is visiting from Australia. “What an inspiration” She travels from northern Australia to Sydney. Then off to San Fran, Then to Seattle. All on space available flying. Now that is something to admire!! After some great gabbing it was time to hit the kitchen and get the dinner underway. Everything turned out great. Not to mention Barbara’s “To Die For” desert. Thanks All for attending.

Dec 18: Steph and Tony were good enough  to come over for dinner after arriving home from Hawaii at 6 this morning. Had some great visiting. The normal Tony and Tommy talking tech (guy stuff)” and Steph and Anita talking ??? lady stuff. Oh yes we did have a lot of four way conversation also 

Dec 19: DeLeo family dinner

 
Larry Sowder, Tom DeLeo, Adam DeLeo, Jason Holman, Brooke Holman, Bill DeLeo, John DeLeo, Robin DeLeo, & Anita DeLeo
Wow the Whole DeLeo Family ALL in One Place!!
The Big gathering for our little house went off without a hitch

Dec 22: Its Schuler Wednesday already. The floors are freshly sucked and polished. And the dinner is almost ready Had a long overdue visit with Jim and Bet.

Dec 23: Ahhh! Break in the holiday action. After five dinners this is a well needed break Today We Are officially for a day….

 

 

 

 

Dec 24: Friday Morning off to Portland for our annual Christmas Eve and Christmas with the Steve Zimmer family. We or at least Anita has been making this event for at least the last 25years. I had to miss a few due to prior United Airline obligations. Had a great drive to Portland, Speed limit all the way. We were also entertained by horse trailer transporting a camel. Boy do camels look stupid. Big time!! Anita could not stop laughing every time we got to the camel.
Sort of hung out at Steve’s Then headed over to Ron & Cali’s (Liz’s sister) for desert and the Dresser family Christmas.

Dec 25th: Christmas Day!! Well the big day is upon us. It’s still Tommy time. The stockings are hung and everyone else are still sound asleep dreaming of sugar plum fairies or whatever. My is hot the fire is warm and things are quiet. Life does not get much better Oh yes. The first present has arrived in the form of a wee named Bella. I think Liz and Steve are trying to impose a sense of responsibility on Steph and Tony. I am sure they will be up for the challenge

Dec 26th: Time to point the trusty Rav4 North. And say goodbye to our hosts Steve and Liz. Good drive home. Never came to complete stop. The normal slowdowns. Centralia, Olympia and Tacoma. But all in all a good ride.

Dec 29th: On our way to finish out 2010 at Mary’s. Left Bellevue and it was starting to snow. And it contiued snowing all the way to Cle Elum. Then was clear and the roads were dry until about 40mi out of Spokane and then it started snowing again, By the time we arrived at Mary’s it was a winter wonderland just as I had Hoped

		Bellevue Snoqulamie
		Cle Elum Entering Spokane
		almost Mary’s Mary’s Street

Here we are at Chez Frey

Dec 30th: Good Morning Spokane
A beautiful fresh snowy morning. Got up around 5:30 and waited for mornings light. Oh Oh here comes the I had better get out and see if I can get a picture or two. The highlight of the day was. Isabel and I jumped into the car and headed down to Riverside State Park to check out the Spokane river. There certinly was no disappointment in that little adventure. The roads and some of the paths had been plowed, There were a few other people taking in this winter wonderland. All of which were also filled with ahh. Later our friends Fran and Barb Burkhard stopped by for a visit.
Oh Ya. Watched the Dawgs beat the Huskers in the Holiday bowl

Dec 31st: The last day of 2010.

What a way to end the year COLD!!! Started the day with a quick trip for some drip from Starbucks. And some sign of life. I do have to admit I totally love this time of day Summer or Winter. Just think I have the day all to myself with no interruptions. “Hot , A warm fire ,and a whole day ahead to enjoy” Life just can’t get better than that!!
While Anita and Mary got their last minute 2010 shopping in. Isabel and I took a wonderful drive up to Mt. Spokane and checked out the real winter wonderland.
We finished up the year with a Filet Mingion dinner at Chez Frey

Jan 1 ^st 2011:  Bring The Adventure On!!!
I  Can only predict it’s Gong to be GREAT. You all invited to share out ride thru life with Anita and Tommy’s Adventures

GEG Selah Jane’s Birthday & Stuff

Its off to Spokane via Selah for Jane’s Birthday.

Had Day I: GREAT!! drive over. With the low light on a totally clear day the sights were outstanding. Nothing but color and contrast. I saw so many things that I have never noticed in the countless trips across Snoqualmie pass. Did dinner with Larry and Jane at the Olive Garden for Jane’s birthday.

Day II: Up at 0500 to catch the sunrise. It’s now 0715 and the sun is just starting to say “Good Morning Tommy”  After some breakfast and a walk around the spread. We were off to Spokane. Arrived around 2:30. The drive was sunny and bright but not as beautiful as the day before.

Day III: It’s around 6am. And everyone is still sacked out.

Day IV: FOOTBALL Saturday!! Dawgs 

Day V: I was dreading the drive west. 287mi of rain and traffic! We got off around 10 or so. And much to our surprise. The drive was (sunny) all the way to the pass. Where we picked up a little . We took a side trip at Vantage. And ended up in Ellensburg. Never knew that road existed. It took us thru all the windmills in the Wild Horse electric wind farm. Also happened upon some beautiful Donkeys. Yes beautiful! The road continued thru the town of Kititas. I never knew there was such a place. Anyway it was a great find and well worth the time off I-90. Made it home to see the Seahawk's make their only touchdown in their drubbing by New York

North Cascade Day Trip

Took advantage of a normal Northwest beautiful fall day. We packed up our overnight supplies incase we wanted to keep heading east. Headed out around 10 am. The drive was great. Especially passing thru all the small towns and farm areas on the back roads. The one big observation I made especially in the Skagit valley to Rockport (the last town before entering the North Cascade highway (20) was the amount of properties for sale. It seemed like every other property was for sale. But I think conservetly  I bet 20% for sale. Really sad and a sign of the economy. We arrived at Washington Pass. The weather was perfect. And the State has expanded and made many improvements to the overlook area. If you ever have the chance to drive the north cascade highway. DO NOT pass this over look without checking it out. It was now about 3pm and we had to make the decision to go east and spend the night somewhere. Or head back the way we came. We decided the latter. Just after heading back we hit rain. Still the drive was good. Especially with Anita at the wheel.
Made it home around 8pm. All in All a GREAT day!

Desert Southwest 2010

 A road trip to southern Utah. Caravanning with Everett and Barbara Chun and meeting up with Dennis and Connie Figueira who will be driving in from Las Vegas.
Trip Details:
Distance: 2,657 mi  Not counting side trips and wanderings. (probably closer to 3,000mi)

 

Day I: Tue: On our way !! Bellevue to Twin Falls Idaho. On the road at 0705. Drove to Snoqualmie Pass to meet Barbara and Everett for breakfast. The lodge was closed for renovations. So we headed to Cle Elum to have our breakfast and morning meeting. The drive went great with Anita and I taking shifts. Sunny all the way. Arrived in Twin Falls 12hrs and 629mi later. GREAT day!! Looking forward to tomorrow as it will be the first time on this road and all new scenery and adventures.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring some more and better pictures. Today was spent trying to cover some distance. I just had to do the motorcycle and sidecar picture. The folks had crossed the country a couple times in and on that rig.

Day II: Wed: Twin Falls Id. / Moab Utah  An 0830 departure and after a 470mi adventure we arrived in Moab, Today's drive was interesting and a little more relaxed (not quite as far to cover) It did get a little interesting as we drove thru Salt Lake City we got hit with a major rain shower.  Had a picnic on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. It was a little too cold to take a dip but I did taste the water and it was surprisingly not as salty as I thought. Arriving in Moab. It was just like a story book. After seeing lots of beautiful country we rounded a bend and imidatily we were surrounded by mega clifs and beautiful rock formations. Tomorrow it is off to Canyon Lands and Arches national parks.

Day III: Thur. Sun and Fun! We all jumped on the Rav 4. And were on our way to do some park exploring. Started in Arches National Park. WOW! 3mi up the road from our digs. I would try to describe this place but that would only repeat what every brochure says. We drove, hiked, and were in constant ahhhhh in every bend of the road and turn of our heads. Oh yes there was not much time without laughs and sharing our day with great friends. After Tommy’s legs felt like they should fall off and I finally caught my breath from hiking around at 6000 feet. We headed up the road to Canyon lands Park. On the drive to the park entrance I could only think I had better check in on Sparkey! Then as we rounded the first bend into the park itself all that tiredness vanished and once again I was taken by ahhhhh. The late afternoon sun was warm and the still air was cool. “Just how I like it” You could just sit on the edges of thes canyons with magnificent views and only think “What could be better than this” Perfect. As the sun was setting, 150mi and 8hrs of wonderment behind us we headed back to the hotel and out for dinner at the Moab Brewery. I only wish those who did not join us and those who will still join us could be here now.

Day IV: It’s Friday morning. And I am hanging in the hotel lobby having coffee and taking advantage of good WIFI as the room WIFI sucks. It is fun sitting here listening to all the chatter from the breakfast area filled with excited voices from many lands, There are people from 20 to 80 dressed in everything from hiking gear to there PJ’s. When we get rolling this morning we are going to tour our way south to Bluff Utah. 2hrs from here but I am confident it will take most of the day as driving in this part of the country is totally filled with unbelievable sights. Oh yes It’s around 50degrees out now and should be in the mid 80’s and sunny for todays highs.
  I was right. It did take all day to make it to Bluff. About 1/2 way down we headed back into the south end of Canyon Lands. Here were were pretty much down in the canyons as opposed to being on top yesterday at the north end. It’s now a little after midnight and I am sitting out on the porch of our digs. The room is still a little hot. So I came out to cool off and check out the stars. Well its cool out here under a star filled sky. We did not make plans where day five will take us as yet. But as it stands we will venture somewhere in the general direction of Mt Carmel. To meet up with Dennis and Connie. on Monday Day six. From there we will venture out on daily adventures for the next four days. Well I am getting cooled down so I think I will call it a night.  186mi 7hrs

Day V:  Saturday This morning we got a early start. We left Bluff and headed north and Barb and Ev started a little later taking a southerly detour to Monument Valley. Once again it took us 8hrs to cover 231mi. For me the highlight of the day was the Mokie Dugway.  That is a gravel road switching back and forth up the sheer side of a mesa some 1500ft Very Cool. Other than that it was just another day driving thru a postcard. What could be better. Its now 10pm and we are waiting to see B & E. They should be arriving here in Torrey 

Day VI: Torrey to Mt. Carmel. GOOD MORNING TORREY!!! Its 6:45 The sun is just coming over the mountains . Everyone is sacked out and I am sitting in the car listening to Pandora,  playing with my computer. Also waiting for the coffee shop to open. Anita and I should be out of here sometime after seven. Stopping in Bolder for breakfast at a highly recommended place. Then continue on thru Escalante and on to Mt Carmel where we will meet up with the Figuearas and hang out for the next 4days.
We got out at 0800 and drove to breakfast. And once again a 35mi drive took over an hour and a half. Just too much beauty to make any time, After breakfast Anita and I headed on. Barb and Ev stayed back to take in some Anatzi Indian culture. We arrived at Mt Carmel and the Sugar Knoll B&B around 4:30. Yet again another 191mi day took over 8hrs. This is sort of our average speed 20 some MPH over great no traffic highways. I guess that says it all. Barb and Ev showed up around seven and Connie and Dennis arrived around 8. We spent the rest of the evening hanging around the campfiere, catching up and planning our next day.

Day VII: Monday Zion Park. Breakfast served at 8am. Off to Zion with the whole gang (Anita Tommy, Barb ,Everett and  Connie & Dennis) After arriving at the visitor center we all boarded the park bus’s (the only way other than on foot to check out the park) Connie Dennis Anita and I found the easiest hike and spent  2hrs laughing and pushing ourselves up the trail. Barbara and Everett went on a three hr Big Boy hike. Hey it was 100 degrees at 6000ft plus! Hey wimpy is a good thing. All in all. Another GREAT day.

Day VIII: Tuesday SLOT CANYONS.

WOW oh WOW!! This was the one thing I really wanted to do. Connie and Dennis headed off to Brice Canyon National Park. The rest of us with our trusty Inn keeper/ Guide. Jumped into our 4 wheel vehicles and headed down the road behind our B&B. Not 200yds down the road we were crossing a stream. We continued up a ATV trail for a mile or so and arrived at Red Canyon Slot Canyon. By this time after bouncing over rocks and ruts our wheels were in 9in deep soft sand and we were moving like we were in deep snow. Mike grabbed his trusty old aluminum ladder and we headed into what looked like a cave in the hillside. As we entered the slot canyon the opening may have been about 8ft wide and the walls 50ft high of beautiful sculptured rock. For the next two and a half hours we proceeded through the canyon climbing over piles of rocks, small areas of water from the last flash flood and areas that you had to turn sideways to squeeze through. Every turn and twist was an “Oh My God Look At This !!!!” experience. And no way one could get over some of those rock piles to another level. Without the help of all of us and the trusty ladder. We sweated, Laughed and experienced contorting ourselves like pretzels. I just can’t put into words how great this was even after standing on the edge of 1000ft cliffs and looking over  unlivable landscapes painted with all colors and shapes. The only thing I can say. If you EVER get the chance to visit a slot canyon JUST DO IT!! That evening we all went out to dinner and came back to the B&B.  Sat around the fire and shared our experiences.

Day IX: Wednesday Mt Carmel Idaho Falls. Anita and got up early and at day break we headed north. After 10hrs and 500 plus miles. We ended up in Idaho Falls. Made quit a few stops. Including 520 I street Salt Lake City Utah. My birth place and first home. We also stopped by the Hill air force base museum where they have one of  the two remaining C124 globe masters. The aircraft I spent my Air Force days on back in the late 60s. Had a good dinner and went for a walk along the Snake river in the still warm evening air. Yet another great day. 

Day X: Yellow Stone  Out early from Idaho Falls on our way to Yellow Stone National Park In hopes of catching a glimpse of some critters and a geyser or two. Well we were not disappointed. We first happend upon a bull moose munching some goodies in the reeds. We then came upon a bunch of stopped cars full gawkers. There were a bunch of buffalo. Then out of nowhere came one monster  buffalo out of the trees and he was running down the side of the road along side the car. You could hear him breath he was so close. Very cool. Finally as we were nearing the north entrance of the park there was a road sign saying no stopping. Not a hundred yards went by before everone was stopped. I thought there must be a accident but no. It was a large black bear feeding just off the road.  We also spotted a number of elk. A couple cyotes and various other critters. It was a true success. The weather has been record breaking. Just plain GREAT. Well after 10 fast hours on the road we called it a day here in Anaconda Montana. “Anita’s birthplace” Sometime tomorrow it will be off to Spokane. Oh yes it was a 224mi day.

Day XI: Off to Spokane. Had a good breakfast at Donavan's and did a quick photo shoot around Anaconda. Somewhere around 8 we headed out for Spokane. As normal we just dilly dallied along checking out things and places. Made it to Spokand around 5pm and immediately gave the RAV-4 a much deserved bath. Stopped by Mary’s. More or less just said Hi. Then off to the hotel for our overnight.

Day XII: Spokane. Anita’s Mom’s Memorial 

Day XIIl: Sunday Oct 3rd Spokane - Home. Hung around Mary’s until noon. Then headed back to Bellevue in an uneventful nice drive home. All was well with the house other than some signs of a mouse house sitting while we were gone. Oh yes I flipped on the hot water circuit breakers in hopes that we would have hot watter in the morning, But was presently surprised when the water was hot with in the hour.