Visit to Grandma’s House PDX

Day 1: Headed down to Portland Wed morning(04/08) Had a good drive stopping in Centralia for some great Mexican food at La Tarasca and a cup of Starbucks coffee for the other half of the journey. Headed straight to grandma’s then off to Penny’s and Safeway. After that we headed to our digs at Steve and Liz’s (they are off to Maui) so we are hanging here alone. Took a drive down the Willamette looking for dinner and ended

up back in Lake Oswego.

Day 2: I did the Fry’s visit this morning and now Anita is back off to grandma’s to spend the afternoon with her. Not sure at this time if we will be headed home this afternoon or in the morning.
Made it Home around 9pm

  

Spokane Late March

March 26th. Headed off to Spokane for a short visit with Mary. Driving thru the pass this morning was quite spectacular. Here it is almost April and the pass got a major snow dump yesterday. This morning the sun was out the roads were bare and dry and there was major fresh snow on the mountains. It sure does not get much better for traveling thru the pass. In fact the entire drive was beautiful. Sure seems funny to me as I enjoy this drive no matter what the conditions. There are always subtle changes. The funny part is that years ago 1965 to be exact. I use to hate the drive and hope and pray for any excuse not to make the looooong boring drive.
Arrived at Marys around 1pm. Installed her new 24in monitor and set up a wireless router for myself. Which I am using at the moment.
I can smell the steaks on the BBQ so I had better get ready for some munchies.
DAY II. Not much happening today. Just hung around the house. And watched the road to the final four. Gonzaga (Spokane’s sports team) got trounced by North Carolina. A sad evening here in GEG.

DAY III. Like the snow in GEG. We are outta here. Just lazed around in the morning. And got off to a 1:30 or so departure. The ride home was interesting especially shortly after leaving Ellensburg (after a quick bite to eat at Taco Del Mar) we hit snow. By the time we crossed the pass it was coming down like it was winter. The roads remained clear other than a little slush from just east of the pas til we hit the flat lands around North Bend. (The picture. The last of the snow across the street from Mary’s)

All in all it was yet another good trip to GEG.

 

Spring is here

   Spot is now back every morning looking for a little lovin. Although he has been hanging around for a long time. Spot who got his name from the spot on the top of his head has been hanging around our bird house now for the third year. Every morning come rain or shine he can be seen and heard outside the window either trying to keep the lookie lues out or fill it with this years new bunch of wee chirpers. Normally this household is filled three times a year. Sure is great to see the familiar face (spot) returning every year. 

The Party Continues

The forth has come and gone. Anita and I met out friend Susan for lunch. I received many phone calls wishing me a Happy Birthday.Now I know who my real friends are And the evening was topped off with a wonderful dinner at Jim and Bet Schuler's The only disappointment for the day was not getting out on the lake for my annual birthday ski ride. I guess I just rationalized too much. First it was Too damn cold and by the time the air warmed to my over 50 degree air temp rule it was windy. I WILL get out soon and it's really about being able to say "Yes I still love to play on the water. And plan to do so until I can't." Hopefully years away! Thank you All for helping make this yet another memorable birthday.

2 days and counting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprise Birthday at Bill and Robin’s for tommy boy. What can I say I was surprised !! I thought I was the only one that had a clue that full social security was just 2days away. THANKs All for remembering

Off to GEG (spokane) feb 2009

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We are packing up for our departure tomorrow morning to visit Mary.
Day I: Got off to an early start this morning Wed the 18th. Good drive over. A little foggy from about Rye Grass to almost Spokane. Lots of leftover snow in the Spokane area. Especially in Mary's neighborhood. I am trying to get Mary's network. The wireless router may be toast.
Day II: Once again I find myself being a Starbucks rat. I had to come down to the local Starbucks at the bottom of Five Mile (about a quarter of a mile, the way the crow fly's) from Mary's. Anyway there seems to be a lot of morning activity here and great WIFI I guess I should head back up the hill and start the day with Anita and Mary. Mary has a big Picassa project in store for me today, For Isabel.And possibly try to figure out the router delema so I can do my geek stuff from my own computer. I saw a notable pile of snow on my to Starbucks. Got home just intime to see Isabel off to school for the day

. I think I have come to the conclusion that the router is TOAST! Now it's time to concentrate on Mary's project.

Day III: Back at Starbucks for that morning coffee before anyone is up at Chez Frey. I think today will be filled with more of Mary's photo project. Mary seems to be getting the hang of Picassa and the process. This really makes me happy as when she gets a feel for it the possibilities are endless.
This AM Starbucks experience is amazing. The traffic thru here shows me why coffee is such a big business.
Picked up a new router at Costco and now life is once again good. Fran and Barb Burkart joined us for dinner. The evening was full of good food, good friends, and great laughs.

Day IV: Starting early. Now no need to head to Starbucks with my new router spewing out wifi all over the house. There is talk of checking out the cabin at Diamond lake today.  We made it to the lake. Lots of left over snow. The trip was well worth it. Tommy even made a snow angle out on the lake and one fine snow angle she was. All in all it was another great day. I am thinking tommorow we will be fireing up the Rav4 and point it west. By the way Billy, If you are reading this we did score on your BBQ sauce.

Day V: Heading west, Out of Spokane around 10:00. After a good drive home with a couple of coffee and P stops we were home around 3:00pm.
GOOD Adventure.
tommy the angle maker.

Cabo Adventure 2008

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Day I: The adventure begins. After one of those long forgotten late night wake ups for most 0300. Our Driver (Ann Denhart) picked us up to begin our travels. As surprisingly normal we started running into familiar faces upon arriving at SEATAC.While standing in the security line I glanced over to the next line and spotted what looked like a tail logo on a Alaska airlines plane and lo and behold it was Nanook on his way to MAS, Then after clearing the TSA (thousands standing around) we ran into our old friend Patti Peluso who would be working our trip to SFO. Now it's almost 0700 the sun is strating to rise out my window and we are winging our way to SFO. Life Is Good!  Hanging in SFO for our flt to Cabo.

We made it on! Now on our way to Mexico. Yet another half full airplane. Great having mucho space again a empty seat between us.

Made It!! Now waiting at Avis for the rest of the Cabo explorers to arrive from PDX They should show any min now. So far this is starting out as a wonderfull adventure
Made it our digs and all I can say is WOW! So this is how the other half lives. Only hitch so far is we left one bag at the car rental place. It was ours and only contains some swimming suits and foot ware. Hell it would not have fit in the rental car anyway and we have to go back out Tue to pick up one other person. Now we will have fresh clothes. Can't beat that. Steve and Ron BBQ'd up some fresh ahi for dinner followed by some great laughs.

1: Arrival	2: Our Digs
3: Exploring	3: Sunset Day 1

Day: II. After everyone hitting the sack (very early for some) I did my usual early getup and now totally enjoying the morning peace and quiet while waiting for sunrise, Which always excites me and makes my day. The internet on my lap, coffee in one hand and a mouse in the other. What more could a boy want?
Sort of lazy this morning. Spotted lots of whales this morning from the front of the house.

Day III: Slept in til almost 6:30 But in time for sunrise. This morning I was NOT the ONLY one to see the sunrise even though I hit the sack early as usual.  After another great sunrise everyone started preparing for the day. Anita doing her morning swim, Steve a little Custom Decorators business on the computer, Patty calling her hubby (who should arrive today) on the phone, Liz ?????, and myself morning reading, blogging, messing with my latest shots, and yes, Lot's of coffee. The maid is preparing breakfast in the kitchen so my mind if filled with anticipation of another great Mexican breakfast.  Took some walks around the grounds and their nature  trails. Then off to San Jose for some shopping and dropping Liz and Steve off at the golf course on the way. After trekking thru the little town it was off to what has been the highpoint of my trip so far. Snorkeling at one of the public beaches. The water was quite warm other than dipping your tows in for a little test. There were lot's of brightly colored fish. Well worth the dip in natures pound. Hopefully tomorrow we can hit the sea once again for another dip. Ken the last member of the Cabo adventure finally joined us yesterday evening. We had a great steak and shrimp on the barbi for dinner and a couple of parlor games.
Day IV: Got up around 0400 for the best time of the day again. And again as normal here a great sunrise while a cruise ship was heading into port Cabo for the day. There have usually been two new ships in the port everyday so far. It's now 0600 and Anita,Steve and I are the only one's up. Got to admire Steve. As usual he does not miss a day of work. Like me he seems to be able to accomplish a lot of getting his ducks in a row this time of day.
  Sort of hung around the complex this morning with the usual walking the nature path, breakfast and just plain hanging. We did go back to the beach for another peek at the fish and activity on the beach. The evening ended up with dinner at the Esparanza. It was an over the top experience with all the trimmings. It was all about upscale and presentation. Food was good, But I would have enjoyed a great burger much more, But it was an experience and this is a vacation. Vacation that sounds funny coming from a retired person who's life is a vacation.

DAY V: Just sitting here alone, Coffee, computer, and zero chaos waiting daybreak.  

Cruise Ships Arriving	Sunrise	Morning signs of life
Starting the day	Starting the day Tommy style	Whale watchers
Santa Maria Beach	Cactus	Getting Picked up at the beach

After watching the cruise ships coming into Cabo for the day followed by daybreak the rest of the troops started stiring. After Breakfast and some spectacular whale sightings Steve dropped Ron, Calley, Anita & I off at Santa Meria beach while he went out on a shopping safari. Santa Maria beach was what I had pictured in my mind as a real Mexican beach. Beautiful, Clean and a place one could really spend some quality time (if you had a umbrella).
We scored on some Mahi for dinner this evening from some of the other  guests in the complex this morning and should have a dinner to remember. Steve, Liz, Ken & Patty are out chasing the golf balls while the rest of us are just relaxing around the place at the moment.
Day VI: Everything normal 0540 Coffee, Puter & Quiet. Waiting for daybreak. This morning after breakfast some of us will  be headed up the Pacific coast to Todos Santos. Hopefully stopping by a beach or two on the 1hr. drive.

Todos Santos was good, Had lunch and checked out the area. Scored on some jumbo shrimp for dinner. Then stopped by a great beach on the Pacific ocean side. Long sandy beach with lots of surfers and young people.

Day VII: Today we are starting our journey home. Watched our last Cabo sun rise and enjoyed our last breakfast togeather. Steve, Ron, & Cally headed out for a snorkel while Anita and I packed our goodies to head north. After our goodbye's Steve drove us to Airporto de chaos. Now this airport adventure was one that I could do without it was an experience. Starting with going to the wrong terminal thanks to me. Then cetching a free $10. cab ride to the next terminal. Now that's where the chaos begins with check after check and a surprise $21. tax to get out of the country. A few lines later we were in the boarding area full of confused people trying to figure out what was next. I guarantee you I would rather eat bees than be there on a busy day space available or not. Now we are winging our way north in a friendly United seat. I now feel some what in control of the rest of the day.

02/14/2008

Last Cabo Sunrise	Morning Walk	Goodbye
Termnal Chaos	Climbing on uniTED to SFO	Last shot of Cabo

Game Weekend 2009

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Day I: Its Friday morning and we are packing up for the anticipated infamous Game Weekend. Sponsored by Steve and Liz Zimmer. The Whole bunch should be attending. The inserted picture was taken during the 2004 event. Fun was had by all.
Let the Games Begin!

We picked up Mary at the Portland airport and arrived at Steve and Liz's around 330. It is now after a great dinner and now people are getting ready to play a game or two.
Day II:  Today started  out by someone sleeping in my favorite chair. This presented the perfect chance to check out Starbucks gold card. Now I am sitting in Starbucks enjoying my morning putering and Hot coffee. Life is GOOD!! It is starting to show daylight so I had better pack up my puter gear and head back and score on some free coffee.
Back in the land of Chaos and Fun. I arrived home to find almost everyone in the living room solving world problems "My speciality" I joined in till I drove all away with my sage advice. Now it's after noon and  the ladies are playing games, the Zim boys are off to grandma's house for cookies and beer. I have snuck off for a little one on one time with my trusty computer. All is well in the world now. Things should start poppin here soon as we have a date at crab feed this evening at the Lake Oswego golf and country club. After that who knows, But I expect to hear the loud sounds of a couple more Zimmer game encounters.
Havin fun! tommy
Day III: After a great crab feed along with great music at the club It was off to chez Zim for Anita, Mary and myself. Bed time for this bozo. This morning as usual I was up early and ready to go. Ah my new hangouut Starbucks for coffee and putering was instore. Got up got dressed and looked outside only to find snow. Well here I sit in my favorite chair doing my morning putering and having my coffee at chez Zim. Today agenda should include Breakfast, Church,  followed by games and dinner including grandma Zimmer. 
Day IV: Heading home. Did not make it past 9pm. Once again I snuck out early this morning to score on some Starbucks and WIFI in order not to disturb the sleepers. Hey they can sleep in. After all they stay up way past my bed time. Steve stopped by Starbucks this morning to say good bye. Well this place is all of a sudden getting very busy. So I had better head back up the mountain and see if anyone is up.
Every one was off to the airport around noon. Anita and I dropped Mary off at PDX on our way back home. Great drive. home around 4pm.
Thanks Everyone for another GREAT Game weekend!

The Water is Rising

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It's Jan 8th and the news is full of reports of major flooding all around western Washington. Our situation here on lake Sammamish is. Yesterday the dock was about 6 to 8 inches out of the Water. It's now almost 5am and the dock has disappeared.
0800 got out and sent some debris down the lake for others to enjoy
Now Jan 9th and the water is still coming up. About 8in since yesterday morning. I have marked and am watching the level and the weather forecast. If it is still coming up or there are any high winds forecast I will have to put the boat on stilts. A beautiful day today except for the wind coming out of the east. So I can not send the debris that is floting over the garden on its way down the lake.

Jan 12 Looks like this round is over. The lake has gone down about 4in since it’s high. Now I can only wait for mother natures next event. As always. Enjoying life on the lake. Tommy