Spokane for Easter 2008

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We are now off to Spokane for Easter with Bob, Mary, Steve and Liz. At the moment we zooming down I90. Got out of the hous around 10:15 and drove to Ellensberg for a couple tacos and a fill up on gas. $3.35/gal across from Taco Del Mar/Starbucks. Encountered a small bit of snow thru the pass but the roads were bare and wet. Anita just took over driving in Sprig and I took over the puter and thought I would get a little blogging started. It's now 2:20 and we are just starting to get into the trees on the outskirts of Spokane infact just past the Spokane County sign and according to the GPS we have 32 mi before Chez Frey. All in all its been a good ride. Made it Bob and Mary's at 2:30. All is well.

Palm Springs Day 3 & 4

Day 3. After some morning munchies we headed out to Indian Canyons. The Canyons are located about a 10min drive from Virginia's. Driving into the park it was evident that this was a good idea and place to visit. A short walk from the parking lot was one totally cool waterfall and because of the time of the year it was a waterfall. After the waterfall we headed out on a hike thru one of the canyons along a small creek. Again totally picturesque and a very easy hike. Then it was off to yet another canyon. The San Andreas canyon was equally beautiful. After this hike we were ready to head back to Virginias and take in the pool and great Jacuzzi. This worked wonders on some tired limbs after climbing over rocks and little off the trail jaunts.   We headed back out to downtown Palm Springs for dinner and the Palm Springs Follies. The Follies are a stage show presented by an older and amazing cast. It really sounded like a total bust to me. But to my surprise it was fantastic! The cast's age ran from a young 55 to a young 85. Yes 85 and a show girl. Infarct the oldest showgirl in the world! These people could sing and dance with the energy of 20 year olds. It was really something you have to see to believe. We were thoroughly  entertained for a full 3 hours. The headliner of the show was Melba Moore.

This morning the 4th day I woke up early as normal and went for a walkabout as not to disturb the sleeping beauties. Now Anita and I are sitting at the airport in hopes of getting on the  Alaska 10:30 flt home to Seattle. Things are sort of iffy due to a change of equipment and a reduction of 14 chairs.  OOPs could not get on so we are now hanging til 6:16p.

Joshua Tree State park Day 2

 

Big Rocks	She Rocks!!

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Day two Virginia, Lyn Hackelman, Anita and I drove up and thru Joshua Tree Park. Wow! those were some major rocks. We say lot's of rock climbers. It got pretty darn cold mainly due to altitude and wind. But it was definitely something to see

Palm Springs 2008

Departure Screen	SeaTac Main Trminal

 

Finally got off on our Palm Springs trip. We went out for a 3:30 Departure on Saturday,But there were no seats. So it was back home and we would try again Sunday morning on the 07:15 flight. Wala! not only made it on but scored on a window and isle exit row seat with no one in the center seat. That alone made it worth missing the flight the night before.
  There seems to be some major battery issues with my laptop. Unless just because I have so much running. Music, Windows Live Writer, and some photo stuff.

Got here and went out for some munchies. Now we are heading to the Salton Sea for a look see

	Had Dinner with the Guy's. Picture on left Brandon,Jackie,Chris,& Sydney. Wonderfull dinner and visit. Thanks Jacks & Chris

Dinner and Dominos

	Dinner and Dominos with Bill,Robin,John,Everett and Barbara. Had a great steak feed and lots of laughs. John was home on Easter break from WSU. Click For Pics

Storm Front

Nothing much happening this morning. I did take this photo that caught my eye. It gives a good view of a change in the weather

picture test

Birthday Air Chair Ride

I promised myself this since I was a young boy. To be playing on the watter when I was 65. Yes I did it!! Luckily the weather cooperated on March 4th my Birthday. Anita Dave Oliver and I hit the lake for the first AirChair ride of the season. Damn I think the water gets colder as you get older. Or at least it felt that way.
Had a Great ride. Thanks Anita and Dave
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Let The Party Start

Let the Party Begin! It's almost my birthday. The picture is of me showing off my New hat. Hand knitted by knitter boy Adam DeLeo. We had a family gathering last night with Bill, Robin & Adam. They came up for yet another dinner featuring Steak Tommy. I think everyone had a good time. I know I did and am looking forward to the rest of the week in my new hat. To see more pictures from the events click HERE
tommy

Off to Spokane Again

Headed out to Spokane this morning. Departed around 9am. There was still some major snow at Snoqualmie pass left over from last weekends major snow dump. Planning on heading up to Dimond lake tomorrow (Sun) to check out the lake cabin and snow pack.
Sunday Anita, Mary and I drove up to Dimond lake to check out the cabin. Well there was lots of snow and laughs trying to walk around in it. Everything was perfect. Sunny and bright, We had to do just a little digging to get the door to open. I really feel there is something speicial about this place no matter what time of year it may be.
What's next around here is still up in the air. And thats a good thing, Click HERE to see more pictures

Brook's Birthday

Brooke arrived in Seattle from Boise on Feb 6th (Her Birthday) She was in town for a social workers convention/workshop. We all met up with Adam who drove down from Bellingham for birthday dinner at Mama's Mexican food restaurant in Belltown. On the 7th Anita and I picked her up at the downtown Sheraton and she spent the night with us. The following morning we drove her back to the Sheraton and her workshop.

All in all it was great seeing the family minus John who is buried in the snow at WSU.

 

Spokane Jan 22

We had a great drive to Spokane this morning. Hit snow around North Bend and the earth was white all the way to Bob and Mary's. The roads were bare and dry the entire way. And there was not a cloud in the sky the entire way. We arrived around 2:30 to be greeted by 17 degrees. Got the shot from the forest behind the house. I will be back with more





Headed home Fri the 25th with clear roads and skyes the entire drive home. Click HERE for more pictures

Adam back in the groove

Went down to Bill and Robin's yesterday (01/21/08) for a great dinner and to catch up with Adam, Whom we had not seen since he left for his South East Asia trek in Sep. Adam put together a small slide show of some of his adventures. You can click HERE for a small portion of the shots. Hopefully he will add more and some captions. Anyway it was great seeing him and hoping he gets some more college credits behind him before he heads out on his next adventure.

Sowder Farm's visit

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Headed of to Sowder Farm's (Jane and Larry's) for the weekend to spend a little time together, Maybe even take in the Seahawk second round playoff game on the TV on Saturday. We have been trying to head east of the mount ins most of this week but have been held back due to major amounts of snow falling. The trip over was a breeze. The roads were either bare and wet or bare and dry the whole way. There were major amounts of snow in the pass and the roadside was covered with snow from North Bend to Yakima. "Love looking at that snow" Had a great dinner with Jane, Larry, Elayna , Anita and I. Then played some domino's, It's now Sat morning and the only one's up are myself and the dogs and I guess the troops at the Yakima firing center. "just heard some rounds go off"

After a disappointing lose Seahawks vs Green Bay. We had another good dinner and more domino practice. We got on our way home around 10:30 Sunday Morning. And had yet another great drive home.

Bill Turns 57

Billy is celebrating his 57th Birthday a few days early. Actually his Birthday is on the 10th, But he will be in Seoul Korea that day getting the big bucks for Holiday pay. We had the usual "Steak Tommy" a couple games of Dominoes and a few laughs. To see more pictures click HERE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY brother

tommy

2008

Happy New Year
This morning is starting out with a Great start! Stayed home last night, Went to bed early and am now starting 2008 out with a clear head and feeling GREAT!

200

Off to Portland for Christmas

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Made it to Portland in fine time. We hit the road at 0930 and made it to grandmas around 1300 with a few stops along the way(none for traffic ) after arriving at Steve and Liz's we visited and had some great home made soup. Then it was off to the Kernens (Liz's sisters family) for festivities. Well it's now around 0600 Christmas morning and I am in my favorite chair in front of the fireplace doing what I do best.

Holidays @ Bill & Robins

We picked up John at Southcenter from his bus ride home from WSU for the Christmas break. Headed down to Bill and Robins for another great chicken bbq. As you can see by the picture Robin is loving having her youngest home after some time now adjusting to the empty nest syndrome. Hopefully Adam will be coming in from southeast Asia where he has been trekking since early Oct. He is trying to get home the 17h. (Check out his blog here) We all have our fingers crossed he can score on a seat on the oversold flights from BKK/NRT/SEA. Boy will mom be smiling then. All her boys home at once. Billy, Adam, John, and Sparkey!
Anyway it's Sunday morning and this is the week of getting together with friends and family so I probably will be checking in regularly with updates.
Time to get some fresh coffee:)
Catch You Later tommy:)

Sunrise Chat

We are at home scheduling ourselves for the Christmas holidays. Had a memorable sunrise this morning. I think it was because of all the rain we have had the atmosphere is so clear. I can't remember the sun being as bright as it was this morning. I got up to take a peek and was seeing spots for 10min afterwords. As you can see in the picture the amount of light coming in. Anita is off to an annual Clipped Wings luncheon today. I think because its so nice out I will attempt to clean some of the debris that the high water and storm brought in.

Off to Spokane

It's now 0535 and I am doing my morning geek read. I have not found any must know news as yet. We are planing on getting out of here by 1000. Anita is still sleeping (smart) We are both looking forward to this adventure as there should be quite a bit of snow between the pass and Spokane. Hopefully this will make for some nice photo ops.
We finally got under way at 1020. This picture was taken at Snoqualmie Pass around noon. We had a smooth drive all the way to Spokane the roads were bare and dry all the way, Snow along the roadside all the way from the pass to Bob and Mary's. Arrived here at 2:50. It's Cold about 22 degrees at the moment and now its almost dinner time.

Good Morning Dec 1

Baby it's cold out. As usal I am happy snuggled away from the caos by the fire place with a warm laptop on my laptop (computer that is)
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It's now Sunday morning already. After a little snow shoveling we headed up the road to visit Barb and Fran Berkhart. A good time was had by all.