Taking Virginia Lacy back to SEATAC

We Met Vicki and Virginia at Steamers in Tacoma. After a great lunch (fresh halibut fish and chips) We headed for Virginia's hotel near SEATAC On the drive we stopped of at the Weyerhaeuser  Park. The picture above was taken at the bonsai exhibit. It was a great day spent with a great lady.

Mothers Day Trip Day 2

Da Boy's Getting ready to head out for Breakfast before Anita and I continued on to Portland. We had a GREAT breakfast in Gig Harbor Then continued on from there to Portland (a 2-1/2 hr drive) Stopped bye grandma's and took her out shopping. Then it was off to Steve's where we rustled up some steaks on the barbie an some good conversation. It's now Sunday morning and our plans are lunch at the home with grandma and then who knows what.

	Relaxing at the home after a big Mothers Day lunch at the home. (preparing for the future)

Now we wait for dinner!!

Mothers Day Trip to Shelton KeyCenter and Portland

Off this morning around 0930 on trip to Portland via Shelton and Key Center for Mothers day. Stopped off and picked up brother Bill and then off to Shelton for lunch dominios and a good visit with our good friends Vicki and Nanook. Mikes mom Virginia was down on a visit from Cordova Alaska. A great time was had by all. With full bellies and all the coinage from the domino game we headed back to Bills for a nights sleep before heading off to Portland Saturday morning. At the moment I a unfortunately wide awake (too much coffee during our heated game of dominions) but it does give me a chance to get this recap of this adventure started.

Key Center for a BBQ

Went to Key Center for a little Chicken Billy. As ALWAYS it's the best chicken in the North West. When we arrived Adam was getting his first haircut since Sep.

Everett and Barbara were also there for the festivities.

Adam was kind enough to bring out his craft kit and knit a little more on the great hat he knitted for my birthday.

Baby Ducks 2008

Just like clockwork. The 3 week in April normally brings us our First baby duck sighting. Last year they did not show till May. Every year I take and time stamp a picture of this spring event.
Tom

April Spokane Visit

Click HERE for more Pictures Our Stakes turned into spaghetti or as Isabel say basagitti.  Then it was off for an evening walk around the neighborhood with Clemmie, Isabel, Anita and Mary.

Headed off to Spokane this morning around 10:15 We stopped by Jane and Larry's for a great chili soup lunch and a short visit. We were back on the road around 2pm and headed off to Spokane some 205 mi away per the trusty GPS. Arrived at Chez Frey at 5:05. Everyone is in good spirts and we are going to BBQ some steaks.

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Day Two: Bob's niece Debbi visited from Olympia. The other picture is of  Anita and her Birthday gift

Time to Prepare

It's Wednesday and tomorrow is Anita's Birthday. "No Big Plans Yet" We are planning on going to Spokane on Sunday via Selah. Should be hanging in Spokane (GEG) for a couple of days.

More to come

Sowder Visit

Jane and Larry camped out here on Sunday night. Larry had a follow up visit to the doctor.

I did not get a chance to Blog this but we had a overnight visit with Jerry Behymer who came up for a seminar.

Late Late Snow!!

Hard to believe. I have never seen any snow on the ground here this late in the year. In fact I think  this the only snow I have seen here on the ground this year. For the last couple of days I have seen snow on the hills around the lake, But not here. I got up to go to bed last night and as usal looked out the windows on my way to bed and noticed the dock was white and the grass was covered. So I grabbed my camera and took a shot or two.

Spokane for Easter 2008

Click HERE for more pictures
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!!

Click HERE for more pics

 

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
Click HERE for more pictures.

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.