Project Adam

We went down to Bill and Robin's for yet another fantastic chuk(chicken) BBQ.
  Adam has been expanding his pond which is a good thing as I am sure it gives him a lot of time to ponder about his future while giving him lots of exercise and creating a great water feature on the Key Center estate. I was very impressed with what he has acomplished. I also was impressed with what he has learned by doing. He has engineered ramps to move that heavy mud and water diversions to make his project possible.
  I actually think in a few years when the next generation of DeLeo's / Holman's come to visit grandma and grandpa they will be able go down to Adam's Fish Pond and snag a trout or two as their uncle Adam did when he was young.  I only hope that Anita and I will be able to witness this event in person.  Click HERE for more Pictures
   Good Job Adam!

Looks Like it will be off to Sowder Farms next weekend to help Jane turning 60 on the 3rd. It's so hard to imagine my little sister reaching this point in time. Damn that must mean I am getting older also. "Na NO WAY!" 
Well the fall weather has been and is predicted to stay spectacular thru out the week.So I had better sign off for now. See you from Selah next week.

Long Beach day III

One Last picture of the gang preparing to say our good by's. We started the day by just hanging around, taking a last morning walk on the beach, having a great Billy pancake breakfast, And yes cleaning up the digs and packing up our goodies for the trek home. Jane and larry were the first to head out. So now we all had time to talk about them behind their backs. Shortly there after Anita and I and Bill and Robin hit the road. We left Barbara and Everett there to wait for the last load of wash to be unloaded. I wonder what those alone at last honeymooners  did while the close were drying?  Bill and Rob beat us home by 10 min and Jane and Larry arrived home over an hr later, but they stopped for munchies. And who knows the Chun,s may still be there.
  Now a full day later and a few phone conversations between the parties. It's official EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME!! Well my bag is 10min from being packed and I am ready to roll on yet another adventure. 
click HERE for more pictures

Long Beach Birthday Gathering day II

After a good nights sleep I scurried out to catch sunrise. After a few shots and some quiet moments on the beach another great day began. Returned to the rental for breakfast prepared by Anita. After getting all our ducks in a row it was off to the south end of the peninsula to checkout the Lewis and Clark interpretive center and look out over where the Columbia river meets the Pacific ocean
After getting back it was time to prepare dinner. A salmon brought from Alaska by John. Billy and Larry did the BBQ and the party began.
Another perfect day.

Long Beach Birthday Gathering day I

Headed out to Long Beach Washington early Friday morning for a gartering of the DeLeo /Chun calan for a get together to celebrate Jane and Robin's 60th birthday. Had a great drive. No traffic and after our turn off just beyond Olympia new roads to explore Also prior to our turnoff we checked out Cabalas sporting goods store which was an adventure in itself. After doddering along the way we arrived first at the rental house. I think it was beyond all our expectations. Shortly there after Billy and Robin arrived followed by Everett and Barbara then Larry and Jane. All the provisions were brought in we bundled up and it was off across the dunes to great walk on the beach. I believe Long Beach is the longest continuous beach on the west coast some 22 miles of flat sand very cool. After not near enough time on the beach it was back to the digs for munchies,tear jerking laughs and dinner

HNL Day IV

Good morning and I do mean morning here in HNL. We had a 0315 pickup at the hotel this morning in order to  make a 0659 departure to the mainland. I am writing this from the aircraft seat 6a and b I guess life is good here in the friendly skies. These days in air travel friendly is about all that is left. Had a good trip across the pond. Things got a little scary in SFO as the load on the trip to SEA filled up. Our luck not only held out but we got FC and had the pleasure of Kathryn Flanagan as our Purser. So now we zooming home,
  All in all this was a great trip and to top it off. I am watching My name is Earl on flt video.

HNL Day III

Hello again Life is GOOD again this morning a lobby full of hot coffee and a gentle island breeze flowing thru the lobby. Its 6am here and the day is just breaking. Just had to put this silly picture in just to show I can be at home here also . Today we are planning to have breakfast with an old flying friend Phil Yee who is still flying out of Chicago and is here on a layover. Then it's off to the other side of the island for the doings at Pam's. This should be a real experience. We are riding over with Lynn and Gordon. I am sure I will have good pictures, Which reminds me I had better charge the battery in my camera for safety sake. Till later Living LARGE in HNL. Met Phil and had a great breakfast and visit at the beach next to Chucks steak house. We then off for a swim at Wikiki beach. Thanks to Anita we did the swim at the beach each day.
  After freshening up it was off to the other side of the island for the big bbq at the farm/ranch. My vote is for ranch Things were unbelievable even the horses looked like they were freshly polished. Had a great catered bbq by a local restaurant. Headed back to Wikiki for some serious packing due to our getup for our pickup

Hnl day II

Hey honey do you think we both can fit on this baby? After taking a walk to "Eggs & Things" only to find out they are out of business. We came back to the hotel and checked out a couple scooter rentals. That was a brief idea now it looks like the beach is next on our agenda.
  Did the beach. The water was unusually warm and the activity was amazing as always. Jim Schuler's birthday bash was pretty amazing also "No stops there" The food and beverages flowed  like the market went up 2000 points.  Thanks to our wonderfull friends Jim and Bet the evening was a total success.

Tomarrow is the big Hawaiian casual party at Jim's daughter Pam's what is sometimes called farm or ranch depending on who you are talking to.  We are really looking forward to that part of this adventure in paradise. Good night all. (actually I am sitting in the lobby of the Seaside hotel having fresh coffee and finishing up today/yesterdays post.

Jim Schuler's 70th Birthday Bash

 

 Click HERE for more pictures

Off to Honolulu to help celebrate Jim Schulers 70th Birthday Bash. Got out of the house at 0400 (like the old days) Shot right on the 0600 flt from SEA/SFO f/c. After a short layover in SFO we boarded the flt to HNL Anita in F/C and me in good old coach which is great for me as I have my little laptop and I am happy as a clam and a Happy wife is a happy Tommy. Got my $$$ for a fabulous snack. Things just don't get much better. Wow I just got my full meal deal. Brooke & Jason would really get a big laugh out of this I just got a turkey wrap (pinwheel) but damn am hungry. Wonder what Anita is dining on up front?
    Hey turkey wraps are not that bad (when you are starved)
  Made it to the hotel, Let the games begin.

Day 5 Diamond Lake shutdown

Back in Spokane. Went to Diamond lake to put the cabin to bed for the winter. My favorite thing go down in the crawl space to shut off and drain the water. The day was perfect for the job not too hot and it was unbelievably quiet at the lake. We had lunch at the cabin and then it was back to Mary's for some BBQ chicken. Tomorrow after a little brunch I think we will head back to Seattle.

Day 4 Flathead lake to Spokane

Got up to catch sunrise over Flathead lake. Not very spectacular but it was sunrise. Once again had a good breakfast at the lodge. Headed out around 9am heading back to Spokane. Stopped at a few small lakes along the way also at a hot springs resort. After a couple of hours of great scenery and super highway speeds we stopped in Couer D' Alene where we took in a classic wooden boat show and scored on some munchies. Then it was off to Spokane and a evening at Chez Frey and BBQ burgers. Tomorrow (Sat) we will head up to the cabin at Diamond lake and prepare the cabin for the winter.

Day 3 Anaconda to Flathead Lake

Sunrise at Fairmont  hot springs. Headed into Anaconda in search of old haunts and memories. Had a good breakfast then visited Anitas old digs. After checking the town out we headed north to Flathead lake. Damn that is one big lake! Had a good dinner and stayed at the Best Western hotel in Poulson on the lake

Day 2 Montana Adventure

It was early to rise at Mary's In fact we were out of there by shortly after 7am. Stopped for a great breakfast at a little restaurant in Spokane. The weather was perfect. We made it to Kellog before we needed to stop for coffee. Found a drive thru convenience store. Yes drive thru. Then it was back on 90 heading east. Arrived at Fairmont Hot Springs just in time for a dip in the 100 degree pool the off to dinner. After dinner we drove back into Anaconda to check out the Washow theater and see if we could find any other of Anita's haunts from 60 years past. We did quite well. Including the Paradise bar that Anita's dad once owned. Still there still doing business. Then it was back to Fairmont for hopefully a good nights sleep. Heading out early in the morning for a little more Montana discovery.

Also for more pics click on the link at the bottom of my last post Day 1

Montana Adventrue day 1

Off to Montana to visit Anaconda (Anita's birthplace) and to check out the area.  We started this morning for the first leg of our journey. Tonight we will be bunking at Anita's sister Mary's and having steak on the BBQ.

Had a great drive over. Sort of meandering and stopping along the way. Actually got to clear an item from my bucket list. Rode the wild horses across the Columbia from Vantage. I always wanted to get up close and personal with these magnificent beasts. I had better get out of the house and start getting the barbie fired up and ready for some flatiorn  steaks. Oh by the way the evening is just perfect here in Spokane. Still,warm,and not a cloud in sight. Tomorrow morning Wed. the 17th we hope to head east around 0730. We will be staying at the Fairmont Hot Springs just out of Anaconda. Thanks to a great Christmas gift from grandma. Good bye for now and if you want to see more pictures of our adventure click HERE

Portland for Carolyn's 93rd

Drove to Portland for an over nighter at Steves. To celebrate grandma's 93rd birthday a few days early. Steve and liz were in San Diego of for some business.

We took our friend Ginny along so she could visit an old roomate. A good time was had by all.

Play Date With Hesse

Spent the morning with Bob Hesse doing a little wiring. Other than standing atop a 24ft ladder in my bare feet working with 120 volts it was great getting a little time in with my old pal Bob Hesse. Hey what are friends for

 

Off to WSU & Spokane

Look at the time! I am late more pictures to follow. John and Adam make the BIG leap. Click HERE for more jump shots.
Adam and John spent the night at our house and we were off to WSU bright and early around 8:30 Had a great drive all of us taking turns driving and stopping for coffee, munchies,ect along the way. We arrived at WSU around 2:30. Unloaded the car and checked out John's digs. Then it was of to a driving and walking tour of the campus. The place was alive with everyone trying to get settled in to their new digs and getting reacquainted. After checking the place out we drove into Pullman and had dinner, Dropped John off and then it was off to Spokane for the weekend at Mary's to help celebrate her Birthday. Click Here for more pictures.

John and Adam Back from Alaska

The boys made it back from the summer in Alaska picking up fish in SouthEastern. Both boys looked great. John looking like a young Amish boy sporting his new (beard). Adam brought down some fresh king crab and some halibut. And John brought a couple of red salmon. We picked Bill up at the airport and proceeded to Key Center for a seafood feast. And a feast it was. Great seeing everybody and WELCOME Home boys.

Make my day

Summer is drawing to an end. But what more could I ask for? Here it is 5:45 am,68 degrees, A hot cup of fresh coffee and a new day breaking before my eyes. Yes life does not get much better than this. Sitting here on the deck watching the early skiers trying to catch the first run of the day on flat water and the ducks getting into position for the day. The usual heron checking the shoreline for breakfast or maybe like myself just enjoying  life.
It is suppose to be a hot one today. Probably the low 90's "Too damn HOT!" I often thin on mornings like this I only wish this time of day could go on all day. My time of day.
No life does not get much better than this.

Behymer's Stop By

Jerry and Jerilee Behymer arrived the evening of the 11th on their way back home to Ca. from their Cordova visit. Sounded like the trip was a great success. Great weather and everyone their Cordova family are all in good health and spirits. 
Yesterday we had a good morning starting with lots of coffee on the deck. Then took a drive up to Snoqualmi Falls  and Cascade golf course for a little look see. Came home and had some Dim Sum and salad in the yard and after a quick game of cards it was off to the airport for our goodbyes

Virginia Lacy Visit 2008

A fine morning a fine friend and a fine breakfast. Virginia came to spend a couple nights as always her company is great. Other than the house looking like a war zone due to the painting project.The visit is going great.
After a day of checking out the local fare with Anita. Like Whole Foods, Bellevue botanical gardens and a number of other stops we sat down to a wonderful evening on the deck and enjoyed Anita's shrimp boil and lots of visiting