Snoqualmie Ridge in November

A week at James and Amy's (Spencer and Garrett, too) in Washington at the beginning of the rainy season. Beautiful weather for our flight out Wednesday (11/4) where we met Brenda at Sea-Tac Airport and picked up her rental car. We couldn't seem to find a place for a late lunch so we went directly to Reagan's house on the Ridge. Late lunch with Amy and Garrett, then on to pick up Spencer at his bus stop. Later to see Spencer at Tae-Kwon-Do class.

Thursday we got the boys off to third grade for Spencer who gets a ride to school with James on his way to work and preschool for Garrett who shares rides with another boy. After we picked up the boys from preschool and dropped off Kyle we were off to do some shopping--the girls to a craft barn and the boys (Garrett and I) off to Home Depot. Then late lunch at a great steak house. We picked up Spencer at his bus stop and were off to home to get Garrett ready for soccer.

Breakfast Friday was in North Bend at George's Bakery for some of their fabulous baked goods, especially their BIG doughnut. Spencer's school had teacher workday so he and G-man (preschool M, T, Th only) had a great time at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett--water discovery; train, plane, and bus exploration; art center; construction arena; rooftop play and climbing; and self-directed theater kept the boys (and adults) busy for hours. Met James at home, the off to Kent for dinner at Spiro's followed by WHL hockey game; Seattle Thunderbirds lost to Spokane Chiefs.

We are now in the midst of some serious rain and on Saturday morning Spencer plays soccer in the water and mud of a nearby park. I am proud he tolerated the cold rain, playing very hard in difficult conditions. We boys watched some college football (which starts 9 am there) including Purdue's win at U of Michigan for the first time in our children's lifetimes! and a nostalgia rush playing vibrating football (called electric football when I was a kid), the game where plastic football players move on a vibrating field until the ball carrier is touched by an opponent. Meanwhile, the women were off to a scrapbook and craft convention and fabulous lunch.

After a lazy Sunday morning we dressed for threatening weather we expected in Seattle for the Seahawks-Lions football game (luckily it was dry, though cool and overcast). Lunch at a Chinese restaurant in the International District, the off to the game where we watched the Lions end the first quarter ahead 17-0 but finally lost 32-20.

Monday found us easily fixing some doors and laundering clothes between transporting the boys. Amy fixed dinner for us and we watched Monday Night Football which begins at 5:30!

Kathy and Amy help at Spencer's school on Tuesday while Brenda works on business and I read my book at a nearby Panera Bread. We pick up Garrett from school along with a friend and his brother who we watch so their dad can work from home. All of us go to a McD with a play area for the boys. Later Mexican cuisine for our last dinner.

Brenda, Kathy, and I go to the airport together early Wednesday, drop off the rental car, and grab a quick bite for breakfast. Brenda got on her flight and we ours a couple hours later--since she had a stopover our planes landed about the same time. A wonderful visit, the first time we'd all been together in well over a year.

Brenda Impressive at Ford Field

Brenda was chosen for a chance to win a Ford truck.

We walked into the stadium shortly after the gates opened and a man walked up to Brenda and asked her if she would be interested in trying to win the truck.  All she had to do  is throw a football through a target about 24 inches in diameter from a distance of 17 yards(we have seen this during halftimes of games).  (To convince me it is somewhat probable show a video of a Lions quarterback doing it.  Or some other quarterback even.)

"Sure, what do I have to lose."  She then answered Mark's qualifying questions, signed the release forms, etc.  One restriction is she could not have played collegiately or professionally, or coached football, baseball, softball within the last 5 years.  Other questions made it evident they want a lay person participating.

We watched the first quarter from our regular seats, then met Mark at the beginning of the second quarter.  He got us field passes and escorted us down to the field where we stood in the end zone to watch the second quarter.  Exciting except play was at the opposite end of the field from us including two Lions fourth-and-ones and no first down, a Lions interception and fumble recovery.

At the end of the half players from both teams walked by us up the tunnel looking  impressively fit, large, and serious.  They looked the same when they passed us going the other way in the tunnel after halftime.  But I digress.

During halftime the truck with the target was driven onto the field and Brenda was taken to her position.  Her name was announced and her picture shown on the big screen.  She was ready -- pumped up!  She took the ball, her arm went back, she strode forward, and let it fly.  The throw was in line with the target but did not travel far enough and wound up short.  (Lions fans understand that--they've seen it all year!)  We've seen attempts all season and hers was as good as any, better than most.  She commented that the ball was hard as a rock and heavier than she thought it would be.    

Quite a thrill for all of us.  A different view of the game.  We saw parts of the stadium we had not seen before and it's impressive.  And all the staff were very nice to us--warm, funny, but also professional.

Oh, yeah.  The Lions lost again preserving their perfect record.  They seemed to have a chance against the Vikings, but gave up a late score, got closer with a field goal, but could not stop Minnesota from running out the clock, giving up several first downs on third-and-long.  

Traveling the Great Northwest

On Wednesday we took the Amtrak train from Seattle, where the train station is being renovated, to Vancouver which has a fine train station adjoining a bus station.  No problem with immigration and customs in Canada (on the train we saw cars lined up at the border checkpoint).  Not far from the Vancouver station is their Skytrain light rail system that took us to downtown.  It's interesting that there are no turnstiles.  Buy your ticket from a machine and board the train.  Notices are posted that you must have a fare receipt and I suppose some people cheat, but they must figure the savings in personnel and construction must outweigh losses in revenue.  The train is underground in downtown and we exited our station to walk about four blocks to our hotel

Our room overlooked the harbor and we could see float planes take off, land, and taxi to their marina below us--they are used to taxi people about the region and for sightseeing tours.  And a cruise ship got underway while we watched, backing out of its slip, then heading off toward Alaska.  Fascinating.

We walked along the sea walk, past the float planes, and eventually reached a marina with some very large boats.  One in particular caught our attention and another visitor with his two daughters told us he worked for the owner who is a self-made billionaire and had been on the boat once for a meeting.  He said it is nicer inside than what it looks outside.  One hundred fifty feet, at least.  Some of the other boats we saw are for sale and prices ranged from about a half million to  about one and a half million--but that's Canadian dollars I am reminded.  Later we grabbed a quick snack and went to an IMAX movie.  Next day we walked to the Gastown section of the city, saw the famous steam clock toot noon, then toured a classic Chinese garden in Chinatown before our return train trip to Seattle.

Thr following morning we walked to Qwest Field to buy tickets for the Tigers-Mariners baseball game, had lunch, then entered the stadium in time to see the Tigers take batting practice.  We became some of those folks we notice standing in the first row watching their favorite players and snapping pictures.  A couple rows in front of our seats were a couple and their two boys who were Tiger fans.  We found out the dad was back from Iraq about a month after a 15 month tour.  We had a great time though the Tigers lost.

Saturday we picked up Brenda from the airport and, on our way to James' house, we visited the Museum of Flight.  Planes from all eras of flight, an old factory restored, and some space flight memorabilia.  The highlight was a walk aboard a Concorde and an Air Force One.

The next day we left for Lake Chelan located east of the Cascade Mountains just west of the Columbia River.  We drove a northern route on US 2 through Stevens Pass (we returned to Snoqualmie Ridge via I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass) pausing to walk a trail to a waterfall and stretch our legs in Leavenworth; some compare it to Frankenmuth but there are important differences like not having its main street through the center of town.  On to Wapato Point Resort and our condo for the week.  Amenities include outdoor pools, a great view, beaches, and many water recreations such as jet skis.

The lake is 55 miles long and we took the Lady of the Lake boat trip from Chelan on the southeast end to Stehekin, a town of about 80 with only water access, on the northwest.  Great scenery, relaxing ride.  When the boat arrived we took a narrated tour (aboard a school bus) to the 312 foot Rainbow Falls.  We left the tour bus on its way back to Stehekin to eat lunch at Stehekin Bakery Company.  After lunch we purchased some goodies to take back to our condo and walked the two miles back to the boat landing where we visited the shops and National Park center.  On returning to Chelan we had dinner and then to the condo.

Another day we rented a boat and  toured some of the lake and had a mid-lake picnic--very comfortable for nine of us.  A little chop in the water kept us from wandering too far toward Stehekin.

We swam, hiked, played Wii games, and played with the boys.  James grilled and we ate out.  The ladies took the boys into town to see the movie Wall-E and eat popcorn and drink soda pop. We found geocaches along the Columbia River on a day trip north from Chelan to see some of the small towns there, and on our way back to the Ridge.

Joey joined us for a couple days--drove over from Spokane the day after one of his bicycle races.  We talked, went to the local coffee shop (this is a resort, not camping), played with the boys.  We were all glad to see him.

On our way back to Snoqualmie Ridge we saw forest fires still burning along the Columbia and the black remnants were visible for miles along our route--something we do not see in Romeo. Then close to Snoqualmie Pass James gave us coordinates to his cache and we found it in a park where we walked past rapids and a waterfall.

Spent Sunday night at James' and the following morning with Amy and the boys (she took her folks and Brenda to the airport earlier in the morning) and walked to get our coffee and rolls at the local Starbucks. Kathy and I left for our flight home.

A great trip.  A week with the whole family--fantastic.

Christmas Week With Brenda

We had a great time at Brenda's. Christmas day, of course, we just lounged around, ate dinner, opened gifts, and watched some sports.

We traveled to Stones River National Battlefield. Reenactments of the battle were staged, cannon were fired, "soldiers" explained how they felt and what they thought. A tour of the site gives a sense of the enormity of the battle, the condition of the terrain, and difficulties posed by the cedar woods.




A short way from the encampment of tents, soldiers, cannon, rifles, and wagons is the Stones River National Cemetery which has the oldest Civil War monument--quite impressive. We found a William Reagan from Indiana and an Albert Corey from Illinois listed among the buried. This experience gives me pause to reflect on how much so many have sacrificed to build this nation into what we are today.



The Nashville Zoo was bustling with zoo-goers--infants, toddlers, and kids, young people and older, all out on a cool, cloudy day to see the animals. Impressive zoo. I especially liked the Bengal Tigers, Meerkats (shown below huddling together in the cold), Grant's Zebra and the Toco Toucan. On the grounds is also a carousel and the old homestead of Grassmere. Not yet finished, the plans look to make this an outstanding zoo.



We did some shopping with Brenda and helped select some new furniture and furnishings. We did some geocaching later one nice day but had time for only one find.

Saw Purdue beat Central Michigan and the Titans beat Indianapolis Colts to qualify for the playoffs. In addition Nashville hosted the Music City Bowl between Kentucky and Florida State and for several days bracketing the game we saw fans of both decked out in their colors.

The time went by so fast, but Brenda reminded me that I gained an hour going down so it shouldn't seem that bad.

Thanksgiving Week

Brenda is back in Nashville--she left Saturday evening. I enjoyed her visit.

Couple Lions games, couple days of shopping, she had lunch a couple days with friends, a couple crafts projects, and a couple card games we had not played in years. A couple tears when we dropped her off.

She was worried that some of her carry-on stuff would not be allowed--too many pieces--so we waited in a cell phone lot in case we had to return to lighten her load. We used the north cell phone lot not far from I-94 and her ok call came through within minutes of pulling in. There is a second cell phone lot on the south end of the airport to replace the cell waiting lane on a shoulder of the road leading into the McNamara Terminal from the south. We used the shoulder waiting area when we picked Brenda up and heard a report on TV of the new south cell lot. We will find the south cell lot next time.

Seems quiet here his morning. The good part is we will see her in Nashville for Christmas.

Thanksgiving Feast

Today we have our turkey and all the fixings. Because we are going to the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day football game tomorrow, against the Packers, we have been having our big meal the day before. That way Kathy can enjoy the game and not be concerned about the bird burning or splashing grease around the oven.

Brenda arrived last Friday evening for a week visit. She went with us Sunday to the Lions-Giants game, one that disappointed us. The Lions did not show consistent play, too many dropped passes (unusual this season at home), and breakdowns on kick coverage (that is consistent over the course of the season). We had breakfast at Detroit Breakfast Grill (co-owned by Robert Porcher) on Woodward between the river and Grand Circus Park. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Dinner on the way home at Champs Sports Grill though our first choice was Joe's Crabshack which we found to be closed permanently.

Kathy and Brenda have done their share of shopping and crafting and left me here--not disappointing--to finish up leaf collection. Our two large maple trees in front dropped their leaves over the weekend, later than usual, and needed to be picked up before rain and snow predicted for today and tomorrow.

Gobble, gobble. Time to eat.

Hey y'all.

A busy fun week with Brenda in Nashville working hard together completing many projects and tasks, and playing hard.

• Shopping for furniture for her hobby room and then assembling it.


• Shopping for a sofa but having to settle for love seats because getting sofas up the stairs might be impossible, then finding some love seats are also too big in one dimension. Taking the love seat to the garage for pickup by Salvation Army.


• Fixing a plumbing problem that just happened--a fill valve would not close.


• Being around for some workers to repair nail pops and drywall cracks.


• Geocaching and grabbing a few, and also finding a homeless man in a woods we were bushwhacking and decided to not return that way.


• Cutting back plants for them to overwinter.


• Making drapes and hanging hardware.


• Hanging a fabulous wall sculpture.


• Dining out.


• Watching football and baseball, and being glad the Lions had their bye week.

And missing the tornado producing storms on our drive home. They were to our west on a north-south line stretching from Alabama to Michigan, but the whole trip we managed to stay east of them and got home hours before the tornadoes were spawned in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan.

Reagans at Emerald Lake

What an exciting week.

Picked up Brenda from Grand Rapids airport last Wednesday. On our way to Emerald Lake with her we visited Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in GR. Great display. Many important historical events in his partial term that I had forgotten--fall of Saigon, WIN for Whip Inflation Now, and the SS Mayaguez capture. In addition to the museum his burial spot is outside the museum as is a garden dedicated to Betty Ford.

James, Amy, Spencer and Garrett arrive in the middle of the night after driving out of a severe thunderstorm in northern Indiana. Unbeknownst to us the pump was not working to bring water into the house until they arrived, but the following morning Kelvin fixed the problem, a broken pressure switch.

Off to the circus in Evart. Cotton candy, elephants, jugglers, trapeze, trained dogs and horses, etc. The sounds and smells are distinctive. And as soon as it ended, workers were tearing down the bleachers and tent for their trip to the next stop.

Angie hosted a cookout and bonfire for the family--three generations laughing, telling stories, playing on Kamber's wood play structure, eating, laughing, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.

Geocached around Evart, Reed City, and Big Rapids. Found some and had a couple stumpers. Still cannot find the multicache in Hemlock Park!

When the rainy weather sent us indoors, we tried bowling one day. Spencer and Garrett gave us a run for our money. Did not know alleys now have bumpers along the lanes to keep kids' balls (and mine, too) out of the gutters. I should get out more often.

Ranger rides took us out over our property and Kelvin's. We saw turkeys and deer, picked apples and berries. And rode through the woods.

The highlight for the boys might have been the fire station tour that Shane gave them. Sitting inside a fire truck and climbing up the outside, putting on the fire suit, and dragging a hose put smiles on two boys' faces.

The week at Emerald Lake put big smiles on our faces too.