Friday, September 10, 2010

AUGUST 2010


Smoke from fires in British Columbia caused unusual sky.
Sun going down from our backyard.


Grandson Brandon visits us and doubly enjoys mowing the lawn.


We visit the wind generators again returning Brandon.


Returning, a view north of the Columbia River as we head toward...


...Sentinal Gap.  View looking west across the Columbia.
Many orchards are across the river here.


View north from the same place, Wanapum Dam in the distance.


After crossing the Columbia, we stop to visit Ginkgo Petrified Wood State Park above the river.
Much petrified wood is found in this area.


View south from the park, Vantage bridge in view.


This map shows the extent of the great floods 10,000 years ago that drastically altered the landscape.
Where the park is was totally under water.


Petroglyphs that were preserved and moved to the park before the dam created the Wanapum reservior in the 1960's.  


Matthew, Richard, Nels, Rachel & Ann at the Masons.
Matthew is well tanned after a summer of lifeguarding & looking forward to college.


Most of our new landscaping plants are doing well.  Also note a roof clean of moss.

We now make another trip to Sprague for the twins  7th birthday.


On the way we stop at Ritzville to see Alane and the same bus that got a little stuck in the spring.


Before school starts, she has been transporting kids for sports practice.  This is the weight room at Ritzville High School.


In Sprague, Eli (almost 7) shows off his climbing skills.


Sam and Eli take a break on a walk with grandpa.


Adah has been recovering from a illness, but getting better.


Sometimes we boys need a timeout!


Happy 7th Birthday to Adah and Eli!


With new swim goggles and finger puppets, here are Sam, Adah & Eli.


Do Filbert/Hazelwood trees put out many nuts?  The squrrels and jays harvest them early.


Seen on a morning walk in our neighborhood.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

JULY 2010


This time we take the ferry from Edmonds to Keystone.
Anne and Rachel standing next to their friend Teal.


Daughter Laura on the ferry.


The Norwegian Star heading north to Alaska from Seattle.


View of Hood's Head from Twin Spits.  Marianne & Ken have a cabin on the island.


Nels, Laura and Jean as we start a beach walk.


Closer view of Hood's Head - Marianne & Ken's property is on the right side.



Nel's parents house is the white one.


Sunset on Twin Spits.


Next morning walk to the northern spit.  Double vision?  


View south from the northern spit.


Jean, Anne, Rachel and Nels.


VISIT OF THE MICHELS GRANDKIDS 


Drive to Sprague, pick up grandkids, on way back stop at the Columbia River.



View south toward's Wanapum Dam and Sentinal Gap.



We do a hike through our woods.



We take the bus to Seattle, then board the Monorail to the Seattle Center.
Yes, that's Eli.



View towards the Seattle Center and the Space Needle.



Lunch at the fountain.  All this area originally developed for the Seattle Worlds Fair in 1962.



Adah enjoying the fountain view.



Eli, Sam and Adah on the left, walking the labrinth near the Experience Music structure.


Sam, Adah and Eli on the merry-go-round.



The monorail comes through the EMP building.



Waiting for the bus in the transit system tunnel.



Adah in filburt tree.



Eli and Sam study fluid dynamics.




We visit the Reptile Man's museum in Monroe - Eli with corn snake.



Adah "pets" the tortoise.



Are we exausted?  Well some of us are.



Returning to Sprague, we visit the wind power visitor center up above the Columbia River.



Jean and the grandkids check out the blade size.



We can see both Mt. Rainier (in view) and Mt. Adams.


Back home again....