Lazy Summer Days in Wenatchee

The Wenatchee days leading up to the Merrill Reunion were wonderful. Being with family is the best - I know it is what heaven is going to be like. Good weather, good times, good food, good laughter, and good people. We enjoyed playing games, cooking hot dogs, making smores, running through the sprinklers, celebrating Megan's birthday, trying to look tough (Ethan is the best at that), and just being goofy (Grandpa is good at that).

The Pit and the Fire Truck

Had an exciting incident in the days leading up to the Merrill Reunion. A lot of the fam had already gathered in Wenatchee to hang out before leaving for Port Townsend. I was in the backyard burning some scrap wood in the fire pit, when I saw a fire truck going up and down American Fruit Road. Evidently someone had smelled smoke and called 911. They finally pulled up Westridge and stopped in front of our place. Since my fire pit IS in compliance (I had checked on that prior to building it), I was not too concerned as they came around the side of house to talk to me. To my surprise, one of them was Blake Larson who, it just so happened, had poured the concrete for the sides of the fire pit! He smiled and we chatted for a bit as to how nice it looked. Of course, the grandchildren all had to check out the fire truck, and Blake was very nice about letting them climb in and see all of the equipment.

Split Duty

KR and I did split duty for a big chunk of July (13th-24th). I dropped her off at the Spokane Airport on our return from the Dakotas and she flew to Utah for Bethany's wedding. I drove home, then to Ocean Shores for a three-day legal seminar, then back home for a few days before leaving for Idaho to attend Kyle's graduation from BYU-I in Rexburg. KR meanwhile, crossed within a few miles of me on her way home from Utah with her parents - she was in Tri-Cities and I was in Clarkston, Washington. I did some family history while in Mackay, Idaho - I am gathering information in order to put headstones on the graves of Isaiah and Isaac Anderton in Mackay. Then I returned home via the Bitterroot Valley and Missoula while KR was in Anacortes for Bethany's Washington reception. Whew!

(Pictures: Nash Wedding (2), at the Hogle Zoo, Grant, Tubing at Seven Peaks, Mackay, ID Cemetery, Kyle's Graduation (2))

PC Versus Mac

I have been receiving considerable ribbing lately about sticking with my PC. Both immediate and extended family have slowly been converting to the dark side. I came across this graph that kinda sums up my feelings on the matter. It was put together by the acclaimed Computer Research & Analysis Program at Boise State University (also known in techie circles as CRAP-BS).

A Great New Restaurant Idea?

Saw this establishment on one of our recent forays into America's hinterlands. Anyone thinking about starting a new business? Might work.

Dakota Getaway

For those of you looking for a great family vacation - look no further than the Black Hills. There are some wonderful and varied sights in a relatively small area and we had a GREAT time. Here are some pics of the more than 50 things we visited in our two-week jaunt (June 30th-July 12th). Other cool places that are not pictured: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Jewel Cave National Monument, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Lead, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Fort Meade, Custer State Park, Fort Robinson State Park (Nebraska), Wounded Knee, Pierre, and Bismarck (North Dakota).

We got the idea to switch to a rental car in Spokane and leave our car in a safe place. As we were making a loop, it made sense to put the miles on a rental. It ended up being a good idea, as we logged over 4000 miles. Many of the rivers we passed along the way were in flood stage, but it didn't end up being a problem getting around, although there was major damage to many homes along the bigger rivers. The rodeo in Belle Fourche on the 4th of July was a highlight. A small-town feel, well done, and some good cowboys. For the kids, check out the bears and other North American mammals at Bear Country and the buffalo herd at Wind Cave NMT. We even managed a side trip to Devil's Tower. Before we were through, we explored parts of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska.

(Pictures: Old Postcard, Switching Cars in Spokane, the Flooding Yellowstone in Billings, Ellsworth AFB Air and Space Museum, KR Motorcycle Watching in Sturgis, Belle Fourche Rodeo, Deadwood, KR Cooling Her Feet in Spearfish Canyon, Howling Mammals at Bear Country, an Angel at Devil's Tower, Another Face on Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument (a Work in Progress), Snake Attack at Reptile Gardens, Buffalo at Wind Cave, the Stark Beauty of Badlands NP (2), Wall Drug in SD, Flood Discharge at Garrison Dam, Flooded Minot, SD)