Click on the thumbnails to view a larger photo (when there are some)
"Take the time to notice some beauty in each day"
June 29, 2009 (Monday)
Not such good news this morning. I had the Mustang's transmission and rear end serviced-inspected this morning. <sigh> Both the transmission and rear end need to be rebuilt from what they told me. It will cost about $4,000.00 to do both. It still drives fine, but the information I received makes it sound as if it could stop working at any time. It never ends does it? Well, could be worse I guess. Six years ago today I was in the hospital with a very painful and life threatening condition (perforated colon)...and going into surgery. Ahead of me would be two weeks in the hospital (and no food for most of that time)...several months of recovery...and another surgery 9 months later. That and what my poor father went through for 19 months. I guess all that gives me a new perspective on this latest problem. See, it's not so bad! <wink wink nudge nudge>
June 30, 2009 (Tuesday)
I have this week off from work for vacation, so I went to spend this evening with an old friend who is fighting cancer. Please include Dan'l and Robin in your thoughts, prayers, and meditations...as they can use all the support and strength that can be sent their way.
Following the Naches river while driving to Dan and Robin's
Wow! What a beautiful and serene place you two!
The Naches river is in their back yard! SWEET!
My friend Dan'l. I've known him since 1974!
Out having a bit of a late lunch (I had a BLT)
Since they live less than an hour away from Chinook Pass, I talked Dan into riding up there with me to see if there is any snow left up there. YEP! Sure is! This is Tipsoo lake with Mt. Rainier in the background.
A couple of telephoto shots of portions of Mt. Rainier. Notice the glaciers and crevasses.
Me reveling in the snow and cooler temperatures at Tipsoo lake (well, at least the part of the lake that has melted out so far)!
A couple types of the many wildflowers growing out of the rocks in the road cuts. This one is Paintbrush
This is Phlox
Looking back down highway 410
When Robin gets home from work we drive to Whistlin' Jack's for dinner
Robin said she wanted to see this on my website, so here ya go Robin! Best darned peppercorn steak medallions I think I ever ate!
After dinner we return to their place to find a doe feeding nearly carefree in the yard!
July 1, 2009 (Wednesday)
Parting shot of Dan and Robin's beautiful home as Dan and I go to the Gold Creek Cafe' for breakfast. Good to see you two again, and thank you both so much for your hospitality! Fare thee well my friends, and hope to see you again soon. Let me know how today's PET scan goes. Love ya!
After breakfast I depart and head for Pasco to visit my mom and mutual friends for a couple of days.
Wow! It's just midday and it's already hot here at mom's!
Dan (a different Dan), mom, and Stacy in the shade in mom's yard.
A flower from the rose bush mom planted in dad's memory. It's called "Sentimental"
It's so hot here mom's dog Fashion even has her own pool to lay down in and cool off!
July 2, 2009 (Thursday)
Bob and mom having morning coffee. Bob (Bob and Stacy are mom's neighbors and good friends) is in the process of making one of the best bisquits and gravy breakfasts I've had in a long time! Thanks Bob! You da MAN!
I've wanted to do this for years, and I finally was able to drive to Walla Walla and do some walking down memory lane.
Talk about a shock. This is the house I grew up in. It looks almost nothing like it did when I was a child! They say you can't go home again...I guess they are right.
Next, the old grade school. It still looks nearly the same, but it's now apartments! Also, the school grounds we used to have recess on and frolic are now tightly packed houses! Geez!
Next, when I was a child my parents would occasionally take us to the Ice Burg Drive-In for hamburgers...the best in the universe! It's still there, but unfortunately Bob's HUGE bisquits and gravy breakfast has filled me up, and I cannot make room for a "super duper" burger! ARG! Next time!
After a few more stops in town I left via the Harvey Shaw road
Hot and dry! No trees here, just wheat fields! Each section of road seemed to trigger distant memories. Some quite distinct, some just vague feelings of familiarity. But fun never the less!
Another distant memory: Fishhook Park on the Snake River. Many a summer day was spent here as a child.
When I return to mom's I find her tending to her flowers. Here she is trimming dad's rose
A nice sunset this evening...even a bit of moon to highlight the sky. Also a couple of extra large Round Table King Arthur Supreme pizzas for dinner (well there was 5 of us, and plenty of leftovers)!