13-20 October 3013 South Prairie

October 13-14 Went to Olympia to take care of some business, then returned to our rig in South Prairie.

October 15  Went to Shelton today to pick up mail at our mailing address. We've had this same service for about twelve years, even when we lived in Shelton. Mail was sometimes stolen from rural mailboxes in Shelton and we were traveling often, so changing our mailing address was a good idea for us. We call them whenever we want our mail forwarded to us, and they hold it until we call. We are also able to receive non-postal service deliveries at our mailing address. Works for us.

Carlos has a special relationship with the manager Carole--he always knows when we drive into their parking lot, and runs in for treats and loves whenever we are there, excited even if it's been a year.

Kelly had a hankering for a good steak, so we went out to the Black Angus in Puyallup. Always good.

October 16  Wednesday. Drove to Poulsbo to visit our dear friend Patty who just moved there from Spokane. We met Patty in Shelton when we traveled with a senior group to New Orleans in 1999. At the time she lived in Olalla, Washington. In 2007 she moved to a senior apartment community in Spokane Valley, where we visited her a few times. Her birthday is one day after mine (she's 86!) and in 2011 and 2012 we went to the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane for lunch and birthday dessert.

Earlier this year Patty's grandson in Poulsbo invited her to come live with him and his family, and he built a detached apartment on his property for her--it is lovely, airy and snug, and with excellent carpentry and workmanship. She is just delighted and the place just suits her. We took her out to lunch in Poulsbo, had a little wine--she flirted with the young waiter. We are so happy for her. 

 

                                                           

Patty's dolls and frogs all have names

A good description of Patty is Lovingly Eccentric

Antiquing in downtown Poulsbo

Later in the afternoon we took some KFC over for dinner with Katrina, husband Jeff and our grandchildren Chandler, Taylor, and Makenna. After dinner we all went to Chandler's music concert. He's a junior and the head drummer in the band and orchestra--quite the confident man in charge! He has blossomed this year, and is a great student and musician.

October 17  Today we visited our friends Rod and Annette in Tacoma. I worked with Rod for many years in Tacoma at the US Geological Survey, Water Resources Division. We played bridge with Rod and Annette and other USGS people until we left Tacoma in 1990, and we have substituted for bridge evenings occasionally since then. It was Rod's cousin in Newfoundland that we visited, so we had lots to discuss and catch up with.

We looked over Rod's family tree, finding the Newfoundland branch

Later that afternoon we drove up to Auburn to see granddaughter Taylor's soccer game. Taylor is a sophomore this year, a good student, an athlete, and a beautiful young girl. Soccer is her love.

October 18  Friday. I dropped Patrice off at the Birthday Club lunch in Fircrest. The Birthday Club started over forty years ago, with Tacoma USGS wives getting together to celebrate birthdays in the month, typically on the second Friday of the month. Being October, they celebrated Jessie and Marci's birthdays. Six ladies attended, while Tom (Lorene was at the Birthday Club) and I had lunch at a Thai restaurant nearby.

That afternoon we drove south on I-5 to the Great Wolf Lodge near Chehalis to attend grandson Jason James's third birthday pizza party. The Great Wolf Lodge is a nice hotel with a water park and kids amusement area. Jason and Allison reserved a room overnight at the lodge, large enough for a pizza party. Daddy and Mommy, grandpas and grandmas, aunts and cousins brought toy firetrucks and helicopters, clothes and goodies for the birthday boy. We were tickled to meet Jason James's little girl cousin Astoria--she'll be three sometime in Noember. The kids (and parents) had been in the water park and as we were leaving, they were going to attend a Halloween show after the party. There would be more time for the water park in the morning.

Jason James' birthday cake 

 Proud daddy Jason with cake all gone

Jason

October 19  Saturday. Our granddaughter, Makenna, had a scoccer game this morning and we were able to attend. Makennais a sixth grader, a great student, and another beautiful granddaughter.

Makenna wears number 1

Older sister Tayor cheering for Makenna

After the game we went to Kelly's to visit grandson Matthew. He graduated from Central Washington University at Ellensburg in June and now has a job with Google in Bothell. Had a great visit with him and Kelly went to dinner with them at the (smaller quieter) Ram in South Hill Puyallup.

October 20  Sunday. Today we moved our rig to the RV Warehouse in McMinnville, Oregon. We have been pleased with the annual maintenance checks that they do every year for us. We have a couple things extra that need to be done and expect that it will take a couple days to complete the job, so we found a motel nearby.

11-12 October 2013 Skykomish and on to South Prairie

October 11  Today we went to Remingler Farms near Carnation with Jason's family and Skykomish elementary school kids. Remingler Farms has developed a mega facility for small kids fun to take advantage of the fall Halloween season. Allison is a teacher's assistant at the Skykomish pre-school and was on duty, keeping track of the pre-school kids.

Patrice and I came here with Katrina and Jeff and kids about 12 years ago. The area of the fun stuff has about tripled, as far as we remember, and it has become a big operation. Busloads of school children arrived at intervals throughout the morning.

Our first stop was the hay maze and hay jump pit (it's all really straw). Jason James and Madeline were here last year and knew what fun was offered! Off came the boots and socks and straw was everywhere!

Jason (left) and Allison (far end) monitoring the exit of the hay maze  

Jason James gettin' down in the hay pit

Madeline delighting in it all

Following some carnival-type rides we all caught the 11:30 train ride. Locomotion for six passenger cars is provided by a real steam engine. The ride lasts about 20 minutes and goes along the Snoqualmie River before circling around the farm, passing through a tunnel, and back to the station. About 50 scarecrows lined the fences along the route and we saw alpacas, donkeys, and pigs in pens--it was a fun ride! Following the train ride Allison and Madeline went to the petting zoo and found some other rides. Jason and Jason James found some tractors and a fire engine. Jason James was in his glory and spent the rest of his time in this area pushing buttons, handling levers, and "driving." Grandma Patrice's job was taking pictures. 

[Jason is wearing a Swandri, a type of overcoat that we bought for the boys on our

trip to New Zealand, when Jason was 17 years old!]

Daddy has infinite patience

Patrice found these artsy shots along the way through the kids fun area.

Decoration in the "party room"

We traded our entry stickers for one pumpkin each on our way out of the fun area. Patrice and I grabbed our pumpkins and headed to the building that holds the Remlinger Farms Store--fresh produce and all kinds of farms stuff. Gathering the troops, we all headed out, and stopped for lunch at a great Thai restaurant in Duvall before we returned to Skykomish. 

October 12  A sad day for us as we left Jason and family in Skykomish for our next stop in South Prairie. We will camp at the South Prairie RV Park for a week while visiting our two daughters and families in Puyallup and Auburn. The drive down was through some heavy traffic along I-405 and Highway 167. We arrived at South Prairie, set up our rig, and headed to Puyallup to spend some time and have dinner with daughter Kelly and granddaughter Mikayla.

Lovely Kelly

   Sweet Mikayla

Kelly is the proud mom of Matthew, who recently graduated from Central Washington University in Ellensberg, and now Mikayla is a junior there and came home to visit with us. She finished her Associates Degree in Puyallup, and is working in her major--we think it is to be in physical therapy with sports medicine. She's a lovely smart young lady, and we are so proud of her.

5 - 10 October 2013 To Skykomish

October 5  Today's nice drive from Republic to Skykomish, Washington, took us west across Wauconda Pass to Tonasket, south to Pateros along the Okanogan River, South to Wanatchee along the Columbia River, and west across Steven's Pass. The wind was calm and the rock cliffs and trees formed perfect reflections in the river pools. The red vine maples and aspens were stunning in their full fall colors and there was enough snow on Steven's Pass for one day of skiing.

We arrived at Jason's home and set up the rig up in his driveway then joined him and his family for dinner. A turkey with 'taters, squash and gravy was followed by an apply pie with one candle and ice cream in honor of my 78th birthday. The kids got a kick out of carrying the pie in with its candle and singing Happy Birthday. It was on September 26 but I have celebrated it at least four times since, usually with my favorite apple pie.

 Jason James (3 on Oct 18th) with mom Allison

 Beautiful big sister Madeline who is 5 

October 6  Had breakfast with Jason and Allison and the grandkids this morning and then headed to Olympia where we had to take care of some business.

October 8  Headed back to Skykomish. This fall weather makes the trip along "Sky Valley" a marvel--clouds and fog tripping around the snowy mountaintops rising straight up from the riverbed, braided waterfalls diving through ravines of yellow and red fall leaves. 

October 9  Slept late this morning.

Jason, Madeline, Jason James, and Patrice watched a few spawning salmon in Mahoney Creek adjacent to Jason's property. The end is near for these last few salmon--their fins and heads are tipped with raggedy white, and sometimes they tumble in the current, then snapping to and finding the strength to move further up behind a female.

Madeline and Daddy

Jason James and Madeline (helmets are for their bike-riding)

I helped Jason move a shed kit to the site where it will be erected soon. We had a great dinner with Jason and his family tonight. 

October 10 Helped Jason cut down two trees in his front yard today--cut them up and hauled them to the burn pile. Mowed the huge yard with the herkin' riding lawnmower--took an hour and a half even so! Spent time with Jason James and Madeline as they puttered and played around outside.

Dampish and cool out today, but no rain. Days are getting shorter. Allison made a scarecrow for the front porch, and Halloween decorations are out all over the locality.

Patrice made an elk meatloaf and squash for dinner. Great times. 

3-4 October 2013 Malo

October 3  Got Pickup oil changed and lubed this morning at A & A Automotive--260,815 miles on the odometer. Patrice went shopping in Republic. We happened to run into Kleyton--he was with Julianne in town doing some church business, so we all had lunch at the health foods store. Great spanokopita!

We picked up Carlos at the rig and drove to Kent and Arleen's to see thier "new" motorhome. It's a 1999 26-foot Winnebago, low mileage, and in terrific shape--everything works, clean, and a great price; they have a nose for good deals. Had some tea and cookies with them at the house.

We had a special moment

We met Julianne on the road riding two of her horses (one at a time) with dogs Lucy and Ivy tagging along. Julianne thought that she had lost her Ivy in the woods--Ivy came out on the road carrying some ribs in her mouth; she had found a deer carcass. Ivy carried them all the way home (about two miles)!

Buttercup and Skidmark with Julianne

There are more critters at Kriss and Julianne's than when we were here last year. In a pen near the house live a banty rooster and three hens, and three ducks. They have the run of the ranch in the daytime, wandering around and resting in the coop now and then. The ducks are hilarious as they waddle around grumbling, mostly staying together, and the banties are very independent.

Hens Booger (named by Kleyton and Kriss) and speckled Petunia 

Black hen Gertrude was absent

Banty rooster Petrie II (there was a First) in all his glory

Drake "Huckleberry", Duck "Butter", and Drake "Duck"

Kriss and Julianne's house--all the windows are in now

Today was warm and sunny and the hill with trees surrounding were astounding. The highest ones have  dustings of snow. Snow tires are being installed in Ferry County, and plans being made for the winter snow conditions.

May get down to 25 degrees here tonight.

1-2 October 2013 On to Republic

October 1 Tuesday  Today the wind finally subsided to the point where we could move to Republic, Washington, from the H2H Bison Ranch near Worley, Idaho. We will be visiting our two sons Kent and Kriss and their families during the next 4 days. Before we left H2H Patrice took a picture of the beautiful white horse that spent much time near our rig.

Some light rain fell during our move with some cross-wind but not enough to really bother our drive. We stopped in Chewelah, Washington, for a great lunch at El Ranchita Mexican Restaurant. The proprietor said that he eats huevos rancheros every day (like we ordered) and never gets tired of them--obviously he attributed his robust health this daily habit!

Crossing Sherman Pass was uneventful (thank goodness we missed the rainstorm) and the scenery was awesome. Arrived at Winchester's RV Park, set up, then drove to Kent's home near Malo.

Kent's wife Arleen made us a great dinner. Kriss's wife Julianne and son Kleyton joined us; Kriss works in Spokane during the week and comes home for the weekends--we'll see him Friday.

Kent and Arleen have their dream retirement home on the hill that they built from the ground up--punched in the road, dug their own well, brought in the electricity. With a 360-degree view of wooded hills, their 80 acres also has a huge shop, woodshed, and other outbuildings.

Kriss and Julianne own the adjoining 80 acres, and they have been remodeling home that was on the property when they purchased it. This week all the windows in the house are being replaced with modern, energy-efficient widows. They have three horses, four dogs, one cat, three banty chickens (one is a gorgeous rooster), and three ducks--occasional deer, bear, coyotes, and even a moose. A barn is in the planning.

October 2 Wednesday  Got the tires rotated on the truck this morning then went to Malo to visit Kent and Arleen. They have a 2-year-old dog we met yesterday--Mali, a female from the Curlew shelter, part pit bull, part husky, part other breeds--48 pounds of energy, love, and exuberance. Carlos (about 11 pounds) met Mali today, and stayed out of reach, although Mali would have loved to play.

We went down the hill for dinner with Julianne and Kleyton. They showed us the newest renovations on the house, and we talked with Kleyton about his classes and collections and life in general. He's the man of the house during the week--Julianne needs help with all those critters. The window replacement is going well and they look great--what a difference!

Great dinner, more chatting, it got dark, and we headed further down the hill and hit the road for home, about 12 miles.

What a great day!

30 September 2013 One more day in St. Maries

30 September Monday  As predicted, there were very high winds today (40 mph+) so we decided to stay put at the H2H Bison Ranch--traveling in high winds is dangerous. Tomorrow's weather is much more calm and promising, and we are confident we will head out.

We went to lunch at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site again today--pork chops with all the fixin's. Good food. Spoke with a couple across from us at the table, Nadine and Ray. They are 85, and when we talked about the talented boys we heard yesterday at the festival, they mentioned that they used to go to the Weizer fiddling contests every year for many years--in tents at first, then a trailer, then a fifth wheel, and finally a cab-over camper on a truck. It was fun to talk to them about the activities in the town during the contests and how much fun it all was.

After lunch we brought Francie and Bill out to the bison ranch to see our rig. I don't think they've ever been in a 5th wheel that's being lived in--they were surprised at all the normal things that any home has, like a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom; the appliances we use and the decorations we have. They have a clearer picture of how we live, and they marveled at how comfortable we were.

We went back to Francie's to take care of Carlos, and then took off for Fernwood. We got to see Bill's home, and also the home that Aunt Francie lived in with my Uncle Don, before he passed away in 1987. Francie hadn't seen the house in many years, and it was a bit of a sad moment for her--the house has gone through several owners.

We returned to Francie's for strawberry-rhubarb pie and ice cream.

It was time to say good-bye for this trip. We had a pleasant and relaxing visit. We are already missing them, and looking forward to our next visit.

27-29 September 2013 St Maries

September 27  We had lunch today at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site with Francie and Sally and several other seniors. Friday's lunch is usually well attended. Today's menu was roast beef, squash, mashed potatoes, melon, and coconut cream pie.

The cooks and staff are proud of their efforts--no government funds support the meal site, only donations and the charges for the meals. Meals are served Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sometimes it's a financial struggle; sometimes the noon meal is the only hot meal a a senior eats that day--companionship and food offered in clean warm surroundings. Other organizations in St. Maries have a food bank, an evening meal on Fridays, and a Thursday "Souper Supper." This little town helps its needy folks.

After lunch Francie, Bill, Patrice, and I went to a big garage sale east of town--nice stuff, and people that Francie knows (everyone in Benewah County knows Francie). We bought a few things. I took Bill with me to buy some propane and a new heater for the rig. We did some more visiting at Francie's and then had pie and ice cream at Sally's Handy Corner in the late afternoon. We were home by dark and paid the owner of H2H Bison Ranch for our stay--his excavating company keeps him busy, and I was able to catch him. He has the same number of bison as last year when we were here--no babies this year.

September 28  Late breakfast today--Amana sausage, eggs, and Yukon (brand mix) flapjacks. More rain predicted for today and tomorrow. We decided to delay going to Republic until Monday because of the rain and wind forecast. Hung around our rig until mid-afternoon then went to St. Maries.

Just before we left Patrice noticed that one of the bison was out of the fenced area. I ran and closed the main gate and then tried to find someone to re-corral the small bison. Finally found Warren's mother--she said they often let Penelope out into the main yard but only after the gates are closed. They are trying to train Penelope to be people-friendly so they can display her at fairs and shows. Warren later told us that he forgot to close the gate himself and he was grateful that I took care of it.

On our way to St. Maries we stopped in Plummer to see Denny and arrange for breakfast with him and his wife Rita tomorrow. We arrived at Francie's, visited over coffee, and headed to the Calder Store for their famous Saturday night prime rib dinner.

Calder is about 25 miles east of St. Maries and upstream on the St. Joe River. It was drizzly and a bit windy, and we saw several deer on the way. Calder is a small village with several homes and the restaurant/grocery store/post office. I found a USGS gaging station as we crossed the bridge into Calder.

What a meal--great salad bar, baked potatoes, vegetables, and the most tender, flavorful prime rib we've ever had! We came to this restaurant last year on our visit--and had the same waitress, whose name is Patrice! The dining area is full of historical pictures of logging activities in the area. Many diners were from the nearby hunting camps (elk season), and several people in camouflage jackets stopped by to greet Francie and Bill--everyone knows them.

We returned to Francie's for lemon meringue pie and coffee.

We had a great time today with Francie and Bill.

September 29  Went to an early breakfast with Partice's cousin Denny and his wife Rita at the casino near Worley, Idaho. Not a great breakfast but a good visit with Denny and Rita--lots of catching up with family news.

After returning to the rig, we paid Warren for another night and bought a pound of ground bison. Patrice and I drove around the ranch area and saw several bison calves born recently. The young ones are this copper color. Another "batch" of four calves born this spring already have the dark brown color and are larger. The little ones were trying to get some hay but were butted out of place by the larger bison bulls--it was a bit of a crowded feeding area, and they all were a bit nervous. Patrice got these pictures.

This afternoon we drove into St. Maries and went to the Art, Music, and Brews Festival with Francie and Bill. The building was full of people, vendors, and on the stage were two young men singing and playing some terrific fiddle and guitar. We were captivated.

They were billed as the Acuff Sherfey Duo, and according to the St. Maries newspaper they are "the hottest country rock duo in the Northwest." The fiddler Justin Sherfey just turned 15 and for the last five years he has finished in the top five of all US fiddlers competing at the National Championships held in Weiser, Idaho. Justin also played some fine mandolin and guitar during the performance. The guitar player (also singer) Colby Acuff was 16 and has accompanied the Justin at the championships. They hit it off and became a duo. Colby wrote some of the songs that the boys performed. Patrice and I attended the Weiser National Championships several years ago and we know how talented the entrants are and how tough the competition is. What a treat this was today.

Justin Sherfey and Colby Acuff

Justin

We shopped around at some of the craft tables and ate some hamburgers and hot dogs before leaving the event.

Marionberry pie and ice cream at Francie's ended our day.

It is possible we will move to Republic tomorrow--severe wind conditions are predicted for tonight and some of tomorrow. We understand these winds are moving to the eastern side of Washington from a major western Washington storm. We'll make our decision tomorrow morning.  

24-26 September H2H Bison Ranch and St. Maries

September 24  Moved from Clarkston, Washington, to the H2H Bison Ranch near Worley, Idaho. This working bison ranch has five RV sites with 30-amp electricity, water, and sewer hookups. Bison wander the adjacent fenced acreage, and are well cared for. During the summer season the owner cooks BBQ dinners and serves groups of guests in a large three-sided dining hall. A fire ring with chairs invites evening relaxation. Like last year when we stayed here, we are off-season to enjoy the "dude ranch" activities--we don't really miss them, though. This is quiet, pleasant, and near Patrice's relatives.

After setting up we checked with Patrice's cousin Denny in Plummer (about five miles from us), then on to St. Maries, where Patrice's mother and her siblings grew up--the Gallaghers. There were six children in the family and only Francie, the youngest, is left--she is a vibrant 81. Sally and Rosie live nearby, sisters to Denny. We met Francie and her gentleman friend Bill for dinner at Sally's Handy Corner--yes, cousin Sally owns it. Just by chance meatloaf was the dinner special--my favorite, and we all had some!

Aunt Francie at home in St. Maries   

September 25  We went into St. Maries today for lunch at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site. Francie takes the money and handles the finances for this community lunch service. Cousins Rosie and Sally showed up today to visit with us--all the family in St. Maries know Patrice as "Lollie"--a nickname that she's had since she was a baby. Ham and hotdogs in sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, corn, melon, and cookies for desert--great lunch.

After lunch Bill came over to Francie's--he lives in Fernwood, about 20 miles from St. Maries. We all spent most of the afternoon at Francie's just visiting. Bill and I took a ride to see all four of the forest products plants operating in St. Maries. They all work three shifts a day and produce a huge amount of lumber and chips--there's a huge market out there.

We visited a bit too long again this evening, and most of the 45-minute drive was in the dark and the rain. Weather's supposed to be a bit better tomorrow.

September 26  [Patrice writing today] Yup, it was better weather today. We woke to sunshine, blue sky with puffy clouds. It was a nice day for Philip's 78th birthday, and we had a pleasant time all around.

It was about an hour's drive today to the Spokane area, and to the True Legends Grill at Liberty City. There we met Russ and Patti, our next-door neighbors at our lot in North Palm Springs. They didn't come to their lot this last winter because Russ was ill. They will make it with bells on this year, probably arriving before we do. Lunch was great, conversation and company was just terrific, and it was great to see Russ his old self, full of fun and bull.

Russ and Patti

We then got some gas at Costco, did a bit of shopping, and checked out a low bridge that might give us trouble on Sunday on our way to Republic. Should be no problem with the bridge, and traffic will be light on Sunday.

Found our way to son Kriss's apartment, where he stays during the work-week and travels home to Malo in the weekends. Wife Julianne joined him this weekend because they are taking a short trip to Idaho, and Kriss won't be home until next weekend. Our grandson Kleyton is home taking care of the critters at the house; Uncle Kent and Aunt Arleen are nearby and helping out.

Kriss and Julianne

Carlos hasn't seen either one of them for a year, and talk about happy reunions! He couldn't get enough belly-rubs, loving attention, and smooches. Such a little bundle of joy.

We had dinner and made tracks for the Bison Ranch, in the dark and under starry skies. It was a great day!