Home again, home again

Well, I am home from Memphis and I had to get busy.

The trip to Memphis was a nightmare.
I hate air travel. Airports and the TSA people are such a hassle. I know that they are necessary, but they sure could be more friendly. After all, we are not criminals until we do something that is illegal or could cause harm to people. Surliness to everyone is totally unnecessary. If you don't like your job, leave and find another one.
On the other hand, as I was leaving Memphis, a TSA gentleman shook my hand and thanked me for my service in the Navy. I was wearing my Navy veteran hat. I was very thankful for this act of kindness not seen often with the TSA.

As I said, the trip to Memphis was a nightmare.
There was a rare thunderstorm at Phoenix airport and was closed. We were diverted to Tuscon until the airport was reopened and we refueled.
We were 2 hours late arriving in Phoenix, so I missed my flight to Memphis. I spent the night in the airport, along with about 100 or more. It was not very comfortable and I didn't get too much sleep. But, I did survive and if this is the worst thing that happens in my life, I will be fine.
The trip home was uneventful, and quite enjoyable.

About 3 weeks ago Brenda and I went over to the boat launch and found a memorial to the man who gave the land for the state park to the state of Washington. His name was Jan Jensen.
The memorial was built in 1966 and has fallen on hard times. It was covered in moss, one of the benches was missing and was in general a mess.
I chose this as a project for me to do.
I didn't remember to bring the camera before I power washed it, but I did take pictures before I replaced the benches.

I power washed all of the stones and mortar, removed the rotten, moss covered bench. Then I replaced the benches today.
It was a nice project and I enjoyed doing it.

Fred and I went fishing yesterday morning on the Skyhomish river.
We didn't catch any fish, but we enjoyed each others company.
The river is very shallow in many places and we had a hard time getting back up river.
We had to get out of the boat and walk it back up river to the boat launch.
Fred had replaced the water pump in the motor he has, but, it malfunctioned again in the last few feet to the boat launch and the motor overheated and conked out.
We had to paddle the last 75 yards or so in a pretty swift current.
We got a pretty good work out.

We were planning to go out fishing again in the afternoon, but it rained, so we didn't get to go.
Fred told me that Salmon only run every other year, so, we will fish for other types of trout this year.

Brenda and I worked a couple of hours on Wednesday, before we went to Monroe.
We have to work 28 hours a week for our spot so we had to work on Wednesday which is one of our days off.
Brenda picked up several hours while I was gone so we don't have too many more hours to work this month to complete out commitment.

Hugo, who is the chief park aid here at the park, had the volunteer hosts over to his and his wife's house for dinner. It was nice and a couple of the rangers also came. We enjoyed the evening immensely.

The park hours have shortened since it is getting darker earlier now, so the crowds have diminished some. Yet, Labor day has not yet arrived, and if the weather is nice large crowds are expected.
We will have a lot of litter to pick up if we have good weather for that weekend.

Ta ta for now.

Heat wave in WA

It has been very hot here for the last few days.
There has been a high pressure system off shore and it has caused the temperatures to rise into the nineties with lots of humidity.
Our coach sits in an opening in the trees ans the sun shines right against the windshield, which causes the temps in the coach to become very uncomfortable. We only have 30 amp service so we can run just one of the ac's at a time.
I feel really sorry for the people up here as most everyone doesn't have ac.
It does cool off at night, so sleeping hasn't been a problem.
With the hot weather, the park was very busy this last weekend.
Brenda ans I went out early this AM to pick up litter. I emptied my 5 gallon bucket 6 times, and Brenda emptied hers 3 times. We had come out after the park aids had started picking up litter and we still picked up that much.
We went out for about 2 hours last night and picked up litter. People can be so thoughtless.

My sister-in-law passed away on Saturday.
Mike had put her in hospital based hospice care last week, and her pain had become more bearable.
I am flying to Memphis tomorrow, and will be there for a week.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone but I wish it were in other circumstances.

Brenda, Becky, Fred, Lindsay, Heather and I went to a 'threshing B' on Saturday. it is a tractor and farm implement show. Brenda and I had never been to one before. It was very interesting.
There were tractor pulls, a lot of old antique tractors on display, and some antique farm equipment to be seen and enjoyed.
They did have a thresher in operation, and the kids really enjoyed seeing that process.

Brenda is at Becky's, washing clothes. She and Heather are preparing for Becky's baby shower on Saturday.
Becky gave a way so much as it took so long for them to get pregnant. She needs a lot of things for a baby, although she still has the crib, changing table, bassinet and high chair.
She still needs clothes, etc.
She found out that a car seat expires after 5 years, so they need to get another one for Gracie.

I am not looking forward to the flight tomorrow, but you have to do what you have to do. That is why we have a motor home, as airports are such a hassle.

Ta ta for now.

Lake Sammamish State Park

It is raining here today. This is the first appreciable rain that we have had since our arrival at the end of June.

The folks here in the Northwest are a hardy bunch.
Lake Sammamish State park is a day use park only with no camping. We have lost our beautiful view of Puget Sound.
As I stated it is raining, and there are still a lot of people in the park.
We went out this morning and picked up trash and there were several groups having picnics, volley ball contests and there were outrigger canoe races about to begin out on the lake.
I just drove through the park and there are several groups still picnicking, although many have left.

This is a huge park about 20 miles from downtown Seattle between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. It was a farm that was donated to the state for a state park back in the early sixties. It is several hundred acres in size, and has 8 rangers on staff. The Park manager, a ranger, lives on the property in the old farm house. The office is in the old barn along with the parks maintenance shop. There is a large part of the park that is undeveloped, but has many trails running throughout the forested areas.
There is also a 4 bay boat ramp onto the lake. This lake is very large and very deep. This is one of several glacier lakes here in the Seattle area.

There is another camp host here. They have been here since July and will leave a few days before we do in September. They have showed us the ropes here. They have learned from experience and from the hosts that we replaced.
We have a free hand in what we do and there is no monitoring of our time.
There are 3 vehicles, 2 Gators and one electric cart foe our use, but we have to share them with the park aids. So sometimes we are on foot as we were this morning.

Becky's pregnancy is moving along nicely. She is now 32 weeks and everything seems to be in order. She is feeling fine, only the baby keeps her up at night with her moving and kicking Becky in the ribs.
The office has been relocated downstairs, and it is being prepared for Lindsay to move into that room.
Brenda helped Lindsay go through her clothes and toys, so that they can be put away or disposed of as needed. Gracie will be moving into that room, when Becky and Fred decide that it is time. She will be in their room until that time.

Gracie's room is next to be painted and prepared for her arrival. We have been helping them with these projects. Heather has been very helpful in helping them in the rearranging and preparations.

Tony and the girls came up from Portland yesterday and spent about an hour with us.
It has been along time since we have seen them, over 2 years. Boy, have they changed.
The girls are so sweet and polite.
Their car is small,and Mag took the train up, so she was not with them. We will see her tomorrow. They are going over to Becky and Fred's house for a small gathering.

Ta ta for now.