...a baiku

Perfume of hay and mint

fill the air as we fly by.

Ah, summer riding!

..."our" camp site

A few weeks ago my dad called and said he and mom were headed to the mountains. Would I like to join them? Of course! I packed up the truck, loaded up the ol' dog, and off we went. We stayed at Tamarack Camp site--it has water faucets and regulation outhouses, and is easy to get a trailer in and out--a great campsite. But--"our" campsite is further up the creek, has no faucets, no outhouses, and is down in a gully, so getting the trailer in--and out--is a bit of a challenge. "Our" campsite is the place that we claimed over 30 years ago. Every camping trip, the closer we got, the more anxious we were. Would it be open? Or would someone already be camped there? Now we just visit, play in the swimming hole, and "remember when." (I want to be like Mom--still playing in the creek at 76!)

And I don't know that I truly want to camp there again (regulation outhouses at night are nice). I think it's more that I'm nostalgic for a different time when regular camping trips were what we did as a family.

2000

Chasse and I shared a tent.
The view from my tent in the early morning hours.
Fresh trout--yum.
Cherrie pie, cooking over the coals. A friend from Canada introduced us to these.

Fisher people--Dad needed something from the truck and told me to hold his pole (slightly illegal). I swished the worm through the water and felt a tug. Um, Dad?


The log...that leads from "our" site to "our" swimming hole. About 21 years ago I sat down on it to nurse Katie, and the guys who were camped in "our" site decided to pack up. Really, it was all rated G and very discreet! Don't let Arlene tell you otherwise! haha

...just the girls

This weekend four of us--two sisters and two sisters-in-law--will be getting together. We're going to wander through antique stores, art galleries, fruit stands, and maybe even a winery or two. We're going to eat good food, catch up on life's happenings, and celebrate each other. Life is good. :-)

...fun in the sun

My friend Kathryn and I have a tradition--every summer we make a play date to go to the water park. We wear ourselves out climbing up to the slides, play in the water and talk, talk, talk.

This was the view from our towels--lots of kiddos of all ages having fun in the sun!

(As we were leaving my friend Jacque texted: "Want to meet for dinner?" So I got to catch up with two good friends on the same day. What a gift!)

...getting out of Dodge

It's time for a road trip. I'm headed to Boise to stay with my favorite big sister and hopefully get to see my favorite great-niece.

On Saturday I'll be doing this century: Bob LeBow Bike Tour with Bob from our local group.

Sunday will be spent hanging out, relaxing, and eating great food. (Arlene is the best cook. I know she will feed me well.)

On Monday I'll be headed to Cove to spend some time with more of my favorite people. Mowing lawns, weeding flower beds, coffee on the back porch, a beautiful valley to ride...and this job: helping dad with the woodpile.

Ahhhh summer!

...bugs and other things

Bugs:
1. Greg can no longer claim to be a vegetarian after tonight's ride--the bugs were out in full force and we all ate our share.
2. Some bugs taste kind of nutty.
3. Bugs under semi-rigid contact lenses hurt. Riding with one eye closed waiting for them to float out isn't fun.
4. Bugs tickle in the helmet and under the jersey. (Note to self: Zip up all the way on buggy nights, even though it's too warm.)

Other things:
1. A young man with California plates pulled into the shop right when we got back. "Where's the city center?" he asked. Ummmmm...city center? Do we even have such a thing? We were speaking Spanish and at first I thought he asked where the community center was. We do have one of those.
2. I'm feeling that end-of-school-year giddiness--taking kids on a field trip tomorrow, spending Thursday with another group of kids in an all-day training, modified schedule for finals on Friday and Monday, half day Tuesday....which means...I am finished teaching for this year! Lots of program paperwork and grading to do, but lesson plans?? See ya in September!!
3. I need to get to Portland soon to see Nate--before he takes off for Alaska again and I don't get to see him til October. Funny how we don't talk all that often, but when I know I can't just call whenever I want to, I miss him! I also need some Katie time. Road trip...Portland...yup.
4. It's also time for a good I-can't-put-this-book-down reading fest. Any recommendations?? World Without End will be hard to beat, but I know there are plenty of good books just waiting for me.

Wednesday update: Gonzo emailed this photo to me today. Here I am with my bug-eating buddy Greg. We had just climbed a series of hills to get to the potato sheds and were waiting for the last few to finish. (The unfair thing about hills is that those of us who need the most rest once we reach the top get the least--the fast guys are ready to take off again by the time we're all there!)