Bronte is Graduating from High School !!!!!

My Niece Bronte is graduating and will be continuing with her education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

Below is Bronte and the proud Dad (Michael).

and proud Grandma Pete and Bronte below

Below is Grandma Luque being meet at the door by Bronte.

Below is Bronte and her Sister (Sarah) cutting into the DELICIOUS CAKE, UH please hurry up!!!

Before Bronte goes to college, Uncle will be helping her with some socially acceptable eating habits , ok socially acceptable at college, food fight!!!

CONGRATULATIONS BRONTE!!!!!!!!

PS, I enrolled in CW see ya there in the Fall!!

The Road Warriors

So I recognize George, Thomas, Teddy and Lincoln but who is the fifth one with the sunglasses below right?

Below is mom at the entrance to Mt Rushmore NM

Where are the Aliens? I hiked (walked) 1.2 miles around the Devils Post Pile. No, no Aliens to be found.

In the photo below is a large pelican waiting for dinner to come along the Yellowstone river. The next photo to the right is looking southeast below the lower falls in Yellowstone NP.

We stayed at the Canyon Hotel and the next morning awoke to 4 inches of snow. I walked down to the over look of the Lower Falls and took the picture above. About 1/2 hour later the park rangers closed all walk ways to the fall over looks. We started to drive north but the road was closed, we just made it past another check point they had closed to cars coming into the park. We finally made it out the north entrance to the park and drove onto Deer Lodge, MT. where we stayed at the local KOA.

The rest of the two week trip we spent camping the National Forest Service Campgrounds. To the left mom is sitting next to Hotel Sienna. Me I stayed in Hotel Kelty. A few times we spent time under the rain tarp.

We are now in Lacey, Washington enjoying spending time with my Niece, who will be graduating June 15th!!!

Part of April and May of 2009 spent

Started out making a few raised planter boxes for Leslie in Lake Havasuuuuu.

Used all used wood, paint.

and walking Lacey in the desert. Looks like she want to go home, its getting hot!! 107 F.

Each year I visit Lake Havasu, AZ it seems to be getting bigger and bigger fast.

Next came a few days in the Williams, AZ area. First day started off with a hike up to Williams Mtn. fire look out. Below looking out the Fire Below looking west a top Mt Williams.

Then a day at the links, Elephant Rock Golf Course. The picture below is Hole 18 looking south towards Mt Williams. Next photo is hole #1 looking south towards Mt. Williams.

Spent a few days at Dog town Lake south of Williams, AZ. A couple fisherman out on the lake with the sun going down.

Only a 2 hour drive up from Williams, AZ is the Grand Canyon. Spent a day walking the rim, then the next day rode from East end to West along the rim road. I was able to watch the sun set and rise while spending a few days on the east end of the rim. A first come first serve campground.

The drive from the Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde must include a stop at Four Corners. Yes the point is in the correct spot. A lot of BS on the Internet about the location being somewhere else.

Next stop Mesa Verde National Monument. Below on of the ruins. Easy access. Stayed at a great campground within the park. Spent a few days in Durango, CO mtn biking and reading and sleeping in.

Below looking south over Durango, CO.

The last photo looking north along the Animas River.

Bye till the next time.

LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT / WILDERNESS

Visiting Lava Beds April 12 to April 16, 2009. At the visitor center April 16 which turned out to be sunny and cool.



Below is our camping spot. The view to the east had the Warner Mts Range about 100 miles away.

Below is Tammy fixing something to eat.... is it ready ????????????

Lucky for us we had a wind break and a lot of gear to help us enjoy Lava Beds in April.

Below I finally got out of bed. In the back ground you can see the wind break which we eventually moved the tent near which made sleeping at night quieter and warmer.

Our second Cave was Thunderbolt. Lucky we visited this the first day, then next day the Cave was closed due to bats are coming back. Tammy is looking back with a big ?, going into a Cave with Bats, Snakes, Low Ceilings and Dark. Oh but James knows where he is going.












The Indian Cave, in photo below near the visitor center had some ice formation.

Tammy is at the top of the wood steps to Indian Cave.

I am holding one of the ice formations came off the wood railing in Indian Cave . At the entrance to Indian Cave had a little snow fall from the night before at the entrance.

Below are a few Modoc Indian symbols. (symbol cave).

Below goofing around at Skull Cave.

On Wednesday evening the snow began to fall. There was about an hour or two of snow falling.

I started dinner about a 1/2 hour before the snow flakes started.

Spending all day in caves makes you thirsty. Did the tongue stick on the Ice?

Some of the Caves had ice, the large caves which had 6 ft deep ice are now protected and can only view the ice behind metal fences.

oh yes, Tammy I think your correct that is the way out.

Below is a sign of a tag with the person who made the metal ladders which happens to be a relatives last name.

At top the north exist to Thunderbolt Cave.

and the back step three.

Tammy coming out of Thunderbolt Cave into the sunshine. Most days where sunny with some clouds but a cool breeze during the day kept warm cloths on.

and me coming out of Thunderbolt Cave.

Well we are heading down to yet another cave. We where able to visit 14 some odd caves. Some of the caves on the second day where closed because of Bats coming back for the summer months. Most caves will be closed for up to 6 months starting in late April.

Next adventure will be a year long journey from CA to AZ to NM to TX to OK to KS to...... and then to N. CALIFORNIA for a year stay then......

Veterans Memorial in Northern California

The following photo's are from the Veterans Memorial along HWY 97. The site is northeast of Weed, CA about 10 miles on the left, signs are posted to let you know you coming up on it.

The walk around the sculptures is a must. The sculptures bring strong thoughts about our nation and most of all to think and thank those who gave their lives for all that we have and shall have in this nation.

Below the Why group.

Below the nurses

To the left, MIA

Below the Injured

The next photo is of an American Hero.

There are several other sculptures among the pine trees.

Time Flies!!!

Just yesterday I retired. Now going into the second year of retirement has made me really appreciate the things I've been doing. The saying is true, "Time flies". It has been just over a year since I retired. Below (sometime in March of 2008) sitting with Donna at one of many retirement luncheons. Wow Time is flying!!

Since retiring Mr. Bill Fellman has retired (below left). Elina, Donna and Martha are still holding down the Fort!!

and now below (April 1st, 2009) standing on the top of a ski slope on a Wednesday in N. California doesn't get any better.....

in the back ground is Mt. Lassen,

Below at the Mt. Shasta Lodge and Mt. Shasta in the background.

Below a view of Castle Crags, looking SW from the Ski Park on Mt. Shasta.

Till the next adventure, which is coming sooner then I think, remember "Time is Flying By".

The Burn

To have the water flow along the ditch from the diversion dam to the Ranch, the tule's' need to be burned off. With Mt. Shasta in the back ground we set fire to the Tule's.

The timing of the Burn needs to be perfect. With a slight breeze from the NE heading SW we walk along the diversion dam with a small burner. Of course must let the neighbors know what your doing.

The time it takes to burn off the Tule's is about 10 minutes or less. The tules along the ditch portion takes a little longer.




and remember to always be ahead of the flames.

The Burn was fun but also we always where on our toes making sure to be out in front and looking over our shoulders to see where the flames where.

















The day was perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. Till the next adventure, have a great day!!