Raincharm’s Weblog

Today started early – not O-dark thirty, but about the same time I usually leave for work.
Half a cup of coffee, finish the dishes and head out the door.

Met with 15 like-minded folks and we set off in the cool air.
Nice that it was cool to start, I believe it is about 90 degrees out right now.

The walk was billed as 17 miles, and went from Green Lake, through Ballard, crossing the Ballard Locks to Magnolia, through Discovery Park to Magnolia Park, lunch and reverse the course. Beautiful sights and the tourists and boats in equal numbers at the locks.

Most incredible was that one woman I met had just returned from their cabin, just west of Brimley.
Small world!

She is from the Soo, although her family moved when she was young. But the extended family stayed.
The name is Robert Gollinger. I am thinking he is about my Mother’s age – give or take a year. Evelyn Splan, with brother Joe. For those of you from the north – let me know if those names mean anything to you.

Finally got through the 17 miles, but since I had no car it was one more mile to home.
Really hot … need a lake. But will make do with a cold washcloth.

The Mackinac Bridge was recently designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Mackinac Bridge

The bridge is almost 5 miles long and is considered the third largest suspension bridge in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. And yet they almost always show the other bridge San Francisco when needing a picture of a suspension bridge. Or the Tacoma Narrows Galloping Gertie bridge that collapsed.

Good to have the recognition that it deserves.
I took the ferry before the bridge, but admit that at 1 year old when the bridge opened, I think my ferry memories are really of the crossing between the two Soos (Sault Ste. Marie that is).

We still play the “Who can see the bridge first game” when we travel north. Not so much on the southward trek. Maybe because it meant we were leaving the cabin, or that it was only an hour into the trip.

Missing that trip this year … but enjoyed the vacations we did have, so am only complaining a little bit.

We got to see Joe Pug and Levon Helm in concert tonight, at the zoo.
Carl, Jay, Ashlan, Mark S., Eve S., Lillian S. and Kevin.

The concert was great.
The musicians really seemed to be enjoying playing with each other, playing off of each other, and just being there.

Ann Arborites – notice that Joe Pug is playing at the Ark on October 14th.

The girl took me out for a walk after work,
so I took her out to dinner.

And now we are watching a movie, “Loved One.”
It is a really funny, and very different show.
This is from the 60’s. Worth an evening.

House needs work.
Work needs time.
Need time to workout.

Baseball? Mariners fire their Manager and several coaches.
Mariners turn their first triple play at Safeco Field.
I am not there.

Harry, my Dad

Well – I did try to wish my father a Happy Birthday – which was yesterday.
But I failed.
Apparently, some time ago I wrote down a phone number incorrectly.
I spoke with a nice woman named Terry, but no Harry at that number.

I will continue to try, and just had a thought where I might have the first hand provision of said number that I jotted down incorrectly in the phone book.

So the rest of the weekend has been packed with a few activities.

Walking.
Just came to the realization that the Seattle 3-day walk is only about 6 more weekends away.
ANYONE THAT WANTS TO HELP ME REACH MY GOAL – SEE THE LINK ON THE RIGHT.
Thank you.

Yesterday’s walk was 18 miles, maybe a little less.
It was the first really long walk I have done in several months.
I was still strong at the end of the walk. But at the end of the 15 minute car ride following I was really stiff.
And at the end of the Mariners game that followed the walk and the car ride I was really tired.

So this morning I got up and went walking again.
This time only 6-7 miles.
I picked up Carl at church (he left earlier) and we walked to a birthday party.
An 8 year old, with a party on 8/8. Seems appropriate.

Then Ashlan picked both of us up and off to the Mariner game. (They WON!)
Met a really nice man sitting next to us. Similar thoughts about baseball, and it was a pleasant way to pass the innings.
We also had a few sightings of the Blue Angels as they winged their way to and from the air show over Lake Washington. The hydro races were also in full swing, but I do not know who won, or if they are done yet.

We are back home for a few hours, and then off to the Seattle Sounders game (soccer).

Life on a busy Seattle weekend.
Housework?
Well Carl did do some laundry, and dishes, and folded Ashlan’s laundry …

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16 miles that is.
The Prius is sitting at 999,984.
Tomorrow is a work day.
Work is 22-25 miles away (depending on the route).

Ashlan will get to witness the event, but Carl won’t (unless he decides to accompany us).

It has taken us slightly less than 6 years to achieve this number of miles driven.
But even with a new car in the driveway, the Prius is still the travelling car of choice.

I plan to get it detailed to celebrate.
The only other cleaning it has received, based on my recollection, is a series of car washes provided by Orchestra or Lacrosse kids looking for funding.

The car has a few bumps and bruises, but it still purrs.
We didn’t celebrate the Mazda’s 100,000, and after a mere 5,000 more it was gone (through no fault of its own, I might add).
Celebrate while you can.

The little brown Honda passed 100,000 on the way to work as well. I don’t remember the exact spot for 200,000, but I do remember the champagne celebration, and that the kids were a bit confused by it all.

We took a short walk this afternoon.
Some vertical, but nothing like the mountains.
And certainly not at the same elevation.
Thankfully it felt easy, as it should have.

We watched a bit of Ashlan’s softball game, and then headed around Green Lake.
It was a beautiful day, in the 70’s I think, and mostly sunny in the afternoon.
No lack of families and picnics.
We took advantage of a theatre group handing out ice-cream cones for donations.
Also found some wildlife.

Heron and Turtles in Green Lake

Mallards enjoying the nice day

We spent last night at home, but the previous night we spent in Boise.
The highlight of Boise was getting to see 3/4 of the Harper-VanVeen clan.
We had seen the other 1/4 on the trip east. Two of the Carl’s kids for several years were Will & Van.
Will until he was through Kindergarten, and Van until he was ready for Kindergarten.
Then they moved to Boise – and it was just to long a commute to continue.
They have now grown to a high school grad and a high school senior.

As they are now.

Van, Will, Carl & Ashlan

 As they were then

Will (left), Ashlan (top), Van (right), Kelsey & Max in the middle

 A year or so earlier

Ashlan & Will running, Van taking a ride

 And earlier still

Will, Ashlan & Van

The trip from Boise to Seattle was fairly uneventful.
We followed parts of the Oregon Trail, and read about the “Boo” (Blue) Mountains and the Lone Tree, which became the Lone Tree Stump. Then there were the cattle being herded along a road adjacent to the highway by 2 horsemen and 2 dogs.

Some very interesting driving skills were exhibited by those around us.
Especially noteworthy were the few that could only drive in the left lane, regardless of speed.

But all went well and we returned home before 5 PM.
We proceeded to review mail, unpack some, watch some TV and basically do nothing at all.

This morning the unpacking has mostly been completed, a major food shopping done (by Carl), and Ashlan is off to play softball. It is good to be home, and the reality of other things that must be done has not set in yet.