6-25-10 - It is that time of year in Whatcom County where we live in the summer for u-pick strawberries. They are SO good right off the brushes, so today Ione & I picked a total of 29 lbs. @ 1.35 per pound. They will disappear fast, for pie, jam, with ice-cream and many other things.
Also deep in work doing yards and catching up from our long stay this winter in AZ. Always something to do when home for these retired folks. Time to go.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Crabtree Fathers Day - At the Park!!
6-20-10 - What a surprise we got at Fathers day picnic. We arrived and noticed this older truck parked in front.Then everyone was bringing in their food for the big dinner, which we have every year rain or shine. We usually eat outside but there is a cabin if it rains we go inside, even has a fireplace. But we didn't get any rain but is really was cool. The temp was about a 62 degrees for June 20th. So not sure where summer is because tomorrow is the first day of summer. So then after much eating, talking and telling stories. The truck came up in conversation and found out it has been in the family for 50 years plus.
It is a 1948 Studebaker flatbed truck. It was originally owned by Art Crabtree (Grandma) and now deceased. Then Uncle Gene Crabtree had it many years in his potato growing business. Then due to it's age set many years in the yard and never was driven. Then somehow it ended up at Bob Crabtree's home. Since he is a body repair man maybe something is going to happening soon. Well after sitting there also for many years, just two weeks ago it came out with a shiny new paint job, new upholstery and now is really looking good. It is now back with Uncle Gene and he is so proud of his truck. So he was the one that parked it right out front for everyone to see. So we had to take a lot of family pictures next to the shiny truck and it made for a very nice day. Now we all have something to talk about for next year.
50th Anniversary Dinner at Mambo Italiano Cafe, Fairhaven
6-19-10 - Our two daughters invited us to a dinner for our anniversary which was on May 13th, 2010. But since we were still in AZ and them in Washington we had to wait until we got home.
The Cafe had a table set for 15 people. We arrived a little early and took some pictures, etc. They had a cake, flowers, etc. set up and everything was looking just great. When everyone arrived we all sat down for dinner. The menu had some great things and after sometime of reading all the items we were ready to order.
The service was good and the food was soon arriving at our table, we had pizza's, pasta's and a few things in between. So everyone had just what they ordered. Then after much eating and talking it was on to desert. Jada are youngest granddaughter was asking, Grandpa when is desert. I told her it was coming shortly and soon Aunt Lisa got up to start serving desert. Then after everyone enjoyed a great cake with fruit topping. Lisa then mentions that we have a gift for the honored couple. We think, they just took us out for dinner and more. So here comes a gift bag. We lift it and not very heavy. Take out all the paper and there is a book. The title "Out 50th Wedding Anniversary Album - May 13th 1960 - 2010.
What a surprise this book have took weeks to put together. It told the story with pictures of our first day of marriage through raising a family, our travels, etc. Not sure how many months it took the girls to put it together but it is SO amazing. It will be something we can have for the rest of our life. This was such thing that they did for their Dad & Mom. We are so proud of our families and wish them only good things.
The Cafe had a table set for 15 people. We arrived a little early and took some pictures, etc. They had a cake, flowers, etc. set up and everything was looking just great. When everyone arrived we all sat down for dinner. The menu had some great things and after sometime of reading all the items we were ready to order.
The service was good and the food was soon arriving at our table, we had pizza's, pasta's and a few things in between. So everyone had just what they ordered. Then after much eating and talking it was on to desert. Jada are youngest granddaughter was asking, Grandpa when is desert. I told her it was coming shortly and soon Aunt Lisa got up to start serving desert. Then after everyone enjoyed a great cake with fruit topping. Lisa then mentions that we have a gift for the honored couple. We think, they just took us out for dinner and more. So here comes a gift bag. We lift it and not very heavy. Take out all the paper and there is a book. The title "Out 50th Wedding Anniversary Album - May 13th 1960 - 2010.
What a surprise this book have took weeks to put together. It told the story with pictures of our first day of marriage through raising a family, our travels, etc. Not sure how many months it took the girls to put it together but it is SO amazing. It will be something we can have for the rest of our life. This was such thing that they did for their Dad & Mom. We are so proud of our families and wish them only good things.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Arrived back in Lynden on June 1st, 2010
6-17-10 - Wow! After that trip down into the Grand Canyon it was a fast trip home. On the way home stopped in Seattle and watched our Grand Daughter play some volleyball at U of W. They played a total of about 6 matches and I think won 3 and lost 3. There were over 64 teams in the tournament so had lots of competition.
Since then we have been trying to get our yard in shape even with all this rain we seem to get here in rainy WA. Our weather just doesn't seem to get any better and think it will be setting records for rain. We tryed to plan our arrival home after spring was over but I think we missed it by about three weeks. Before we know it the start of summer will be here (6-21-10) and still haven't seen the sun very much.
We have gotten in a couple of weeks of playing tennis since home. The first week we just got done and the sky opened up. But did get in some great games. This year there is a lot of younger plays. So for us older folks we have to pick it up.
I think there is light in the tunnel as far as getting all the yards in shape. So maybe if the work is catch up we can think about play. Oops, forgot about this 50 degree weather we have been having. But let look at the bright side we are upright and still moving, so that is good.
Since then we have been trying to get our yard in shape even with all this rain we seem to get here in rainy WA. Our weather just doesn't seem to get any better and think it will be setting records for rain. We tryed to plan our arrival home after spring was over but I think we missed it by about three weeks. Before we know it the start of summer will be here (6-21-10) and still haven't seen the sun very much.
We have gotten in a couple of weeks of playing tennis since home. The first week we just got done and the sky opened up. But did get in some great games. This year there is a lot of younger plays. So for us older folks we have to pick it up.
I think there is light in the tunnel as far as getting all the yards in shape. So maybe if the work is catch up we can think about play. Oops, forgot about this 50 degree weather we have been having. But let look at the bright side we are upright and still moving, so that is good.
Just before heading down South Kaibab Trail - Grand Canyon
This picture should have been with our other blog posted on details of our trip down into the Grand Canyon. Well, I couldn't figure out how to put this picture in that blog , so you can see us now. It was a great trip and would recommend that anyone that loves the outdoors and likes to hike do this one.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Grand Canyon!
Heading for the Grand Canyon on the 23rd of May. We were going to go a few days earlier and enjoy hiking on the South Rim. Well they had a storm in Northern AZ on that weekend. So that was why we left Happy Trails on Sunday the 23rd.
We traveled a total of about 250 miles to arrive at the East Entrance of the Grand Canyon. We had a lot of wind all the way north. As we came in on Hwy 64 the wind was so strong that we had to travel about 30 plus miles an hour just to stay on the road.
When arriving at the East Entrance were told that we couldn't camp at Desert View Campground because we were too long. So that meant traveling through the park and going out the South Entrance and stayed about 5 miles south Tent-X Forest Service Campground. This park was very nice but a long ways from the park.
Then on Monday the 24th did some looking around at the Grand Canyon Village, weather wasn't very good still wind and not warm. Then we did get some great sunset pictures in the evening.
We had made a reservation at the Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon for the night of the 25th of May. We were excited and ready to head down. Got up early and got things ready in the Motor Home. We headed to the bus stop by about 8:30 AM. Parked our car and head to the Green Bus Stop which would take us to the South Kaibab Trail head. So right on schedule we were there by 9:00 AM. The canyon is so awesome and hard to believe that a river like the Colorado could create this beautiful Canyon.
So we headed down the trail and 9:00 AM and by 3:00 PM we were standing on the suspension cable bridge over the Colorado River in the bottom of the Canyon. The distance down was 7.3 miles. Wow! We had made it down, the trail was steep but in very good shape.
Now we have to explore the area that they call the Phantom Ranch. History of this area goes back to the 1920's. This area was used as a resort for people way back then. Not sure how they arrived back then.
The Ranch is a step back in time, nothing fancy but build very well. They have a campground called the Bright Angel Campground if you want to camp. We were not going to bring all that stuff on our backs. So we had a reservation for one night in the Men's dorm and Ladie's dorm.
We had a great Stew dinner with all the trimmings at 6:30 PM. Met some very interesting people and had a great evening. we were both in bed by about 9 PM. Then were up early in the morning as breakfast was at 6:30 AM. Had great food to fill our furnace to make it back up the trail to the rim.
At 7:30 AM we were heading out to the Bright Angel Trail which is 9.5 miles to the South Rim. The trail up was very dusty, steep and having mules in our way. The mule teams that take supplies to the Ranch and back are using the Bright Angel so that really breaks up the trail. So we survived and arrive at the South Rim about 3:00 PM. We were very tired and had to find the bus to get back to our car. Found the bus stop area and had to wait for the second bus as the first one was full. Ater about 10 stopped arrived where our car was parked. Headed back to the campground to hook-up car to motor home. Then we were on the road to Page, AZ
We traveled a total of about 250 miles to arrive at the East Entrance of the Grand Canyon. We had a lot of wind all the way north. As we came in on Hwy 64 the wind was so strong that we had to travel about 30 plus miles an hour just to stay on the road.
When arriving at the East Entrance were told that we couldn't camp at Desert View Campground because we were too long. So that meant traveling through the park and going out the South Entrance and stayed about 5 miles south Tent-X Forest Service Campground. This park was very nice but a long ways from the park.
Then on Monday the 24th did some looking around at the Grand Canyon Village, weather wasn't very good still wind and not warm. Then we did get some great sunset pictures in the evening.
We had made a reservation at the Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon for the night of the 25th of May. We were excited and ready to head down. Got up early and got things ready in the Motor Home. We headed to the bus stop by about 8:30 AM. Parked our car and head to the Green Bus Stop which would take us to the South Kaibab Trail head. So right on schedule we were there by 9:00 AM. The canyon is so awesome and hard to believe that a river like the Colorado could create this beautiful Canyon.
So we headed down the trail and 9:00 AM and by 3:00 PM we were standing on the suspension cable bridge over the Colorado River in the bottom of the Canyon. The distance down was 7.3 miles. Wow! We had made it down, the trail was steep but in very good shape.
Now we have to explore the area that they call the Phantom Ranch. History of this area goes back to the 1920's. This area was used as a resort for people way back then. Not sure how they arrived back then.
The Ranch is a step back in time, nothing fancy but build very well. They have a campground called the Bright Angel Campground if you want to camp. We were not going to bring all that stuff on our backs. So we had a reservation for one night in the Men's dorm and Ladie's dorm.
We had a great Stew dinner with all the trimmings at 6:30 PM. Met some very interesting people and had a great evening. we were both in bed by about 9 PM. Then were up early in the morning as breakfast was at 6:30 AM. Had great food to fill our furnace to make it back up the trail to the rim.
At 7:30 AM we were heading out to the Bright Angel Trail which is 9.5 miles to the South Rim. The trail up was very dusty, steep and having mules in our way. The mule teams that take supplies to the Ranch and back are using the Bright Angel so that really breaks up the trail. So we survived and arrive at the South Rim about 3:00 PM. We were very tired and had to find the bus to get back to our car. Found the bus stop area and had to wait for the second bus as the first one was full. Ater about 10 stopped arrived where our car was parked. Headed back to the campground to hook-up car to motor home. Then we were on the road to Page, AZ
"50th Anniversay"
This was a great party. There were 5 couples at Happy Trails who all had their 50th Anniversay this year. We rented a DJ for Music and had the party on the Patio at Town Center at Happy Trails. It was so good and everyone said it was the best party ever. Everyone bought some food and turned out just great. We had more then 200 people in attendance for the party which was held on 4-18-10.
We had pictures taken and are going to do something with them when getting back to Lynden in June. Since our Anniversay is May 13th didn't make it home bye then. So this was such a nice thing to do ahead.
We had pictures taken and are going to do something with them when getting back to Lynden in June. Since our Anniversay is May 13th didn't make it home bye then. So this was such a nice thing to do ahead.
Update for 2010!!
Well where did all the time go. We came home for Christmas on 12-19-09 and then drove our car down starting on January 1st, 2010. We arrived at Happy Trails three days later.
Spent the month on our lot at Happy Trails. Had so so weather with below normal temps and wind. Did enjoy our month playing pickleball, biking, and some kayaking. .Also played in the Annual Happy Trails Classic Pickleball Tournament. We didn't do real well put I won a bronze in singles and Ione got a Silver and Bronze
Then it was time to head toward Palm Springs on the 29th of Jan. We spent two weeks in Palm Springs and played in the annual Palm desert Pickleball Tournament. We won a couple of medals and had a great time with friends.
Then we were off to Yuma for two weeks. Stayed at Yuma Lakes and had some dentistry done in Mexico, shopping down there, etc. Visited friends in he area and before we knew it our two weeks were up. While there the weather was pretty good.
Back on our lot in Happy Trials on the 1st of March. We were kept very busy with pickleball, biking, hiking and just enjoying life. We also played some tennis. Did a lot of work on our lot getting things all set-up so it felt like home.
Since we had brought our Dune Buggy down in November. I did some updating on the Bug, like a new gas tank. It had a lot of rust in the old tank and didn't work well. So then when putting in the new tank the windshield broke. So ended up putting in a new windshield which really turned out well. The old one wasn't put in right 40 yrs. ago and that was why it broke.
Seems our time at Happy Trails just flew by. Before we knew it it was time to get ready to start heading home. So this puts us into the month of May.
Spent the month on our lot at Happy Trails. Had so so weather with below normal temps and wind. Did enjoy our month playing pickleball, biking, and some kayaking. .Also played in the Annual Happy Trails Classic Pickleball Tournament. We didn't do real well put I won a bronze in singles and Ione got a Silver and Bronze
Then it was time to head toward Palm Springs on the 29th of Jan. We spent two weeks in Palm Springs and played in the annual Palm desert Pickleball Tournament. We won a couple of medals and had a great time with friends.
Then we were off to Yuma for two weeks. Stayed at Yuma Lakes and had some dentistry done in Mexico, shopping down there, etc. Visited friends in he area and before we knew it our two weeks were up. While there the weather was pretty good.
Back on our lot in Happy Trials on the 1st of March. We were kept very busy with pickleball, biking, hiking and just enjoying life. We also played some tennis. Did a lot of work on our lot getting things all set-up so it felt like home.
Since we had brought our Dune Buggy down in November. I did some updating on the Bug, like a new gas tank. It had a lot of rust in the old tank and didn't work well. So then when putting in the new tank the windshield broke. So ended up putting in a new windshield which really turned out well. The old one wasn't put in right 40 yrs. ago and that was why it broke.
Seems our time at Happy Trails just flew by. Before we knew it it was time to get ready to start heading home. So this puts us into the month of May.
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