Proud Parents

We are so proud of our hard working bookworms.

Forest - Student of the Month, Distinguished Honor Roll
River - Honor Roll, in 3 Advanced Placement classes
Stephanny - Nearly all A's

 Glowing commendation for all three from their teachers. Way to go guys - Keep It Up!

Slick Rock 50K

I was in Grand Junction CO for my annual run weekend with Matt Heller. As usual, had a blast, beer, and a few adventures. We started the weekend with a hike up Colorado National Monument, saw Ziggy Marley that night, and was off to Moab for the Slick Rock 50K, stopping in Thompson Springs to see the creepy pictographs along the way. Race day was unbelievably cold and rainy, and by virtue of last minute course changes (complete reroute), and wrong turns, ended up being a 37 mile run. I ran the best ultra of my life, finishing in 5th place, with a time of 6:19, just over 10 minute mile pace. Matt ran 19 before being sidelined by IT band troubles. We ended the weekend with Sushi at a local joint, and trivial pursuit.

Full album here: Slick Rock 50K Photos

Results: Results 5th of 47.

Not my route map, but another competitors GPS of the exact route we took: GPS Course Map

Washington - Oregon Vacation

Our summer vacation to Washington State and Oregon was adventurous and memorable. Below are some select pictures from the trip. For the complete set, see HERE

Highlights from the trip include:

Catching up with Charlie, Jackie, and Jennifer Brown in Selah

Fishing for (and catching a 100 lb) Sturgeon on the Colombia River

Yakima Valley Fruit Stands

Ferry Ride (and clam chowder) from Anacortas to Orcas Island

Beach Combing for critters on Orcas Island

The unique cabins of Northshore Cabins in Orcas

Touring Sucia Islands by Kayak

The wonderful pebble beach at Obstruction Pass State Park

Pike Street Market, Seattle

Oyster Shooters (Yech!) at Pike Street Market

Dinner with Friends at The Crab Pot in Seattle

Hiking Sunset, Mt. Rainier

Hiking the snowfields in Paradise

Hot tub nights and freezing swims in the Cowslits River

Morning run with River, Forest, Solana, Joel on Packwood Lake Trail

Magnificent Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, OR

Our first sunset on Manzanita Beach

More Critter and beach combing on Manzanita Beach

Flying Kites on the beach

Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit (and Beer and Tequila) with Joel and Stacey

Surfing (or trying), boogie boarding, and the wonder of wet suites

Mudd Dog's (Chicago Dogs)

Portland Surrey Quad Bike's on the riverfront

Colombia River Gorge with Mt. Hood in the background
Orcas Island
Orcas Island
Sunrise, Mount Rainier
Manzanita Beach

Colombia River Gorge
Colombia River Gorge
Ferry Terminal Sunset in Anacortis
Orcas Island
Orcas Sunset

Sucia Island Seal
Seattle Skyline from the Space Needle
Sunrise, Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier Wildflowers
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR
Manzanita Sunset
Manzanita Sunset Cartwheels

Manzanita Sunset
Mt. Hood from the airplane home.

Another Summer Photos Dump

There are times when you don't realize how special periods of your life are until you look back upon them. I think this summer is turning out to be that kind of time. First some awesome guitar recital and soccer videos, then another photo dump. Two weeks and counting until we leave for Washington State for a much deserved 2 week vacation, one of which will be with great friends...

Rockin' River

Frettin Forest

Strummin Stephanny

Kickin Krem

Forest at his first rock concert
Baltimore Arts Festival
Triathlon Start
Post-Triathlon

Hirut in Forest's Fort/Rock Garden
Angler Krem
Angler Stephanny
Angler River - His keeper fish!
My special gal - I don't think she realizes how much she means to me.
Krem loves water!
Angler Forest
Cannonball!
Starboard, port, stern, aft, what!?!?!?
A HOT day on the boat…
Spooky Swim
Forest was really brave and participated in the bluegrass jam.
Ice Cream and Summer!
Helping on the boat.
My sweetie
My gals

Summer Fun

Time for a short break from summer excitement to upload some pics of what's going on here. Also, finally gave the frustrating SLR camera the boot and downgraded to a model that just takes great pics - so back to enjoying taking pictures again. We have a 2 week vacation to Washington and Oregon planned for August - so check back then for the latest updates.
Grandpa Gheen and River's Boat Building Project

Fire! Fire!

Backyard Campout

Pool Movie Night

Lawn Sports

Watergun Fight

Cooling off in the Brandywine

Water Fun

Garden Strawberries

Doing it Right

Doing it any which way.

"Daddy Look! I'm being dangerous!"

Catching Critters

Being Cute

Lots of time in the pool