Firewood is Stored for the Winter

No posts for few days but I have been a busy guy! Here is a picture of the firewood I got cut, split, dried (just in time!) and stacked in our garage last week, just before the rain and cooler weather came back. All Hemlock this year from a blow down in my neighbor's yard in that big storm last December.

I didn't quite fill that space to the ceiling like I wanted to, but I only put bug-free wood inside the garage. I have another half cord outside that is not so bug free, under a tarp. I plan to use that wood first.

We have a nice heat pump for heating and cooling but burning wood in our free-standing wood stove should moderate our electricity bills somewhat. And, there is just "something" about the heat from a modern, efficient wood stove. Ceiling fans help distribute the heat throughout the house. Sometimes we turn on just the fan in the heat pump system for a little while for a quicker warm up.

Rainier Mountain Festival and Kautz Creek

Saturday, Al Lind and I went to Mount Rainier again - can't get enough! This time each year the Rainier Mountain Festival is put on in Ashford, Washington, site of the famous Whittaker brothers 'Rainier Base Camp' and mountaineering store. It affords the opportunity, should you be so inclined, to schmooze with Jim and Lou Whittaker and many other famous mountaineering legends.

Once we satisfied our curiosity we continued the few remaining miles to the Mount Rainier Park boundary and into the Park just a few miles to Kautz Creek, site of a number of rather spectacular glacial river rampages with amazing resultant debris fields. We hiked up a rather gentle sloping trail perhaps only a little over a mile. The pictures don't quite do it justice. You wouldn't think water could move that much huge trees and giant boulders. See the photo album.

Relections

The early morning sun first appears on the treetops on the far side of our beautiful Erickson Lake, then slowly illuminates more and more of the opposing shoreline. Before the usual light breeze starts blowing the lake is much like a mirror punctuated by the occasional fish feeding on surface.

We enjoy this spectacular view most every sunny morning. Who wouldn't want to live here? It's time to turn this treasure over to the care of a younger couple. And they really ought to be standing in line to buy it!

Living Waters Fellowship Picnic

Sunday after church we attended our church picnic. John and Connie Streib were, once again, the gracious hosts for this annual event. It was indeed a very pleasant time. I can't remember when every single dish I tried tasted really good!

No music this year but the extended time of fellowship seemed to be enjoyed by everyone. It also gave us some time to start getting acquainted with out new Pastors Tom and Lisa Clifton. You can see my picnic pictures here.

I'm So Confused!

Guess what? You might think it is spring, perhaps Easter by the faithful blooming of these Easter Lilies in our yard. They seem to be confused because they bloom this time each year! Strange.

Another Beautiful Day In Paradise!

My hiking buddy Al Lind managed to get a day off work to extend his Labor Day weekend so Tuesday we went back to one of our favorite places - Paradise at Mount Rainier. We wanted to see the newly built visitors center which is replacing the Henry M. Jackson VC. Also, over 2 million dollars worth of renovations have been done to the historic Paridise Lodge. Its massive roof has been replaced and all the seams are sporting bright new copper flashing. I have included several photos of the exterior and interior.

Besides that, the wild flowers were still quite good. They usually are wilted by this time of year. I think the late spring and the slow snow melt has preserved them this year. The Indian Paintbrush flowers were in greater abundance than they were just ten days ago.

This trip was more a tourist excursion for us. We usually put on backpacks and walk several miles on our trips but for the last two weeks I have suffered with they tell me is a bone spur in my right foot. It sure slows me down! Here are the photos on Picasaweb.