We went Sailing....

We went Sailing with John and Edy Thornton on Monday. John and I motored the boat from P.O. to Manchester.

Going through Rich Passage we saw seal sleeping on a buoy. We got close and they did not even wake up.

While out in the shipping channel by Blake Island we had a good view of Seattle. The Space Needle looked nice with the Stanley Range behind it some 60 miles.

Sandra and Edy drove to Manchester and we stopped at the dock to go out by Blake Island and try their new spinnaker! We didn't have much wind and we chased wind all over and finally had a brief sail with wind.

On our way back to P.O. we had another fantastic view of Mt. Rainier. This has been an amazing time of year with sunny warm days.
Here's a VIDEO!!!

Short Puyallup Fair Video

Here's an idea of what it was like to "Do the Puyallup".... I should have done video in the cow barns etc.

SWAN Song...last section for 1st shipment.

Well, things are moving along on Narrows Bridge II... NB-II. The last section was lifted of the "Swan" on Thursday as I was riding over the bridge. They've been lifting the sections at a maddening pace lately. At the Gig Harbor (west) end they're moving/swinging sections to the shoreline. In the middle they've got some 9 sections in place but very out of final setting. Until things are balanced the arch of the bridge is presently a valley, very odd looking. The "Atlantic" tug is on the job thanks to Ken Pace, and has been doing yeoman duty!
Doug

Tyler Calling! !!!

Mom/Sandra is talking to TYLER and it's great! Here is a photo of her talking to him.

Fall is on the Way!!

Looks like the trees are changing color and losing leaves.
Woody and I were out on the deck with the cat watching leaves fall.



I arrived home last night and someone made cookies!!! They are delicious and especially with a small 'espresso' in the Senseo...with the new replaceable pods!


Here's how the new pod looks in machine.... espresso grind is best!

We did the Puyallup!!!

Sandra and I went to the Puyallup Fair on Monday afternoon. I did my volunteer time at the Multicare booth and handed out information about the hospital etc. People think you are a medical professional and tell you way to much! Fortunately the guy with me was a surgery tech and had most of the answers! Sandra spent the 3 hours of my volunteer work taking tours of the offerings of the fair!

When there was One!

A cool sunrise picture of the TNB a couple of years ago prior to new bridge tower construction.

Bridge Section #9

This is what I have to TRY to ignore as I commute over the bridge! I occassionally stop and take a look from the safety of the Towers!

What's on the Bridge Bike Lane today? ......

The following are examples of surprises one finds on their Trek....(pun intended) across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Besides focusing on the narrow lane, ignoring logging trucks 3 feet to your left, bouncing decks, winds, pedestrians, and trying to not think of the incredible construction to the south of the new bridge.....ONE MUST ALWAYS look at ANYTHING suspcious in the narrow lane ahead. I will try to show some of those from time to time.

This is an accumulation of debris from motor vehicles on the bridge that was cleared off the bike/pedestrian lane. Thoughtful folks removed it to a point of safety. It's been by a tower for weeks now.....


This is some sort of Kitchen Utensil that fell into the lane from a motor vehicle.


Another Kitchen Utensil...a stainless steel beater...quite weighty, glad it didn't hit someone.

AWee Movie for Tyler

as you said Tyler "edit movies on your computer..."

Tyler Reads

Check out Tyler Reading before his Japan trip...

Family!!

Here's the 'extended' family!
On or around August 28.

Improved Exit at Jackson

Well, the ride over the Bridge is improving. The Jackson St. exit has been closed for a month making the bike ride up from the bridge a pain. The route during the reconstruction of the Jackson St. exit took bikers through rough gravel and sand via the construction staging area and along the bottom of the roads berms. It was a challenge but at least we were allowed through. Overall the TNB contractor has been good to bikers. Here's a picture of the latest route on Sept. 6. Tonight the exit will be barricaded properly and striped so autos will begin using it and heavily!! The Pearl St. exit closes down Hwy 16 for remodel and I think there will be a lot of traffic at Jackson. By the looks of things the bikes will be on the side of the car lane, with some pylons protecting us! Would have been nice to be behind the Jersey barriers but that makes too much sense.
Doug

Tyler is in Japan!

So good to hear from Tyler and see photos even! Naoko is so CUTE.... she's almost as cute as Theo! I am going to have to get a second clock so I'll always know what time it is in Japan. Sandra noticed right away that the camera he selected is the same model she has. That is a wonderful camera with so many features for all. She uses the auto mode for most shots. The camera can do so may manual modes the creative person like Tyler will once again have fun! I am glad and surprised to hear contacts are being made for whatever your plans are Tyler. I'll post a picture of Tyler with Theo!
....It's all about Theo these days! Oh.... is there a Japanese spelling of Theo or Theodore? If there is, can you photograph it and post it?
DougDad

Theo is ONE WEEK OLD!!!

Today is Monday, Labor Day, Travel Day, Last Day with Theo for a while Day!
We, i.e. Sandra and Danny, and myself have been to Bellingham to visit with Sarah and Andy and their new baby Theodore! We were up there last weekend and experienced the birth that weekend. We came home for the middle of the week and back up this Labor Day weekend. It's interesting how Theo has changed in the week. He's getting to be alert is what I noticed mostly. He's also being fed so well from Sarah that he's able to relax and be quite calm when others hold him. Andy, the new dad on the block, is amazing. He's right there for Theo when needed and he never complains. Sarah's mom, Judy, has been around as another Theo supporter. Sherm, Judy's husband, has also been there too leading in may tasks to support the new family. We've had fun! Yesterday we all attended church together and Theo was the center of attention. We spent time making cupcakes and decorating them to celebrate Theo and had fun with spelling out THEO with mini m&m candy toppings on them. Today we even planted a new tree for Theo! It's been quite a different week off for me. I've gone the entire week, and more, some 9 days without riding my bike! Now that's sacrifice! Just kidding. I'll be back to it tomorrow when I am back to work. I'll put up some of my favorite Theo pix.... he's soo CUTE!