The morning was filled with the long boring drive through northern Nevada. The most interesting part was the Bonneville salt flats once we hit Utah. The place feels a little surreal. Our first destination in Utah was Provo. Based on some recommendations and reading, we decided to get a real campsite at Utah Lake State Park. There is a bike trail that starts there and follows the Provo River through town and up the Provo Canyon. The afternoon gave us enough time to ride through town and back. We didn’t have the energy to tackle the canyon. The trail was shaded almost the whole way, so it was pleasant riding despite the 90 degree heat. After supper at a local Mexican restaurant, we drove up the canyon to Bridal Veil Falls and Sundance resort. Sundance was very unique and not what we expected – small scale and rustic though still ritzy. It was fairly cool up at Sundance, compared to the heat and mosquitoes of our campsite.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Utah Adventure - Day 1
Having made the quick Interstate dash down I 90-84-80-15 last June; we decided to take a more ‘scenic route’ (at least different) through Eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. We went through towns like John Day, Burns and Winnemucca. I think those were the only towns over 100 population we saw for four hundred miles! The drive through the northeastern part of Oregon was very scenic with pine covered mountains and rocky canyons. The southeastern part of the state was even more desolate than I imagined. It was scenic, with rolling hills and livestock, but there was NOBODY there. For one stretch of one hundred miles we only met three cars on the highway. We pulled into the Winnemucca Walmart before midnight and found a restful corner of the parking lot.
Monday, June 21, 2010
North again
This past weekend we ventured to the north country again. Saturday morning we attended Steve and Renee Dole's wedding in Conway, near Mt. Vernon. The weather held for a beautiful wedding in a garden setting. The wedding was followed by a nice brunch reception. Then it was up to Lynden for a graduation party for nieces Bria and Marika. There were a lot of long time friends and family to connect with at the party. Sunday, we went to church with Bjorn and Jenny at Oikos, and then celebrated Father's Day at Olive Garden. A good start to the summer break as my last day was Friday.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Graduation Weekend on steroids
We spent the last weekend running back and forth up and down I-5 celebrating graduation ceremonies. Thursday night it was up to Lynden for Bria and Marika's Lynden Academy graduation. Friday morning it was down to Seattle for Markus' Ivy cutting ceremony in Tiffany Loop. Then it was back up to Lynden Friday night for Marika's Lynden High School graduation. Saturday was a lay low in the sun day in Lynden. Then on Sunday it was back down to Seattle and Safeco field for Markus' SPU graduation. If things weren't hectic enough, my dear wife locked the keys in the van on Capital Hill one hour before grad time at Safeco. Since Ada's car seat was in the van, Bjorn had to walk her down to Safeco. After the ceremony, we were able to get it open, thanks to Mikal and AAA. We topped the weekend off with a dinner at the Icon Grill. All of the ceremonies seem to melt together in my mind; but each one was special in its own way.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Neah Bay 2010
Once again, God blessed our annual camping trip to Neah Bay with sunshine and safety. The past weekend had a 30 hour break in the weather - just the window that we had scheduled for the trip. The hike to Shi Shi Beach was very muddy, but the beach was great - sunshine and low tide. The Makah museum was great as usual and the camping at Hobuck Beach went well. (We even got compliments from the surfers) The only rain occurred as we completed our final activity, the hike to Cape Flattery. My birthday was acknowledge on the way home at the Port Angeles McDonald's with students getting the whole restaurant to sing to me.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
What did you do with your soggy weekend?
This Memorial Day weekend will certainly be 'memorable' for most folks, but it will be the lousy weather that we will remember. The forecast had been for a little break on Sunday, so Esther and I went out to the coast to check out Seabrook Resort for an August family gathering. It rained the entire day! We didn't even get on the beach. We did however, get a good feel for which house we want to rent. On Monday I was determined to do yard work, rain or shine. Well, I got the 'rain' in the morning and the 'shine' in the afternoon. The evening sun allowed us to at least have a barbecue.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
MSP - Measuement of Student Progress
As I finally post this blog, I realize that this month has been my most pathetic blog month in Southworth Sailor history. Maybe it is a reflection of the worst May weather I can ever remember. I have had several blog worthy happenings this month: Bjorn had an appendectomy and subsequent infection, I reconditioned the keel on my boat and gave it a new coat of black bottom paint. Our class went on a field trip to the Mariners game, my iPod Touch was stolen by one of my students and we finished the first year of MSP testing - Measurement of Student Progress instead of the WASL - Washington Assessment of Student Learning. These tests seem to be ever more consuming of our educational attention. There is certainly some good in them, as they have raised the level of accountability in the classroom; but there are many frustrating and inequitable dimensions to the process as well. One particularly frustrating test is the science test. There are some very nebulous 'standards' that the state publishes on which the test is based. As teachers, we are not allowed to read the test; but if one were to look over the students shoulders, he/she would notice different test questions for different students and very little testing of scientific content and lots of extended written responses for inconsequential scenarios. Our school has typically performed poorly on this test, and despite great effort to prepare the students this year, I have little confidence that there will be a significant improvement.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
tennis on Mother's Day
Markus joined us for Mother's Day. After church, we enjoyed a Kim's Teriyaki 'party tray,' then hustled off to enjoy the weather at the tennis courts. The old fogey's still have the swing as we beat the young boys in a tight match. We refreshed ourselves with Coldstone ice cream in Bremerton and then enjoyed the sunshine at Harborside Park and waterfront area. The Spring weather seems to have finally arrived.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Bookend Birthdays
This past weekend we celebrated two birthdays; one at the beginning of life and the other in the closing years. Two special women in my life - my granddaughter and mother, neither one cognizant of the significance of the event. Mom did have momentary recognitions of her birthday, but they quickly faded away. But somehow in her emotions, I believe that she could feel the family celebration on her behalf. A highlight for her was signing hymns with her children. On the other end of things, Ada seemed to enjoy the all the attention given her. There was a big party with many of Bjorn and Jenny's friends. Ada seems to have grown up so much in just the past month. She is standing and walking with a cart, sleeping through the night, and making sounds that at least resemble language. While my Mom is quickly losing her ability to communicate, my granddaughter is quickly beginning her ability.
"One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." Ps. 145
"One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." Ps. 145
Saturday, April 17, 2010
SPU Dad's Only Day
My final year as a dad of a SPU student and I got to go to the first annual Dad's Only Day at SPU. The day's events began with breakfast at SPU and then a trip to the Seattle Sounders game. Markus and I went with Jason and Jillian Shdo. I'm not sure why we let Jill get that obnoxious horn! The rain held off except for a few sprinkles, making for pleasant game conditions. The Sounder fans are great and the game was fun to watch as it was my first pro soccer game. Fortunately, the Sounders scored in the extended minutes of the game to win 1-0.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Spring Break - Day 8 and 9
The weather in Sacramento started turning cooler. Jack and I did some shingle repair on Ellen's roof in the morning. We rode about 12 miles on the American River Trail. It is a great trail, and on a Spring Saturday well used by serious cyclers and casual bikers like ourselves. In the evening we had dinner in Old Sacramento before Esther and I headed for home at 8pm. We made it as far as Medford at 1am where we checked in at the local Walmart. Sunday we drove through Oregon and arrived home in time to unpack and rewind before hitting work tomorrow. It was a great trip and we really enjoyed vacationing with Jack and Sue and spending time with Ellen.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Spring Break - Day 7
Today was work day at Ellen’s. Jack and I did some fence, gutter and lawn mower repair while Esther and Susan did some landscape beautification. Ellen kept a Bulthuis tradition alive by bringing home a Friday night Papa Murphy’s pizza. We had an enjoyable evening as siblings reminiscing and sharing dreams.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Spring Break - Day 6
I woke early this morning for a bike ride along the coast before breakfast. Today was a travel day back to Sacramento. We did manage to take the scenic route through Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. The boardwalk was as busy as we have ever seen it. It was amazing how calm the weather was in Santa Cruz when Monterey and the most of the coast was very windy. For a few days we have been anticipating some fried artichokes since we are near the artichoke capital of the world. We got our chance at lunch in Half Moon Bay. We enjoyed dinner at Ellen’s and look forward to a day of work in the sun tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Spring Break - Day 5
Another gorgeous day on the Monterey Peninsula. In the morning, we rode our bikes on the trail into Monterey and Pacific Grove. We found a nice cute motel in Pacific Grove that was reasonable via coupons. After a quick lunch on the wharf and a little more biking on the trail, we headed for Carmel by the Sea. We stopped at the historic mission and then poked around the shops in town. We ate at the Hogs Breath Inn of Clint Eastwood fame. It was a fun outdoor pub in a cool little courtyard. After dinner we drove down the Big Sur coast for a bit before returning to our motel and walking to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Spring Break - Day 4
The California sun is here, and we are enjoying it! We drove down to Monterey this morning with Jack and Sue. After enjoying a sourdough bowl of clam chowder on Cannery Row, we headed for 17 Mile Drive. Vehicles pay $9.50 to drive this gorgeous stretch of coastline, but bicycles are free. The wind was pretty brisk off the water, so there was no problem of overheating. We took a few hours to soak in the sun and the magnificent views. We ended the day enjoying seafood and a view of Monterey Bay. It is fun sharing our adventure with Jack and Sue.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Spring Break - Day 3
The rain gods were gracious to us today. Though a little chilly, we had a dry day. A few hours in Petaluma browsing antique shops and we headed for Sonoma. Lunch was on the sidewalk at the Cheese Factory. Esther enjoyed some window shopping before we explored the short bike path that skirts the hillside wineries behind town. We enjoyed the chance to get a little exercise and sunshine. In the evening we went to Sacramento to join Jack and Sue at Ellen’s for supper and then to witness Butler U's heroic effort in the final dance. Tomorrow Ellen is back to work while the Washingtonians head for the Monterey Peninsula and sunshine.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Spring Break - Day 2
Today’s weather would have made the Russian emigrants homesick for their Alaskan roots. The wine country of the Russian River Valley felt more like the Ho Rain Forest. After an early Easter service at First Baptist Church in Ukiah and a grand slam breakfast at Denny’s, we were ready to take on the soggy vacation day. Being denied the pleasure of any outdoor activity or museum viewing (Easter!), we headed for the stormy coastal town of Bodega Bay to enjoy nature’s ferociousness. The surf and wind was even too much for the kite surfers as we watched them pack up their gear. We headed in early to our motel in Santa Rosa.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Spring Break - Day 1
After checking out of our Walmart parking lot accommodations we set the GPS for the closest Rest Area and Starbucks. After departing home after work the previous night, we made it as far as Cottage Grove in central Oregon before our eyelids could not handle the traffic and rain anymore. We began to wonder about a ‘spring vacation in California’ as we passed a blanket of snow from Ashland to almost Redding. The weather broke a little in Redding, so we pulled our bicycles out of the van and checked out the Sacramento River Trail. It was great! A paved trail follows the river on both sides, beginning at Sundial Bridge and continuing to the dam. It was a delight to enjoy a little sunshine and the budding trees along the river. Once out of the downtown area, the trail had little traffic and we cruised along the smooth pavement. After the bike ride we headed south and then west when we got to Williams. We crossed the coastal mountains and passed by Clear Lake to catch US 101. We found a ‘real motel’ in Ukiah and enjoyed a shower and clean bed.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
removing a rusty centerboard
The warm dry Saturday gave me an opportunity to do a major project on my sailboat. My boat has a shoal (shallow) keel with an iron centerboard that swings down when sailing. It looks like the 170 lbs. cast iron board has not been removed in 35 years. After putting the trailer up on wheel ramps, I chained the trailer to the truck and the boat to a tree. Then with a come along, I slid the boat back on the trailer to allow the centerboard to drop behind the axle. It worked like a charm, except that the boat wasn't high enough to allow the centerboard to drop all the way. Nothing that a quick hole in the ground couldn't solve. I was surprised to have the board out and ready to be sandblasted in one day. I still have a few more projects to complete before I am ready to put the boat in the drink.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Jenny's Birthday
This past weekend we got to see our granddaughter (oh yes, and her parents) Ada is changing so fast. She is still a tiny thing, but she is crawling, standing and feeding herself (with fingers of course) Saturday night we met Bjorn, Jenny and Ada, as well as Markus in Seattle and went to a 'fun Asian restaurant' - Wild Ginger, that Jenny found. Then Esther and I took Ada home while Bjorn and Jenny went to a concert. They came to Southworth late that night and went to church with us in the morning. We celebrated Jenny's birthday before they headed off to Lynden for another party. Well, at least we got our Ada fix.
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