march 2013

A few random photos I've taken recently:

Casey preparing dinner for us and a guest

flowers in an alley

old Seattle when it was a mining town, after the great fire

the old sewage system: hollowed-out logs. The problem was, they also burned. We took a tour of the "underground Seattle," a popular and revealing look at the city's past.

a view from the "space needle." The city center at left, the industrial longshoremen area center back, where ships come in and unload, and the Puget Sound waterways.

poster art downtown

Casey and our friend Jaime, enjoying the tour

happiness economic?

Gallup polls ranks several states according to happiness. I found myself a bit bothered by the statement: "Frank Newport, Gallup's editor-in-chief, told the website 24/7 Wall St. that well-being is important because happier, healthier citizens tend to have positive social and economic impacts on the places they live."- as if happiness, to be important, needs to be tied to increased profit margins! See the MSN link here. I see that everywhere, even, ironically, in the healthcare industry.

idaho hot springs

Justin, Mark, Curt

This past weekend I got to spend Saturday and Sunday at two hot springs outside of Boise, Idaho with friends. I've known Justin and Mark for about six years and been hiking and camping with them since. We've been outdoors in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.

at Bonneville hot springs,
the hot water is pooled right next to the cold water river

steam coming off the hot water trickling down the mountain

taking it in

 

utah idaho trip

Dad feeding the sheep

the stroll out to the animals

barn cats

Last week Casey and I were able to spend 4 days in Portland, Oregon, doing a men's weekend. We had dinner with Win and Kyle, and Adam, Ken, and Joe. They drove back and dropped me off for the night with Gary and Tod. Gary dropped me off at the airport to fly to Salt Lake City.

Monday night I had some friends over, then received Dad at 3 p.m. to help me pack my belongings from my place there. We went to Payson Tuesday night, and returned to pack my Uhaul. It was great to spend time with Dad, and to talk with Leslie on the phone. Thank you for calling. We went to the airport and picked up Cristina and family returning from Chile.

Wednesday I drove to Pocatello and stayed with Jimmy and Joany. Gave them a bed and couch, and saw Lobo their malamute dog (fierce-looking as a wolf, absent-minded as goldfish). We saw a rock band in a friend's garage, and cousin Dustin and Carla.

Friday I drove in a smaller SUV to Boise with my belongings. Had dinner with the Merricks and Mark and Justin - thank you Rita for your graciousness! Then went to Sacajawea hot springs and Bonneville hot springs, staying overnight at Sourdough Lodge Saturday in the Boise National Forest. Great times with Mark, Justin, and Curt.

Monday I drove back to Seattle the eight hours over the pass. It was sunny and beautiful late winter all the way home. Glad to be back with Casey. And glad to have interacted with so many people that matter to me.