The End and The Beginning

This past Tuesday was the end of year band performance and it was very interesting. With only 6 band members of varying ability they managed to re-write a piece to make it fit and improvise some variations that jazzed it up. It was a pleasant surprise. Joe was also awarded a conductor's baton as Lizz passed the baton for Joe to pick up. It was touching, knowing that Lizz has had Joe as her pupil since she began teaching here 7 years ago. Joe also found out that the Community Band will scholarship Joe for any amt. he is needing to go to band camp in Blaine. His CB fellow musicians love him and decided to show it in a way that is sooo thoughtful. We applied for a tuition scholarship from the camp. We should know in a couple of days if they approved him or not.

Progress Report

The Tomatoes are sturdy, and nasturtiums will be ever so pretty.
This bed has a variety of inhabitants: Jalepenos, Tomatoes, Green & Yellow Peppers, and Eggplant. Only the Habanero is unhappy.
Look at the Beautiful Spinach. I took the picture before I picked dinner.
Arugula! This too was on our dinner plate this evening.

Memorial Day Salute

Our American Legion Post had a ceremony honoring Vets today at the Mt. Baker Cemetery. The Auxillary are in the colorful Red Jackets.
The colorguard did a 21 gun salute followed by a beautiful playing of "Taps" on the Bugle.
It was a bit breezy and challenging for the flagbearers and the speaker. His notes kept trying to get away from him. It was a fine and patriotic tribute.

Yeah!! Turtleback Mountain Pictures!

So this is the map at the trail head that we glanced at and didn't photograph until we made it back down the trail. We took the North trail and followed it around, enjoying the Waldron Overlook, took the high road around the center loop trail, and then to the top of Ship Peak Overlook. The broken lines denote a small dirt trail instead of a path big enough to drive. We went the wrong way on the way back, down the South Trail. When we realized it we turned around and doubled back. I wanted to cry. It was uphill and we had enough backtracking to do.
We took the bottom of the Loop to see different scenery on the return trip but it seemed to go on forever....
There was always a upward bend in the road. This was taken on our way up not back.
This is Walron Overlook. It was truly gorgeous. The shade felt nice and cool on our sweaty backs and faces. We both forgot to wear deodorant!!
I found a wild horse to ride.
The colors alone were a beautiful contrast, but the decay of the Cedars was a study in the lifecycle of old growth forests.
Not all the wildlife was on four feet. This Banana Slug was the first I've seen this year. We only saw one Deer and it was startled to see anyone in "his yard".
This Green Elephant was the first Wildlife we saw. He must have moved because we didn't see him again on our way back down the hill.

Turtleback Mountain Part One

I keep trying to upload some more photos and I am having server issues. You will get to see some more photos soon...

Turtleback Mountain: the movie

Even though this was a hike we were eager to try, Jenny had her own reasons for wanting the challenge. She is wearing her 2nd pair of Army boots and her Ruck Sac is fully loaded with heavy stuff to get conditioned for her Ft. Lewis training that begins mid next month.

Turtleback Mountain the end of the Journey to the Top

Jenny and I embarked on a hike of Turtleback Mt. yesterday. We didn't plan too well ahead. We had water and lunch. I put on sun screen and she had a hat and shades. Oh and of course Cameras.
We tried to pay attention to all the little beauty around us as well as the anticipated view at the top.
We didn't know the name for half of the things we saw, only that they were little surprises to be found.
Doesn't this look like wild asparagus?
OH, and Tansy. It grows unchecked in lots of areas.
We saw an eagle and many of these birds of prey when we first got to the viewpoint.
You always have to have a picture of yourself to prove you were there.
This view looks toward Deer Harbor.
Jenny and the view toward West Sound.
It was a gorgeous day. We did not see one other human being on our long 4+ hour hike.
Lots of good conversation, giggles, exercise and encouragement to keep one foot moving in front of the other.

Golfing in Beauty is Deceptive

Maybe you can see the white caps. We were feeling the wind and the balls had a flight path all their own. This was on the practice day we set aside for the Tri-District Champ Golf Match in Oak Harbor.

It was bitterly cold but there were still some moments of sun and beauty worth stopping for.
Even this shot seems tame, but look at the sand bunkers flanking this green. They are not as friendly as they seem.
The actual day of play I did not photograph. It was windy, cold and rainy. Not a very nice day to play golf at all, but equal nastiness for everyone involved. This marked the end of Joe's high school golf career, and it felt bitter sweet.
This marks 7 years that we've been walking the course watching our kids play. I will miss it, and may just have to start golfing myself.

The New Take on Gardening 2009

Does this picture make you curious? Gardening for the Boucher's is changing!
This is a new kind of trellis box for beans or peas. Notice that there is no bottom to the planter.
Angie and Rick got busy on making boxes for our container gardening.
The square foot boxes are perfect on the steps and have sweet peas, calendula, vibernum and carnations. I hope they take off if it ever gets warm here.
And here you have an original copy cat "topsy turvy". We planted two tomato plants and cilantro in another. It is my official salsa garden. But look, isn't it cool to convert the swing that we never get to sit on, at least for a season to see if it works? I'm willing to give it a good try. Very fun trying to do some different things to make gardening work for us and not us "work" for a garden.