tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44072790609908422062023-11-16T00:17:36.443-07:00Spudward: Adventures on the Western Fringe of the Rocky MountainsCVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-15880895347416467522010-09-18T13:05:00.003-06:002010-09-18T13:07:59.874-06:00Hey, that looks familiar!So, I was sweeping the path up to our front door when I noticed a familiar looking shape in the rocks that make up the path:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqYvall5uazfta8lZiUKOd1BinMAoPv9GE-IkiHjYzvif5d3IdtfUd_FHoppilEZsjNg8yRg-YNRiQDQxDlhd8wE3KcpNLM6DHh6nilR2RiZEPxUIwjMrVXxZP0xkVqh1kLdsK8wU7lI/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqYvall5uazfta8lZiUKOd1BinMAoPv9GE-IkiHjYzvif5d3IdtfUd_FHoppilEZsjNg8yRg-YNRiQDQxDlhd8wE3KcpNLM6DHh6nilR2RiZEPxUIwjMrVXxZP0xkVqh1kLdsK8wU7lI/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518332081341561746" /></a><br /><br />Yep, it's the outline of our fair state.CVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-38615942621874743692010-08-17T21:50:00.002-06:002010-08-17T21:50:54.148-06:00MIGRATION.Fun, fun. Until I develop a good way to migrate posts, old posts will remain here, but the new fun and games will be taking place at: <a href="http://www.spudward.com/">http://www.spudward.com</a> . See you there!Arielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098444815480229538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-29401033589244970862010-06-03T12:43:00.004-06:002010-06-03T12:50:50.819-06:00Losing an e-mail account fouls up everything.Dear readers,<br /><br />As most of you well know, I was recently kidnapped in London and held hostage for an e-mail ransom. The result of this adventure was the unfortunate deletion of my old e-mail addresses, <a href="mailto:ariel.holman@gmail.com">ariel.holman@gmail.com</a>, the one tied to this blog, being one of them.<br /><br />Though I transferred administrator privilages over before I deleted that google account, unfortunately, it appears that it has messed things up over here at Spudward as well (not the hacker, just the loss of the account).<br /><br />We have many wonderful things to share - including a marching marmot, and pictures and stories from our trip out to Grand Teton National Park.<br /><br />In the days to come, keep an eye out for more information - I'll be migrating the blog to another location, and hopefully will be able to retain a similar web address.<br /><br />Thanks for your patience - the potato will be back before you know it!<br /><br />Love, Ariel & CharlieArielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098444815480229538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-46263392546445945732010-02-20T18:47:00.001-07:002010-02-20T18:47:35.838-07:00Adventures at state agencies."You have got to be kidding me. Seriously. SERIOUSLY?"<br />
<br />
You can always expect a long wait and some curious people-watching, but never have I had an experience at the Social Security office as I did the other day.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm a pretty patient person, and after a couple years of commuting to work on Portland's public transportation system, I'd like to think that I have pretty tolerant attitude toward the public at large. Stinky people? Oh well. Life happens. Rude people? I've got my "ignoring you" and "disinterest" faces down pat. Crazy people? Just part of the community; be polite, but try not to engage.<br />
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You definitely utilize those skills when you have a hang out at a public services office.<br />
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So I am sitting there. Minding my own business. Waffling between reading the book I brought and checking my phone for the best, newest things on the internet and e-mail. Typical waiting behavior.<br />
<br />
The room was stuffy and redolent of people with a lower-than-average idea of hygiene. Yuck.<br />
<br />
When I came in, the hyper-friendly security agent informed me that I wasn't allowed to have my coffee mug in the room, and that I had to leave it on the counter by the door. Bummer. Now I'm a little undercaffeinated, too.<br />
<br />
The room is slowly filling up when two men come through the door. One guy is a small, wiry, whip-skinny fellow, the other (The Lenny to his George) is tall and pretty overweight. Tall enough, that when I was seated, and the two men took the seats next to me, the big guy's hip was at the same level as my head.<br />
<br />
The big guy identifies a friend across the room, and stands up to talk to him. First, however, he turns to talk to the skinny guy. The rows are close enough together, that I had to turn and make room for him to stand and make his way down the aisle. I'm turned away, as, due to the architecture of his frame and my seated position, his butt is right next to my face. I'm trying to be polite, and just ignore the situation as best I can.<br />
<br />
That's when I noticed a slight odor.<br />
<br />
Phew, poor guy. He also must fall into the "poor hygiene" category, because MAN he smells like... well... POOP.<br />
<br />
Being polite. Just minding my own business.<br />
<br />
The smell intensifies.<br />
<br />
Wow. I wonder if that old lady in front of my ripped one - sometimes old people aren't too conscious of controlling those things.<br />
<br />
And it continues to get worse.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden it hits me (like a wave of rotten eggs and a meal that didn't agree with someone)... this guy just farted in my face.<br />
<br />
He stood there.<br />
With his butt.<br />
In my face.<br />
And let one go.<br />
<br />
They couldn't call my number fast enough.<br />
<br />
By the way - with regard to the name changing (the purpose of my being there)? We decided to go with Varhol. What do you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-62299694202531969232010-01-30T13:07:00.000-07:002010-01-30T13:07:43.688-07:00Saturday mornings.There's nothing quite like a lazy Saturday morning when the weather outside is dreary, the air inside in chilly, and you have nothing (absolutely nothing!) on your agenda.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sleeping in until 10, warm people wrapped in a dense, heavy cocoon of blankets.<br />
<br />
The warm, roasty smell of brewing coffee.<br />
<br />
Dragging chairs and laptops into the warm kitchen and sharing internet clips and funny blog posts we wait for sweet popovers to "pop" in the oven.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>This American Life</i> weaving curious, inquisitive stories on the radio.<br />
<br />
Yes, friends. This is the homebody life that a wintery morning demands of a newly married couple.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the popover recipe we used: <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2010/01/sugar-crusted_popover_recipe.html">Sugar-Crusted Popovers</a>.<br />
Let me offer a tip or two: if using a muffin tin, heat it in the oven while you blend the batter. Put a pat of butter (just a tiny, bean-sized one) in each indentation. Add the batter once the butter is completely melted. Don't worry about brushing them with melted butter (it ended up being TOO rich for us). Dust them with sugar or another topping. We like: powdered sugar and lemon, honey butter, lemon curd, cinnamon sugar, jam. Anyhow, use his batter recipe, though. It was perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-64776728868255131592010-01-02T12:38:00.000-07:002010-01-02T12:38:53.944-07:00 Winter in the desert. Snow, cold; cold, snow. Wind, clouds, sun, cold, snow, snow, snow.<br />
<br />
Winter has settled in on Boise. We've had a few days of snow tempered by melty, 40 degree days, sunshine, and rain. The good old back-and forth. Rumor has it that the foothills trails are a mucky mess, so our options for shot dayhikes are slim. We've been eyeballing the snow depths in the nearby mountains, and our snow shoes are burning holes in the wall. Maybe tomorrow.<br />
<br />
I know, you probably want to hear about the wedding and the holidays. As several weekends spent almost entirely in our pajamas evinces, we still feel like we're catching up and recovering.<br />
<br />
Since our last update we've honeymooned in Mexico...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(These, and the rest of the pictures from the trip are located here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/sets/72157622938280914/">"Troncones" on Ariel's flickr stream</a>)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Traveled to the Mother Land for the holidays...<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4227648930_dbdb224594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4227648930_dbdb224594.jpg" width="210" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4226861705_7f52d71023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4226861705_7f52d71023.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And enjoyed Christmas with all the various permutations of our families.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, with the last long slog of winter ahead of us (though the days are getting longer again!), I guess it's time to buck-up and address those real, grown-up things that we've been putting off for the last few months (bank accounts, name changes, etc. JOY!).<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In some respects it's a little relieving - we now have the time and wherewithal to actually settle into somewhat of a normal life again. And that is a good thing.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That said, knowing us, chances are it won't be altogether TOO normal.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Sz-gh7wXoEI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/CX4TKWHvjBw/s1600-h/_ESC0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Sz-gh7wXoEI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/CX4TKWHvjBw/s320/_ESC0102.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo by Steve Schmidt of Olyphotos)</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy holidays, happy new year, and all our love and warm wishes for the days and months ahead.<br />
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</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-74747217586720006622009-10-13T10:08:00.002-06:002009-10-13T10:14:51.686-06:00We're Married!We did it! On October 10, 2009 we got married in Port Gamble, Washington! We had a beautiful ceremony, lovely weather, were surrounded by our wonderful and loving friends and family - everything was perfect.<br /><br />We'll write more about the wedding soon (and post some pictures too!) but we're still on our way back to Boise right now. Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to the wedding or gave us well wishes from afar! We love you!CVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-60900768814008912982009-09-28T19:50:00.003-06:002009-09-28T19:58:49.907-06:00Things.The temperature in the next 24 hours is supposed to drop over 35 degrees. That's the different between highs - not between a high and a low. Welcome to fall.<br /><br />The worry and planning, fuss and frenzy thermometer is supposed to have an equivalent jump in the opposite direction. Less than two weeks until crazy event-of-your-life madness.<br /><br />And Otto snuggles on the couch, happy we're home, snoozing and drooling.<br /><br />It's dark by eight and Charlie is making Indian food from a jar. And it smells amazing.<br /><br />This weekend we're going to go buy <del>fireworks</del> novelty sparklers 40 minutes away in Mountain Home.<br /><br />Our house is being overwhelmed by boxes. Boxes and box stuffing in every room. It's a big cat fort.<br /><br />We still have windows open in the living room, and I'm debating pulling out the box of winter sweaters--folded and smelling like stiff, scratchy, wool.<br /><br />Is it bad luck to listen to our reception mix before the wedding? If it is, don't say anything to me about it.<br /><br />My wedding band isn't here yet. We ordered it from a catalog, and it's supposed to be here soon.<br /><br />There's cat food on the floor in the kitchen.<br /><br />It's been months since we've taken a walk down along the river.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-66721578419077704892009-09-07T20:35:00.004-06:002009-09-07T20:48:25.657-06:00Just a tease...More to come on this one, I promise.<br /><br />Over the long Labor Day weekend, Charlie and I decided to take a break from wedding-land and set out on a three-day backpacking trip up into the Sawtooth National Wilderness Area. It was a classic Sawtooth trip in the eastern part of the mountains, about 15 minutes from Stanley, Idaho.<br /><br />We hiked the spectacular Toxaway Lake-Alice Lake loop. With an unanticipated few extra miles in the beginning (due to a trail-head goof), in all we hiked 20.2 miles in three days. We climbed (and then, of course, descended) about 2,900 feet in all. Our highest point, crossing Snowyside Pass, was at about 9,400 feet.<br /><br />I have a million pictures to sort through (surprise, surprise), but here are a couple early favorites that I can't help but share.<br /><br />These colors are completely authentic - no post-process color or saturation tweaking at all.<br />Both shots are from where we stayed on night 2, Alice Lake. If you click on the pictures, it should take you to flickr, where you can view larger sizes.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/3899134240/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3899134240_189aa075db.jpg" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/3898353095/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3898353095_313be5b8a8.jpg" height="252" width="500" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-73153769048903587652009-08-30T12:52:00.002-06:002009-08-30T13:22:24.732-06:00Ka-Pow!Last night, impressive thunderstorms rolled through the Treasure Valley, leaving much cooler temperatures in their wake. We had thunder, lightening, and lots of rain, all of which reminded me of the thunderstorms in Iowa when I was growing up. Ariel and I turned off the lights in our apartment, pulled open the blinds, and rotated our little Ikea couch towards the window so that we could watch it blow over the town.<br /><br />Today, the temperature is in the 70s, which is much more refreshing than the high 90s days of last week. We're planning to take advantage of the "cool-down" and go for a walk on the Ridge to Rivers trail system in the foothills before the next big storm blows into town.CVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-48565329647380625542009-08-22T16:40:00.002-06:002009-08-22T16:47:41.003-06:00Wedding Invitation Fever!This weekend we are busily putting together our wedding invitations. After a lot of debate about which invitations we would go with, we settled on a design that we really love: it's clean, simple, modern, elegant and has some of our "fall colors" that will be incorporated into the wedding itself. The invitations arrived in the mail for us on Friday and we need to turn them around pretty quickly to send them off to wedding guests. Right now we're writing addresses, stuffing envelopes, and attaching stamps - they all go in the mail on Monday!<br /><br />It's hard to believe that our wedding is less than 2 months away. Have we mentioned that on our second date we watched the movie "A Very Long Engagement"?CVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-84293544240999133372009-08-02T13:18:00.003-06:002009-08-02T14:19:46.839-06:00 In which we are seduced yet again by the WallowasYou'd think we'd have learned after the first time: the Wallowas do not kid around.<br /><br />Being the suckers for granite, alpine lakes, and green trees that we are, Charlie and I decided that, rather than blow things up for the 4th of July, we'd hit the trail for a two-night 14-mile backpack up into Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness area.<br /><br />You may remember our previous trip there - what with the September first snowfall and all.<br /><br />This time, we were on the run from a storm front that was scheduled to pummel Idaho's mountains with some nice thunder, lightening, hail, and rain over the long weekend. Looking at the weather forecast, we determined there might be better opportunities for visiting the "Frank Church/River of No Return" wilderness (like, you know, when there was a better chance of us returning).<br /><br />So back we went to our beloved Oregon. We were delighted to discover that the in-point for the trail was just outside of Baker City - just a 2.5 hour drive from Boise. We'd be at the trailhead in a scant three hours. Definite striking distance for a weekend hike.<br /><br />Things started off great. We reached the trailhead at about 1:00 on Friday. Already it was stuffy and warm, with big puffy clouds gathering above the mountains. Undeterred, we loaded our packs. Just .6 miles in, we were already stopping (and posing!) for a photoshoot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3695641919_5a0ea04169.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3695641919_5a0ea04169.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Charlie looks cool and calm as usual (he knows how to look good in pictures!), Ariel, on the other hand, had a different "face" in mind:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3696453758_122197b03b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3696453758_122197b03b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Little was I to know that this face would re-appear, in various forms throughout the rest of our adventurous weekend. One needs to start practicing early on in the trip for any real success, right?<br /><br />After a mosquito-rich slog up-hill through some pretty dense brush, our hike opened up into a series of lovely meadows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3695644499_cb26dcac32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3695644499_cb26dcac32.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Though difficult to see in the picture, the wildflowers were just starting to bloom on this hike, and we were surrounded on the trip by purples, blues, yellows, and pinks. At points along the trail, it looked like people had planted them especially for our enjoyment.<br /><br />In this picture, you can see the clouds starting to gather in earnest. The sky was darkening, and we didn't want to be caught out in a downpour. This was about half-way through our first day's intended mileage. We consulted, and made the, in retrospect, rather foolish decision to postpone lunch until we hit camp. It was only a few more miles! In the hot weather, we weren't noticeably hungry, and the gorp seemed to be doing the trick.<br /><br />Of course, anyone who's been on a backpack or two, knows that this is exactly what NOT to do. We pushed through to Eagle Meadows, and fell into a heap at the campsite. Aching legs, headaches, the gamut. And, adding insult to injury, all the campsites in the meadow appeared to be taken. Ditching the packs, we set off in opposite directions in search of a private (ie: off the trail) spot to camp. Eventually, we stumbled upon what appeared to be a campsite in the trees close to the creek. A little dark, and apparently unused yet this season, it nevertheless fit the bill.<br /><br />Charlie threw a nice campfire together, and after a snack and a short nap, life was looking just peachy again. We even had a nice granite fireplace, to boot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3695647387_73688b9e63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3695647387_73688b9e63.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We had a peaceful night in camp, and the next morning dawned sunny and bright. We packed up camp and headed up the short (yet steep!) trail to our second campsite: Eagle Lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3696464060_0b404ab934.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3696464060_0b404ab934.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday was even hotter than Friday, and the day's climb was on a good, study trail, up a rather exposed slope. The views back down the valley were incredible and we racked up elevation with every switchback.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3696546388_da5fe7ef4f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3696546388_da5fe7ef4f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As we climbed, snow grew more prevalent along the trail, and near the top we came across this neat snow-bridge above the trail. Decided it was wise not to climb inside it for a more up-close view, but the cool air blowing through it felt amazing. It was hard not to want to curl up for a nap inside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3696548884_1688f0ef9f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3696548884_1688f0ef9f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Shortly after the "cave" we arrived at the lake. In retrospect, July 4th is quite early in the season for Eagle Cap trips, so it should have been no real surprise to find it almost still completely frozen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3695740201_f7dce27d1f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3695740201_f7dce27d1f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The lake itself was a beautiful spot. It was dammed by people in the region early on to help with irrigation for farming in the valleys below. The dam itself is a quite impressive work of backcountry engineering.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3696591510_e175b2b5bb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3696591510_e175b2b5bb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We goofed around up at the lake for the next couple hours, and set-up camp. Despite the existence of a spectacular campsite out on a rocky bluff at the end of the lake, we elected to pitch our tent in what appeared to be a more sheltered location on the shoulder of the hill, amongst several large granite boulders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3696812964_b1216c0a3b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3696812964_b1216c0a3b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Even though it was more protected, as you can see, the view left nothing to be wanted:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3696552334_829f2dfc13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3696552334_829f2dfc13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, though, bluebird skies gave way to dark clouds, and a decent thunderstorm rolled in. Charlie was a pro (all those years living in Iowa, perhaps?), but I was quite the wimp--repeatedly wondering aloud why we'd chosen to camp at this $#%@^$ lake, and why we hadn't just stayed in our safe little spot in the valley and made a day hike out of it??<br /><br />As the rain (and hail) hammered down on the tent, we also noticed something about our nice, protected little site: it was a bowl for catching runoff. So much so, that there were little rivers running down the sides of the hill right into our campsite. Fantastic.<br /><br />We found ourselves with an inch of water evenly divided between the ground, the ground tarp, and the bottom of the tent. We waited out the storm floating in a puddle on our thermarest matresses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3695780943_7a429c8c67.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3695780943_7a429c8c67.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The good news about our site was, even though it accumulated water quickly, it also drained almost just as fast. The picture above was shortly after the storm ended, and already we were seeing progress on our little houseboat situation.<br /><br />Once the storm had passed, the rest of the evening progressed without incident. We cooked up some instant backpacking food, watched the sun go down on the mountains, and tucked into the tents for the night. It was a somewhat sleepless night, what, with the deer traipsing through camp and schnuffling through our backpacks (hurrah for hanging food high!), and the silent flashes of lightening that illuminated the sky (I nervously counted in my head, "Mississippi-one, Mississippi-two..." by the time I got to "Mississippi-twenty-one" with no thunder, I decided that I was being somewhat ridiculous.).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3696794916_ab23ae9080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3696794916_ab23ae9080.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3696797862_54faf56ba9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3696797862_54faf56ba9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3696003113_81ebc6f1f2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3696003113_81ebc6f1f2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We awoke the next morning to bright skies, and clean air. We had a long hike ahead of us, so got started early, said goodbye to the lake, and set off for the valley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3696100103_ee2cff6d99.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3696100103_ee2cff6d99.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3696105633_3bee5cc293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3696105633_3bee5cc293.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The hike back involved some useful adventure skills such as fording frigid creeks in sandals, balancing across logs, and keeping one's feet under one's legs on steep descents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3696955866_4d12c03cdb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3696955866_4d12c03cdb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3696167279_9bc1711c6f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3696167279_9bc1711c6f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In all, it was a great expedition into the backcountry, and, while the Eagle Cap Wilderness always has something new and adventurous in store for us, it also never dissapoints. We always leave yearning to go back next weekend, and the weekend after, and the weekened after that....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3696979842_29b7868d1c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3696979842_29b7868d1c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you're still antsy for more pictures, there are a bunch more up on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel">Flickr</a> (as well as the ones here).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-10511698857465143222009-04-21T17:55:00.005-06:002009-04-21T18:04:41.345-06:00 Proving myself wrong, yet again. Two weeks ago, I was lamenting our spring here in Idaho:<br /><br />"It just isn't LUSH enough!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5dhIHoYLI/AAAAAAAAAqU/VOSSogF_rzY/s1600-h/IMG_3003_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5dhIHoYLI/AAAAAAAAAqU/VOSSogF_rzY/s320/IMG_3003_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327298232922431666" border="0" /></a><br /></div>"I miss Portland's exuberant cherry trees."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5dxZK9TxI/AAAAAAAAAqc/8OC-eIKTJ1E/s1600-h/IMG_2937_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5dxZK9TxI/AAAAAAAAAqc/8OC-eIKTJ1E/s320/IMG_2937_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327298512377696018" border="0" /></a><br />"No magnolias? (Heavy sigh.)"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5eR7OmAWI/AAAAAAAAAqk/pgeMMVnPKbg/s1600-h/IMG_2988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5eR7OmAWI/AAAAAAAAAqk/pgeMMVnPKbg/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327299071275565410" border="0" /></a>Pouting, I prepared to move from a drab, brown winter, into a muted, subdued spring. But, as usual, when I complain about something, I had to eat my words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5edFtwPpI/AAAAAAAAAqs/-6MRS8VFPR8/s1600-h/IMG_2980_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5edFtwPpI/AAAAAAAAAqs/-6MRS8VFPR8/s320/IMG_2980_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327299263069175442" border="0" /></a>While Boise doesn't have the outrageous explosions of blossoms and greenery and fecund growth that I became accostumed to in Portland, it puts on a pretty good springtime show.<br /><br />On Easter afternoon, since Charlie had to work, I took a walk by myself through the North End to enjoy the sunny day. Cherry trees! Plum trees! Forsythia (Boise LOVES this plant)! Tulips! Magnolias! Everything was just a riot of color and flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5etGD4liI/AAAAAAAAAq0/IHAtIsHwN48/s1600-h/IMG_2942_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5etGD4liI/AAAAAAAAAq0/IHAtIsHwN48/s320/IMG_2942_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327299538039903778" border="0" /></a>Better yet, the farmer's market started up last weekend. We wandered, dazed, through the throngs of people attending, and only bought a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs. Asparagus was the vegetable du jour, but they were asking almost $4 a bunch. While the general populace was there, and ready to eagerly embrace the market, the vegetables seem to have a little more growing to do before things can really begin in earnest. Nonetheless, life here is feeling a little more bearable again. Just being able to comfortably go outdoors in a teeshirt and sandals raises my mood 100-fold.<br /><br />With spring in full-blast, it means that summer, with its 100 degree days and dusty afternoons is looming just over the horizon. The last two days have been hot--85 degrees yesterday, with similar weather forecast for today. But, being that it's still spring, we have to take this in stride, and enjoy the taste of summer before it becomes opressive: a week ago today, there was snow in the forecast, and the prediction for the weekend is rain, and 58. I think we should be able to handle this task. If there's one thing growing up in Washington has taught us, it's to enjoy and appreciate sunny, warm days when they come around.<br /><br />So for today, I'll put sunscreen on my shoulders, and dig out the shorts, tank tops, and sun dresses I packed away last fall. I might also pack up a few sweaters--I just don't see myself wearing a wool turtleneck from here on out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5e5DwRrcI/AAAAAAAAAq8/0MJ0pXoL-bU/s1600-h/IMG_3023_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/Se5e5DwRrcI/AAAAAAAAAq8/0MJ0pXoL-bU/s320/IMG_3023_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327299743579221442" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-52891180577919063872009-03-12T20:38:00.017-06:002009-03-12T22:50:09.374-06:00The Great Coffee Table Search... or... Welcome to Craigslist Boise I will just do away with the "I'm-so-sorry-we-haven't-posted-in-forever" apologies right now. Life, Christmas, a case of the blues, and winter all struck at once, and things get behind.<br /><br />If anyone is reading any longer, and you're interested in keeping up, most of our recent adventures (including <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/sets/72157614225348469/">a trip to the Snake River Birds of Prey Area</a>) have been documented on my (Ariel's) Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel . There, you can also find interesting things like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/3320366249/">The Funeral Cone</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/3340302256/">Charlie's New Personal Hygiene Plan</a>.<br /><br />But, the point of this post isn't to fill you in on things that we've been up to, but, rather, on one specific point of interest: a photo-walk through the truly amazing selection of coffee tables available for sale on Craigslist here in Boise.<br /><br />Last weekend, Charlie got the idea that perhaps we needed a coffee table for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2738892279/in/set-72157606582738845/">this room</a>--with the thought that, with a table, we might live in it a little more. Always up for a hunt--especially if it involves things like furniture--I immediately pulled up Craigslist to find the perfect secret bargain.<br /><br />In doing so, I forget that, even here in Boise, Craigslist is no longer the somewhat hip, "subculture" exchange of goods that it once seemed. Or, for that matter, even just a place to get good stuff from people with decent taste.<br /><br />Which leads me to the thought that maybe the problem isn't a slide toward a trailerpark garage sale, but rather a simple difference in taste between myself and the average Craislist seller.<br /><br />Then again, perhaps you'll disagree?<br /><br />It's hard, in fact to disagree with the seller's statement that this is an "impressive" coffee table. Though, I find the expectation that they'll get the requested $500 for it "impressive" as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnKS2EpiBI/AAAAAAAAAn4/TzVh9hnwoMQ/s1600-h/%24500+impressive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnKS2EpiBI/AAAAAAAAAn4/TzVh9hnwoMQ/s320/%24500+impressive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312499660561680402" border="0" /></a><br />Impressive wasn't quite up our alley, so instead I opened up one that the seller described as very "sterdy" (sic), and "handmade." I never would have guessed it was handmade. Or, sterdy for that matter, actually.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnKqRrbQ4I/AAAAAAAAAoA/vBhH3ofaRek/s1600-h/Hand+made,+very+sterdy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnKqRrbQ4I/AAAAAAAAAoA/vBhH3ofaRek/s320/Hand+made,+very+sterdy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312500063109071746" border="0" /></a><br />No, I was on Craigslist in search of a diamond in the rough--a bargain that we'd love, and could really live with... "Yours for only $100!" How could we resist? (Apparently, you could buy the whole living room set--which, I sincerely hope included the... mmm... "arrangement"(?) atop the table). I'll bet they would have thrown in the fireplace guard for a good price, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnLkdQKzGI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HPDuf_ZxGbQ/s1600-h/Yours+for+100%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnLkdQKzGI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HPDuf_ZxGbQ/s320/Yours+for+100%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312501062648384610" border="0" /></a><br />How about this stunning ensemble? For only $500 you can have the chairs AND table. Just in case I ever needed to have a "Parisian Cafe Gardern Party" in my living room.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnMdhDoobI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/-hHGE0pEt9Q/s1600-h/You+are+getting+alot+for+the+price%21+%28%24550%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnMdhDoobI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/-hHGE0pEt9Q/s320/You+are+getting+alot+for+the+price%21+%28%24550%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312502042922099122" border="0" /></a><br />Too curlicued for our tastes.<br /><br />One of the things that was most fascinating about browsing coffee tables, was reading the excuses people gave for getting rid of things. Rather than "Good Lord, it's just too damn UGLY!" (which the people of THIS table should have said...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnNA0KzBrI/AAAAAAAAAoY/DAKgqadkJWY/s1600-h/ugly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnNA0KzBrI/AAAAAAAAAoY/DAKgqadkJWY/s320/ugly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312502649347835570" border="0" /></a><br />People would came up with a series of curious excuses. Some were heartbreaking, and reflected the current economic downturn ("Lost house. Moving into our RV. Can't keep the furniture."), others reflected new life changes. For instance, the table below was being sold for the simple reason of, "BABY TAKING OVER HOUSE. MUST SELL." (No hard feelings, honey, but the baby's just TAKING OVER THE HOUSE.) I just noticed that the baby appears to be taking over the picture too, in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnNyDKftMI/AAAAAAAAAog/La5dDuvyU6s/s1600-h/baby+taking+over+house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnNyDKftMI/AAAAAAAAAog/La5dDuvyU6s/s320/baby+taking+over+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312503495186691266" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we don't have a baby to worry about, and who knows, maybe round is our thing?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnOOouQfzI/AAAAAAAAAoo/W_YzzWQcoro/s1600-h/glass+top.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnOOouQfzI/AAAAAAAAAoo/W_YzzWQcoro/s320/glass+top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312503986305138482" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe not. It was also amazing that people thought they were doing you a favor by passing along an amazing deal for a table on which they'd OBVIOUSLY spent way too much money... This lovely Jaguar number could be had for the STEAL price of around $500. They'd originally bought this "unique" (their word, how true) gem in Las Vegas for $1000. Oh well, better than gambling it away... I think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnO8xgkN7I/AAAAAAAAAow/MFhUQXZ4FCc/s1600-h/unique%21+Purchased+in+Las+Vegas+for+%241000%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnO8xgkN7I/AAAAAAAAAow/MFhUQXZ4FCc/s320/unique%21+Purchased+in+Las+Vegas+for+%241000%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312504778937612210" border="0" /></a><br />Shortly after this post, I ran across another advertising a similar table. Maybe a bear is better suited to an Idaho lifestyle. What's up with the animals bearing our burdens?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnPROAvhQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/31xDTfPFfwo/s1600-h/Bear+and+Glass+Coffee+table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnPROAvhQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/31xDTfPFfwo/s320/Bear+and+Glass+Coffee+table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312505130186147074" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of my other favorites include:<br /><br />"We just don't use it." (I wonder why??)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnPr56QZII/AAAAAAAAApA/q4DVqfCEPQc/s1600-h/I+just+don%27t+use+it+%28coffee+table%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnPr56QZII/AAAAAAAAApA/q4DVqfCEPQc/s320/I+just+don%27t+use+it+%28coffee+table%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312505588646700162" border="0" /></a>"$200! Won't Last! (Can be easily spray-painted a different color!)" (Why would I spend $200 on a table only to SPRAY-PAINT it?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQD-8eNQI/AAAAAAAAApI/cgNpGlOVsoo/s1600-h/Won%27t+last%21+Can+be+easily+spray+painted+a+dif+color%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 217px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQD-8eNQI/AAAAAAAAApI/cgNpGlOVsoo/s320/Won%27t+last%21+Can+be+easily+spray+painted+a+dif+color%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312506002315031810" border="0" /></a><br />A handmade creation that they put a lot of "time, effort, and hard work" into... (Yes, the legs look like firewood, and it's covered in bottle caps.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQPQtRTAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/289xFNQlp3M/s1600-h/bottle+caps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQPQtRTAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/289xFNQlp3M/s320/bottle+caps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312506196061670402" border="0" /></a><br />I just have no words for this one. Is this even a TABLE?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQjFEnqsI/AAAAAAAAApY/T8xhxnlgUmI/s1600-h/wtf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQjFEnqsI/AAAAAAAAApY/T8xhxnlgUmI/s320/wtf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312506536535763650" border="0" /></a><br />And, finally. Tonight's winner. Found with the end-all, be-all caption: "Great in Any Setting!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQxnul7YI/AAAAAAAAApg/ODqup6LpIbE/s1600-h/great+in+any+setting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SbnQxnul7YI/AAAAAAAAApg/ODqup6LpIbE/s320/great+in+any+setting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312506786356784514" border="0" /></a><br />Suffice to say, in wrapping up, that we went home table-less. Better luck next time?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-30265211340691959672008-12-23T19:30:00.005-07:002008-12-23T19:43:39.577-07:00Waiting for our ship to come in.Like everyone else faced with traveling through the "Storm of the Century" that's marauded the United States, Charlie and I are hanging out in an airport right now, waiting for our flight to come in. Fortunately for us, we've only been here for about an hour--we live ten minutes from the Boise airport, and so were able to easily manage the delays without camping out.<br /><br />I'm pretty amazed to hear of all the madness that's happening to you all out in Seattle and Portland. As most of you know, I'm a HUGE fan of crazy weather--it breaks my heart a little not to be there for it all! We've gotten a little weather out in Boise, too, but it's not quite the same around here.<br /><br />For example: it snowed in Boise on Sunday night, and not ONLY was I expected to get to work on Monday, but I was expected to BE THERE ON TIME, too! And we had like, THREE INCHES OF SNOW! The humanity. It's just not quite the same when things keep functioning despite the weather.<br /><br />That said, everyone wishes that things like airports and trains functioned throughout storms. Charlie and I are trying to fly in to the SeaTac airport for the first leg of our triple-state-Christmas-extravaganza--the same airport where 3,000 people have been sleeping the past few nights because they couldn't get flights out. From the news stories I've been able to put together, they've run out of food, blankets, and flights. Remind me again why Charlie and I are trying to GET to this place that thousands of people are desperately trying to LEAVE? It's a little mad.<br /><br />Here we are:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SVGhzsHalPI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Ig-ZFOOoAhc/s1600-h/Snapshot_20081223_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SVGhzsHalPI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Ig-ZFOOoAhc/s320/Snapshot_20081223_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283181747269965042" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-1186562784742695602008-12-21T18:48:00.009-07:002008-12-21T19:18:01.832-07:00Snowtown, USA.Well, it seems that way to Charlie and I, at least.<br /><br />By now you've probably seen Charlie's last post about our Christmas tree. It was lots of fun to go pick it out together.<br /><br />Currently we're enjoying (?) our first winter storm in Boise. It's been going on for about a week now. Everything is snowy and a little wild, but the city seems to do a good job managing the weather. Far better than Seattle and Portland who are in the throes of hysteria right now with their monster winter storms.<br /><br />It's been warmer that they were originally predicting--only into the 10's and MAYBE a single digit. Still, it's been hard for a little kitty to adjust to. He spends his time rotating between a few warm places in our house. I almost feel like I should draw a Family-Circle style chart to illustrate it. He insists on sleeping on the bed at night. Then once the humans are done showering for the day, he sits in the warm shower (IN THE WET SHOWER!) for 20 minutes or so. Then he moves to the chair by the heater. He alternates between that, and between sitting in front of the other space heater all day.<br /><br />And sometimes he burrows into any pile of fabric he can find.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU72PNO3-KI/AAAAAAAAAj0/6G48jKFbFQA/s1600-h/IMG_0380.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU72PNO3-KI/AAAAAAAAAj0/6G48jKFbFQA/s320/IMG_0380.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282430154062690466" border="0" /></a><br />Today when I got out of the shower, I sat down on the bed, and heard a quiet little "mrow" from under a pile of blankets and clothing. I peeled back a few layers, and found the cat curled up, INSIDE my skirt. Okie dokie.<br /><br />Despite Otto's wimpiness, we still made it outside for a walk today. I'll share a few shots of Boise in the winter and snow to give you an idea of what we're looking at. We're supposed to get another 3 or 4 inches tonight. This is on a walk up to Camel's Back. There were tons of people sledding and playing in the snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU72n9T8EBI/AAAAAAAAAj8/4Iq91myEKKM/s1600-h/IMG_0427_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU72n9T8EBI/AAAAAAAAAj8/4Iq91myEKKM/s320/IMG_0427_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282430579285692434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU735qNhYnI/AAAAAAAAAkE/O3i1rrMiTbc/s1600-h/IMG_0446_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU735qNhYnI/AAAAAAAAAkE/O3i1rrMiTbc/s320/IMG_0446_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282431982907777650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74PZuVuLI/AAAAAAAAAkU/iX09to4fz7Q/s1600-h/IMG_0460_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74PZuVuLI/AAAAAAAAAkU/iX09to4fz7Q/s320/IMG_0460_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282432356439144626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74qWIphZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/c4mLY_uVArI/s1600-h/IMG_0457_edited-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74qWIphZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/c4mLY_uVArI/s320/IMG_0457_edited-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282432819332220306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74bNFGygI/AAAAAAAAAkc/_VeXlejyPNI/s1600-h/IMG_0458_edited-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SU74bNFGygI/AAAAAAAAAkc/_VeXlejyPNI/s320/IMG_0458_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282432559203404290" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-15701447518870843872008-12-13T15:57:00.008-07:002008-12-13T16:20:59.186-07:00Christmastime is here...Ariel and I bought our first Christmas tree together for our apartment last weekend. We picked up a four footer from a little Christmas tree lot off of Broadway here in Boise. Since it was so small, we had no trouble at all fitting it in our Toyota Yaris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIIZ9fBXFHI4ssflJ4nE8O8zBIw22sw5J1otQU3rZiaBU2mDKivZL8llV_4_eXosV2UFgmo7jAedBlE-BqIP_MYRgO4ifThRK5EVAY_INF_ukYGWhNYzUULPFlfyIYF-_LksSbu4S10w/s1600-h/tree+and+car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIIZ9fBXFHI4ssflJ4nE8O8zBIw22sw5J1otQU3rZiaBU2mDKivZL8llV_4_eXosV2UFgmo7jAedBlE-BqIP_MYRgO4ifThRK5EVAY_INF_ukYGWhNYzUULPFlfyIYF-_LksSbu4S10w/s320/tree+and+car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279415448333800898" /></a><br /><br />Shortly after getting it home, we pulled out our ornaments and got to work on decorating it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF96xr1YZ_ZJPxHkZ8Lv5jmotdFzBbKRn7y97LZoQAR0gHYrUoa_C0YfUrikB_hfBlnFBi_4B4WnGMITWpV5DJSMOZ3QYKfe6lPMqZRFMGA7Ii3MavRsONbwmBFJMfvUAE-QnxFRSPrg/s1600-h/ariel+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF96xr1YZ_ZJPxHkZ8Lv5jmotdFzBbKRn7y97LZoQAR0gHYrUoa_C0YfUrikB_hfBlnFBi_4B4WnGMITWpV5DJSMOZ3QYKfe6lPMqZRFMGA7Ii3MavRsONbwmBFJMfvUAE-QnxFRSPrg/s320/ariel+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279416519552776610" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOeZI_U75lqMhZpE_7HeJc5AxXvW8B5HS2JX5ISXNfvtgM6lhBWhLVfYXfSoRnw7dXHQ44_VDdtQSYj-DGbmM_LWub5gp1cnURhYolMTd9OS7-DpgGTpsaNwl8maLYUsw7hM9sltWUYs/s1600-h/elephant+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOeZI_U75lqMhZpE_7HeJc5AxXvW8B5HS2JX5ISXNfvtgM6lhBWhLVfYXfSoRnw7dXHQ44_VDdtQSYj-DGbmM_LWub5gp1cnURhYolMTd9OS7-DpgGTpsaNwl8maLYUsw7hM9sltWUYs/s320/elephant+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279417210608692594" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A1-j5dcNsepsz3ABUypUjkQlZ388XxiZtG5uYIggMe2JDR-t2uGSCCo77Y8GtrMqh1Xhs8bt9-L9hrq78lEdHQsRuaHod08Z-XJdYbJEuG0dZ1l5XgL9nH2ySWyLru6E2TSqFFVY3xM/s1600-h/snowman+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A1-j5dcNsepsz3ABUypUjkQlZ388XxiZtG5uYIggMe2JDR-t2uGSCCo77Y8GtrMqh1Xhs8bt9-L9hrq78lEdHQsRuaHod08Z-XJdYbJEuG0dZ1l5XgL9nH2ySWyLru6E2TSqFFVY3xM/s320/snowman+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279418083033059250" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWpHDYyoOfvCmQWmSWsrUEWUYwustG7YQhyphenhyphenPkUy6FIOvpj3xBMjNRIDkB0GuTz0JnJWQKbU0grzAHEmGC4FlcW3W2CgAUpavmZok1fOWI34oL_cHRdc6x2PZgMTBWqvPKQxG5x32y6Ew/s1600-h/full+view+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWpHDYyoOfvCmQWmSWsrUEWUYwustG7YQhyphenhyphenPkUy6FIOvpj3xBMjNRIDkB0GuTz0JnJWQKbU0grzAHEmGC4FlcW3W2CgAUpavmZok1fOWI34oL_cHRdc6x2PZgMTBWqvPKQxG5x32y6Ew/s320/full+view+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279418382485664626" /></a><br /><br />We also pulled out some other Christmas doodads and decorated the house - it's starting to feel festive around here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GRNrNQlgNFY3THHAmpQWx4C9m_f7QCQdZU7S9tpukGPiLgTURVhcVmE61cNRm7hpraZ6Hw6rZ51PH1CzAycZLAOpLnliiQS11rM0FnGpidrTrnjhtbDyOfSSIQot1c9k4ASgyjtuHCQ/s1600-h/santa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GRNrNQlgNFY3THHAmpQWx4C9m_f7QCQdZU7S9tpukGPiLgTURVhcVmE61cNRm7hpraZ6Hw6rZ51PH1CzAycZLAOpLnliiQS11rM0FnGpidrTrnjhtbDyOfSSIQot1c9k4ASgyjtuHCQ/s320/santa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279414737002040514" /></a><br /><br />We'll be heading out of town soon to celebrate Christmas with family, first in Washington, then in Illinois. But for now, we're enjoying the holiday season for the very first time in Boise.CVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03797845078298185491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-11577598749588569672008-10-16T18:34:00.005-06:002008-10-17T18:20:30.831-06:00Ho hum. Back to the real world.Uh.... The blog. Right.<br /><br />We have an excuse this time, I promise. The past three weekends, Charlie and I have had out-of-town guests sleeping cozily on our couch and floor. Friends from Portland, friends from Washington, and Charlie's sister have all graced our humble abode.<br /><br />What a wonderful time we've had. We paddled about on Swan boats in Julia Davis Park. We toured the Old Idaho Penitentiary. We got stuck in a thunderstorm and learned all about our new state at the Idaho State History museum. We saw original wagon-wheel ruts in the ground from the Oregon Trail. We ate three ice cream potatoes. We tried a new restaurant. We took a chilly hike in the foothills. We lit a fire in our fireplace for the first time. We experienced our first snowfall in Boise. We watched the debates, cooked delicious meals, played board games, drank wine and beer, and had great conversations. Wow.<br /><br />We're not sure what to do with ourselves now! Perhaps on Saturday morning Charlie and I will find ourselves drawn to Boise State University and the greenbelt for our weekly tour about... it's becoming a tradition! Will our stomachs rumble because we haven't stuffed ourselves to the gills at a weekend breakfast out? What's Otto going to do when he has to sleep in the living room because there are no guests to protect from his over-eager cuddles?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SPfejYbr4oI/AAAAAAAAAf8/AWGHb3__lMI/s1600-h/P1010082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SPfejYbr4oI/AAAAAAAAAf8/AWGHb3__lMI/s320/P1010082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257915789413704322" border="0" /></a>It's been busy, and so, so much fun, but I'm relieved that I don't have to fuss over my clutter-pile of mail this week. Otto will also appreciate not being chased around the house by the nasty broom as we sweep the hardwoods.<br /><br />In the end, though, Charlie and I are so grateful to have friends and family that care enough about us to want to fly to the middle of nowhere (haha, for you coastal folks, anyhow) on their vacation weekends just to visit us.<br /><br />A few other things have been afoot, too. Charlie and I are plotting a weekend escape to the Hailey/Sun Valley area for my birthday this weekend (birthday is on a MONDAY this year, how disappointing!). We're hoping for lots of colorful trees, and a little time spent checking out Ketchum, Sun Valley, and a little hiking in the area. We might even make it over to Craters of the Moon. I'm looking forward to that. Apparently last weekend in Hailey, there was a big, awesome festival called The Trailing of the Sheep. This involved 1500 sheep being run down the streets of the city. We are definitely THERE next year. Apparently it's a really remarkable festival, and was listed as one of the top ten fall festivals in the world by MSN travel. Sheep!<br /><br />Finally, I've picked up an on-again off-again part-time job in addition to my full-time one (that Charlie, he is so stingy--I had to look for another job in order to justify a tin of lip balm now and then....). This week I made a little pocket cash doing some pet-sitting for a guy who works for my company.<br /><br />I was watching four pets: two dogs and two cats. The cats are old as old can be--sweet, creaky creatures that followed me around the house begging for a scratch or two. The dogs are as different as they come: one, an old mutt, is shaggy, slow, and sweet. He wanders about the house, clicking his toe nails and slowly surveying his domain. The other dog, a bounces-off-the-walls 3-year old Doberman is quite another story. She's spring-loaded and wired for sound. Even after having the chance to meet her with her people around, the first time I showed up it took us most of an hour to come to an understanding. I don't blame her in the least ("WHO are you, WHY are you in my house, and I'm-in-a-crate-and-can't-do-anything-but-bark-at-you-and-snarl-a-little!"), I think she was wound up, nervous, and protective. I ended up bribing her with her obsessive love: a rubbery frisbee. As her owner later said, "when faced with the option of protecting her house or playing frisbee, you know where her priorities are." After thoroughly exhausting her with a game of fetch, we were suddenly fast friends--even the kind of friends who try and climb in each other's laps, and dance in wiggly circles when they show up at the house the next day. In all, it was a great experience, but certainly one that stretched my creativity and pushed my boundaries a little (in a good way) when it comes to dealing with critters. Tonight is the first night in a couple days that I'm not taking care of them... and you know? I kind of miss it. Otto on the other hand is glad that I'm no longer covered in grass bits and dog slobber.<br /><br />For that matter, so is Charlie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-22911182808259808332008-09-21T17:23:00.003-06:002008-09-21T17:54:24.929-06:00Catch-upStarting a new job has taken a toll on the frequency that we've been able to update this blog! Amazing how working all day 1) reduces the amount of time you have to write and 2) limits the number of blog-able experiences you have on any given day. That is, unless you plan on blogging about your job.<div><br /></div><div>Let me say a few brief things about my job to quench the curiosity I know at least a few of you have expressed:</div><div>It's great. The people are supremely friendly. In fact, it's the friendliest new job I've ever had. People stop by and ask how things are going, and go out of their way to swing by my cubicle just to say "hi"--let me add that I've known most of these folks for a week and a half.</div><div><br /></div><div>One harmless little anecdote: the ratio of men to women in this workplace is way different than what I was accustomed to at Portland State. I'd say that it's the exact opposite, in fact. I've gone from an office that was predominantly women, to one that's probably 90-95% men. </div><div><br /></div><div>The other day one of my coworkers stopped by my desk and asked that I spread the word that they were having birthday cake in another part of the office. So, I walked around the cubicles, letting people know that there was birthday cake to be had. I've found that working with women, it's almost like pulling teeth to get them to come for cake. And when they do, they only want "just a small piece." In my current office, the word spread like wildfire. "CAKE?! WHAT KIND OF CAKE? IS IT CARROT CAKE? WHERE'S THE CAKE!?" Heads sprung up like whack-a-mole's from all the cubicles at the mention of it. When I walked down to get my piece, I found myself in line behind a whole mess of guys all waiting for their cake. AWESOME. This is my kind of workplace. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other interesting things--for the first time in 59 days, we had a big rainstorm move through Boise this weekend. It started on Friday night as some thunderstorms broke over the city. Big flashes of lightning and rolling rumbles of thunder. It started pouring during the night, and rained most of the day on Saturday. For those of you who find weather as interesting as I do, imagine this: Friday, there was a record high of 94 degrees; today, Sunday, it didn't even break 70. I think we got up to 67 or so. Throughout the week we'd planned a camping trip up to the McCall area for this weekend, but as Friday night rolled around, and we faced the reality of packing our gear and going grocery shopping, we decided to abandon those plans. When we awoke on Saturday morning to the sound of rain pouring down the steps in the courtyard behind our bedroom, we were so thankful that we'd elected to stay home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead, we just enjoyed the city this weekend. It's amazing how quiet it is here in town on a Sunday. The downtown area is a ghost-town. The stores and boutiques are closed, and the restaurants are dead. We got coffee and walked around looking through the windows of places we'd like to return to eventually. The Co-op in town was also having a "Fall Harvest Festival" with farmer's market-style vendors all offering samples, a wine tasting, and a live band. We wandered through that for a while and tried some awesome pickles, salsa, mustard, and hot sauces.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, this weekend we ate out at a great restaurant downtown. Any Boise-ites reading along, take note: A Taste of Memphis down on Idaho St (next door to Old Chicago, and just below the Rose Room), is a great barbecue joint with the world's friendliest owner and the BEST hush puppies EVER. They seem to be getting hit hard by the slow economy: the owner said she didn't know how much longer she'd be able to stay open. It's really sad--especially when the sub-par chain restaurant Old Chicago was jumping all night next door. Charlie has the Friday Night Special--homemade Gumbo with sausage and chicken--and hush puppies on the side, and I had the barbecued pork ribs with some stellar collard greens and potato salad for sides. I also ordered some sweet tea so sugary it made my teeth hurt. I have to say, though, as amazing as my ribs were, and as tasty as the greens were (with chunks of ham cooked throughout!), the hushpuppies really stole the show. I've never been a huge hushpuppy fan--normally they seem somewhat boring: deep fried cornbread? These were awesome--crispy, hot, bite-sized, and full of flavor and spices. WOW. Anyhow, if you're in the area, I highly recommend the restaurant and especially the hush puppies. The owner and her family are ridiculously nice as well. Unfortunately, though, if you're a vegetarian, the menu might be a little on the spare side--but, with barbecue and southern food, that's no real shocker, I suppose.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-23178795769497156442008-09-08T18:59:00.004-06:002008-09-08T19:02:49.392-06:00Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SMXK3_sRzUI/AAAAAAAAAfM/EfwpdNHi7eU/s1600-h/P1010167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SMXK3_sRzUI/AAAAAAAAAfM/EfwpdNHi7eU/s320/P1010167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243820404481576258" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a picture of what remains of the excitement last night. Turns out it was two buildings back from ours. There was a big yellow building I didn't even know about between us and the fire.<br /><br />Anyhow. Yeesh! This looks like a storage shed or something that was attached to the back of some law offices. Not much of a storage shed any longer! What we saw last night, were the firefighters walking on the roof of the brick building. I think, for the owners, it was fortunate that it was a brick building and not a wood one. Scary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-56123035678425560312008-09-08T13:21:00.006-06:002008-09-08T13:55:17.428-06:00 Not exactly what you want to hear at 3 am. The light flicks on in the courtyard area behind our apartment, shining through our blinds and onto the ceiling.<br /><br />People are talking, though, through the window it's hard to hear what they're saying beyond murmured mumbles.<br /><br />A chorus of sirens whines through the night, but that's not unusual since we live relatively close to a hospital.<br /><br />Somehow Charlie and I both wake up right about the time that we hear the neighbor out in the courtyard say, in a flat, alarm-less voice, "Fire."<br /><br />We look at one another, and I don't remember who it was that asked, "Should we go see what's going on?" but, we both throw sweatshirts on and walk out in our pjs.<br /><br />The back courtyard is full of red flashing lights, and we can see them strobing in through our kitchen window.<br /><br />We look out the front windows, and there are three or four big fire trucks parked in the street directly in front of our apartment building.<br /><br />Putting flip-flops on, we go outside to try and see what's happening. Our neighbor from upstairs is on the porch next to ours, smoking a cigarette. He's in his pj's too. We talk for a minute: no, it's not our building that's on fire. He says that he thought about starting to pitch his worldly belongings from the window for a moment, though.<br /><br />Idiotically, I say something to the tune of, "Wow, I think I can smell smoke or something," forgetting, of course that he's standing there smoking. Obviously, it's 3 am, and even though I feel wide-awake, my brain isn't firing on all cylinders yet. I try to cover it up by saying something to the effect of, "I thought I smelled something when I woke up, too."<br /><br />Charlie and I decide to see if we can see better what's going on, and head part way around the block in one direction and then the other. We pause by the alley long enough to watch the fire fighters put a ladder up against a building just to the rear of ours. They climb onto the roof and stomp around.<br /><br />There's water from their hoses all over the ground.<br /><br />It's all kind of anonymous and dream-like. Some guy (I think he lives in our building, but I could be wrong, it was late, but he looked vaguely familiar), stops and asks if we're checking out the excitement in the neighborhood. We nod and mutter something inane and inarticulate, transfixed by the alien men in full-body equipment and the red blinking lights.<br /><br />Then, assured that everything is under control, and that our building isn't going to burn down around our ears, we try to go back to bed and back to sleep. I distinctly remember Charlie's watch beeping at 4 am, however, and I think it was light out before I really, really fell back into any sort of a restful sleep.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SMWCEZWRJzI/AAAAAAAAAe8/kwTvFlPnVds/s1600-h/P1010165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 347px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l6Kbng-i9sY/SMWCEZWRJzI/AAAAAAAAAe8/kwTvFlPnVds/s400/P1010165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243740353178183474" border="0" /></a><br />In other surreal-ness, when I got up this morning, there was a lone bagpiper playing somewhere outside. I think he was practicing. It went on, quite literally, for TWO HOURS. Hello alternate reality Boise universe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-34527871752101832502008-09-05T10:16:00.006-06:002008-09-05T12:11:05.772-06:00Summer vacation. It's funny how in the course of a day, sitting around until noon in your pajamas can go from being something pathetic that you try not to broadcast (<i>"Me? Noooo, I blow-dried my hair this morning, and I am DEFINITELY wearing pants right now. In case you were wondering, I was also DEFINITELY out of bed before 10 am, too."</i>) to something decadent that you luxuriate in and maybe even taunt your close friends with a little (<i>"Mmm... this coffee sure is good. It's even better IN PAJAMAS! Too bad I had sit on the couch all morning with the internet and a good book... What? You had to </i>work<i>?"</i>). It's amazing the power that words, terms, and states of being can have on how we (and others) view our actions. When you're unemployed, lounging around in pajamas seems a little pathetic and sloppy; when you're simply waiting for employment to <i>begin</i> it feels like VACATION! And there is nothing wrong with pajamas until noon on vacation!<br /><br />Wait, what's that? <i>Employed?</i> Yes, dear friends and family, Ariel's sweet summer vacation of 2008 has officially ended: yesterday I received a job offer I couldn't refuse, and this morning I accepted it. I start work on Wednesday the 10th. <br /><br />It has been a PROCESS. In all, I've had NINE interviews this go-round, three of which were for the job I've just accepted, and most of which took place in the last week and a half. Overall, I sent out 33 applications (a large chunk of those I'm including sprung forth from two standard state position listings--so, I have to say, it sounds impressive, but really, it wasn't quite as much work as it seems), I was rejected from 17 opportunities, and I turned down one offer because the management and I weren't a good fit. <br /><br />I had some doozies as far as interviews went, too (I can write about these because they were either for jobs for which I was turned down, or for positions that I ended up turning down myself).* I interviewed with someone who may well have been drunk (perhaps it was just said individual's face and way of throwing back their head when they laughed, but wowza... that would have been tricky to handle in a supervisor!), I had an exceptionally combative, aggressive interviewer whose immediate purpose, it seemed, was to try and catch me in a contradiction and to fluster me out of my poised interviewing comfort zone, I had a four-hour interview that didn't even result in a thanks-but-no-thanks phone call (or even a real hand-signed signature on a piece of paper), I was turned down for a job IN an interview for being <i>too</i> skilled and qualified for the position, and I had a couple big let downs for awesome interviews I thought I'd nailed.<br /><br />Wow. I'm glad it's over.<br /><br />The timing feels right, too. As the days start to shorten, the temperatures mellow, and the nights and mornings grow chilly, it feels like time to give up on summer vacation and turn my mind toward "real life" again. I think that a job is a good step in that direction.<br /><br />I'll be entering into an industry that I know virtually nothing about (don't worry, MY job is within my knowledge/comfort zone, just not the company's overall industry), and working for a much larger immediate office than I've been involved with before. But, having met the people, and having had the opportunity to get to know the company a little, I think it's a good fit and that it will be a good challenge for me. I look forward to starting.<br /><br />I also look forward to not worrying about things like eating out on occasion or picking up a new pair of shoes. Yes, Otto, I can afford to buy shoes AND cat food again! You don't have to eat Hobo spiders any longer!<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Aaaaand now on TV there are adorable elementary school children in hard hats with shovels breaking ground on a new elementary school. The cuteness has made me lose my train of thought, so... consider this the most recent update! <br /><br />xoxo<br /><br />Ariel<br /><br />*In the interest of keeping my new job, and keeping positive relations with all potential co-workers and clients, I'm making the decision right now not to blog about work in any sort of a specific or derogatory way. If something exciting and big happens, expect to hear about it, otherwise just assume all is peachy. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-50385288987836356982008-09-02T15:01:00.005-06:002008-09-02T15:52:01.032-06:00And a good Labor Day to you, too! Our apartment looks like a campsite exploded in it.<br /><br />In our library room, you'll find Charlie's tent, our two plastic bins of camping gear, a pile of stinky laundry, and various other bits and pieces that suggest we might have spent a weekend in the woods. Our kitchen plays host to half-eaten bags of trail mix, a sink heaping with camping dishes, and the remains of a lunch I'm trying to scarf down before attending to it all.<br /><br />So, if you guessed that we spent Labor Day hiking and camping our little hearts out, you hit the nail on the head.<br /><br />In somewhat of an 11th hour decision, Charlie and I selected the Eagle Cap Wilderness area as our Labor Day destination. The forecast called for "abundant sun" on Saturday, clouds on Sunday, and chilly "fall-like" temperatures for Sunday night. So we packed sweaters, gloves, and a bit of wool and polar fleece, and hit the road early Saturday morning. When it comes to getting out of the house early in the morning, Charlie and I are not yet experts. We'd determined that our departure time needed to fall between 6:30 and 7:00 am, since we had a 5 hour drive to the trailhead in Eastern Oregon (yuck). We left close to 7:30--I was feeling a little disappointed with our inability to get out the door, until I realized that just by the sheer magic of driving west, we'd gain an hour as we crossed from Mountain to Pacific time zones.<br /><br />Saturday we had a gorgeous day of hiking full of rivers and peaks, blurred in my memory by a sweaty forehead and a trail that just never quit with the uphill climbing. Charlie, on the other hand was a robot when it came to reaching our destination. I don't think I ever saw a drop of sweat on his brow. When I'd arrive at a top of a tough patch, huffing and puffing like a locomotive, and trying to keep sweaty strands of hair out of my face he'd be standing there, gazing out over the view, cool as a cucumber, ready to move on. In all, we only did 6.3 miles, and about 1800 ft of elevation gain. I think I need to get in better condition before we plan any week-long loop hikes.<br /><br />Our first night at the campground was nice. The lake was beautiful, but packed full of people. One of the funnier moments of the trip occurred just after we'd chosen our campsite. The clouds had blown in and the wind had picked up, and, with Charlie vouching that the coast was clear, I quick stripped down to my skivvies, and was one leg into a warmer pair of pants when a woman from the next campsite over comes bounding over the ridge "Halloooo"-ing with a smile. I sat down quick on a crumbly log (I probably have slivers in my butt that I don't even know about), and tossed my pants over my lap. It turns out she and her husband were on a eight-day backpacking trip with their two daughters and two dogs and she'd forgotten to bring along soap. They were planning on fishing, and that seemed foolish and pretty grimy without anything to wash-up with. First of all, let me point out that their daughters were probably 6 and 10. It took me a few minutes to get past the fact that they were planning a trip of that caliber with kids that young. Wow. I almost forgot that I didn't have any pants on. After asking for just a moment so that I could get dressed, we were able to get them a baggie of campsoap and send her on her way.<br /><br />We didn't get rid of them entirely, though, as the two girls spent the evening and most of the next day galloping around the lake side, sneaking behind trees, and making a game out of spying on the neighbors (us). We were continually entertained by little blond heads dashing about and giggling, and snuffly dogs checking out our tent in the morning. <br /><br />Our first night on the lake was nice. We hiked a little up the hill behind our site and found a campfire ring (we were too close to the lake in our site for one), and had a nice crackly little fire. It was a chilly night, so it was much appreciated. Saturday night, both Charlie and I woke up at some point to the sound of ice pellets hitting and rolling off the tent. Chilly indeed!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2821469357/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2821469357_3e901d804e.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="Across the lake." /></a><br /><br />Our original plan had been to spend one night at Minam Lake (pictured above), and then climb a ridge and camp our second night at Mirror Lake. But, the combination of soft feet and new-ish boots left me with quarter-sized blisters on both my heels. By the time we reached the lake, they were looking awful, but hadn't burst yet (hooray for moleskin and creative band-aid-ing). That, and hearing from a few hikers that Mirror Lake was thronged with people, I asked Charlie if perhaps we could consider staying put at Minam Lake, and taking a day hike around the area on Sunday instead. He was fine with that idea, so we packed up and moved to a new campsite on the other side of the lake and set out in search of another little lake in the area: Blue Lake.<br /><br />According to our guidebook, Blue Lake was only .9 miles from where we were and we'd gain about 400 ft in elevation getting there. We saw a signpost in a cairn of rocks pointing the way, but it didn't really seem to indicate much of a trail. Charlie thought that we should take the thinner trail, but I talked him into taking the more well-trod one, with the thought that maybe the sign had gotten spun around a little. <br />Of course, that wasn't the case. We didn't end up making it out to Blue Lake, but we did find ourselves in the Minam River Valley. It was beautiful, with sweeping green valley walls, and granite peaks looming overhead. There was also an icy wind blowing, which made us decide to turn around after a short lunch stop.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2821477403/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2821477403_3663e54d29.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="Minan River Valley" /></a><br /><br />When we arrived back at our campsite, the wind was still blowing, and we unfortunately had to spend an absolutely outrageous amount of time pumping water (my filter needs to be replaced, and it started giving up the "volume" ghost on this trip--water was still clean, it just came out veeerrrrryyyyy slowly). By the time we'd finished with that (squatting unceremoniously on a rock in the lake with cold water pouring over my hands doing the same repetitive motion again and again, all with that darn cold wind blowing), I was kind of stiff and cranky. I decided to go take a nap in the tent and try to warm up. Charlie was kind enough to get a picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2822317540/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2822317540_8b77c39625.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Not my finest moment." /></a><br /><br />He was also kind enough to find a bunch of wood and get a crackling fire going. It took great effort, but I dragged myself out of the tent and joined him. And I was glad I did. We spent the rest of that evening by the fire, until about 8:30 (it was dark), it began SNOWING. It was small, pellety snow--it almost looked like it should have been in a snow globe. We washed dishes at super-speed and threw our things together, and threw ourselves into the tent. It was somewhat hilarious, but also extremely cozy to fall asleep with the sound of snow on the tent roof and walls.<br /><br />We woke up to 1/2" coating everything, and a layer of icy water frozen on the rainfly of the tent. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2822318366/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2822318366_234a9102c9.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="GOOD MORNING!" /></a><br /><br />Monday was a quick day. We ate breakfast in the chilly air (somehow redeemed a little by the dusting of snow--I told Charlie that I think it was probably just as cold as the day prior, but somehow my brain understood the temperature better because I could see the snow), and enjoyed an amazing, still morning on the lake before we packed up and hit the trail.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2822319106/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2822319106_f6d3872873.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="Monday morning lake." /></a><br /><br />It was a quick hike out, and a long drive home, but we had an amazing time. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to share it with family and friends. So, clear your calendars--we're hoping to get back to this part of Oregon next summer, and you're cordially invited. Hearing large groups of campers laughing across the lake on Sunday night, made us wish we had a few more faces in our camping party. So, who's on board? :)<br /><br />Oh, and finally, one parting shot--we're still adjusting to a few things about not living in Portland, and about living in a more "outdoorsy" place. Spotted on the highway headed home between Baker City and Boise. Idaho plates, but I think he bagged half of Oregon!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2822326320/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2822326320_29d1c808d1.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="Heading home." /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-39966559166954328932008-08-26T11:19:00.002-06:002008-08-26T12:27:03.473-06:00Offending the potato sensibilities of IdahoAfter I made the last bland post about "what we did last weekend" I remembered a story that I was meaning to relate to you but had forgotten about. So you get the BONUS FEATURE of two posts in one day. <br /><br />So, as I mentioned below, one of the activities on our radar this weekend was celebrating the birthday of a close friend of mine. I wanted to find her the perfect birthday present, and, of course, she's kind of a notoriously hard person to shop for. Eventually I came up with something that I was pleased with, but then wanted to top the gift off with a little humor. And, as we now live in Idaho, I decided that a potato-theme was absolutely in order. I'd wanted to buy her a beautiful russet, tie a red ribbon around it and include it in her package, but as Friday afternoon ticked on, I ran out of time to swing by the grocery store to pick one up.<br /><br />All we had at home was a bag of little red potatoes.<br /><br />Creativity kicked into high gear, and I found a length of ribbon, a big needle, and strung three of the red potatoes onto the ribbon for, voila! a quick, home-made potato necklace. I stuffed it into the bag with her other gift (glassware, so I'd stashed it in my carry-on for safe travels).<br /><br />Charlie and I arrived at the airport in perfect time. I took off anything metal, and we went through the security line. I have to say, for such a small airport, they sure were surly on Friday. The TSA women snapped at both of us, chastised us for heading in the wrong direction after the metal detector, and snapped at us for handing them more papers than just our boarding passes. It just seemed an extension of this hospitality when they stopped the conveyor belt to take a closer look at my bag.<br /><br />There was much nodding and consulting behind the x-ray machine, and then finally one of the uniformed women stepped out, asked, "Is this your bag?" and told me she needed to take a look inside. She scooped up my bin, and led me down to the examination table. Kindly enough, once we reached the table she allowed me to put my shoes on before she started going through things. GEE, THANKS. <br /><br />Her first question, "Do you have anything sharp in your bag?"<br /><br />I replied that it was my work bag, and that while I didn't think I did, it was possible that there might be something I'd forgotten? (The whole time I was thinking of my old boss who'd forgotten that she had a giant steak knife in her work bag and then tried to go through airport security--didn't go over so well, but we had a good laugh over it.)<br /><br />She opened up my bag and went immediately for Celeste's present. I didn't make a peep. First thing she gets to, of course, is the potato necklace. Three red potatoes strung onto a white satiny ribbon. She stops. Looks at me. Looks at the potatoes. Looks at me again. And, with no smile, question, or even hint of amusement, shakes her head disgustedly (with one skeptical eyebrow arched), and asks again, "Do you have anything sharp in there?" This time, her tone was annoyed.<br /><br />I shook my head. <br /><br />"Just go ahead."<br /><br />"Thank you!"<br /><br />Anyhow, I guess you can just call me "the Potato Bomber" from here on out.<br /><br />I considered telling her it was a low-fat version of a candy necklace. Something for me to snack on during the plane ride if I got hungry.<br /><br />Probably wouldn't have thought that was funny, either, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407279060990842206.post-75209560302067315752008-08-26T10:36:00.003-06:002008-08-26T11:16:42.859-06:00 Misc. thoughts on various things.So far so good. We've been on an almost-weekly roll with this blog. All things considered, that's not too bad. Of course, I'd like to be even better than that about updating, but, I suppose there has to be time to <i>do</i> those things that we're telling you about, right?<br /><br />Rest assured that things continue to plug along in Spudward land. Charlie's job is picking up steam as we approach his busiest time of year (start of school, homecoming, etc), and he's working his tookus off. Lots of early mornings, busy evenings, and hectic days. It really makes me appreciate not having a 40-minute commute to see one another--when his job in Forest Grove was in a similarly busy phase, the amount of time we were able to spend together plummeted.<br /><br />I am an interviewing machine as of late: one interview last week, and three more this week. Things seem to finally be starting to stick (cross your fingers for that). To date, I've completed applications for 30 jobs, have had interviews scheduled for 6 of those jobs, and have been rejected for approximately 14 (that I've officially heard back from... a few others I think I can unofficially assume I've been rejected for based on the length of time elapsed since I've applied). Wow. Of course, a few of those applications were long shots--"Wouldn't it be awesome if..." sort of things. Sooner or later the right thing will come along. Keep thinking job-y thoughts for me!<br /><br />Despite all this business, Charlie and I have been traveling machines, too. Last weekend we made it back to Oregon to celebrate and wedding and a birthday. It was such a ridiculously short trip... we both wished that we could spend another day (or ten) there with friends and family. The wedding was at beautiful Skamania Lodge, and it was great to be able to connect with the whole Johansson clan on family and friends. <br /><br />Of course, for those of you who know Charlie and I (which I hope most of those reading do!), you know that the trip wouldn't be complete without something a little strange and quirky. And boy do we have it for you this time! <br /><br />Our good friend Devon drove us out to the wedding on Saturday morning, and, trying to squeeze in a little more time together, we decided to find a park and hang out by the Columbia River for a while (we'd talked about day hiking, but then no one did any research, and we decided to just walk around instead). Passing the turn for Skamania, we came across Home Valley Park... a little local park with a windsurfing beach that happened to be hosting a festival that weekend: The Bigfoot Bash and Bounty. <br /><br />As you know, Charlie and I have a funny fascination with all things Bigfoot (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/273164317/in/set-72157594334338689/">we even chose a hike just because it featured a Sasquatch trap!</a>), so we definitely had to check this one out. The Bigfoot Bounty and Bash turned out to be quite the serious affair. It featured lectures, a concert stage, a life-sized bigfoot cut-out, a person in a bigfoot costume, face painting, a beer garden, and a fun run! Yet, despite all of that, what it lacked was any sense of humor whatsoever. <br /><br />We sat down to listen to a woman speak about her experience meeting bigfoot while hiking, and I still can't believe how solemn and sincere it was. Not an ounce of humor. She deeply, thoroughly believed that bigfoot was a kind, gentle creature--as evidenced by the restraint he exercised toward loggers destroying his forests! We were willing to give her the benefit of the doubt on that, but when she said that she "sincerely believed that bigfoot was an interdimensional species" we decided it was time to leave before our snorts and chortles offended anyone. Maybe he is. Maybe we're just not ready to believe.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures from the event:<br /><br />Devon and Charlie get up close and personal with the hairy man of the woods:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2796377865/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2796377865_5e6945a727.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Meeting Bigfoot" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's real, folks, I promise!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2797221902/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2797221902_f6fbdd0b2b.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="Welcome!" /></a><br /><br />Despite all the infrastructure for fun, not much going on here. And yes, that is a giant painted bigfoot next to the tree.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielarielariel/2796375285/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2796375285_0503fec2f3.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="So much fun." /></a><br /><br /><br />Anyhow, Charlie has Labor Day off, so we're toying with the idea of taking a camping road trip down to Salt Lake City and back for the weekend. We haven't really set up much in the way of "plans" yet, so any ideas or suggestions would be awesome. I'll let you know how it pans out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0