Snow in September!

Saw this on my way up to Port Townsend today, thought you would all get a kick out of it.  For you non-farm folk, these are wrapped hay bales.

Surprise!!

Well this was the week I finally found a car!  Here I am at the Suzuki dealer today (Thursday September 1st) picking up my new 2011 SX4 Crossover Hatchback!

This is a terrific car!  AWD, 4 door, hatchback wagon.  Roomy and super fun to drive!  This was rated high by Consumer Reports magazine and is very competitive with Subaru - but costs less. 
It's basically two wheel drive till you flip a switch to either "auto" AWD which gives it the power to decide, in questionable driving conditions, or "lock" AWD which is like four wheel drive up to 36 mph.
This baby has a brain!
Anyway, I got a terrific deal and am extremely pleased with my purchase!

Brett's 51st. Surprise Pool Party

Boring Scenery

This first day went fine as far as scenery goes, but once we crossed over the mountains in San Luis Obispo it all went dead (6 pm, Sun.) I woke up at 5:00 am on Monday only to discover we were someplace in Oregon and unfortunately until I reached Portland OR this was my view from the observatory car. Boring!! Yeah, gotta get a sleeper unit if I were to do this again.

Wild Freight Train!!

When Bilwy started videoing this train, he thought it was his Amtrak pulling in - only to discover it was a non-stopping freight train going at least 65 mph! What isn't shown in this clip is Bilwy saving his blown over suitcase as well as him dragging his arse to safety from being too close to the tracks. Oh Bilwy!!

Another short vid of Rocky Brook Falls

Fun Pano Of Jeni's Place

Note chair in center. That was my "serenity" spot. :)

Rocky Brook Falls, WA 7-27-11

Beautiful falls and just 5 minutes from Jen's place. Enjoy the video. Eat your heart out Brett, I got there first. :)

Greg's Visit to the Pacific Northwest

Here are a couple photos of the places I took Greg while he was here.  Since he had already seen Seattle and taken a ferry ride, we stayed local and saw the sights nearby.  I'm sure he'll be adding his version, so I'm limiting it to the highlights.

This is Whitney Gardens just north of me on hwy 101.

Jeni at Rocky Brook Falls.

Rocky Brook Falls

Greg hiking up the Falls!

Greg visiting the old train in downtown Shelton.

Greg at the lookout over Shelton.

Greg at the waterwheel in Union.

Greg Leaves Washington

Put Greg on the Airporter  in Olympia that will take him to the SeaTac airport.  His flight was due out at 2:20pm today, Thursday, July 28th.
We had a terrific visit, photos to come soon!

Greg Arrives!

Greg arrived at 6:25pm, Monday, July 25th at the Olympia Amtrak Station.

Brett's BD

Somehow Brett's birthday didn't get on to the 2011 Gray Family calendar - so due to lack of interest it will be canceled this year.
You didn't mind did you Brett?  This way you can skip a year and be 51 next year!  Oops, did I say that???  I'm sorry.
(Happy Birthday little brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Greg on the train!

Just an update that Greg should be getting on the train as I type this, about 5:30am I think.  He'll be changing trains once, and then heading up here.  He'll arrive in Olympia, WA about 6:30pm on Monday night the 25th.

We'll take photos and post a few for you all to enjoy!

Jeni

July 9, 2011

Ronald Reagan Library 3/2011 START AT BOTTOM

President Reagan's grave which is on the property.

Right down to the LIT candles on the tables. A must see for you!!

Just look at the detail!!

The backside just blew me away!! I have NEVER seen anything so intricate and 100% accurate in my life!! Just beautiful to see!!

Major highlight was to see this exhibit model of the White House. Note peole in the background to give you an idea of its size - huge!!

We all remember this

Info area on Reagan and his four summits

All the "tough" guys

KGB items. That computer thing is a "code box"

Actual piece of the Berlin Wall

Replica of the Berlin Wall

His helicopter

Reagans car and Secret Service vehicle that followed him

History of all the flying White Houses on a giant panoramic wall

The view standing outside that huge window

How's this for a window and a view?! That's how they got the airplane in there.

Entrance to Air Force One.

Reagan's Air Force One. Yes, that's the real thing!! Even got to tour the inside ... but no photos were allowed to be taken. So cool to see!

Nations visited by Reagan

Replica of Oval Office

Coat Reagan wore when shot. Note the two bullets holes

Pano shot of the place

Back in March the Guys and I toured the Reagan Library. It was fascinating, huge and very educational! I never knew Reagan did so much!! Enjoy!

Greg

PS Susan: Just click on your Smiley Face icon and select an image. I can't get them all, fyi.

Getting Emails

Are you all getting emails when we post things?

Emoticon

Hey Greg,
I wanted to post an emoticon but it kept telling me I had to copy & paste a code into the message (very long html text). ?? How did you do it?

Good job Gregory

I'm here! Good job Gregory - hopefully we'll all be inspired to get on here. I seldom take pics so don't have anything to show, but enjoy looking :)

Tongue Tales

My LL Bruce, who is half Jewish, recently had an "Oi Vey" moment craving boiled tongue. The only time I've been presented with a tongue meal (do not add comments) was when I was 10 - do you remember that meal Jeni? You weren't very old but Mom cooked tongue and served it to you, JoDee and I. Once Mom put it on the table, all 3 of us sat back in shock - like ...Whaaaa the hell is this?!!

Needless to say, none of us Gentiles here would touch it but I must give Bruce credit in that he knew how to cook it correctly. The membrane has to be removed to expose the meat but Mom never did that - so all I have in my mind is a very ugly picture, exactly like the one you're looking at, ha!

Greg

A Sleep Blessing

What a new sleeping environment I'm enjoying and thank you that helped!! If you've ever questioned your mattress, then it's time to get a new one! Forget name brands, go with a private mattress manufacturer which is what I did. I'm so happy with this one for $250 and my arm numbness at night has gone away. Happy slumbers!!

Greg

Your Winters vs My Winters

Back in February when CA was getting an unusual early spring (heat wave) and everyone else was getting nailed by a major winter storm, Bilwy came up with this little bit of antoganism to cheer your day on. Better to be sent later than never and I think currently everyone is still somewhat in winter yet? Fear not, Spring is coming!!

Bad Bilwy