Fire aftermath

As you see, the fire was rather devestating to the north face of Rattlesnake Mountain. Not the first time that a fire has burned this area, nor will it be the last I'm sure. Still it will be interesting to see the new life that springs up here post fire. I also am interested to see how the Yakima elk herd will winter here now.

~N

Rattlesnake Mountain/ Hanford Area Fire

Okay, so the photo doesn't look like much, I'll explain.

What you are seeing from a window in our house is a fire that is currently burning on the Arid Land Ecological Reserve. This is on the Hanford Reservation, west of the Tri-Cities.

This is not exactly close, maybe 20 miles away as the birds fly. I saw the fire near the beginnings, around 3:30 today. Since then, the wind has really pushed it along and whipped it up to a frenzy.

Also, here is a link from Google to show the satellite view. It really is sad and impressive at the same time.

~N

Summer is moving by

We have watched July scream past, and August steaming by at full speed ahead, where has the summer gone?

Carlee was able to spend a few days at a summer camp outside of Dayton. This was her first such camp and she seemed to have really enjoyed it.

Julie and I traveled to Vancouver for a hot rod cruise in at Glenwood Church, this is the 6th year of it and 180 cars were there. The following day, we picked up Alexis to come back to our place for a couple of weeks. Austin would have, but he was leaving Monday for a rafting trip down the Salmon River in Idaho. We picked him up in Pomeroy, WA on that following Friday to join our family camping trip, read below...

Just returning from a weekend camping trip at Central Ferry State Park. A scenic place on the Snake River. We looked forward to swimming but the "swimming area" was not what we had hoped. Our first impression was set by the "Caution-Rattle Snakes" sign upon entering the campground. A quick speech to the kids about what not to do, and where not to go covered that. We enjoyed some reading, board games, typical camping meals of hot-dogs and chili, and late evenings. Sunday, during the camping trip was Julie's 31st birthday. We celebrated it the night before when her folks came out with a cake and ice cream. I asked her if we could go camping on my birthday and her answer was a firm, "No." Sunday night was also the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, this was a fun time for the kids and us. While sitting in our chairs starring up, we watched the space station scoot overhead, along with a dozen other satellites throughout the night. All in all a fun time.

Soon summer break will end for the kids, although Carlee has one more "adventure" before school starts. She has, throughout this year and prior years, had several bouts of strep-throat. The doctors have said that the removal of her tonsils will help this. So on the 20th, Carlee will get to change her diet to ice cream, Popsicles, and yogurts. Nothing beats closing out summer with a surgery...

~N