Some Dad pictures......

Heres a couple of shots of Dad doing his thing. The top was his latest camping trip. Cooking dinner I think. He looks grumpy, but he is having a good time. The photo below is putting in a few flowers. We need some more but it's a good start.

More of our city trip last week.

We visited the top floor of the Smith Tower and this is one of the views. It's quite spectacular. We think it's better than the view from the Space Needle and it only cost about $5 to get up there. I think that was an old folks rate, but regualar charge was only about $7. Much better that the needle. Anyway it's lovely and everyone should visit.

We also took this little red tram to Elliott Bay to visit the reproduction of the Nina. Very, very small vessel. It's amazing what people accomplished. I don't think I'd enjoy sailing the ocean with 28 others and all their gear in this thing. The little red tram had trouble closing it's doors after every stop and we had to wait much longer than scheduled for the return trip. Was fun tho'. Hopefully they will iron out those bugs.

Me in the wishing chair at the top of Smith Tower. A princess sat in this chair many, many years ago and was married within the year. The legend goes that if you sit in this chair and you are single, you'll be married within the year. Who could know..........

Trip to the city

A while ago we went into the city. We visited the International District to see this Chinese gate that has just been built. Very pretty and colorful. Then I stopped at the Seattle Art Museum and bought a membership. The cars are interesting aren't they? More on the trip to the city tomorrow.

New Hotel in Seattle

Martha told us about this hotel that is about to open near Pioneer Square. Their windows are all papered over with little notes that say "be patient, we're almost ready for you." I love it when an old building is used for something new. I think this will be a very nice place.

Back to the cruise.....

Every evening when we returned to our cabin, we would find a little towel creature on our bed. They were fun. Always a surprise. Say hello to our butterfly friend.
Also, they had rugs in the elevators telling you what day it was. As strange as it seems, there were actually times when I needed this reminder. You have a tendency to forget when you're taking a trip as wonderful as this was. I'm ready to go again.

A visitor

We have a vacant lot behind our house full of great things for deer to eat. This little guy stopped by last week and spent the whole day back there. It was charming, I hope he returns.

Friendoris

When we returned from Chicago, our dear friend from Clarendon Hills was in town, so she spent a couple of days with us. Lots of eating, shopping, talking, and we went to see Aida at the Issaquah Theatre. Nice time, I miss her.

One last wedding photo......

Matt's wife Stacey, me and my sister in law, Therese. We're having a great time!!

Some more wedding......

This is our niece Betsy and Aunt Sue at the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. The photo below is Uncle Bob leading Betsy to the dance floor, at the reception, for a little terpsichore.

A couple more wedding photos.

Martha, Zach and our nephew Andrew.

The Bride and Groom and me!

This is Jill and Charles. I think her gown was beautiful.

Jill and Martha at the rehearsal dinner

Martha giving Jill some wedding day tips.

Rehearsal dinner for Charlie and Jill

Dave, Zach, Muf, and Jolene. The kids enjoying food, drink and frivolity!

Dave, UB and Martha having a good time.

Chicago visit......

This past week end we traveled to Chicago to visit our friends Addie and Jerry and then to attend all the festivities for our nephew Charlies wedding. Our friends live in Wheaton, Ill. and this set of pictures are from our visit with them. Tomorrow I'll post some from Charley and Jill's wedding. This is on the campus of Wheaton college. Quiet lovely. The Billy Graham museum is on this campus.

We visited a lovely park called Cantigny. I've heard about it most of my life but had never been there. Beautiful grounds.

In Wheaton there is a wonderful museum dedicated to life of Billy Graham. We spent over an hour there and could have spent more time. We'll have to go back. This is Addie and I in front of one of the displays.

Back to Alaska.....

This is Glacier Bay, probably the highlight of our trip. We had extraordinary weather, no clouds, blue sky and rather warm. This is around a bend they call Jaw Drop bend, because when you come around "the bend" you have a tendency to drop your jaw. It is incredible. This is called Johns Hopkins glacier. You spend several hours here, going through very slowly, it is remarkable.

Blue Ice

I had heard about blue ice, but seeing it for real is quite the experience. You could hear it cracking.

We're all dressed up for one of our formal dress nights. I think we're pretty spiffy!

Birthday Party!

On Sunday we went to our niece's home in Gig Harbor for a bunch of birthday party celebrations. Aunt Karen, Katie and Max all have birthdays at about the same time. We had a great time. This is Uncle Ken, Dave and Max discussing Pokeman cards. Important stuff.

Katie and Max are opening their gifts. For some reason this was all very funny. We all had a lot of laughs.

For some reason Dad was riding bareback.

Our home away from home.

The Amsterdam, parked in the harbor at Sitka. This is a lovely little town. Gail and I had lunch here will the guys went for a hike.

At sea--Windy

Napping in the sun!

I'm the one who looks like a mummy!