BRIAN FOR LUNCH

We drove 515 miles today of awesome scenery  on the long road home and stopped in Rock Springs, Wyoming to take Norm's nephew, Brian, out to lunch.  It was great to see him even though it was just a short visit,  and, he plans to come to Iowa in November !  Thanks, Brain for the fabulous Bar-b-que this afternoon and don't worry....I will make Norm behave !

And the beat goes on.

~Nancy

GOT SALT ?

Norm went out to the Salt Flats with a tour guide.  You’re allowed to drive on it alone, however, you may bury your car in the process if you don’t know what you’re doing....He opted for the guide.

In Norm’s words:  “It was a natural phenomena …with motorcycles.  Every make, size, color, age, of motorcycle trying to break some kind of land speed record for their bracket.  You need lots of water, long sleeves, a big hat and a good pair of sunglasses because there ain’t no shade.



It was an awesome sight, even more impressive than I expected it to be. I would truly like to be here during Speed Week when all the cars go for the record.  The current speed record is over 600 mph. Nancy was close to this with the SUV and her sailboat when we arrived at the flats. She also came close with the quads this morning in the mountains. Anybody who is interested in speed should come here in August, but go out on the salt EARLY in the morning. Hotter than the devils colon.”

Personally, I think the three "old dogs should take their next big motorcycle ride here and ride 'em full out on the flats.  I mean, you only live one !  And the beat goes on….

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space. ~ Anonymous

A WILD RIDE ACROSS THE DESERT

  Today started with  a tour of the land surrounding Wendover – on Four-Wheelers.  Such fun !  Our guide, “Mr C. was a sweet young man who seemed knowledgeable about the area’s history and he definitely had a sharp eye for wild life. He spotted a herd of antelope clear up on a ridge far-far away  and he found another small herd on the plains in the lowland too.

Okay, so I’ll just come right out and say it: At first I was pretty nervous about taking the ride. I ride behind Norm all the time on his motorcycles, but it’s been YEARS since I’ve driven a scooter and I’d never been on a four-wheeler.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.

  It turned out great though. It was just Norm and I and the guide guy and he started out nice and slow and gave me time to get used to it. Once I got the hang of it I took off !   

Diverse, spectacular, and dynamic are three words that describe the geology of Utah. We got to see a bit of it all this morning as we bumped along the dusty trails across the desert and into the mountains. AWESOME RIDE !  And, while we didn’t actually get to drive on the Salt flats, we did get a spectacular panorama of them from a mountain above. 

 Norm then arranged to be taken out to the Salt Flats to see what was happening with the motorcycle trials. I opted to return to the motel for a shower. It was a DUSTY ride and I knew it was going to be hotter than a cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof out there.

It was another great morning on our adventure home on the long road home….And the beat goes on.

Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. " ~ Cadet Maxim

TO THE END OF THE EARTH

We made it to the Bonneville Salt Flats yesterday and what a mind-boggle that was. What looked like miles and miles of snow-covered ground is actually SALT and the temperature was near 100 !  The Salt flats are a unique feature of Utah geography/geology.

Imagine a place so flat you seem to see the curvature of the earth, so barren not even the simplest life forms can exist- plant or animal. Imagine the passing thunder of strange vehicles hurtling by on a vast dazzling white plain. This is not an alien world far from earth; it is Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats and where folks come from all over the world (including Wever, Iowa) to see how fast they can go.

We stopped at a rest stop just before Wendover and Norm was thrilled to find the four Ford Formula 1's, that had whizzed by us earlier, in the parking lot. He chatted up the owners who told him they'd been racing and there had been 87 Formula 1 cars at the track. They said they were on their way to Wendover for lunch. Norm thinks they were really going for a "lap-dance" as – on that's what all the billboards advertise along Highway 80 heading toward the Flats.

We tromped around for just a bit on the salt, but found that the heat fairly unbearable as well as the blinding light, so it was back in the car and on to Wendover for us. We took a curious peek in one of the casinos and eat a late lunch/early dinner then checked in to our motel.  It was another great day on the long road home.....and the beat goes on.

DAY TWO ON THE LONG ROAD HOME

  We made it to Brigham, Utah today - 386 long, hot miles through ever changing scenery.  since the temperature soared up into the high 90's we decided not to camp tonight and are settled in a nice little motel where we will enjoy HOT SHOWERS!  YAY! 

Our only adventure for the day was a stop in Blackfoot, Idaho at the Potato Museum. Yes, that's right I said the Potato Museum !  You'd be amazed at the history actually - the lowly potato goes way back to the 1300's in South America and has made it's way as a crop all the way around the world!  :-) 

Tomorrow begins our Great Salt Flats adventure. We hope to watch some of the International Motorcycle trial that will be going on and plan to rent 4-wheelers and go on a guided tour of the area ! ...And the beat goes on...

THE ROAD HOME - DAY ONE

Proud Mary was pulling great and the weather couldn't have been nicer. We zipped along and got almost to Butte, Montana when it began to rain. BIG rain. LARGE drops splatting the windows in such a deluge that Norm pulled off the road for a bit to wait it out. 

The storm didn't last long and what a sight it left in it's wake: DOUBLE RAINBOWS!  

We drove on to just south of Butte and stayed in a secluded little campground off the beaten track (down six miles of rut-filled gravel road) . The camp site was lovely and I would have gone for a long hike but the BEAR WARNING SIGNS were a bit intimidating, and while I'm usually up for an adventure, making friends with Smokey-the-Bear was not on my agenda yesterday, so Norm and I just explored the area immediately surrounding our site and went to bed early.  

It was a good first day on the road.  We're heading towards the great Salt Flats of Utah as a little side trip on the journey home.  More tomorrow! .... and the beat goes on....

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain” ~ Fredrich Nietzsche

TURNING THE PAGE

  Our time on the lake has come to and end.  We leave with such mixed feelings -- It's been a wondrous, fabulous AWESOME summer, on one hand, on the other we know that by the time we get home the Fall colors will be beginning to show and that is a spectacular thing too so, it's "all good," as they say.

We spend Wednesday out on Proud Mary just enjoying the weather and scenery.  The wind was barely noticable so we decided not to bother hoisting her sail, especially since we'd had such an exciting time sailing the day before and I wanted to remember my "sailing Summer" that way !  

By late afternoon we returned to the dock and began tearing down the boom and the mast and getting the boat ready for road travel.  The tear down actually went far better than it had when we practiced it at home , so maybe it was a good thing we did that 'dry run' before we got out here. :-)

  I left Norm to finish repacking the car and boat and went off with my new lake friend, Jean for one last paddle around the bay in Little Turtle. In the morning I fed the ducks and geese one last time and we loaded Proud Mary onto the trailer and headed down the road. 

Our time on the lake is over, but we'll not forget it soon !   We already know that we'll be back -- not next year, but the year after. We've met many new friends and enjoyed a perfect summer on the lake. We'll not only return to the same marina -- JD's Scenic Marina in Bayview, Idaho, we'll also request the same dock because B DOCK ROCKS ! ...And the beat goes on.

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had. ~ Helen Keller

DAY DAWNS ON LAKE PEND OREILLE

I took an early morning walk and snapped this photo just as I left the marina. It seemed to fit perfectly for my morning mood of 'reflection' as I begin to say good-bye to the lake. It's been quite a summer.....and the beat goes on.

THE AMAZING BIRTHDAY BASH

Oh... It was such celebration! Sounds of tin-tin-nab-u-la-tion!  All about the jubilation! Roasting! Toasting! Boasting!....... It was an amazing an AMAZING BIRTHDAY DAY BASH!

Yep, we gathered all 25 of our kids, their spouses and our grandkids together, plus a nephew and wife from California, and celebrated Norm's 70th year. What a grand time ! 

It begin (officially) on Friday with everyone walking over to Riverfront Park for carousal rides, and family photos.

 Imagine what it is like to get a crowd of 25 people - ages one month to 70- years - organized for a family portrait!  So, this is the "Harless version" of a formal family picture :-)

Then it was back to the motel (VERY nice one where Pete works and he'd gotten us fabulously low rates ) for a libation.  Some of the kids went   swimming, but we 'older folks' just sat around the deck and the story telling begin. there was plenty of 'remembering when' going on !

Evening brought the Italian Birthday Dinner at Leigi's.  We're such a rowdy crowd....heck, we're just such a CROWD, that they gave us our own room upstairs to wine, dine and roast Norm up royally.  Mary was in charge and she did a bang-up job of involving everyone - even the little ones as they each reported one of our favorite "Normisms"  like MOTHER of PEARL !  WHO-DE-HAW !  and "You can do anything until, you're stopped."  There were plenty of Normisms to go around and the next day everyone was still remembering ones we forgot! 

Mary led the gang in a game of "Norm Jeopardy" just like the television game show. How fun !  Quinn served as her able assistant on the laptop and everybody participated in answering questions like   "Name the seamstress priest who followed the family around," and, "What kind of car did dad drive that sucked more oil than gas?"

Next the kids all told a few 'rememberances' of their growing years with a dad/stepdad like Norm and that just got it started. The story telling continued well into the next day!  Which was the day of the BIRTHDAY PICNIC out at the "Bowl & Pitcher."  This was the day Norm had something planned to surprise the grandkids -- well EVERYONE for that matter !  He opened up a large duffle and brought out the makings for 27 marshmallow blow guns !  Everyone (even the little ones) had to construct their own weapon and then the games began !  What fun !  (We left a huge marshmallow mess behind us with everyone hoping that the squirrels got a sugar high before the park ranger found them  LOL)  We had a picnic and all took a walk over the 'scarey bridge' then caravaned back to Joe's house where the stories continued and continued until early evening when we all returned to our rooms and homes very tired, but very very happy.

   It was such a celebration!  I can't even imagine how we can top it when Norm turns 80 !  I better start working on it now :-)

And the beat goes on....

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

MARCUS EARNS HIS STRIPES

Today was grandson, Marcus's day on Proud Mary and what a little trouper he was!  He followed all of grandpa's instructions to the "T" and earned his 'Pirate Strips" by not hitting the buoys, not running down any fishes and not hitting land. :-) 

After the ride on the lake we returned to the dock to walk up to "Ralph's" for ice cream, of course. Then we held a ceremony awarding little Marcus with his Pirate flag for doing such a great job. 

Grandkids Jordan and Parker were with us today as well, so we had a 'boatful of kiddos' out there on the lake.  they spent the day kayaking, reading, playing games and enjoying their last day at the lake. Tomorrow they go back to their mommies and EVERYONE starts to get ready for the big BIRTHDAY PARTY for grandpa! 

Another great day on the lake!....and the beat goes on.

PARKER'S TIME ON PROUD MARY

 Grandson, Parker, didn't get to visit us in Iowa this year, so we're trying to make it up to him by having him visit us on Proud Mary.  He's be with us four days and so far he is having a ball!  He's been working real hard for grandpa to earn his 'stripes.' Today he earned three 'stripes' -- one for swimming; one for motoring between the buoys without hitting them; and one for sailing Proud Mary (with very little wind which is waaaaaay harder than if it is windy!)  Not bad for a 10-year-old!

We've had some fierce Skip-Bo competitions with the current winner being allowed to proudly wear the 'Chicken Foot" around their neck.  Grandpa, Parker and I have all had a turn being the winner. PK is wearing the Chicken Foot at the moment, but grandpa is plotting his win for tomorrow! 

   Parker mastered the kayak and earned a "K" award.  We tried to tattoo a "K" on his arm with a magic marker,but he wouldn't let us....something about "Mama wouldn't like it"  LOL

He came with his goggles and snorkel so he's been getting to know the fish 'up close and personal.'  It's funny how the icy cold water doesn't deter a little boy!  Granny still isn't swimming.

So the boys are sitting in the cockpit now, reading books and feeling pretty content.  Me too. I love it here on the lake and refuse to count the few days I have left. Today was a really good one...tomorrow will be  as well....and the beat goes on.

One of the best things in the world to be is a boy; it requires no experience, but needs some practice to be a good one. ~ Charles Dudley Warner

THE LAKE's SWAN SONG

We took five days away from the lake to visit family on the "other side of the mountain."  First, we stopped for an afternoon and evening with Parker and Shannon in Issaquah. PK was in fine form and chomping at the bit to teach granny a new card game. He beat me, of course then we took his puppy, Molly, for a walk.

 Later we took he and his mom (Shannon) out for Dim Sum at a little place they introduced us to last year. YUMMY!



The next morning we headed on over to Bremerton to visit mom and my sister Joyce and her family.  Marc and Pam joined us, so we had the "whole fam-damily" together!  What a wonderful time we had talking, laughing, and of course EATING (far too much) They guys played golf. The womenfolk had pedicures and went to see "The Help." Then we came together again for more eating and fun. It was an awesome gathering. I've not photos of the family as they are on Joyce's camera but I'll add them later to this post.

On Saturday most of the family joined us in Seattle to attend the Jazz for Peace benefit that One Nurse hosted. We had a real small turn-out for that. Thank God for my family!  Otherwise the room would have been embarrassingly empty!  Next it was down to Ivars for everyone for our last fish-n-chips of the season. YUM!

We're back at the lake now and in just the few days we were away there seems to have been a shift. You can feel the difference in the air....Fall is just around the corner....and it's almost time to go home. We had the second full moon last night since we docked here at the marina.  

    Just a couple more days this week, then we'll go into town for Norm's birthday party festivities, then back here for only a few more days. Yes, my lake days are singing their swansong....It's nearly over and it's been incredible... And the beat goes on.

SHE'S FEARLESS !

We took the weekend to ease down, read  books, and just relax on Proud Mary. Then on Monday, Laura and Jordan brought Laura's dad out to spend the day with us and we had a nice day on the lake with them. The wind didn't cooperate enough for us to sail, but we did motor around and searched for the mountain goats we keep hearing hang out on the hills above the lake. No luck for us today though!

Jordan once again proved how fearless she is by hopping into the kayak easily and mastering the paddle after just a couple of tries.  First I pulled her around the dock with the rope, but soon she was off on her own.  That little girl is afraid of nothing!  We sent 'Little Turtle' home with them when they left so she can continue practicing when they have their family gathering on Loon Lake over the weekend.

And, of course, Jordie had to feed the waterfowl.  I've got two different kinds of geese here, LOTS of ducks, (including two families with babies) and they all know that I've got crackers. They come a flocking when they see me with my sack!

It was very hot, so we hopped in the car and drove up the hill for ice cream before they returned home Jordan looking forward to driving "Grampa Farmer's  Four-wheeler. I'm telling you, the girl is fearless!

 It was one more wonderful day on the lake. Now this morning we'll be shifting gears as we pack up to drive to Issaquah for a quick visit with Shannon and Parker, then cross on the ferry on Wednesday to mom's for a visit and a small family gathering.  We've got a jazz concert to attend on Saturday (fund raiser for One Nurse At A Time) and we'll stay at Shannon's following it then drive back over the mountain on Sunday and return to the lake. Whew!  Lots going on this week! 

And the beat goes on.

~Nancy

Everyone needs to have access both to grandparents and grandchildren in order to be a full human being. ~Margaret Mead

TAPS

They play "Taps" here on the lake at sundown.  First, someone lets off a big mortar...then "Taps" is played and it is quite moving.  A friend, Sue Averill, told me the story of how "Taps" came to be. It's a pretty cool story and a touching piece of history I thought you might enjoy so...."

Reportedly, in 1862 during the Civil War, Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was near Harrison's Landing, Virginia fighting the Confederate Army on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Cpt Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded on the field.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the encampment for medical attention. Reaching his own lines, he discovered the soldier was actually a Confederate, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly, in the dim light, saw the soldier’s face. It was his own son. His son was studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he had enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The Captain asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the burial. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. However, out of respect for the father, he was given one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler and asked him to play a series of musical notes found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. The haunting melody, which we now know as “Taps” was born.

And so nearly every, night just at sundown, we listen to the sound of a lone bugle playing across the water....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

AND BEAT GOES ON

It's Friday. We've spent a fantastic week with Joe's family here on the lake.  Alison was here for a few days. Mellisa was too and when she went back to work she missed us so much she too the next three days off and came back!

We have 'done the lake' in every way possible: Sailed it. Motored it. Canoed it. Kayaked it. Walked it. Bicycled it. Swam it. And fell in it.  :-) Some of our little entourage are more athletic than others....some are more 'entertaining' when they try to be.  but we've ALL had a wonderful time -- even Ollie (the 11-year-old schnauzer)  and Mac (Ali's 3 and a half year old sweet rescue pooch)

We've shared Joe's campsite and cooked by fire. Smores were made and eaten as well as lots of good home-cookin.  Campfires sat around. Stories have been told.

Now today is our last day together until the BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY on the 19th.  Forecast is looking gloomy. We may get some rain but even so we'll make it another great day at the lake by sitting under that infamous Bimini Norm and I made together (the one that almost sent us to divorce court :-)  and play games and continue the 'stories' of 'back in the day'.  There's been a lot of that going around this week.

Loving the lake and don't want to leave...been picking up boat house flyers and leaving them on Norm's pillow. One of those would make an awesome 'toes up ' home, don't you think?  Or, at least a retreat from the blazing sun of Iowa in July and August. :-)

And the beat goes on.

BIG LOVE,

~Nancy

CALL ME GRACE

I alluded to a mishap I had here on the lake a couple of days ago, but wanted to wait to get the photos off Louise's camera before I told the story.  Well, it's not much of a story actually....Remember that little kayak Norm got me when we first arrived?  I call it "Little Turtle" and Little Turtle 'bucked me off 'and into the lake when I tried to climb into her the other night.  It was NOT my finest hour, however the water was refreshingly cold and everybody got a laugh. (Thank goodness Lou only got me climbing out of the water and not actually falling in !) Everyone except Norm , that is, he was up in the bathroom doing the dishes and missed all the action.  Joe had to pull me aboard Proud Mary. but don't worry, nothing was hurt....except my pride....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

It is not the easy or convenient life for which I search. It is life lived to the edge of all my possibilities.” ~ Maryanne Radmacher Hershey-Prepared

AMERICA's LAND-LOCKED NAVY

We visited "The Brig Museum" at Farragut State Park yesterday and Norm took a walk down memory lane to his old Navy days. For those who haven't heard of it before Farragut was a huge Naval Training Center in world War II.  With the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor America was hurled into WWII. Hundreds of thousands of young men and women heeded the call to enlist. For those in the Navy , many were surprised to find themselves being sent inland to northern Idaho.

In 1941 the US government selected a remote stretch of land on the shores of the Pend Oreille Lake to build a naval base. Construction crews poured their hearts, patriotism and sweat into building the Training Station. This HUGE endeavour was completed in only 9 months! 

Today all that remains of  Farragut, however, are cracked foundations, the brig, and two giant water towers.  The Brigg now serves as a museum. It was really interesting and Norm particularly enjoyed all the Navy relics and good memories it brought back of his four years in service on an AGC12 the USS Estes.

  We finished the day by returning to Lou & Joe's campsite to roast brauts and share dinner. Then a few cards games and we all were ready for bed.  It was another great day at the lake....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

A SAILORS DAY

We took the granddaughters, Melissa and Alison out sailing today. Perfect wind for novices! Not too much. Not too little. Mel and her guy, Casey played "Titanic" on the boat's bow.

Later everyone took a turn around the lake in Little Turtle (even Ollie got a ride!)  As well as the canoe they brought with them. Then it was lots of good food, a walk up the hill for ice cream and getting our butts' beat by Ali in a few games of UNO. We had a bit of excitement early in the evening. I'll wait for the next blog post to tell you as I need the photo that's on Louise's camera. 

The sun is making the water dance and it looks to be another great day....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy