Spending time in Salem

 Well, it has been a hot minute since the last post. We had a wonderful September trip to Nevada, then headed north for the winter, as backwards as that seems. We headed north to celebrate Julie's dad's birthday! We got to spend a wonderful long weekend at the beach playing on the sand and soaking in the hot tub. The kids had a great time playing in the water! The adults got cold quickly wading in the water! Kites were flown, holes were dug, all in all a great beach experience.



After our beach adventure Julie and I went over to Salem to spend some time with Julie's brother's family! They needed some help watching the kids, so we settled in to the downstairs bedroom, and had a wonderful month or so living the Salem life! It was a TON of fun, and it takes a TON of energy spending quality time with kids (for those of you who don't know). While we were there I got to go to a race at Portland International Raceway where my good friend Kevin Ford was racing! It was a beautiful day for a race, Mack and I had a blast!

After Salem we headed up to Big Lake for a week to help get camp ready for winter. It turns out getting an entire camp ready for snow takes some time. And energy. But a different kind of energy from being with kids. It was a great way to relax, do some maintenance on the Mattracks, and rejuvenate for the holidays. While we were there Julie and I were able to get the bearings replaced on the 2 big sets of Mattracks at camp, and get one set mounted. We were also able to help get plywood up to protect windows, and get some wood pellets stored for the pellet stoves. A very productive week!


Sadly, this is the last month for my former boss, friend, and mentor Ross at Big Lake. But happily he and his family are moving on to a new adventure, and while I will definitely miss seeing him at camp, working with him, and learning from him, I have great confidence that the next chapter will be a good one. We got to go to the going away party for Ross, Erin, Zeb, and Peyton. It was good, so many good people there. It shows how much of a positive impact the vPs have had at camp.

One other major life event happened since the last post. My grandpa died. He was 96 years old (almost 97). The weekend before he passed he asked all his kids to come spend some time with him. I was fortunate enough to be able to see him as well, talk with him about some memories, HAM radio, and hear a few more stories. He was an amazing man. He loved cars, his family, working in his shop, and his church. He had so many stories to tell, but he also listened well, and I will miss him a lot.

The next adventure is beginning soon. Thanksgiving comes, along with lots of food, lots of family, and lots of things to be thankful for. We are going to spend Thanksgiving with Julie's family at her parent's house. And once all the food is eaten, all the dishes done, the excitement of Black Friday begins! I am not sure that I will be buying much at Black Friday shopping, but you never know, it could happen! And on Sunday, the search for the Christmas Trees will commence as well! Lots to look forward to in the last parts of November! The adventure with Julie and Vincent continues!

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