Big Chill Weekend

So...every year Michelle and I and Dan & Nancy Dunlap have a special weekend called, "Big Chill". How is this different from all the other weekends we spend with them up at the cabin ? I really don't know but somehow Michelle tells me that it's special. We still have the gourmet dinners, cold martinis, and what some people may consider to be a large number of very good wines. I think maybe it's a mindset, a place we keep reserved in our thoughts for that special time. So, Big Chill it is.

We were invited by our neighbors, Dick and Bev to dinner on Saturday nite. They were having us over for Chili Verde, corn tortillas, and a delightful baked cheese hominy dish. Never had hominy before and by golly, I thought it was good ! Unfortunately, Bev had some kind of infection and couldn't join us but Dick was a trouper and brought over the dinner. We ate in the saloon. Later we all enjoyed Dick's stories. That's why we like him so much, he's full of 'em - stories I mean.

On Saturday, our gang went over to Jim Sprick Park for the annual Nile River Days. We had breakfast at the Volunteer Fireman's Breakfast. As Michelle and I like to help out both the Volunteer Fire Dept. and Lion's Club, we bought some raffle tickets. I had my eye on the cord of wood that Tom Montgomery, our neighbor, was putting the hard sell on.

Well, as luck would have it, Tom called us on Monday to let us know we had won the wood ! Yippee ! Now all I have to do is stack it but we've got a lot of fresh wood for next year.

On Sunday, Michelle and I returned to the fair especially to see our neighbor, Pat (on the violin) and her brother-in-law, Jack Wadsworth (on the keyboard) on stage. They play a little bluegrass and were pretty good !

I gave them a copy of my CD. I'm hoping I get a chance to jam with them one of these days.

Next, I ran into this guy with a parrot on his shoulder.

I go, "What's your parrot's name ?" "Crackers" he says. "Huh !", I exclaimed as I couldn't think of a quick enough comeback. "Uh...does he say anything ?" He looks at me like I'm some kind of dummy, "No, he's a blue-tailed macaw parrot !" "I understand they live to be quite old" I said, trying to squirm out of the hole I had dug myself into. "Well, this one should live to about 110" Noting that this guy was no spring chicken, my brain ceased to function as my mouth took over, "So, who's going to take care of him when you pass on ?" As indelicate as that seemed, in my mind it was a question that needed asking. "Oh, I've got him in my will !" I left him with his parrot glaring at me as if I had committed the ultimate faux pas. I couldn't resolve the inevitable question I had, who would want a used parrot ?

I continued on to the other events, Ax throwing, horseshoes (men AND women), some kind of backwoodsmen rifle shooting (which made a loud boom and caused Michelle to spill her coffee) and log sawing. It was truly a taste of Americana and unfortunately something you don't get to see often enough these days.

Fourth of July weekend

Wow, what a great time last weekend at Camp Foogawhee ! Ron & Marlene Frost, Jim and Janet Kemper, Carol & Mark Morris and Lou & Michelle got together to celebrate our nation's birthday. Carol & Mark had not met the other campers but fit in quickly. I think alcohol had a lot to do with it. 

They all got there by Saturday afternoon. We were treated to Carol's terrific sausage pasta and more wine, the official Camp lubricant. We decided to forego our planned tubing down the Yakima River as we had heard it was going to be moving fast and was loaded with debris. Some of the more hearty in our group decided to hike up Edgar Rock while Jim Kemper and I checked out a picnic spot recommended by Craig Baerwaldt (Michelle's son). The road was just of Hwy410. We took one of the smaller roads off that and after running into a herd of about 35 elk, found a wonderful site with a beautiful view of the Cascades. Break out the sandwiches and wine !

That Sunday evening we were treated to Janet "JJ" Kemper's awesome Korean barbequed ribs which had been marinating for days. Mmm.. need to get that recipe ! As the evening progressed, some of our adventurous group showed off their talent at our "Untalent Show". Michelle, dressed for the occasion as Yankee Doodle Dandy, literally stood on her head and hummed Yankee Doodle Dandy on her kazoo. America's Got Talent here she comes ! I think alcohol had a lot to do with it.

Monday rolled around but it took as a while to get moving. It was our nation's birthday though and we were determined to celebrate in style. We invited our neighbors, Dick Steinmetz and Bev Hammett to join us for dinner. Lou & Michelle made baby back ribs, corn, cornbread, salad...a very 4th of July dinner and of course more wine. A warm fire and many, many stories from our very funny storyteller, Jim Kemper who described how he knew Pancho Villa. You'll have to get him to tell you that one !

(Left to right) Mark, Michelle, Carol, Jim and JJ, Marlene and Ron

Our picnic site overlooking the Cascades. Jim is telling yet another joke !! 

What beautiful country !

Michelle in her Yankee Doodle Dandy outfit !

Michelle preparing her handstand at the "Untalent Show".

The famous Carol & Mark Morris with their synchronized hula hoop routine !

Jim Kemper regaling us with his tales of Pancho Villa.

A lot of wine was consumed in making these pictures !!

All in all, a very fun weekend. We all vowed to do it all over again next year. - Lou

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The following is from Jim Kemper:

Well, it is Wed. morning and the "fog" in our heads is beginning to clear. As far as we can remember, we had a SWELL time.  Our recollection is as follows: Sat Noon, we arrived with tons of food and many bottles of fire water. At this point, JJ weighed 89 pounds and I had a size 32 waist! Next came the Morrises with tons of food and two plastic bottles of fire water, one labeled JACK (whatever THAT means). So far , so good ! It was great to finally meet these folks and we really hope we get to see them again and often!  THEN THE FROSTS ARRIVED, bringing more food , more fire water and a ham stealing fur ball named GRIZ. As near as we can tell.......THAT is when the shit hit the fan and we can remember little else until we began trying to figure out what the hell to do with all the garbage. It was NOT all fun!! I have very bad memories about a VERY uncomfortable walk back to the cabin from our Sunday morning walk!  One good thing that keeps flashing back was getting to meet Dick and Bev. We really enjoyed meeting them.

So from now on when people ask us, " Hey, do you know the Frosts, Lou and Michelle, Mark and Carol, Jack and Bev?" We will always reply " Do We KNOW them?........... We HAD LUNCH WITH THEM!!!"