Adventure 664: Williams Family Vacation/Lake Chelan/ Post E

Yesterday morning I broke out the wire for us to make sculptures. Sarah and Sawyer took part. Then Sarah had the big idea to make a family tree where everyone added a leaf. The result is quite cool. Each one of us bent a piece of wire into a shape that was added to the tree. And in this our team building continues thanks to one of our young Sarah genius who most likely is feeling right now that life is good, especially today.

Sarah, our young creative mind and generous spirit bent this piece.

Bonnie, also creative and talented, and by the way, mother of Sarah, bent this piece: four perfect hearts.

Libby adds one more touch of heart: simple, solid, shining.

Sawyer, our young master, is embarking on his chance in life to unbend the "mortal coil". Fare well, young son. 

Angela, our eldest, adds this intricate piece, which possibly celebrates the twists and turns of life building experience.

Emily, our high schooler to be made this stellar shooting bud.

Steve, otherwise known as "Budmandoo" created this nicely balanced cluster.

Leticia created this energetic yet delicate blossom.

TW created this little pea in a pod.

And finally, Mimi, the source of it all puts her green thumb in the mix.

Adventure 663: Williams Family Vacation/Lake Chelan/Post D

Today was adventure day. The first involved TC and Steve, both of whom had early morning zoom calls. After that, breakfast, and then the group split. I took an early morning bike ride. Angela, Leticia, and Sawyer drove into Chelan for a look around. Steve, Bonnie, and Emily went for an aimless drive that eventually funneled them to downtown Chelan where a perfect downtown parking spot opened on demand. They wandered the shops finding whatever who knows? Mimi, Sarah, and Falcon stayed at the house. Libby and I were fine until the lawn crew arrived at noon. They first took an hour's siesta, after which they asked if they could mow the strip around the pool. We said, "Sure." and then Libby and I went wine tasting. We hit two spots, bought two bottles, and felt too cool. We returned home just in time to enjoy a scrumptious pork dish (Did I tell you we're a food family?) and Korean salad prepared by Angela and Leticia. And, for dessert we hand banana ice cream and raspberry pie. I mean to tell you, Life is good, especially today.

Libby and I went to the Tipsy Canyon winery. They were very encouraging.

Here, Libby is smiling at another wine tasting joint: Alta. It's all good.

I think it's a good sign that the human who owns this phone doesn't need it right now.

I get a little "Tipsy" remembering this view.

Mimi slicing tonight's main dish: stuffed pork loin.

What's this? Another phone left unattended.

This winery sponsors a summer concert series featuring a stage and a random hillside seating.

At the very least it's an epidemic of phone neglect. Score one for human interaction.

And yes, another. Does this mean face to face communication?

Come enjoy some wine and think about it.

Best photo of the day.

To any of you involved in some form of family dynamic. Keep writing.
 

Adventure 662: Williams Family Vacation/Lake Chelan/Post C

Picture Day! Mimi was hot to have a family photo. She booked a local photographer who came with good reviews. She had us drive up to Echo Ridge Ski Area where the evening shadows would be more even in a backdrop of forest. She took several photos. Falcon cooperated, escaping the all to typical baby tantrum. Back at the house, we smashed down Libby's vegetation enchiladas and corn salad. Delicious. The photo shoot came off smoothly, and another good day was had just "hanging out". Steve and I stretched our ride out this morning weaving our way amongst the fruit trees. Very pleasant. Some of the crew made the trip down to Willow Point Park to ride the paddle boards. I made enough of an appearance to truthfully claim that I swam in Lake Chelan. Nice water: crisp and and clean. The rest of the day found us napping, reading, drawing, snacking, sunbathing, basking in the AC, and all the other assorted things sun lovers do. Basically, another good day was had by all prompting us all to exclaim, "Life is good, especially today!"

Mom trying to distract son Falcon.

We had large group and small group photos. Here it's mother, son.

Mimi, the "Wiley Cager" getting a lesson from Sawyer.

Steve, on our morning ride, fixing the leak in his Camelbak.

Lake Chelan, anyone

Mimi combing Falcon's mullet.

Enchiladas, corn salad, and margaritas. Yum.

Angela brought her juicer, and here she's explains the ingredients to this morning's excellent juice concoction.

Lake boy-Sawyer.

Emily taking in the AC.

Sarah taking in the pool

Paddle boards.

Mimi enjoying another Kodak moment.

Adventure 661: Williams Family Vacation/Lake Chelan/Post B

Day two added two. Angela and Sawyer arrived safely after a long drive from Portland. When Justin arrives tomorrow, we'll be a complete team. Touched a 100 degrees here today. We spent the day moving back and forth from the pool area to the air conditioning inside. Steve and I took a bike ride around the neighborhood in the early morning, which is up and down hillsides peppered with homes and orchards. The electric bike comes in very handy riding up the short steep hills around here. Libby and Leticia walked down town for coffee-4 miles round trip. Everyone went down to check on the public park next to the lake. The paddle boards will probably come out tomorrow. We'll see. We had a nice dinner prepared by Steve and Bonnie who did the cooking all day. They're now on the receiving end as it will be someone else's turn tomorrow. No matter. We're eating like royalty and grateful for it. Naturally we think that life is good, especially today.

Two masters of the aqua lounger.

Sarah and her ostrich.

Library Libby literally lounging.

Emily and Sarah twisted like a couple of silly pool noodles..

Emily protected from the sun, and the dark lights up her screen.

Mimi and Falcon learning how to work the love toys.

Mamacita Leticia razing Angela.

Mimi catching up with another one of her boys: Sawyer.

Muffin sized Dutch Babies smothered in maple syrup, blueberries, and doused with powdered sugar. Bacon and fruit on the side.  

Chef for the day, Steve.

Mimi reading trivia cards from the eighties. The girls all knew the answers, and Mimi in her shock suffered some sling and arrows condemning her old "Mennonite" ways. Lots of laughs.

Falcon running interference during the corn hole game.

The girls on morning chat.

 

Adventure 660: Williams Family Vacation. Lake Chelan/Post A

Technically, it's just Fric this time since Frac remains behind snugged in his place at the Ulmen's. Due to the heat, we've postponed two planned summer trailer trips: time at the St. Joe; time at Priest Lake. We hope to reschedule, but as the poem says, "way often leads to way, a way which we may never see again. So we find ourselves here in Manson for the week. Our whole family will be here. The house is very nice, spacious and comfortable. There are plenty of bedrooms, a pool, and public access to the lake within a half mile. A fire North of Wenatchee burns, so far at 11,000 acres, fifty percent contained. This evening from the deck I can see no haze, just a waxing half-moon and that half pink, half blue over the sunset skyline laying soft on the horizon. It's remarkable on its face that we're all here. This August, Judy and I will celebrate our thirty-second wedding anniversary. It's satisfying to think we can all gather, enjoy each other, and count our blessings. Mixing families is not just a snap of the fingers, so it's especially pleasant to sit back and soak in the safety blanket we all provide for each other. We'll see what the week brings, but one thing for sure: Life is good, especially today.

After a long not so enchanting ride across the Washington plains, Bonnie enjoys a refreshing dip.

Miss Emily, too.

After dinner Mexican Train.

Father daughter chow time.

Falcon enduring a diaper change.

Steve, enjoying a nice shady spot.

Brother, Sister hug.

Mimi putting out the first night spread: bbq pulled pork sandwiches, Grandma Chris's potato salad, cabbage slaw, and watermelon. White wine for the adults.

Kitchen crew hard at it.

Sarah teaching Falcon how to throw soap bubbles. He's quite proud of his new skill.

Mimi, sitting there with a soft smile and a full heart.

Fric and Frac

Our view.

This spacious house is quite deceiving from the from.

We three arrived first, so a snack tray, a gin and tonic, and some shade by the pool was in order.

More than adequate for our needs.

Falc thinks so.

I wiled away the late afternoon between the pool and the chair.

Emily and Sarah, eager to join the fun.

Bye for now. Let the sun shine on you wherever you are.