Tacoma is Loren's hometown just outside spacey Seattle. Not to be outdone by Florida's renowned fairground rides, the town became known as the one with the crazieeest and most thrilling ride of all - the Tacoma Narrows Suspension Bridge, which, as if they had hindsight, was nicknamed Galloping Gertie! That link also talks about the latest bridge, but of course the most interesting stuff is about how the first one somehow started to resonate at its natural frequency in the wind and eventually collapse. That was back in 1940 and the [View Full Entry]

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19th annual Gendron family trip to Lake Chelan for Alyssa. 1st time for Scott. We had a great time on the lake with both sides of the family (Garretts and Gendrons)! Can't wait for next year... [View Full Entry]

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We have been thinking about this trip for a long time. Playing with the idea in our heads for several years. Now (gulp) we hope to leave around Labor Day of THIS YEAR. On the wedding side our planning is focusing on the details. We have the big easy stuff taken care of now. Location for wedding, reception and pre-wedding ceili (check, check and check). Band for the ceili (check) caller for the ceili (check), save the date cards (sent), find a dress (check), rent a tux (deposit is down, check) We still need some major things to check off: rings [View Full Entry]

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I am at an undisclosed location at the annual meeting of the Aggressive Drivers Liberation Front. I leave at 6:45 am for Portland so for once I may actually be up before my readers. [View Full Entry]

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Once again I have proven the age old rule - 20% of the work takes 80% of your time - the last 20%. All of you who have been jelouse of my trip, I am jelouse of you, because YOU are asleep. 4:30 am and it is still not done. But hey, the movers come at 9:00 am, I still have...Oh hell my brain is locked, looks like a short nap and then I better get up like I have a job. [View Full Entry]

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To prep for my trip I spent the day in a foreign city where they speak a funny language, wear kilts and drive scooters everywhere. After getting soaked, missing a bus because they moved it without notice, dodging aggressive taxi's and drug dealers, being jostled by crowds I was ready for my trip and ready to leave Seattle and return to Tacoma. What follows is a rough outline of my plan. I say rough because I have yet to purchase any tickets (save Alaska). First stop, Anchorage Alaska. Mission: hibernate. I fear all you blog junkies will be sorely disappointed by [View Full Entry]

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“What is something you have always wanted to do?” Approaching mid-life with no mortgage, no spouse, no children, and, soon, no job it is a great time to ask such a question. The real answer of course is to be happy. Fair enough, but how does one get there? How about time to reflect, some distance, and new perspective. How about a trip starting in the place you grew up, travel across country to the place you were born and following your ancestral roots to your homeland. OK, so there are a couple of other things I have wanted to do: [View Full Entry]

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The following did not appear in the December addition of the Towhee: Working for Tahoma Audubon for the past three and a half years has been an honor and fulfilling experience. It has been one of the best jobs I have had. With much accomplished that I can be proud of, I am leaving Tahoma Audubon. After 15 years of working to make the world just a little bit better it is time for a personal sabbatical. As part of my 6-month break I will pursue a long desired photography project in Ireland. Tracing the roots of my interest in community [View Full Entry]

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