| Notes from Winter 2008 - 2009 |
Fall comes to a close with warm Spring like
weather in Puget Sound. The coming of winter
is evident with the Cascade Mountains already
under the first blanket of snow for the season.
2008 seems to have passed in the blink of an
eye with many great moments to share. In
January my brother, niece and nephew (Tori &
Chris) came down from Alaska to visit for a
week. They got to go skiing at Crystal Mountain
and visit their 1st cousins, Sophia & Max, for the
second time in their young lives. I confess it's
fun to watch "the next generation" as they grow
and play together.
In February one of my oldest friends, Bill
Crabtree, came up from Colorado to share my
50th birthday. Bill and I go back to 1971 when
we both lived on Oahu and attended Hawaii
public schools together. I had the honor of
serving as his best man when he married his
wife Debra in 1977. While here, he went for a
cruise on the Winnstream and also took the
opportunity to enjoy the great skiing at Crystal
Mountain. It's always great to see an old friend.
weather in Puget Sound. The coming of winter
is evident with the Cascade Mountains already
under the first blanket of snow for the season.
2008 seems to have passed in the blink of an
eye with many great moments to share. In
January my brother, niece and nephew (Tori &
Chris) came down from Alaska to visit for a
week. They got to go skiing at Crystal Mountain
and visit their 1st cousins, Sophia & Max, for the
second time in their young lives. I confess it's
fun to watch "the next generation" as they grow
and play together.
In February one of my oldest friends, Bill
Crabtree, came up from Colorado to share my
50th birthday. Bill and I go back to 1971 when
we both lived on Oahu and attended Hawaii
public schools together. I had the honor of
serving as his best man when he married his
wife Debra in 1977. While here, he went for a
cruise on the Winnstream and also took the
opportunity to enjoy the great skiing at Crystal
Mountain. It's always great to see an old friend.
Some of you have heard that I have
the "Blues". It's true. They're
from Tacoma and they're HOT!
Check out the Michal Miller Band
the "Blues". It's true. They're
from Tacoma and they're HOT!
Check out the Michal Miller Band
In March, another good friend turned 50. Terry Barham was a room-mate of mine back in
1982. One of the best skiers I have ever had the challenge of skiing with. Terry
continued his tradition of using Stevens Pass for the setting of his birthday. Although the
weather was blustery, the snow was waist deep powder. A great time was had by all
culminating in a great tailgate party in the parking lot. In addition to the skiing tradition,
Terry & Pam treated all of us to a night of music with the Beatles at their home. Now that's
how you turn five-oh.
In June, Shawn O'Rourke celebrated his 50th birthday on Lake Washington. It was a
beautiful day and great to see old friends together. Later in the month, I took my second
cruise of the inland passage to Alaska. 7 days and a wonderful experience. It is difficult
to due justice to any description of the beauty you encounter. Humpback whales were
migrating north and we saw hundreds. I spent a day in Skagway and visited with my old
high school buddy, Mike Korsmo. Mike is the skipper of the Skagway based "Cheval
Rouge" tugboat, responsible for getting cruise ships in and out safely during the tourist
season. I do love a good cruise or trip through the canals of France.
July not only brought a return visit by Tori & Chris, but the Tall Ships came back to
Tacoma to celebrate the maritime tradition. After touring the ships, the family left on the
Winnstream to celebrate my mother's birthday at Ray's Boathouse in Seattle. While here
this time, Chris & Tori played putt putt golf, went cherry picking at Tule Lake and beach
combing at port Madison on Bainbridge Island. Temperatures frequently were in the 80s
& 90's this summer; it is great to live in the Northwest.
During August I took a couple of road trips to Eastern Washington. First to watch the
Omak Stampede & Rodeo in Okanogan where I camped at Frank's Resort (Terry
Barham's father) along the Okanogan River. A couple of weeks later I was camping on
the Columbia River, south of Vantage at Geddy's Cove. The temperature hit 105 that
weekend. Whew! And lastly, August was another good season of crabbing on Puget
Sound with old friends.
In October the Winnstream went to Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Jeff & Debbie
Magnusson hosted myself, Terry & Pam Barham along with Mike & Kari Gipson to a get
away weekend that allowed us to do some Orca watching, play some Texas Hold 'em and
visit some of the small shops and restaurants there. We all stayed with Jeff's parents Jim
& Faye Magnusson.
I bought a new camera earlier this year and been doing some amateur photography.
Take a look at some of photos from the McChord Air Show, Point Defiance Park, and Tule
Lake.
Thanks for visiting, drop me an email: awinn@msn.com.
1982. One of the best skiers I have ever had the challenge of skiing with. Terry
continued his tradition of using Stevens Pass for the setting of his birthday. Although the
weather was blustery, the snow was waist deep powder. A great time was had by all
culminating in a great tailgate party in the parking lot. In addition to the skiing tradition,
Terry & Pam treated all of us to a night of music with the Beatles at their home. Now that's
how you turn five-oh.
In June, Shawn O'Rourke celebrated his 50th birthday on Lake Washington. It was a
beautiful day and great to see old friends together. Later in the month, I took my second
cruise of the inland passage to Alaska. 7 days and a wonderful experience. It is difficult
to due justice to any description of the beauty you encounter. Humpback whales were
migrating north and we saw hundreds. I spent a day in Skagway and visited with my old
high school buddy, Mike Korsmo. Mike is the skipper of the Skagway based "Cheval
Rouge" tugboat, responsible for getting cruise ships in and out safely during the tourist
season. I do love a good cruise or trip through the canals of France.
July not only brought a return visit by Tori & Chris, but the Tall Ships came back to
Tacoma to celebrate the maritime tradition. After touring the ships, the family left on the
Winnstream to celebrate my mother's birthday at Ray's Boathouse in Seattle. While here
this time, Chris & Tori played putt putt golf, went cherry picking at Tule Lake and beach
combing at port Madison on Bainbridge Island. Temperatures frequently were in the 80s
& 90's this summer; it is great to live in the Northwest.
During August I took a couple of road trips to Eastern Washington. First to watch the
Omak Stampede & Rodeo in Okanogan where I camped at Frank's Resort (Terry
Barham's father) along the Okanogan River. A couple of weeks later I was camping on
the Columbia River, south of Vantage at Geddy's Cove. The temperature hit 105 that
weekend. Whew! And lastly, August was another good season of crabbing on Puget
Sound with old friends.
In October the Winnstream went to Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Jeff & Debbie
Magnusson hosted myself, Terry & Pam Barham along with Mike & Kari Gipson to a get
away weekend that allowed us to do some Orca watching, play some Texas Hold 'em and
visit some of the small shops and restaurants there. We all stayed with Jeff's parents Jim
& Faye Magnusson.
I bought a new camera earlier this year and been doing some amateur photography.
Take a look at some of photos from the McChord Air Show, Point Defiance Park, and Tule
Lake.
Thanks for visiting, drop me an email: awinn@msn.com.