Jun 2007

Ok... so I'll admit... we didn't actually see that much of Riverfest.
But we did manage to catch up with our very own Wild Hogs group, hehe.

Coincidently, and fortunately on our part, OAR was playing at the Big Easy in Spokane this week. It's only a couple hours from Richland, and the show was cheap; so it was a no brainer to snag tickets. To add to our luck, the room I got was just across the street - literally a 2 minute walk. And for after the show, we were also very close to another pub - which of course we stopped at along our way home. The restaurant adjacent to the club was busy hours before showtime, and we realized after waiting for an hour for bar food why. Scarfed the food and scooted in the venue next door in five minutes flat. The opener was Bedouin Soundclash who played for a good 40 minutes and gave away their CD on entry. Not sure if we're getting older or what, but there were more asses than I can remember at a concert. Fighting, pushing and heckling - each other. At an OAR concert for hell's sake, not like a Metallica show. We just moved back to the 'alcohol' section where the people actually had a few inches of air between them and we were happy again. About the alcohol sections - it's a small venue - maybe 1500 heads - but you were stopped from wandering with a beer in the hand in a few different areas. Not sure if it's always like that or they were just expecting more underage kiddies. I can say that know that I'm almost 30, ha. Damn spunky, energetic kids.

So, this is my new ride - like it?

Ok, so I lied. But it's pretty, no? And the funny thing is the guy that owns this has no clue that I am sitting on this bike and smiling for the camera. Ha. He will soon, though...now.... Couldn't resist, Bub, sorry! Cujo just moved the bike from one place to another - however I found that it's quite a different Harley compared to the flaming King I'm used to sitting on the back of. Yeah, yeah, a bike isn't a bike isn't a bike. More reason to get another bike, or a different bike, or paint this bike. Can you tell I'm in the midst of an attempted persuasive brainwash on reasons to spend $ for another bike? On the patient side, obviously.

We have just been happier than shit in this space. I want to remember it's space 42 just in case we come back. And I want to share with everyone who reads this, that may happen to come here and stay in Richland, that this is the space you need to ask for.

It's got everything you could ask for in an RV resort - it's an end spot, so we got 2+ paved parking spaces with room for both our vehicles, bikes, and bike, grass all around, picnic table, pool, hot tub, laundry, showers, cute dogs, and a market right on the site. Ok, the cute dogs don't come with your space, but I'm sure you'll see some. Oh, and our space is across the street from the cute dog run and wash station. Man, we can only go downhill from here.

I was VERY excited when I heard about this event we went to last night - however, I mis-heard the name of said event. It is called Hogs and Dogs. Now, don't mistake that for Haagen Daz. It's a bike rally, not an ice cream rally. We went anyway. Hehe. I think there were thousands of bikes there, it really was groovy. A huge sports field outside simply covered with bikes and people.

All types of bikes, didn't matter. And a trike, for that matter. They gave away a prize of your choice - $10K or a Harley Davidson. Lo and behold, we were stunned to find that we didn't win. I found solace in the beer garden, and Curtis found it by watching the lead singer of the live band. Yes, she was female.

My friend Sandy has come a long way since we ventured out into the Women's Outdoor Workshop at Scout Mountain a year ago. That weekend was quite an excellent experience - bunking (literally) in a camp that usually houses Boy Scouts and taking a variety of classes that embrace nature and outdoors, not to mention female camaraderie. We perservered, knowing no one but each other, through a wild thunderstorm, sleeping on old wooden bunkbeds that I was sure would fail us; and taking classes like dutch oven cooking, biking, hiking, bird watching, archery and horse riding. Not only was a great weekend, but what is wonderful about that weekend is that is sparked something in Sandy to create it in her neck of the woods, only grander.

This week I joined her crew - WIN (Women in Nature) on one of their prep hikes for the big 7. They are going to climb seven of Idaho's peaks in seven weeks. Quite agressive, no? She writes for the newspaper in Twin Falls, and this is a glimpse into their progress. This week was at Shoshone Falls in the Twin Falls valley. They have a great trail that curves around the Falls, that will eventually go all the way into Twin Falls and attach at the current greenway in town. The trail nice and paved, but has some pretty good climbs, loops and views.

So, good luck ladies, on your first mountain trek of the series - I'll try my best to join you on one of them!

This area has very beautiful scenery – ranging from morning sunrises to evening moonrises and sunsets, and amazing sights on the high deserts of Washington. That’s one thing that you miss when you leave the mountains – you can actually see all around you without mountains blocking the view – astounding.

The weather is extreme too, especially for June – we went from 100s to pouring rain, 50 mph wind and 60s, in a matter of days. Good reason for the hot tub, and the pool!

Out trip started out a tad rocky, from truck problems to a questionable RV park that we quickly ran from, but got into a nice groove after the truck was repaired and we settled into a groovy new place to live in.

We’ve been able to have some fun, even though the main reason for Richland, Washington is work. The Tri-Cities have an amazing greenbelt that circles Richland, Kennewick and Pasco that runs more than 20 miles long.

We did some of it, which was really nice, but quite buggy as well. At least they were knats, not mosquitoes – but by the time we were done, I had about 30 new friends buried in my shirt and hair. They aren’t bad until you get them in your mouth or nose, or eyes. Then again, it was beautiful scenery, right along the river, so not a huge surprise. Right along the river, we ate at Anthony’s with Randy. It was a great evening, dinner and visiting, with a trip out to Pasco to see Randy’s nice abode, too.

Lots of the people staying here are working at the same place, so we’ve had some barbeques and get togethers. We have met some great people – old coworkers from different states, hanging out with Shereen from Louisiana, who we met in the hot tub! Also met a nice woman at a store in Richland – turns out she is a Mary Kay director. I warned her that I wasn’t really a makeup lover, but Shereen and I still went out to her house for a facial. It’s actually a contest – a before and after contest. Quit laughing. I have the pictures – but I really can’t tell the difference between the two.