It's Official

There wasn't really a breakthrough moment on the walking deal. Caden would occasionally stand for a while. He took a few steps here and there. But he never really walked anywhere. Today he finally decided to give it a go.

Pool Party at the Bunn Resort

Over to the Bunn's for a pool party. Their new backyard is fabulous. All the bells and whistles. Pablo and Caden get acquainted.


Fine windy day at the beach...what say we fly a kite. I won't lie, friends, it was a battle. Since when do kites come with directions.


Contact!


Really? Apple juice on tap? Oh boy!!


Nothin says fun like friends, a fire pit and fireworks. Can't wait for s'more.

Final Vaca Pic

And here it is...the final picture of our grand vacation. Sure there were other stops along the way but this was the final scenic point of the journey. Klamath CA on Hwy 101. No drive from CAN to CA is complete without a nod to P Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

I've titled the above portrait Rumours. That album still makes me laugh. Really, click the pic. You can't plan good humor.

Starting the Drive South

Granny Lyons, G and Cdog load up and head south. Time to make the drive to San Diego. First stop Whatcom Lake for more fun and adventure with the Ringdals.


Hello Portland...again...

Family Vaca

I flew back to San Diego whilst the others continued their tour of CAN. The next stop was the Calgary Stampede. Here Tuff Hedeman and Lane Frost pick their mounts for the short go.


8 Seconds


The wranglers swap some stories. Post buckle party with Switchblade Bowie, Old Broman, B-Dizzle and the Jamul Hammer.

Happy Birthday Gayle

Caden began the day with a little financial planning and income generating strategery with Mr. Jack Cooper.
Then like any doom fearing first time boating novice we strapped all foam and floating articles available to young Caden, totally immobilizing and incapacitating the youngster.
And we sped off to Indian Arm for an afternoon of swimming and pleasure.
Here's a look at all the fun...

Family Vaca - Day 7

Over to Miss Madeleine's for an afternoon of swimming and bbq. Caden really enjoyed the pool...and a little birthday cake for G.

Family Vaca - Day 6

We drove into Vancouver in an all out heat wave. Good thing we booked a room at the Lyons Country Club. Caden enjoyed the facilities.


Couldn't pass up the opportunity to go for phò.

Family Vaca - Day 5

Headed out of Oliver and out West to Vancouver. We loaded up on several pounds of fresh fruit and enjoyed the scenic ride from Princeton on down to Hope. Some nice orchards, beautiful farms, a yellow lake, something about Manning Mogul Munchers.


Stopped in to view the Hope slide. In 1965, the slide sent over 60 million cubic yards of pulverized rock, mud, and debris 280 ft deep and 1.9 miles wide crashing down the 6,600 ft mountainside, completely displaced the water and mud in the lake below. Just imagine 1.5 million semi trucks rumbling down the hill.


Hey look, a young hippie in Hope.

Family Vaca - Day 4

A relaxing 40 some odd degree day in Oliver. No foolin' it was HOT. We thought we'd mosey on over to the club house where Grandma Mo plays golf...Nk'mip Canyon Desert Golf Course.


Back on the home front, Grandpa Lyons had the pool ready.

Family - Vaca Day 3

Monday morning, Clan McDonnell was out hunting and gathering early. We loaded the car and put Seattle in the rear view mirror. That put us on Hwy 2 east through the Cascade Mountains.


We made the summit in fine form. The descent...not so much.


So we pulled into the next little town upon which we came. Herzlich Willkommen zu Leavenworth! Nothing settles the road weary stirs like Bavarian sausage and pilsner.



We approached the border still early in the day. The RCMP looked us over as Caden slept peacefully in the backseat. "Sir, are you bringing any alcohol or tobacco into Canada today?" "Well, hmmmm. I have two warm beers in the trunk from a couple days ago. You want one?" "I can't concentrate on beer and my job at the same time...enjoy your travels in Canada."

With that we pulled into Osoyoos, BC. Brother in law Trevor and the Kurth family owned the Sandy Beach Motel on Osoyoos Lake, selling just a couple months back. We've heard stories of it for a decade and I imagined it a sleepy lake lost in the hinterlands of BC. In reality its more like the Mazatlan of BC...kids and tourists running everywhere.




After dipping our toes in the lake, we made the day's final destination. Oliver, BC for a meet and greet with Grandpa Lyons and Grandma Mo.

Family Vaca - Day 2

Up and on the road early once again. We sped right through central OR, admiring hay farm after hay farm. Made Portland and checked in with our friends Sean and Bonnie and their 3 mo. baby girl Taylor Kate. Thanks to the Sully's for the fine brunch. It was so delicious we never even thought of the camera.

We made it through WA, with heavy delays in Olympia. 4pm we made our final destination, Seattle with Clan McDonnell. Had a great visit and stay with Matt, Eileen and Braedon. Matt hand picked some Puget Sound oysters and clams and we spent the evening throwing whiffle balls and eating off the bbq. Thanks for the hospitality!

Family Vacation

3am Saturday and we're pulling out of the ranch. Pointed the car due north and hit the skinny pedal. Canada or bust. Sun came up a bit after 5am and we were well north of LA. After breakfast somewhere in dustville I-5, we loaded G in back with the lil guy. Half an hour later my co-pilot and navigator fell prey to the monotony.


10 hours in and someone is bored. "Momma how far is Canada?"


Every couple hours or so we made use of a rest stop. Stretch the legs, snap a pic and right back to the road.


We made our way north of Shasta with pleny of sun light available.


We made Eugene OR by 9p. I was too tired and too hungry to lift a camera. Over 1000 miles and we were doing well.

Quick lil chubby cheeks

With all the heat, we've been letting Caden crawl around in his diaper. It was just a matter of time before lil chubby cheeks figured out a way to create a cool breeze. He can pull it off in about 2 seconds.

Round Pen

Found a good deal on some corral panels and decided to make a round pen for the horses. Still need to lay some sand on it. Just getting it up and even was a big enough project for one Sunday.