Back amongst the living

Here I am again. It's been an interesting year. We drove the motorhome to Missouri to visit my aunt & uncle for a few days. Had a great time visiting with everyone. Got sick on the way home but survived. Just a one day thing. Lynn finally learned to drive the beast. She did a good job.

When we returned, it was time to take Halie to San Francisco for her vacation. We took the bay cruise and got to see Alcatraz from all sides. Got lots of pix. We wanted to go onto the island but were told that the tours were booked until the following Sunday. So we settled for the bay cruise instead. Enjoyed it immensely. Went to Ghirardelli Square for chocolate. We made it a point to go to Johnny Garlic's for dinner. It's one of Guy Fieri's restaurants. He's the host of "Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives" Unfortunately, he wasn't there. Bummer!

After we returned from SF, it was almost time to take the three 4yr olds to the Bandon Animal Park. The kids got to pet some of the baby animals and had fun. Talk about fun times, imagine three 4yr old kids stuck in a motorhome for two days and not being allowed outside because of the rain. Watched several movies and some at least two times. They were pretty good all in all. We managed to retain our sanity.

We're currently trying to decide what we want to do for New Year's eve. Go to a casino, or go to a casino. The one in Washington or the one in Oregon.

Christmas was good. The family was here for the day and everyone had a good time. Time to take down the decorations. Maybe tomorrow.

Looking forward to the new year. Hope it is better than the last one.

Vacation

Not much going on lately. Weather has cooled considerably this past week. First rain in 29 days.

Getting ready to head for San Francisco tomorrow. It's our annual vacation with a grandchild. Last year we took Austin to the Grand Canyon. The year before I took Nick to Misouri to visit Uncle Bud and Aunt Nada. Next year we may take a couple of the girls to Cal. In September, we're going east to Independence, Mo to visit the uncle again. He turns 86 this year. We weren't able to go last year because of the high price of gas. We're going to go in the motorhome.

I'm hoping to get my motorcycle into the shop after we get back from San Fran. I need to have them check the starter/electrical system to see if they can figure out why it's so hard to start. I think the starter cranks too slow to provide a strong spark.

Talk to you soon.

Ron

Just another day in paradise

It has been HOT! Earlier this week it was 107 degrees. I think I believe in global warming. I am one of the official photographers at the museum and I had to shut down the flight deck photos when it reached 90 in the Spruce Goose. We're supposed to cool off next week to the mid 80's.

We got a new plane! Actually 2 planes. A Mig 21 came in three weeks ago and a 747-100 landed at the McMinville airport last week. They moved it across the street and parked it in front of the I-Max theatre and removed the engines. It's BIG! Hopefully they will let the volunteers go through it soon. I want to see the cockpit.

Me and the beloved are planning to go to San Fran later this month with our 9 yr old granddaughter for a week. We take one of them each summer to a place of their choice. Last year we went to the Grand Canyon with Austin. The year before we went to San Diego with Nick and went to the Zoo and Sea World. Also checked out the San Diego Air Museum. Not bad. Lots of old aircraft. Too crowded though. Lots of diaramas. I still think we have the best Air museum on the west coast.

Later, in Sept. we're going to Missouri to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Independence. He's going to turn 86 this year and I want to see him before it's too late. He's in good health, but 86 is pushing the envelope a little.

All for now.

I'm back!

Been busy around here lately. Now that tax season is over, we can go places and do things again. We spent the last weekend at the coast and spent a few hours at the casino in Lincoln City. I didn't do well as usual, but she did ok. No big payoffs, but close to breaking even. We seem to go to the Spirit Mountain Casino at least once a month. She says it's relaxing and looks on it as an adult arcade. I look at it as giving away money. Geronimo's revenge.

We're planning on going back east in September to visit my Uncle Bud again. He turns 86 this year and I want to be sure to see him before it's too late.

No new planes in the museum lately. We're supposed to get a couple soon. Our latest aquisition is a F-84 Thunderstreak. Really nice example.

What a week!

Here's a pix of Chris, Austin, and Halie at the coast last January. As you can see, the kids are growing like weeds. Austin will be 11 on April 12, and Halie will be 9 on June 14. Both are doing good in school and play sports. Austin just finished basketball, and both will be playing soccer in the spring.

We've had a busy week at the office. I had to try to repair the ceiling of one of the offices because of a leak in the roof. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do it because it was still leaking. Bummer! Anyway, on the way home I got stopped and received my first speeding ticket in almost ten years. Imagine that! Me, the slowpoke of the family. According to all the kids, I drive like an old poop. Oh, well.

We've had some strange weather today. Woke up to snow, then the sun came out and melted the snow. Then it snowed again. Then it rained. Hailed. Snowed. Sleeted. Went like that all day. Hopefully, things will improve later this week. I'm getting antsy to ride my motorcycle. Haven't been able to ride in almost three months. Too wet, or too cold.

Hope the weather warms up soon. I'm ready for warm sunshine.

The week that was

Not a whole lot happening this week. Did some work on the office bldg. I think being retired is more work than working. :-) Being a handyman is interesting but can be hard work.



All the grandkids are getting big. Zachary is recovering from two ear infections, Austin plays the last basketball games of the season today and tomorrow.



As this is my first ever blog, please be patient with me while I figure this thing out. Hopefully my imagination and communication skills will improve over time.

In the meantime, I'll try to think of what to say next time. Probably an update on the northwest branch of the Sillett clan.