Rhonda Graduates from Western

Brad's College & Graduate School Days

North Whidbey Ride

Chilly Hilly '06

Brad and Erin on one tandem; Fran and Ed on another. Brad and Erin ride like the wind, finishing in no time at all. Then, to make it even more uneven, our chain broke 6 miles from the finish and we needed to hitch a ride, not having a spare chain or chain links to fix it.

Deception Pass

Deception Pass is an amazingly special place! The beauty is stunning. The park was a CCC project where the CCC crews constructed buildings and charming bridges of old growth wood. Where they carved narrow trails along the bluffs and created amazing stone structures from highway guard rails to stone steps. Whenever I come across old CCC park projects, like this one, I examine the old photographs for my father's face. I know from childhood stories that he was a CCC worker but I don't know exactly where he worked. He definitely loved Washington and Oregon so I assume that's where he was located. Unfortunately that history has been lost in time. My Dad has been deceased for 35 years now.

The following pictures need no caption, standing alone in their beauty.

Deception Pass Bridge

A few years ago, Brad and I took a mini kayak paddle in the Deception Pass area, camping on Porcupine Island one night. We put in on the west side of Deception Pass and headed for Porcupine Island, east of the bridge. Unwittingly, we entered the channel on a flood tide. Moving at a rapid rate, we were carried to our destination in short order. I always kiddingly refer to this trip as the time Brad tried to collect his inheritance. Not only did we paddle crazy, wild water but during the night on Porcupine Island, the wind came up making it impossible for us to leave the island for several hours the next day. On top of that, as we were filling the time waiting for the weather to calm, Brad was swinging on a branch when it broke off, hitting me. I was totally unwilling to go back through Deception Pass at that point, forcing Brad to hitchhike to our car to pick me, and our boats up on the east side. How's that for chicken? Our camping neighbors on Porcupine Island had their tent blow down during the night leaving them sitting on the beach with no shelter and no way to depart. Their canoe was definitely not up to the wind, waves and tides until the weather settled down again.

Actually despite the accumulation of attacks on my life, I fondly remember the trip and yearn to return.

These pictures of Deception Pass Bridge were taken by Ed on a hiking trip we enjoyed a year or two after the kayak trip.

Our Town, Langley 3

The Dog House Tavern

The Inn at Langley

















Giraffe Project















Langley Village















Langley Village














Moonraker Books on the Alley














Roses on the Alley















Lowry James Gallery















Town Theater, The Clyde

Our Town, Langley 2

Sea Wall Park















First Street




















Brookhaven















First Street















First Street















Stairs to Sea Wall Park















Alley from First to Second Streets















Langley Park

Langley, Our Town

Fire Station














City Hall















Small Boat Harbor















Library

Brad takes us Kayaking

We gather at Brad's Seattle home before a Lake Union paddle Brad arranged.

Fran, Bruce, Georgia, Rhonda & Ed




















Brad's Entry Garden















Kent's Capitol Hill home with Brad's apartment on the lower level.

Brad was determined to see that his Aunt Georgia, undergoing breast cancer treatment, have a Seattle paddling experience. This was in 2000. Brad and Ed paddled Georgia, centered as a queen, in the canoe, with Bruce, Fran & Rhonda paddling singles. We paddled to Ivor's Fish & Chips on Lake Union for lunch. It was a wonderful adventure and greatly pleased Georgia. Georgia died August 11, 2001.

Brad, Rhonda, Fran, Georgia & Bruce