Mystery Pictures

We did take pictures, after all! Here's the lovely mountain valley we call our roots:



(Usually the mountains are prettier.)

Pax Rev with Uncle Nate and Aunt Nicole.



Pritch and Ekegren in training:





Down for the count!

Gramps, hunting for the ever elusive four leaf clover:

The ever-romantic allure of the merry-go-round:




And let's not forget, the HMS Bounty. Those Kingston Idahoans know how to honor a great explorer! Too bad Tony Horwitz didn't know about the Kingston gas station. It probably would've made his book.

Heading South

We went to the lower 48 to celebrate two weddings and hang out with family. Both weddings were wonderful and amazing. Lewis and Tarifa's was like something straight out of a storybook, absolutely luxurious, at a famous California winery. Unfortunately, our photography skills do not match the perfection of the event, but this picture sort of captures the setting.



The flower girl and ring boy performed their duties admirably.




A silhouette of Lewis and the supporting men. Again, we apologize for our photography.



Here comes the bride:



The magic words are said, and off they go, into the sunset! Congratulations Lewis and Tarifa!



Actually, at this point, the fun was just beginning. Paxson Revel was so inspired he decided to try for a little romance with the ladies.



After some post-wedding, pre-reception mingling, we were directed to take our assigned seats in the banquet hall. The members of the wedding party were introduced, culminating with the stars of the show. Upon being introduced, Lewis and Tarifa proceeded to perform a fully choreographed ballroom dance. Awesome! Bollywood!



You could really feel the love, and that's what these things are all about. A lifetime of it. After the dancing came the exquisite five course, five wine meal, interspersed with perfectly appropriate and occasionally tear-jerking speaches. It was a true gala affair. We were honored to be part of it. Lewis and Tarifa are so thoughtful, they even gave Paxson Revel his very own place setting!

Like Jake and Megan's wedding, we took no pictures at Pat and Melissa's. But their wedding was wonderful, too. The ceremony began with a didgiridoo, and incorporated readings on love from various philosophers and poets throughout the ages. The setting was on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, and an old wooden rowboat was available for romantic paddles during the reception. Congratulations Pat and Melissa! Keep living the SLC dream!

Somehow we also took no pictures of Team Garcia, up to Missoula to celebrate Rani's 20 year high school reunion. I guess we were too distracted by the wonder of the Missoula KOA, the post-Sturgis bikers, and the smoky forest fire air to don the camera. And we took no pictures of Senor hanging out with Grammy and Gramps. Oh well, you can't win them all.

You kind of get used to living far from anything remotely fashionable, lulled into sort of a Carhartt complacency, after a few years in the bush. So preparing for two weddings caused us a wee bit of consternation. But thanks to Genevieve, Dawson's work shoes are now fit to be worn to fancy events. (This picture is taken midway through the process. Not quite a before and after photo, but you pretty much get the idea.)

Mano y Mano

Water temperature in the 40s, air temperature in the 50s, crabs all around and no boat. What do you do????

The answer----
Take 'em on---

Mano y mano.

All you need is a hooded wetsuit and a sweet moustache (or bigotes as they say).

Let's not forget standard issue swim goggles....

Crabs beware!

Watch out here he comes.....


Still coming....

Really looking now....

"Here crabbie, crabbie....Here crabbie, crabbie"

Alas...no crabs in sight (at least with the sight the awesome scratched swim goggles provided). Lots of floundery shaped fishes, though. And a beautiful sunny day perfect for entertaining Senor by reinacting the Loch Ness Monster...


Just wait you little crabbies. We're not finished with you yet. Mano y mano. Take 2. Coming soon to theaters near you.

P.S. Here's an eagle shot for my dad who was always trying to capture an eagle in action...

Nana and Grandpa Buck's Big Unalaskan Adventure

My parents just returned to Montana after a week long spa vacation here on the island. They managed some 9ish hours of flying and 5 take-offs and landings to arrive here last Thursday. I believe it's the farthest my dad has ever been away from home and their first trip to the great state of AK. Lucky for them, they got the Aleutian flight tour on the trip from Anchorage, stopping in King Salmon and Cold Bay for extra fuel. But they arrived to some sunny, beautiful island weather and a host of cute grandson activities. And they brought with them some tasty and handy goodies.....fresh raspberries, basil and lettuce from the Cook farm, Flathead cherries, and a host of necessary supplies like dishcloths and toilet brushes! Woo-hoo!

We had a beautiful sunrise the first morning....one of the first we've seen since it's usually foggy in the morning. Yes, lucky indeed.


After introducing them to the schedule on Friday, we took off Saturday for a big hike. We hiked over to the Peace of Mind cabin with Dawson's co-workers. You take off from near the summit of the Overland pass road and hike over a few mountains and valleys until you reach the beach where there is a small cabin, an impressive sauna and some beautiful scenery. This sauna is pretty fancy. It's got a network of coils that hook up to the neighboring stream and could make for a fantastic winter ski vacation!
Senor enjoyed being carried, but it became quite clear that he's really much more of an adventurer. Beaches are fun! Sand, water, rocks.....
Which leads to some interesting fashion statements....



Of course, we couldn't let them leave without seeing their fair share of WWII bunkers...


They enjoyed the many views of mountains, water and boats from the top of Bunker Hill.

And we had a few photo ops for Team Wilco family photos (which are usually a rarity!)


As we were driving one day, we ran across the remains of our favorite Goose....being shipped back to the island on a barge. Hmmm...it looks a little the worse for wear.


Lest you think the vacation was all fun and scenic vistas....Grandpa Buck did prove his skills on one smelly occasion....He was trying to redeem himself after receiving a failing grade on his feeding skills with sandy yogurt on the beach. We're not sure he gets an A, but how about an E for effort?


Thanks for the visit, Grandpa Buck and Nana! We're already excited about the next one!

Pure Squashy Goodness

Thanks to Dawson's dad, we have a fresh stockpile of tasty home grown yellow squash straight from the Boise garden. Thank you, DeWayne! The whole family, Buck included, loves it!