Renewables Tour in Eastern Oregon………………

Went out on a well attended tour to the Klondike Windfarm. Pretty cool windfarm. Learned lots about turbines and how the process works. There’s so much potential, it’s frightening.

David Meriwether and Les Perkins, standing under the blades………




One of 66 Towers






We were at a farm with 66 towers, on 06.06.06. they were staffed by 6 technicians. My head spun.

Friday Night at Johansen’s Farm

We had a kind of going away party for Gretchen and Phil on Friday, and a small bonfire broke out.



Thanks to Robin, for the awesome marshmallow stick hunt for the kids, and for actually having the forethought of getting grahm crackers and chocolate………

Uncle Mark Watterson helping Zeke Bucovonski roast a marshmallow………



Uncle Stubbsy and Nathaniel discussing the relative benefits of green versus dry marshmallow sticks………….I think that’s Nathaniel, It could be Ezra Johansen…..it was dark.



It was nice to see everyone again. We’ve all turned into quite an extended family here now.

Nathaniel's First Walkthrough

….Took Nathaniel on his first walk through last week too. I took along some M & M’s so that every time he shook hands and said “it’s nice to meet you” he got a treat. After that, he got something to drink and nibble on and hung out under the espresso machine. Welcome to the restaurant business kid, get used to it.

Early Summer Randomness…….

The Kids are taking over!

Our local Ice Cream Store is Mikes Ice Cream. Nathaniel and Julia and I went down there for ice cream after dinner last week. Tassie and Mike who own the place have always worked hard to involve their children and friends and family into the business, so it’s not uncommon to see one of their kids, or their kids friends there running the place (and doing a great job, I might add)

So tonight, Devon Beveridge, Josh Kitts, McKinley (ninj) Kitts and others were hanging out, doing a little retooling of Mikes Ice Cream, so, we all hung out for a bit.

Little Hair Cutting……..



Little Sign Hanging……….



A Little Joshs’ love life counciling, you know, the usual stuff.

Saw Charlie, He’s back from Utah, and thinking about staying. One of genius crew, Charlie is choosing to make a living Telemark Skiing. And trust me, he can. He’s an amazing bundle of talent and brains. I’m just wondering where he’s going to end up………..

Trip to San Francisco............

First........We signed Wills in case something went awry........





Morbid, Yes, but we left the kids behind........And had a great time!!!

We went to San Francisco for the graduation of our Nephew, Jay Kepoikai. Great time!

There was alot of food........(no kidding) We went to the Farmer's Market at the embarcadero center, and had......food! (Best Tamale I've ever had..)





And My Dad was there too! (He's Happy, I promise. We all had a great time at the market)



We then went to the LEGION OF HONOR



And toured the Rodin exhibits and a beautifully haunting photography exhibit of modern day photographs taken from the exact vantage points of photographs taken just after the San Francisco Earthquke.

We visited the De Jong, and the SF Moma. and were exhausted, so.........

We ate snacks. (Char Hung Sut!)Famous Dim Sum Place in Hawaii.......Thank you Maile! :)





And then................We Went to Dinner! :)

L & G Lounge

Wow. Nice Dinner. Probably one of the best Chinese Meals I've ever had.






Late Night.........The Redwood Room.......



And the Next Day- The Graduation!

Mother's Day!

We went to the Hood River Inn on Mother's day. Here's a couple of shots from the spread. It was pretty incredible. They Served over 1000 people! Yikes!

Lynn Penner-Ash Wine Dinner........

We had a singular event in Celilo a couple of weeks back. Lynn Penner-Ash hosted our wine dinner. Thats her sitting at the head table.........



She pulled out a couple of very nice wines, Including her blend, a very well made "Rubeo" as well as a 2001 Reserve, which was a classic.



The Kitchen Rocked! I think they served up in four or five flights.



Wide open, great night...........

Election Night............

Well, tonight was election night, and I lost rather handily. Not entirely unexpected, to be sure. I had agreed to stand still while my opponent (now chairman elect) ran to get on the ballot, and they had a shot to take the position. At the moment, I think they carried over a 60% margin, so it looks like he's in.
Not much more to say, really. I'm a bit bummed, but also a bit relieved. There's so much work to be done I'm glad this focus is now past.

My advice, don't ever let a friend talk you into "helping him out" with regards to politics in Hood River.................Odds are, it'll be a fucking mess.

To the Pig!

We had a company retreat for Celilo yesterday. It was a pretty long winter for us, and Jax and Ben wanted to do something nice. We are doing a pretty large function at this remote lodge and Ben, Jax and Mindy were so blown away by it they had us come back.........

So, you drive for a pretty long time out into the middle of nowhere. After following the directions as closely as possible, on a single lane back country road, we FINALLY see this



THe Place was Way, way, way over the top. Too crazy to describe. THey made a bonfire for us........



We cooked a pig. It was.......mmmmmmmmmm.........Well, you remember that comment about once a foodie? Well this was a whole house full of them.



That night we toasted each course. And the main course toast was simple.

"To the Pig!"

Lego from a kids view..........

Looks so much different........Like from Nathaniel's view. No wonder he likes to play with his little city..........








Celilo hosted Women of Wine (WOW) last night........couple of shots from the kitchen while we fine tuned......(where we taste the items against the products one last time and argue, to the last minute about what goes with what.........and jess just shakes his head.)





Once a foodie, Always a foodie.

Spring..........

Means Easter!
Lots of projects for Easter. Gingerbread house? Sure, why not.



The Gingergbread house came complete with one of those disasterous house collapse moments as well.............



We did Eggs..............


And visited a friends house for an amazing (now becomming) tradition of the family egg hunt.




Complete with a diveway session and daredevil bikeriding by their son........



And a Random Julia shot..........


"...Can't Bust em!...." :) M