The Long Trip

 This picture is on The Gorge near George, WA.
The trip home from Utah spanned two "full" days.  It was fun to spend to solid days with the family,  but I will think carefully before opting to make a 14 hour road trip with the little one again.

My car's fuel gauge is heavily biased toward the first quarter of the tank with that quarter getting well over 150 miles, while the mileage squeezed out of of the last quarter earned significantly fewer miles.

Needless to say,  with spans of 50 or miles between gas stations,  I had to watch the fuel and mileage situation closely, so I can make the following statement with 100% confidence in its accuracy.  Driving across Eastern Washington we cleared just a little over 200 miles,  making bathroom, fuel, and food stops, on average, every 30 miles.  You do the math,  but I will tell you, even at 75 M.P.H,  this portion took almost six hours.

The picture above is from one of the stops in that Span.

Zach, who had the uncanny ability to announce he needed to go to the bathroom minutes after passing a rest stop or truck stop on multiple occasions, was an otherwise great road trip companion.  The stop at the Gorge doesn't have a restroom,  but Zach would not be deterred. (this actually wasn't one of his bathroom stops,  but one of Tyler's requested stops).   Despite the wide openness of this area,  and the relatively popularity of this stop, Zach determined the forces of nature were stronger than any humility he may have and found a small outcropping that hid nothing,  and took care of business.

Tyler was also a great companion while sleeping.  He was able to catch up on sleep after a weekend partying with the family.  However,  when Tyler was awake,  at seemingly random intervals he decided he was done wearing his seat belt and would demand that we take his, "seat belt off,  mamma SEAT  BELT OFF."  Unfortunately these requests could only be denied for so long until the persistent demands became pitiful pleas.

Seriously,  it was an awesome road trip,  I am glad we got to see Grandma Frog, Utah, Temples, and of course the Philadelphian.  We got to drive through some lovely areas of Idaho,  and witness an amazing lightening storm in Montana against the dramatic back drop of the mountains there.  We played at an awesome park on the shores of huge lake.  It was a great time,  but I am glad to be home.





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Inspection

As president of the Home Owners Association for Maple Ridge Estates, it is my duty¹ to regularly inspect the neighborhood for any unauthorized deviations from normally approved residential activities. 

The HOA Board is allowed to procure the services of agents or other service providers in the execution of its aforementioned duties. 

To this end,  I have engaged the Z and T Inspection Company, Incorporated.  (hereafter, "Z&T").   Z&T makes numerous inspections during the week in all weather conditions.

Above is a picture of Zach (the Z) and Tyler (the T) beginning an inspection after recent heavy rains. 

One of the most important tasks is to carefully inspect each storm drain to ensure water is flowing in the right direction.  If one of these drains gets stopped up,  it could spell disaster for the neighborhood. 

Puddles must also be inspected thoroughly.  Their depth and volume must be determined to ensure none of the puddles exceed local safety regulations. Now that Maple Ridge Estates has been incorporated into the city of Renton, these inspectors must not only know King County rules and regulations but also codes and ordinances for the city of Renton.

After carefully watching Tyler’s examination of the puddle using the one foot technique,  Zach determines the more difficult, but more accurate, two foot technique is needed for this puddle. 

Sometimes during an inspection a disagreement occurs that can only be settled by a foot race. 

1. Its is important to note that this story is for entertainment purposes only.  The MRE HOA, its president, or any other board members are not actually responsible for any neighborhood inspections.

The Heavy One

“He aint Heavy,  He’s my brother!” – Neil Diamond.

Zach and Tyler are pretty good to one another.  Here Zach is pulling his brother up a fairly steep hill.  It was pretty hard for Zach,  so shortly after this picture was taken, Tyler got out of the wagon and helped push it up the hill.  Of Course after working together for about 10 feet,  they both gave up and I pulled the wagon back home.  If you have seen our driveway, then you know there is no shame in them giving up.  

Kindergarten Rocks

Zach will be starting Kindergarten in the fall/late summer .  He and I got a sneak peak of his new school, Tiffany Park Elementary.  Home of the fighting Tigers.  Zach should be in good shape heading into the first year of his formal education.  He can already perform many of the basic tasks necessary to compete at this level.

Zach's best friend from pre-school will be attending the same class as he,  and this has him excited.  While I filled out a mountain of paperwork, he and his friend were allowed to go play on the play ground.  Rumor has it the playground is awesome,  But I wouldn't know.

This was completely unfair,  isn't he the one going to school? Shouldn't he be doing the paperwork?  I have put in more than my fair share of time in school.

The school is 2.6 miles from the house.  Zach will be riding the bus.  We are eagerly awaiting the bus schedule.



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Here is Zach, posed next to his favorite letter.  We are still working on that smile.

I think Zach is ready for School!!!