We aint got nottin but Radishes in the Garden

"We aint got nottin but Radishes in the Garden." Mammy, Gone with the Wind.

This describes my garden. Taint nothing but radishes. Sunday was darkest June day in Seattle in 15 years. Gardens just don't grow when the sun won't shine. I hate to continually complain about the weather, but...

"Seattle is on a stretch of 271 days and counting without reaching 75 degrees, said Dennis D'Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The previous record was 254 days.
"We have crushed that," Mass said, adding it's likely temperatures won't reach 75 until July.
It's not just that it's not warm — it's been far colder than June's usual high of 70.
At 56 degrees, Sunday's high was just 1 degree above the lowest high ever recorded at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on a June 20."

271 days :(

Just for the preservation of facts for my posterity, when living in Pennsylvania, a record was set for 28 days where the temperature never raised above freezing. After one day of tropical temperatures of 33 degrees, the record was set again when for the next 29 days, the temperature did not raise above freezing.

So, let it be known, your regions best cure for global warming is to invite the Ellis' to live there for a while.

Rain Delay

I know we chose to live in Washington, but its June 19th, the high was in the low fifties and it was cloudy all day, with a steady rain setting in for the afternoon. In the morning, with the families help, I was able to make significant progress on Phase II of the 5 phase porch project that started in February and may, in fact, never end.


Attempting to not let the weather get us down we had an early lunch and set out looking for new bike trails. However, on the short journey to the trails sprinkles began hitting the windshield. We were determined to ride through the mist, but by the time we arrived a full rain had developed. When we asked Zach what he wanted to do, there was no response. Upon turning around and looking into the rear seat we discovered that both he and Tyler had fallen asleep.

I decided it would be best to drive around and see if the rain let up. As we approached another bike trail I asked Shannon if she wanted to try it now (not that the weather had changed.) However, she too had fallen asleep. I drove home through the gray wetness. After pulling into the garage, I turned to see Zach had awoken and was angry. After some explaining he understood the dilemma.

Eager to get outside, later in the evening the rain stopped and we took a walk through the hood. Both Zach and Tyler spotted two rabbits (bunnies) frolicking on a lawn across the street from our house. So caught up looking at the rabbits, Zach nearly tripped over a deer. We watched as the deer looked both ways, crossed the street, and proceeded to walk down the sidewalk on the other side of the street. As we watched, Shannon expressed concern over the deer's safety. I, on the other hand, was slightly offended the deer insisted on crossing the street and using the sidewalk opposite us.

Sorry no pictures today! Here is to hoping tomorrow will be a better day (although today wasn't really bad.)

June Staycation Day 3

Still off from work. Today we went on an afternoon bike ride. Shannon and I had to procure new bikes to facilitate the bike ride. After spending some time at the bike shop, it was determined that Shannon and I ride about the same sized bike. So, we purchased mostly identical Specialized Hardrock.

Both were on sale and because we bought two, they give us a great deal on the bike carrier and that fancy helmet for Shannon.

Here is Shannon standing next to her new bike and wearing her new helmet.

Today's bike ride was on the Soos Creek trail. We covered about six miles(round trip). Zach is also training for his future racing career. When passing, as soon as possible Zach moves to cut you off. Once in front, he slows down to a more natural speed, causing you to slow down also. If you attempt to pass him, he accelerates making the pass more difficult. Here is a Zach preforming this maneuver against Shannon.

Here is Zach during one of our rest breaks.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I would say though, based on smiles, Shannon enjoyed it the most.

Tyler had pretty big smiles and enjoyed the ride in his bike trailer, of course he is holding his helmet rather than wearing it.

For our recoup meal, we had an excellent steak dinner, with potato pancakes, and spinach (with locally grown Yakima sweet onions, garlic, home grown radishes and olive oil). Tyler also enjoyed some pinneapple.

...And so ends yet another sunny day in the great pacific Northwest.

June Camping

With a rare midweek day off, Zach and I thought it would be a good idea to escape to a nearby state park to do some camping. The park, Kanaskat-Palmer, is a mere twenty minute drive from the house, nestled in the cascade foothills on the upper end of the green river gorge. Washington weather in June can be a bit hit or miss, and Wednesday was a near miss, cloudy, 52 degrees, but not raining. I would not let weather on my day off stymie a camping trip.

This time of year the sun stays up late, and when the sky is a dull gray, 3:00 P.M. looks and feels a lot like 8:00, or 9:00. Shannon dubbed the campground, "Camp Stay-Awake" after our temporary neighbors played dance music from their car for the entire campground until 10:00pm, then at 7:00am the next morning we were greeted by a large tractor brush hogging adjacent campsites. Really, it couldn't wait till 8:00?

Back to the fun, this is Zach telling me how much faster he is than Mom or Tyler. I think they are back there somewhere. (Actually, by time I got Zach to stop jumping around enough to snap the photo, Ty and Mom had caught up, they have been photo shopped out to add to the dramatic effect. )





Tyler was happy to be camping, but then again when isn't Tyler happy? We got pretty lucky with this guy, a good sport as long as you have food nearby when he gets hungry. Shannon is also a good sport, as you can tell from the pictures below, she is still a little swollen after having her wisdom teeth removed. While she should have been resting, the boys and I enjoyed her company.

Camping was a good time for all, we cooked hot dogs, had some smores (Zach had a single marshmallow). We spent most of the time trying to keep Tyler out of the fire.

The real fun of the night was playtime in the tent, the tent was at one point a cave, a wrestling mat, a swimming pool, and countless other things. Here is Tyler enjoying the festivities.

Due to the typical Washington wetness, we wanted to limit the number of times we got in and out of the tent (to keep water and mud out, plus, crawling out of a tent is really hard.) After packing away the entire campground, throwing out all our trash, putting all of our stuff back into the car except for the tent and sleeping bags of course. We climb into the tent, make our beds, put on the PJ's, say a prayer, read some books, and are finally ready to go to sleep. Zach says, Daddy, I am still hungry.

Zach, we put everything away, we got in the tent, put on our PJ's.....
But Daddy, I am really Hungry.
OK, What would you like?
Daddy, I would like a grape.

I would like to say that the trip to the car to get "a" grape was the last trip of the night. But several trips were made, including a hike along the banks of the Green river. Like I said though, really, no difference in lighting between 4:00 and 9:00.