WARNING: This site contains explicit material of sexual nature

Finally went fishing. Been promising to for a while now.

Emil and I went to the Deschutes river just downstream from Warm Springs for the annual salmon fly hatch.  Unfortunately, didn't get any pictures of the one fish I caught. My only witness is extremely unreliable and demands extortion to verify my catch. Take my word for it. It was a beautiful rainbow that took my second cast with a fly Emil had just given me to try. I'm keeping the fly.

Pretty peaceful place. We went on Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend so I was worried about crowded conditions. Arriving at 8:00 am, we didn't see anyone else for quite a while.

These are large bugs. When they grow to their final pupal stage, they walk along the river bottom to shore and climb up the stalks of the bushes and grass and then "hatch". Their larva stage look like this:

And the adults look like this:


Both the above photos courtesy of the web. The one below was on Emil's bag.

Then comes the sexy part. They mate and then, in a few weeks, fly back out over the water to lay eggs and die. The eggs will grow into larva that will repeat the cycle in 3 or 4 years.

Of course the trout go crazy and a feeding frenzy ensues. The frenzy appeared to have peaked some few days earlier, as the trout were in the stuffed couch potato mode when we got there. "But you shoulda been here a few days ago."

But the weather was perfect (really) and it was good to walk trout water again.

Meanwhile, the Portland contingent was on the way. Now, of course, it's raining. Weather finally not perfect but forecasted to improve. Louis continues to get faster and has often moved on before grandpa gets the camera out.

I'll have some updated photos of both grand kids for the next blog, promise.

Outside projects finishing up and will soon start looking forward to fishing again.

Weather should be perfect.

Nina's Five

Portland trips are centered around Timber games, VA appointments and, of course, the grand children.

Got the sand box finished just before the party.

 This will be the platform area.

Meanwhile, back in the house, guests were arriving and there was face painting.

 I think the red eye helps.

Not as easy as it looks.

After face painting it was time to break in the sand box.

 We need more sandbox.

Finally, time for cake and ice cream.

Everyone seemed to have a great time.  There were no meltdowns and everyone got a pony. Seems as there was a "My Little Pony" theme and these kids were fine with that.

The next day was an afternoon Timbers game.  The tradition is being built.  Nina gets some quality Dad time, a ride on the bus and most important, cotton candy. Yea Timbers!

 You don't want to know what cotton candy costs at the stadium.

One of her favorite seats.

The next day Teri went to the acupuncturist while I took to tram up to the VA.

 Here's the foot bridge from the acupuncturist's office across I5 to the base of the tram.

This is the view from the other side of the freeway at the four story tower that serves as the abutment for the footbridge. That is a bike rental yard at the base of the Tram which climbs the hill West of the city and takes you to OHSU and the VA Medical Center. Round trip $4.00.

 The view of the river from the VA.  Ryan & Judy's home is somewhere in the upper left.

The front of the VA Care Unit from the main buildings sixth floor.

Meanwhile, the juniper we got locally is finally ready to turn into Louis' chair. So it's time to say home for a while. It helps that there are no Timbers home games or birthdays for a few days.

The final planning stage.

Here's the first glue up; tomorrow the dust starts to fly.  The good news is Juniper dust smells a lot like cedar only better.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Dodge them tornados.

Portland Again

Heading out to Portland this afternoon then not back there till min June. This trip is Nina's birthday and a Sunday Timbers game. It's an afternoon game, so Nina's going; she is a avid Timbers fan, just how avid depends on the color of jersey each team is wearing. If the opponents are wearing purple, sorry Timbers.

As I said, after this trip it is home fore a while. Then, in mid June, we will have the Denver contingent of the family back in Oregon. Details not yet firmed up but we will be seeing them. Meanwhile,

Finished up the storage shed.

The four slide by doors offer good access and your choice of designs.

There are still lots of spring planting to do but soon I'll be able to turn back to the important things, like fishing and woodworking.

Speaking of that I found a local musical instrument maker that is willing to do some simple woodworking for me until I procure more tools. Here is his web site; he makes an interesting bass.

click here

This is one of his previous projects that he says he is willing to teach me to make.

Might have to do that some day.

Well, weather is perfect for a drive to Portland, so se ya soon.  Photos of Portlands newest backyard play ground to follow.

Dodge the tornados.