A Trip to the Ocean

Been a bit since I have posted, That's because not much has been happening. We fixed that last weekend with a trip to the Ocean. One of the nice places is Pacific Beach. This is a Washington State Park. We have been going there for the last 6 years. Now Charlie gets to go. He loves the place as he can run free.

Charlie was chasing a stick

One of the things that interest me is there are a whole bunch of piling like there once might have been a pier. Could have maybe for tying up logs or something. They make for good pictures.





It was a very beautiful weekend. The weather was great. Not a cloud in the sky. Was a bit cold in the morning but heated up pretty well. If it had not have been for the wind, it would have been shirt sleeves. It did make for a pretty sun set.




One of things Sue and I love to do is to find, shall we say that they are distinctive (Sleazy) taverns. I think we hit the big time this weekend. The Aloha Tavern. 1.7 is miles from the beach. They even had a nice cat called Blue. The last Aloha we had was last January, only that was on Maui. We had our picture taken for Jane and Larry.



It is also our custom, when at the beach, to go to Ocean shores and make our annual donation to the local Indian tribe at their casino. We did as planned. Sue lost 20 and I lost 4. Not too bad for a couple hours of fun and drink. It's not like Vegas as they charge for the drinks. The Quinault Indian Casino


And of course on the way back we had to stop at another of our taverns. This one is the Green Lantern. It's at Copallis Beach. We were hoping to play shuffle board but there were a couple already playing. So we had a beer and wine and watch the football game. Arizona won.




One of the nice things about the Green Lantern is they have punch boards. I won a jar of dill pickles last year. Well this year the pickle board only had 54 punches left at 10 cents each. Now one would think that you could get the last winner easy. Well it took 52 punches to get it. But I won the pickles again. $5.20. It was a big jar. Picked up a couple of rooters along the way. They were camping too. Nice guys.



Another one of our traditions is the Windjammer Restaurant at the Pacific Beach resort and conference center. This is a military R&R place. We could stay there on a space available deal because I'm a veteran. They have an RV place as well, but it is not on the beach. They do have a really nice restaurant and bar. We like to go there for a hamburger. We did that on Friday, but Sunday we went to watch the other foot ball game. Meant some nice folks that took our picture.





All in all it was a fun weekend. They charge $25 a night for camping in state parks now if you have any utilities. I had reserved our space on line for Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, plus we got there Friday night. The ranger asked how old are you and we ended up with an Washington State Park Senior citizens winter pass. That cost $50 bucks but the camping only cost $6 bucks. So we saved about $25 bucks and can go to any park now for $6. Something good about being a couple old farts. We did come home Monday though because we wanted to see the inaugural of Obama. And as usual with all the running on the beach Charlie was exhausted.

Home 51741, Pacific Beach, 51871, Home 51987 Total 246 Miles

What a difference a day makes

As did everyone Twin Lakes got its share of rain. It came down in buckets for a long time. I think they said something like three, four or maybe 6 inches. All I know the lake got big. Remember that picture on the last post of a nice green fairway. Well look at this.

Other changes were taking place. Roland came to fix the inside of the leak. He sure does a good job. He and his crew, Rex, put up a tent to protect the place. They also put down plastic to protect the floor. They got in there and cut out a big hole, then filled it with new sheet rock. Mudded and taped. Sanded and then painted. After clean up it looks like new. I'm impressed with the way Roland respects your stuff. He really takes care to not make a mess.

The best part as Mrs Stevens and Charlie were carefully watching the operation. Roland did the vacuum cleaning and I didn't have to. Charlie was better as he could watch what was going on.

Now its the Pineapple Express

Well the snow appears to be gone and now we are suppose to get LOTS of rain. The golf course is soggy. The roof leaks. Yep, we have a leak in our roof. That turned up over the holidays. Roland is up there now hammering away. Which has created a scared dog. Charlie is cute but he is also a wossie.

Last night he heard a noise and quickly took refuge on Sue's lap. We had just has some apple turn over with ice cream. Sue felt sorry for him and let him lick the plates. This was a first and most likely won't be the last. It's her fault this time.

He also needed a little comfort from Woffie.

As I mentioned before Roland, the Condo handyman is up on the roof fixing the leak. Seems as there was a big gap with no tar paper. I guess it has been leaking a long time. It made a bit of a mess in the dinning room ceiling. That gets to be fixed tomorrow.

This banging has again created a boob. Charlie is now residing under my desk.

BOOM !!!!!! and a Happy New Year

There was a big Boom at the New Year and a freaked dog. We spent the night watching all the New Years stuff on TV. We both took naps so we could make it until midnight. The 31st was our 5th anniversary. We didn't get to spend it in Maui this year. If we had I'm sure I would have been asleep. After all its 2 hours later over there.


But being home it was time for a cannon shot. The cannon I have was passed down to me from my dad. It was built by his uncle in 1917 in the city of Tacoma foundry. My dad got into a lot of trouble with it as a kid. I got it about 30 years ago. I have fired it for a lot of New Years, 4th of Julys, Sonics Championships (Yea a really really long time ago), A Couger win over the Huskies (That was for Rick) and a few other occasions. Tony will most likely get it next. Jeanne can barrow it.

This is the cannon with a hammer to drive home the wading.

The stick was made by Bob Prescott many years ago.

He turned it down on his lathe for a perfect fit.

Loading consist of a pill container about a quarter in size full of black powder. First you install the fuse then you pore in the powder. That in, you then put in some dry wadding. (Its really important to use last years tax returns) Next comes a couple of damp wads. (Wet newspaper). Each is driven home with the ram and hammer. The tighter it gets the louder it gets. Then light the fuse. Testing has shown that you don't want anything in front of the cannon and don't put anything else in the barrel. Thats what got my dad in trouble.




I wasn't very nice to Charlie. I did put him in the back room before I lit the cannon. When I went back to get him he was hiding behind the toilet, shaking really bad. He is a big boob when it comes to loud noises. Poor guy. His father image was not very nice.

After we calmed down a little bit we went to bed. He wanted to hide under the covers. He was shaking really bad. I need to get him some ear plugs. Doesn't he look pitiful?


Anyway it was a good New Years eve. Sue and I had a Champange toast at midnight for our anniversey. So far after getting married in Maui we have spent three anniverseys there, one in Arizona and one at home. I have been awake twice. Arizona and here. I tell you its the 2 hours difference.


2009 will be another year of change. I hope I get some business. Boats don't sell very well currently. I put in for my Social Security so at least I might get some money. I want to move to Arizona. Sue doesn't want to get that far from the kids. I figure I'll see them in the summer when we get out of the heat of the south and become reverse Snow Birds with the motor home. Its and ongoing topic. In the mean time Sue says I still have to work untill I'm 83.

Happy New Year from

Joe, Sue and Charlie

Charlie is better this morning. But I think he is getting tired of flashes going off in his eyes.

On another note. Sue is doing fine after her little time with the doctor. So far Charlie is in charge of syympthy and I in charge of all the work. She says thank you to all for the cards and flowers.


Thank you