The Dammedest River

Three days, three guys, four trout...

I’ve driven by it and over it many times.  Often I have admired it from the shore but only a few times have I been on it, only for a brief amount of time.  It bisects our state and as the river with the most dams, it provides transportation, recreation, and water for irrigation and electrical production.  It is a fundamental staple to our state’s economy.  For the first time I spent some time on the Columbia River.

Keller Ferry area from top of grade

Gordon, a friend and neighbor, grew up near Wilbur and spent considerable time in his teenage years riding and walking the river’s bluffs hunting for wildlife.  He also regularly fished Lake Roosevelt (the river behind Grand Coulee Dam) and still makes a few trips a year back to his old hunting and fishing grounds.  This time, Terry and I were fortunate to accompany Gordon on a return to his roots. 

 We stayed in a small motel in downtown Wilbur, ate at the local restaurants for breakfast and dinner, and met some of  Gordon’s friends and distant relatives.  While traveling through the Dakotas and Minnesota in 2007, I commented on my blog that it is so relaxing and secure to stay in America’s rural farm towns.  Wilbur fits that description.  The pace is relaxed, traffic is minimal, and most importantly, the people are friendly and hospitable.

launching at Keller Ferry

We fished the river near Keller Ferry Friday afternoon, the day on Saturday, and Sunday morning.  The weather was excellent.  There was some wind on occasion, some rain drops, and a few hours of intense sun.  But mostly we were in the comfortable 70’s and 80’s, protected by a light overcast.  The scenery was terrific with the river bluffs raising hundreds of feet above us, the water calm and flat.   There were eagles and a few deer.  There were also fish but few were biting.

mother eagle tending her young

It was a fishing trip.  We did fish some 16 hours.  Gordon caught three rainbows, Terry one rainbow and a small bass and two small walleye.   I don’t know if I even got a bite.  Again, I was out fished by my companions.  

Gordon's rainbow

Terry's rainbow

A piece of the limited action

I am coming to the conclusion that I am not a fisherman.  Oh, I enjoy it and I’m not going to stop.  But regularly my partners do much better than I.  On Lake Oconee, in Georgia, when Ben’s neighbor took me fishing for large mouth bass, he must have landed over 20 of them (catch and release) but I only landed three.  Last year, I took Barb, Kari, Nathan, Cailyn and kids to Mineral Lake for the day and even then 3 year old Jane caught 2 fish and I caught none.  On our trip to the Okanogan last spring, Barb caught more fish than me.  In each situation I am reminded of the advice of my grandfather JI.   He was an avid fisherman in his retirement years and instructed me as a five year old, “Keep your eye on the pole, Norman, or you’ll never catch fish.”

But I can’t.  The water, landscape and wildlife capture my interest.  The joy of being in a boat with family or friends captures my heart.  The boat is a capsule where human interaction flows, discussions take place in an unrestricted manner, honest, and heart felt.  It is a very special environment surrounded by the beauty of creation.  The memories will last for a lifetime and the stories will be retold again and again.  And oh, yes, there are fish, somewhere, somehow, next time.

What's this handle on the side of this thing for?

Normal Week

The highlight of our week is often those days when the kids stay with us.  A few photos from this week:

the beans are finally starting to grow

an asparagus spear

very late strawberry picking

Nephew

Before the Fourth of July weekend, Evin and Cassie visited us.  Evin is the son of Vicki, Barb's sister.  Cassie took on Evin in pickelball, a game she had never played.  They joined us Saturday night amid family, then on Sunday we attended a Mariners  win.  What a fun weekend.  Taking on the next generation with our pursuits is often a challenge.  Cassie and Evin were a dream.  They didn't appear to be bored with our interests.

When I'm 64

Those of us who graduated from high school in 1965 are turning 64 this year.  We matured during the Viet Nam War years and during the height of Beatlemania.  Now their song's refrain, "When I get older, losing my hair, when I'm 64,"  rings so true.

Over the 4th of July weekend, Dave, a college classmate, held a party at Semiahmoo, near Blaine, Washington.  The weather was great, the surroundings were awesome, and the comradery was heartfelt.  

The rocky beach in front of the resort, looking at Canada

Wally and Jan brought the crazy hats

Sunset before the fireworks

late morning bike ride -  Mt Baker view

Dave performing "When I'm 64."

1965 PLU freshman Jeff, Dave, Norm, Wally

The stories grow with each passing year.

One of the Many Incredible Moments (maybe one of the best)

There are days.  There are some bad days.  Then there are the incredible days.  Yesterday, the birth day of our third grandchild, Greyson, is one of those incredible days.  Today, we did not watch a miracle unfold as we did yesterday.  But it was still an incredible day.  To be present, to watch my grandchildren meet their sibling for the first time, to watch how my son and his loving wife orchestrated the first moment of that first meeting, was so moving, so profound, so special.  It was another incredible day.  I shed a few private tears of devout thankfulness yesterday.  Today, the tears flowed publicly with thankfulness, pride and admiration.

Cailyn is on the mend.  She looked much more vital today.  She is so strong, such a trooper, and such a loving mother.  Still, she is recovering from the C section and Nathan had to take on the role of the orchestrator today.

We knew the Gkids were approaching and Nathan swaddled Greyson and laid him in the middle of the bed.  He met the Gkids at the door as they were delivered to the hospital  by Alton and Marti Ann, Cailyn's parents.  The Gkids had one thing on their mind.  They wanted to see Mom and the baby.  What unfolded was pure love, familial interaction at the deepest level. What  Jane and Jensen communicated through their actions were, "Hey, this is my brother.  I want to get to know this guy.  It is going to be different but I want to let him know right now, I love this guy. And, Mom, I love you.  How are you?  I miss you."

There are moments in our lives that we hopefully never forget. That one hour today is one of those times.  The rest I cannot describe.  There are many pictures.  Here are a few:

Such a loving mom and such a strong lady.

swaddling as the sibs arrive

Hi Dad, were's the baby and my mom?

I'm on a mission.  Where's Mom?  Where's the baby?

This is Greyson and he is a boy.

Hey, bro

Are you sure he is a brother?  I wanted a sister.

If we are going to share a bedroom, I want you to stop this crying stuff.

proud Grandmas

It Never Ceases to be a Miracle

Greyson Benjamin Aune arrived today around 3 p.m.  At 9 lbs 1 oz (21 inches) he is a big baby and he really did not cooperate by getting into the right position so they delivered him via C section.  Dad and Greyson are fine.  Mom is a  bit under the weather due to the meds.  All will be fine and exciting when we are there tomorrow to see Jane and Jensen meet their new brother.

I am so proud of Cailyn and Nathan.  They are wonderful parents and are so prepared to take on the challenges of adding a third child to their family.  The C section option was a set back for them but it was very necessary in this situation.

Dad's Day

It is my favorite title, “DAD”, right there next to “Papa”.  It hasn’t been easy.  I’ve been guilty of sins of omission (not doing enough or not doing the right thing ) and sins of commission (doing too much or doing the wrong thing) but all in all it has been a great ride.   I have been blessed with a capable partner in this journey.  But I also understand that one's status may change in an instant, on a dime, at any time, without foresight and it may be completely beyond your control as a parent or partner.  But you pray that in that time of success or crisis that the fundamentals that you lived and taught your children may live for them in that time of joy or peril.  Taking your children through the experiences of the world is fundamental.  Sheltering them is hiding them from reality and is an invite to destruction.

Today we gathered at our home.  Ben called from Atlanta, graciously inquiring about our next trip to their lake house, our comfortable home away from home on Lake Oconee.   Our times there have been so special. Cathartic

Nathan, Cailyn, Jane, Jensen, and Kari spent the afternoon with us.  There was some work on refurbishing Kari’s playhouse for the grandkids and time watching the US Open.    Cailyn, trying not to be miserably pregnant, made efforts to serve the dads.  She will be induced within the week. Another grandchild is in the offing and I so pray for Cailyn and a comfortable and healthy delivery.  On Wednesday Kari leaves for her eighth trip to the Philippines.  The weeks ahead show great risk but great rewards.  Another grandchild is at hand and Kari’s efforts will hopefully enrich many in the teachings of the Christ.   Thoughts of love and appreciation were abundant on this Fathers’ Day.  God Speed to Kari in her venture.  God speed to you Cailyn.  Thank you, God, for the joy of being a DAD, as difficult and complicated that it is.  I Love  it.  And I am so blessed by that experience.