Month: October 2015

A couple of weeks ago our dishwasher started to smell funny. Then it started to smoke. I figured that was probably a sign. We’ve never really liked it– when we bought it, we were lured by the promise that it was “virtually silent”. It turned out that meant “you can’t really hear it if you’re in a neighboring state”. It was crazy loud, although at least it had a delayed-start feature we used to fire it up a few hours after we’d cleared out of the downstairs.

Anyway, smell, smoke, and noise was enough to force us to buy a new dishwasher. After some internet research I picked one, we ordered it, and despite a few hiccups in the installation process, it’s in place and we used it for the first time last night.

This one really is virtually silent. I didn’t even know it was running, and I was standing right in front of it. Pretty awesome. The online reviews were very positive, so hopefully it lasts a long time…

Last week I was up in the North Cascades of Washington for Thom and Katie’s wedding. It was an amazing trip. The ceremony took place beside Perfection Lake (aptly named), which was about twelve miles into the backcountry, in an area called the Enchantments. Thom and I had been to the Enchantments many years before, although via a different route.

The weather was absolutely stunning– every day was clear and sunny, not at all what you’d expect from late September and early October in Washington! The larch trees were turning color, peppering the landscape with their yellow needles.

I managed to take a few good shots on the way up the trail:

Here’s some detail of a larch. The needles are surprisingly soft, not at all like pine needles.

And here are the views from our camp site, looking first to the north and then the south:

Yes, the water was really that calm and the sky was really that blue.

Here’s a fun shot of an old tree:

The new bride and groom enjoyed their stay in a lovely honeymoon suite, which I decorated with the help of the maid of honor:

The day after the wedding, we hiked around an area called the Upper Basin, which was much more rocky and sparse. Even though it was the first of October, the weather continued to be amazing– we were hiking in shorts and t-shirts. I took the opportunity to wander barefoot a little during our lunch break.

Finally, here’s a shot of dusk over Perfection Lake as we were returning from our “play day”:

Unfortunately I messed up some setting on my camera, so about 200 of my photos from the last few days of the trip ended up being grainy and blurry. It’s a shame, because after this trip I’ve decided the Enchantments are definitely one of the top ten most beautiful places I’ve visited. They were truly stunning.

According to my math, we covered about thirty-two miles in four days, crisscrossing the wilderness. Because camping permits are very restricted in the area, there were hardly any other people around at all. It felt like we had the run of the place.

I’m so happy for Thom and Katie, and wish them the very best as they begin their life together.

Today was the Big Day: Alex left for his mission in Peru. It’s one of those things that we’ve known was coming for a while… eighteen years or so, in fact, so it wasn’t really a surprise but it was still strange when the day finally arrived.

Last night we celebrated with a family dinner. Alex picked the location, and to no one’s surprise he requested Benihana.

This morning he said his good-byes to Kyra and Zack, a couple of friends, and we drove to the airport. We posed for a moment before he went through the security line:

Of course we had to take a couple of goofy shots as well.

I have no idea what Laralee is doing in that picture.

Delta agreed to give Laralee a “gate pass” so she could accompany Alex through security to the gate, but told us they’re only allowed to give one. TSA rules and all that. Yay, security! She was glad she could join him, and managed to get a quick picture as he boarded the plane to Atlanta.

As I write this, he’s sitting in the Atlanta airport on a layover as he waits for the flight to Lima, Peru. There will probably be a dozen or so other missionaries from all over the country who are gathered there for the flight, so at least he’ll have some company as all of them nervously embark on this next step in their lives.

Godspeed, Alex. We’ll see you in two years.