Anacortes Pictures (through the eyes of a visitor)

I know Anacortes is a beautiful place. Seeing it through the eyes of a visitor always serves as a pretty good reminder, though. Julie, the visitor, also happens to be a bit of a shutterbug. She took these photos and agreed to let me make a post out of it. Enjoy!

Monday October 19 2009

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Wed 28th Oct, 2009 02:04 am PDT Juline said: Beautiful photos! ************************

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Wedding Pics

Katy and Jule tied the knot this weekend over in Spokane. It was a lovely ceremony, a great time with friends and family, and a rockin' party afterwards. There was a good turn out of people to wish them the best, with a spirit of support and love all around. For those of you that couldn't make it, here are a few of the pictures I took.

Monday October 12 2009

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on Mon 12th Oct, 2009 11:55 pm PDT Horge said: Congrats Jule! (for both the wedding and convincing Wren not to wear shorts with his coat and tie :) ************************ on Tue 13th Oct, 2009 04:42 pm PDT Andrew said: A good time was had by all! ************************ on Wed 14th Oct, 2009 04:51 am PDT Saxtor said: Wow, looks like a great time. Congratulations Jule and Katy! ************************ on Sat 24th Oct, 2009 06:33 pm PDT Joy said: wonderful wedding, great pictures, and exciting to see family. Please send your mom's e mail address ************************

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A Walk in the Woods

What a better way to celebrate rolling over the old odometer than heading out into the woods with some new friends. That's what I did this last week: a 5-day backpacking trip in Glacier Peak Wilderness. The plan was to do a 35-mile loop from North Fork Sauk River up to White Pass, Red Pass, Kennedy Hot Springs, and Byrne Lake*. The first day, just at the beginning of the switchbacks*, the rain starts. By the time we reach camp that first night, we are soaked. The decision is made to take the next day off, at least from packing up camp, and do a day hike south on the Pacific Crest Trail. The weather somewhat clears on and off to allow for some great views*. The following night/morning, it rains again so we do a day hike north on the PCT. We all decide that hiking without crazy huge fully soaked packs is the best way to go anyway. All in all, it was a great time. The good company, wildflowers, fresh abundant berries, vistas, escape, and nature greatly outweighed the weather*, bugs, and two flat tires. I might just have to try this backpacking thing again someday.

Friday August 14 2009

File under: misc, pics

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Leaf Peeping in Shenandoah National Park

I got the chance to escape the city for the weekend for a visit to Shenandoah National Park, just hours outside of D.C. The park was packed with fellow leaf peepers*. We camped, roasted hot dogs, corn, and sneakers over an open fire, hiked, peeped, and just enjoyed the beauty of the famous Shenandoah National Park. They don't make autumn scenes like this back in the Pacific Northwest.

Monday October 20 2008

File under: travel, pics

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on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 12:35 pm PDT Amanda said: Wow. That looks incredible. I'm jealous. ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 03:05 pm PDT Saxtor said: Needs more conifers... ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 04:38 pm PDT uncle steve said: Hey,who is the fab lady?! ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 05:47 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Go East Coast! Did you partake of the Skyline Drive? ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 05:49 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Whoah, what's with that little cabin built into the hillside? Very Blair Witch. ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 08:48 pm PDT Jule said: That is gorgeous. They should make that a National Park! ************************

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Soap Box Derby

This weekend, I competed* in the first annual Lookout Arts Center's Off-Road Soap Box Derby near Alger, WA. (Info here.) The whole experience was a hoot – from the dunk tanks and live music, to gravity fueled mayhem, to cliff diving and berry picking*. My entry was easily the weakest of the 5 derby racers. Everyone else had contraptions either welded together by someone who obviously knew what they were doing, or a converted/modified vehicle of some sort. Me, I had a couple wheels and assorted parts and came up with this beauty. Brakes were a piece of 1x that rubbed up against the wheels and steering was by loose bolts on the front wheel that allowed you to wiggle it from side to side (which is much harder to do while cruising down the course than you might imagine). By vote of the racers, the course was lengthened to include a gnarly stretch of trail that my horse wasn't build for, so it was no surprise that I didn't even complete the full first run. I did, however, almost make to the bottom, which is much more than I expected. What eventually did me in was a weak axle in the right wheel. The others, however gave us quite a show. The whole thing was good fun with lots of creativity and enthusiasm. Hopefully next year will bring with it even more racers, more spectators, and more fun. See you there!

Sunday September 14 2008

File under: misc, pics

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on Tue 16th Sep, 2008 10:02 pm PDT Jule said: I remember when we made go karts and raced them down 41st street hill. Only two made it to the bottom, the Legends. Shawn Bills and Scott Weatherly. Of course, Weatherly was the only one with brakes and Shawn's go kart was so rickety it wouldn't go over 5 miles an hour... ************************ on Thu 02nd Oct, 2008 12:16 pm PDT Wren said: I was just sent a couple galleries from the soap box derby. There are some great photos. Like these: "I'm going to make it!" and then "Nevermind" ************************

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Sedro Frolfing

(To all of you who read the Brothers Root version of the events first, sorry for the overlap. But cross-blogination can be fun, like this counterpoint to Andrew's pic) Summer in Anacortes means a constant flow of old friends passing through town. As a semi-full time resident*, I try to take advantage of their free time and more pressing desire to get out and enjoy what the area has to offer. The most recent case of this involved a trip up river to the NSRA Frolf Course outside of Sedro Wooley. I've been up there once before, but since the first time through a course is never ideal, I was greatly looking forward to this little excursion. On the upside, the area of the course is gorgeous, with spectacular a backdrop of the Cascade foothills and hayfields. It is [supposedly] on the site of an old mental institution and has some old overgrown buildings to fit my creepy mental image. The course is a full 18 holes with decent terrain include varying drive lengths and a bit of vertical change. But... On the downside, the course was overgrown to the point of being almost unplayable. The fields were covered with grass up to 7 feet tall* and the blackberries and other pricklies thankfully only claimed one disc*. In spring there is an issue with soggy ground, so when is the best time to play this course has yet to be determined. But still, tromping around with friends is always a good time.

Tuesday July 22 2008

File under: misc, pics

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on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 03:59 pm PDT Andrew said: "ALMOST" lost Andrew? They left me to die amongst the brambles and thorns! I was given up on quicker than Saxtor's lost disc (RIP)! If I hadn't been adopted by a loving family of ticks I may have never found my way to freedom. ************************ on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 04:41 pm PDT whuppinstick said: I'm jealous man, I think I own the only disc on my island! ************************ on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 08:58 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: NRSA was the site of Northern State Hospital for the Insane from 1912-1973. The hospital maintained a large farm that provided nearly all the food for its patients -- many of the old farm and hospital buildings are still there -- and was notorious for its lobotomies. I do civil detention hearings on Tuesdays at a considerably more modern facility on the same site. ************************ on Wed 23rd Jul, 2008 04:20 pm PDT Saxtor said: That was the third time I played there. It really was a lot better the previous times I was there. That said, it REALLY sucked this time. ************************

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Oregon Country Fair 2008

The word I've most often been using to describe the Oregon Country Fair (which I attended this weekend) is "magic". Others include: body paint, juggling, dressed in drag, food(!), uninhibited (or not dressed at all), art, impossible, music, good people, harmony, fantastical, freedom, and HOT. If you've never been, you should go and experience it. Words and pictures cannot do it justice. But the fair was only part of the adventure. Transportation for the weekend was a pop-top '77 VW bus, crammed with 2 more people than seat belts. At the first stop, 30 minutes into the long drive, we realized the starter didn't work. Luckily my childhood provided much wisdom and know-how regarding push starting a VW bus which came in handy the rest of the weekend*. Long, late-night drives, sleeping in a rest area, and running out of gas only added to the adventure of it all.

Monday July 14 2008

File under: pics, misc

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on Tue 15th Jul, 2008 08:10 am PDT Saxtor said: Hippy* ************************ on Fri 18th Jul, 2008 09:12 am PDT Sweet Julie said: So Fun! So Fun! So Fun! ************************

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Rejected Photos Slideshow

I took a bunch of photos on my latest little adventure. Some of the good ones made it into pertinent blog posts. Others, due to theme, quality, or time restraint, never made the cut. Well, here's their big chance! I've compiled all the good-but-not-good-enough photos into this fancy slideshow*. So if you are looking to kill some time, click here and enjoy. There are 72 photos in the slideshow, so it might take a second or two to load up. I figure if my old laptop can handle it, your's should have no problem. Oh, and it should be noted that not all the photos are mine. I stole–er, I mean reused a few photos from I Heart Jonahbees and Sir Maxalot, so there might be repeats for those of you that read those blogs*. I also snatched a picture or two from Sara's camera while she wasn't looking. You really gotta love the age of digital photography. And second Oh: no fair making snide comments about how many self portraits there are. Being creative with picture taking while traveling is hard.

Tuesday May 6 2008

File under: travel, pics

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on Wed 07th May, 2008 12:15 am PDT Horge said: What's written on your hand while you're holding the Washington monument? "Bean counter"? ************************ on Wed 07th May, 2008 03:08 pm PDT Wren said: I found an image that slipped through the cracks. Good times. And yes Horge, that is "Bean Counter" written on my hand. The reason for this will become apparent in a later post. ************************ on Thu 08th May, 2008 12:43 am PDT Sweet Julie said: I love your photos Wren! I can appreciate your self portraits, I take quite a few of them myself (and because you are so darn cute!!) ************************ on Fri 09th May, 2008 02:35 pm PDT mandy said: how about snide remarks in general? ;p ************************

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New York New York

Cause everyone's my friend in New York City And everything looks beautiful when you're young and pretty The streets are paved with diamonds and there's just so much to see But the best thing about New York City is you and me New York, New York! It's a hell of a town! The schoolyard's up and the shopping mall's down! The stray dogs go to the animal pound! New York, New York! New York, New York! Springfield, Springfield!*

Thursday April 24 2008

File under: travel, pics

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on Thu 24th Apr, 2008 07:36 am PDT Horge said: Anyone interesting at Letterman's? ************************ on Thu 24th Apr, 2008 10:17 am PDT Saxtor said: I had a random dude draw a picture of me in the central park in Antigua, Guatemala, and hand it off to me. But he didn't leave before asking if I had any illegal substances...weird. ************************ on Thu 24th Apr, 2008 02:28 pm PDT mandy said: you look extremely frightening in that sketch... ************************ on Thu 24th Apr, 2008 04:09 pm PDT Nesbitt said: isn't that the unabomber mugshot? ************************ on Thu 24th Apr, 2008 09:05 pm PDT Root Mama said: The Bronx is up and the Battery's downThe people ride in a hole in the ground ************************ on Fri 25th Apr, 2008 05:07 am PDT Wren said: RM, I always wondered what the real words to that song were. Who would have thought that the Simpsons could possibly lead me astray? ************************ on Fri 25th Apr, 2008 05:45 pm PDT Root Mama said: 1944 'On the Town' Bernstein. Comden/GreenNew York, New York --A hell of a town,The Bronx is up and the Battery's down.The People ride in a hole in the ground.New York, New York --It's a hell of a town. etc... ************************ on Tue 06th May, 2008 12:51 pm PDT blank said: springfield is thata way man! ************************ on Sat 13th Oct, 2012 06:54 pm PDT Wren said: For some reason, somewhere along the line, these images got lost, so I combed my archives to find what I think they were referring to. And in combing the archives, I came across a couple more that should have been posted first time around (so as to better remember the trip). 1 & 2 ************************

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De Plane Boss. De Plane.

I'm here in Dayton, Ohio visiting the IHJ crew (getting in some much enjoyable baby time). But outside of just chilling around the house (I'm sure you would be ever so interested in hearing about Mario Kart battles and board games), I wanted to get the full Dayton experience. People here love their* aviation roots. They promote it everwhere. To put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, they've got the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum. I thought I might swing by to see what it was all about*. Planes, planes, and more planes – three hangers worth. It was all very interesting, esp. the historical stuff about Orville Redenbacher* (I could have done without the exultation of the war stuff). Being able to be so close to so many full sized planes gave good perspective on this thing that we are all so familiar with, but in a distant sort of way. Anyway, I could visit all sorts of other aviation related tourist stops here in Dayton, but I think I might just hunker down for a good old game of Guitar Hero.

Tuesday April 1 2008

File under: travel, pics

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on Tue 01st Apr, 2008 05:27 pm PDT whuppinstick said: that first 'planes' picture looks like okinawa, minus the floor, the ceiling, and wren. ************************ on Wed 02nd Apr, 2008 03:03 pm PDT Saxtor said: "Adults" is right....I think I see an "adulthood stinks" tshirt behind Calvin... ************************

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