More July Events

Well my girls got back from Camp Swayolakan on Monday July 19th, and they all had a great time. I didn't get a call from Kayla telling me she missed me, so that was a good thing. She had a great time and made some special friends during the week. One lives over at the Air Force Base in Spokane so when we make our monthly trips over to the base, we will make sure that Kayla gets a visit in. The weather was great for the whole week. My brother John was here for the same week that the girls were gone. So I had a special time with him back home. He is visiting from Houston. One of the highlights of the week was our bike trip over to the Hiawatha Trail that starts just inside the Montana Idaho border. The first part of the trail involves a 1.7 mile tunnel. This is an abandoned railroad converted to a spectacular bike trail that involves not only several tunnels but high spanning trestle bridges. We go about ten miles down the trail then ride back up. Hannah, John and I did the bike ride. Here are some photos.

Hannah and I at the waterfall on the far side of the 1.7 mile tunnel.

Hannah and Uncle Johnny towards the end of the day at the parking lot area.

Johnny emerging out of the 1.7 mile tunnel, headlamps required.

Uncle Johnny and Hannah on top of the last trestle overlooking a scenic valley.

Two days after Mary, Laura and Kayla got back from camp, I took my brother John to the bus station for the continuation of his trip eastward to Billings. Later that day was also our trip westward to CREATION FESTIVAL 2010 in Enumclaw, WA. This is the 5 day Christian Music festival that was at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA but moved to this new location closer to Seattle. Hannah, Sarah, Mary, Laura, Kayla and I work on staff at Creation. Aaron even made the trip to work at the Boarders For Christ exhibit at Creation. We had a great relaxing time near Mt. Rainier living in some farmers fields with the smell of cow manure near by and working with some great people at Creation. It was a blast again this year. Cooler temps compared to the 104 degrees typically at the Gorge. It was around 80 deg in Enumclaw. Here are some pics from Creation Festival.

Mt. Rainier from our campsite in the farmers field.

Sarah, Mary, Kayla, Laura, Hannah

On the main arena grounds waiting for Skillet to play.

In the farmers field with all our neighbors.

Here is Aaron, in the middle, with the Boarders For Christ bunch. They put on a big skateboard demo for the crowds.

This past weekend, Nathan participated in the Hayden View Triathlon. Half mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3.7 mile run. This is his second sprint triathlon and will compete in a longer tri this coming weekend, the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon. He is a natural at these sports so he had no problems.

Nathan, right in the middle, ready for the start of the swim in Hayden Lake.

In the yellow/green jersey, Nathan heading out on the bike ride. Go Nathan Go!!

Then the final leg, running about 3.7 miles.

And of course Nathan's #1 FAN, Luke with Auntie Sarah. Luke's thinking "One day I want to be like my Daddy and do all this FUN stuff".