Westport Fishing

We decided to go to Grays Harbor for salmon fishing in September.  They had a special season that allowed you to keep any silver or king salmon.  Jason and Megan came down during the first few days we were there and it was a lot of fun.  We caught 4 fish in the two days they fished with us - two nice kings and two nice silvers.  We caught one of the kings in 2 feet of water.    

A picture of the first fish in the boat. 

We had several days that we didn't fish because of fog or wind.  The fishing was slow with an average of 1 fish per day. 

We really like the marina in the Port of Westport.  The docks were really maintained and we were able to camp near them.  We could see the boat from our trailer and we could see the trailer from the dock.

Fishing in Grays Harbor was entirely different than fishing at Sekiu.  Grays Harbor has two channels - the north and the south.  Sports fishermen typically fish in the south channel.  The channels are marked with numbered buoys.  The depth of the channels averages about 35 - 45 feet.  Outside the channels, there are many, many sandbars. 

Since the port is located near the ocean, you have to contend with ocean problems - fog, wind and tide changes.  This was a scene from the RV park.  Don't think we went out fishing this day. 

Adjacent to the RV park was a seafood company.  It unloaded the commercial fishing boats.  Most of the fish were sent by refrigerated trucks to processing plants.  We discovered quickly that this was a 24 hour a day operation.  Surprising how loud frozen tuna can be when tossed from one bin to another.

On the days we couldn't fish, we tried fishing and crabbing on the dock by the boat.  It was fun but we didn't get a crab big enough to keep or catch a salmon.  We did see other people catch fish and get legal crab so we must have something to learn.

Wild Fires and River Rafters

We experience wild fires in Eastern Washington every year.  The wild fire near Rimrock Lake on White Pass in September of 2012 has been the most visible one in recent years.  These pictures were taken while going across the pass and you can see some of the plumes of smoke as well as the haze caused by the wildfire.  The Yakima valley was affected by the haze for many weeks causing problems for people with respiratory illnesses and for people with allergies.

Just a few of the fire fighters were working along the pass just above an area called Rimrock Retreat.  The fire had jumped the highway so they were working here to keep it from spreading.

The wild fires didn't keep the river rafters from having a good day rafting.  We wanted to get a picture so we stopped at a wide spot in the road.  Much to our surprise - as I snapped the picture, these rafters decided to moon us.  We got a good laugh and the rafters resumed their trip like it was an every day occurrence for them.

Labor Day Weekend Reunion

On Friday, August 31st, the first order of business is dinner.  That was just the beginning of a family reunion of my parent's children, their children and grandchildren.  We decided on Monday to make this happen and we did it!  There were 30 people who attend in spite of the short notice.  It was pretty awesome to get siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. etc. together.  Kyle looks a little serious sitting by his dad, Brett with Mindy and Doug.  Coralee and Lance were enjoying the BBQ chicken sandwiches that Kay had prepared for the main dish.  We also had hot dogs and many salads and desserts.    Kay and Lee also got a beautiful cake from Costco.  Kay and Lee did an awesome of hosting this reunion.

Aaron and Tia and Wendy and Martin were enjoying all the good food and conversation.  Lea is Chance's friend and Connor joins them with some dinner.

Coralee prepared a little speech about the meaning of family and how the meaning has evolved and changed within our family.  We chuckled when she started out by saying because she was the oldest it gave her the privilege to give this speech.   

The group picture!!!  Not in any order - Sean and Jodi Elwell and their 4 children, Mindy and Doug Gailey and their 3 children, Kay and Lee Newbold, Tia and Aaron Arnold, Wendy and Martin Forler, Lance and Coralee Kulman, Kyle Sherwood, Brett Sherwood with fiance', Sabrina Gilstrap and her girls, Bill and Teri Sherwood and Dan Kulman with fiance', Kimberly. 

Sisters by chance...Friends by choice...

To start with...

"Siblings are the people we practice on,

the people who teach us about fairness and

cooperation and kindness and caring -

quite often the hard way.

And that someone need not be perfect for

you to love them."

Pamela Dugdale

"Both within the family and without,

our sisters hold up our mirrors; our

images of who we are and of who we

can dare to be."

Elizabeth Fishel

"Having a sister means having one of the most beautiful and unique human relationships.  We share with our sisters a special intimacy, a communion of heart and mind more powerful than any friendship."

Author Unknown

"....my sisters have shown me how to live."

Georgette Wasserstein 

 "She takes my hand and leads me along paths

I would not have dared explore alone."

Maya V. Patel

"For when three sisters love each other with such

sincere affection, the one does not experience sorrow,

pain, or affliction of any kind,

but the others' heart wishes to relieve, and

vibrates in tenderness.

Like a well-organized musical instrument."

Elizabeth Shaw

 

"It's only in the last five years that I've truly learned how to love my sisters

with all my soul and at the very deepest possible level..."

Molly Parkin

Moeller Family Reunion

On Monday, August 27th, there was a Moeller Family Reunion at Mud Mountain Dam near Enumclaw where I was raised.  Janet Lee Moeller Dickson put it all together and did a fantastic job.  She had pictures and shared lots of information about the descendants of William and Theresia (Schafer) Moeller, our great grandparents on our father's side.  Pictured around each table starting at the left - Lynda Moeller English, Lance Kulman, Paul Dickson, and Coralee Moeller Kulman - Bill Sherwood, Mary Jo Moeller Davy Kendall and Janet Lee Moeller Dickson - Lee Newbold, Mindy Newbold Gailey, Shaylynn Gailey, Austin Gailey, Cierra Elwell and Kay Moeller Newbold.  The weather was just about perfect - a little sun but not too hot.  The youngsters enjoyed the wading pool and playground.  As usual, there was plenty of good food.  Janet Lee prepared BBQ chicken and hot dogs for everybody and we all contributed to the potluck. 

Kyle's Hunter Safety Class

Kyle spent a week with G & G to take his hunter's safety class.  Grandpa went with him to class every night.  Kyle was determined to pass this class so he studied after he got home from class and in the mornings and afternoons before going to class.  He passed with flying colors and has the certificate to show for his hard work.

Bill's 50 Year Class Reunion

Wow!!  Bill's 50 year Class Reunion!!!  The weekend of August 3, 4 and 5th was filled with activities.  Friday night was a no host reception for the classes of 1961, 1962 and 1963 at the Four Seasons in Enumclaw.  Saturday morning was breakfast at the Black Diamond Bakery followed by decorating the Black Diamond Eagles hall for the big reception on Saturday night.  Sunday was a picnic at Mud Mountain Dam.

We interrupt classmates Mike Walton and Gary Damiano to snap a picture.   Bill took some time to visit with Theron Morgan and Brenda Sargent.

Frank Mihelich and his wife, Barbara were having a good time catching up with friends.   Daryl and Dorothy Sleigh were guests of Bill's class.  Daryl was a teacher and Dorothy worked at the local bank.

Judy and Howie Sonneson and Tom and Chris Jameyson have been friends for many, many years.   Teri and Chris were classmates in the Class of 1966 and Judy was in the Class of 1967.  We all fell for older guys.

Kathy Nichols Gross, Georgene Potochnik Murphy, Pat Christensen Garrett and Frank Kladnick were the planners for this reunion.  They deserve a big hand for the outstanding job.  All the activities were well attended and everyone pitched in to help when needed. 

Monte Mitchell, Bill and Mike McNeeley had a good visit at the picnic at Mud Mountain Dam.  We visited with John Sanuy and his wife, Kathleen, five years ago at the 45th reunion and had a chance to catch up with them this year, too.

Phyllis Gill Johnson, Linda Sevilles Boyce and Bill enjoy the shade.  It turned out to be a very nice day for the picnic.  Everyone enjoyed John Sanuy and his magic tricks.  He is dang good!

 

It was a great weekend.  Lots of stories told and memories revisited.  Glad we were able to go.  Also, thanks to friends, Dave and Nina Pearcy, for letting us be their house guests for this special weekend.  It was good to spend time with them.