Back home

after the Liberty lake fishing trip. Bob and Ken did OK, but not as well as in previous years. They fished Waitts Lake, Liberty Lake, and the Lake Roosevelt. The last outing, Lake Roosevelt, ended up being an unfortunate experience in that they hit a rock that was just under the surface and put two huge gashes in the hull of Bob's boat. All 3 guys (Daryl Ziemer was with them) agreed that had it been any other kind of a boat with a lesser hull, it would have sunk. As it turned out, the boat stayed sound with no leakage and they were able to get it back to the launch area. We are waiting to hear what it is going to take to repair it. The situation was serious enough that all three were checking their life jackets and moving the boat closer to shore.

The water has been so low, and now is in the process of rising. This rock was probably visible a few days prior, and it will be far enough below the surface in a few more days that it will not be a threat to other boaters.

I spent most of Saturday with Lois. I took her out to lunch to celebrate her birthday which was on the 26th. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch, some wine, and a chance to just sit and visit. Sharon invited Daryl and Jan Ziemer for dinner on Sunday evening, and then Sharon and I did some shopping and lunching on Monday. The drive home on Tuesday was uneventful. I think the Jetta could just about make its way home by itself considering all the trips it has made across I-90 in the past few months.

Keith has submitted his paperwork to request an exemption from the Army, but we have no idea how long it takes to get a response. Simply submitting the request provides an additional 30 days for a reporting date which would put it out to the 22nd of June.

We are going to start looking at flights out of McChord about the 15th of this month to give us plenty of time to get to the east coast by May 31 for Sarah's graduation. There appear to be several flights headed that direction so I have confidence we will be okay.

Brian and other crews from his squadron are all settled in for their deployment. Sheila said it sounds like they are doing well and enjoying themselves along with working. Good combination.

We are having some spring showers which are actually quite refreshing, and we are surrounded by blooming trees and shrubs. I think this is the prettiest time of year for this area.

Ciao