DUNROVIN’ – 2010 – Christmas is Coming

Every year I add one more Christmas decoration.  This year it was this Santa train.  Jole and I managed to get it attached to the front of our garage.  It is hard to tell in the daylight, but it is very visible and cheerful when lit at night.  This will be our first full winter here in Dunrovin’  We decided not to count last year because we spent so little time here.  This second year here has been busy for the two of us.  Jole has gone to many seminars and has learned: a) how to make   rain trough out of cement and peat moss,  b) how to fashion your yard into the ideal bird habitat and c) Worms 101.

SUMMER’S END – Dunrovin’

Summer has wound down, so we decided to gather the neighborhood and Jole’s Book Club cronies together for a BBQ cookout.  Even with the light rain it was a tremendous success.  Hot dogs, cheeseburgers and Margaritas.

Spring and Dunrovin’ Milestones

My wife attacks Reed Lake in her new Kayak.  No new records were broken, but she did manage to remain upright for her maiden voyage around the lake.  She was joined by her good friend Marilyn, who has traversed this lake for about 5 yrs. and is an expert kanoest.

The “Knot a Yacht” –The Name of our new baby!

Well spring prompts a resurgence of thoughts of what kind of fun we can look forward to this summer.  We have always toyed with the idea of exploring the area in a variety of ways: either by RV, a tent, by bike or by water.  Washington is surrounded by fresh and salt water.  We considered buying an RV but realized that they can be rather costly to operate (gas, KOA fees, etc.).

Having owned a series of boats over the years, we considered the costs associated with boats can be daunting, particularly the slip fees.

Daffodils & SEWAGE – Spring’s sprung, wonder where the birdies is?

I know that this is a strange title for this chapter.  but, bear with me and I will try to explain.

A couple of days ago, Gary and Marilyn joined Jole and I for a quick trip to see the daffodils.  These flowers bloom just after the crocus and just before the tulips. We are pushing the season a little, as the Tulip Festival begins in April.  But we couldn’t wait and wanted to push Spring a little

THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED!!

Sometimes you just have to smell the roses.  Our friends – Gary & Marilyn Miller offered to take us up to see the annual migration of the Eagles back into the Skagit Valley Finney Creek Salmon habitat.  They certainly have a lot of strange names in this Sedro-Woolley  area, don’t they?

In order to have you understand this chapter, I must take a little time to explain a little bit about this unusual ecosystem that makes up the Salmon/Eagle relationship.  So, bear with me as I try to have this make sense for you.  It’s complex and wonderful.

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS IN DUNROVIN’

 

After several years in two different storages and no fewer than three moves, it really was like opening up brand new Christmas decorations. 

Some, quite honestly, we did not remember.  Some of the items were from over 30 years ago.  It was fun and brought back good memories of Christmas’s past.

We’ve already had a hail storm or two and have had ice on both patios.  That’s right – two patios.

Bellingham & Dunrovin’ – A growing guest list!!!

Bellingham has an abundance of charm to share with friends.  We have been blessed with visits from some of our good friends from California and our cruises around the globe.

You have to look closely at this photo to tell that the town with the electric poles is really a mural.  The classic old building down the street is the old county court house.

We really surprise our guests with all that there is to do and see in this local area.

Mount Baker & Sister’s Visit

 

The two smiling faces to the left with Mt. Baker behind them are sister – Janet and my brother-in-law – Eric.  They joined us for a few days of adventure in Washington and Dunrovin’.

As you can see —- it was another Chamber of Commerce day; not a cloud in the sky!  This was a picturesque ride that put us back home at 5:30 PM.

IHOP – Dunrovin’s bird haven and “fly through” seed stop

I felt sorry for the local birds and felt that someone needed to take better care of them.  My first project  (outside the house) was to build a filling station for them. 

It seems that the word got out and I think that most of the local wild critters have now decided that I have the best grub in town.  It’s a hit!