Two Approaches to Life

I stopped by my friendly pharmacy to pick up a prescription and a person was standing at the counter berating the cashier because the internet coupon was already past its expiration date.  The counterman walked out to the aisle to see if there was another on sale coupon at the shelf.

As he walked past, the irate customer turned to me and started on about the BS that they were being put through.

Stupidly I replied "Well......... it's really not his fault."

"Who the heck asked you to butt in, why don't you mind your own business! Stay out of my business and shut up!"

Doh!
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Two hours earlier I stopped by North Cascades National Park Headquarters and went in to get some information about several future blogs.

Several families were in their asking the staff about what they could do tomorrow.

They had just returned from a hike up the Sahalee Arm and the whole family seemed to be piping in all at the same time to express what they had seen.  Wildflowers, Johannesburg Mt., glaciers, Forbidden Peak, Sahalee Mt., whitewater, green trees, the color of the water, walking on snow and "it's almost August",

"My God it was so beautiful."

The NPS staff all smiled right back because no matter how many times they have heard these same platitudes - they still felt the same way as the guests from somewhere back in the midwest.

"I know a place that I think you will enjoy!", the Ranger mentioned.
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Please be sure to stop by one of the NPS information Centers and Bookstores (run by the North Cascades Institute).  The staff are excellent and obviously love to help each of us make the most out our trips up to the North Cascades.

Kudos to all of you working for the National Park Service, US Forest Service, North Cascades Institute for making our trips more memorable, more relaxing.

Breath deeply and visualize a calming location...........

By the way - I'm packing up the kids, their friends, she who must be obeyed and going camping up on Ross Lake.  Don't tell the wife but we are going to sleep on dirt - yee haw!

I'll stop by the resort and say hi to Tom and Carol for all of you!

Oh - I'll bring my camera and try and get a couple of images to show when I return!

Cheers!

Visit North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake

Come paddle and camp on these beautiful waters.  

You will return home with a good spirit.

Meet Allen and Lisa Rhodes

"Paul! Call up Joe-Joe the dog faced boy and Gomer I got another batch ready!"


"Oh man Rhodsie I got in trouble the last time - I missed work. You gotta quit trying so many different recipes and just stick to one - you know like -  Oly." "Man I appreciate being a guinea pig but these taste tests on work nights gotta quit dude!  What time?"


"9:00- after the wife's in bed but you gotta help clean up!"


"Arghh - ok - but you gotta cover for me with Ted if I don't make it in tomorrow"

Allen and Lisa Rhodes

My buddy Allen is a brewing artist.  25 years ago we met in his basement to try the latest and it didn't matter if it was manna from the beer gods, uncarbonated warm swill, or was a bit.... well chewy......we were young, we were guys, it was beer and it was free. Yeaaaah!

And you know after a few samples it didn't matter that we had to take his wife's good bathroom towels to wipe off the ceiling when a couple bottles got knocked off the washing machine.  It was science! Chemistry!

We could throw the towels in the washer!

And the wife was asleep.

I think.

But the beer was organic, it was alive!

Today Allen owns the Rockfish Grill and Brew Pub in Anacortes.  Great Beer!  Great Food! Great Music!

Here is a partial list of his masterpieces:
Oatmeal Stout
Honey Cream Ales
Klosterbier
Golden Lizard Belgian Wit
Locomotive Breath Imperial Stout
Broadsword Scottish Ale
Extra Special Bitter
Aviator Dopplebock
Cask Real Ales
Hefewerzein
Octoberfest
India Pale Ale

Here is a link to his website:  http://www.anacortesrockfish.com/

Next time you're in Anacortes ya gotta go there and try some of his art.

Just don't stand on the washing machine - it's too hard on the knees to jump down.

9 AM Limit

"Hey old timer, let's run down to the lake and catch a fish!"
"Well say young fella, why don't we walk down and catch our limit!"


Romaine Souey, Jim Hobbs and Ray Andrews display their limit of Wild Ross Lake Rainbow Trout.

I had just spotted them pulling in front of the bunk house at 9 AM.  I made the mistake of asking them if they were coming back in for breakfast and maybe a nap.

"Heck! We already ate a fine breakfast at 4:30 and caught the limit by 8:15!"


"We thought we would come back here and wake up some of the young guys and get them out."


About then 3 or 4 of the young guys stepped out of their bunkhouse took one look at the 3 limits, rolled their eyes skyward and shook their heads.

They knew they would never hear the end of this.

I believe I heard a consensus as Romaine, Jim, and Ray were walking away that maybe they would fire up the BBQ, cook a few fish, and serve the young guys lunch in bed.

Invaderettes

Four good friends, Lara, Carey, Sarah and Stella soak up the rays and practice trolling near Devils Creek.

Brothers

Kevin Pressler shows little brother Corey what a fine catch they
 have to share with their friends at the Lightning Creek Campground