Garbage

Random funny pic.

Midtown Anc

Such a beautiful city, Anchorage. They got them some good pizza at least. And we saw Nacho Libre!

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Gina and I spent four days in Denali National Park campin' and hikin' and just generally enjoying the beautiful fall weather we were so lucky to have. On the good side the views throughout the park were stupendous. On the less good side Gina's boot blew out in the first mile of the trip. Thank goodness for Duct tape!

Happy Garden

My garden makes me happy.

Bemis

The late night view from atop the Bemis building on 1st and Atlantic.  It's a pretty sweet housesitting gig, and if you could see the expression on Anders' face, you'd realize he agrees.  We went to the Sounders' game (another glorious victory, this time over the lowly Minnesota Dunders) and swung by the pad for a quick tour.  Then we checked out a local, which was kinda lame.  

BLT

Nothing says 'harvest time' like that first BLT made with fresh off the vine tomatoes.

Sunburn Invitational

Summer just isn't  complete 'til I've spent a weekend in Eastern Washington with all my soccer buddies.  This is the fourth year I've played with FC Nub in Yakima's Sunburn Invitational soccer tournament. (Don't be fooled. You need no invitation to play) The team has been winless in the three previous years and even in the year before I joined (so they can't place the slump on me!)  We turned things around this year, most by finding someone who could actually score goals.  We would've traded our three wins without a thought, however, if it would have meant our dear friend and team mate Becky wouldn't be spending the next six weeks in a stinking cast.  Yes, we made it to the final on the strength of three wins -- one over arch-rivals Tsunami -- but ten minutes into the championship game Becky was the victim of a rash challenge with left her with a busted tib-fib.  We went home without finishing the game. 

Still, I think everyone has mostly fond memories of the weekend.  If they have memories of it at all!

Above: Laura (left, front) ices here ankle after get kicked viciously by a Tsunamian. My other guesses are Chrissy, MB (on of the vicious Tsunamian who invaded our camp), Alana (standing), (it looks like Donny Weyland standing next to her, but he didn't play in the tourney) Stephanie and Nub. Left: Randy Mann (the all-time FC Nub leading scorer with five (or was it six) goals in three games), Mike Minor, two people I can't quite make out, Jeremy, Scotty and Will.

Here's Nub and Scotty watching the action.

I'm also sad to report the closing of Suzy's, where we always went for karaoke.  The Sports Center was a pale replacement. 

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Katwalk
My friends are all hiding in the shadows off to the left. They Are probably sitting there slack jawed as they enjoy the they of Rainier. We picked a gorgeous day to do Kendall Katwalk. Red Mountain stood in full relief and the views into the Alpine Wilderness were the tops.

Beyond the katwalk we went on to Ridge Lake, which is just a stones' throw from Gravel Lake. Ridge was full of jumping fish and hippety hoppy frogs. We saw a big giant egg sac too. Kinda grotty but also really cool. Gina and I took the occassion for a little swim. Can you say scared turtle? Dang, it was cold! But that didn't keep me from jumping in repeatedly. Did a couple of cannon balls too!

 

Hitched
After the hike, Gina and I rushed home, showered, changed, and zipped down to Golden Gardens with minutes to spare before Jen and Matt said their vows. Then we went to a nice little place called The Canal for the reception. We ate, we drank, we danced and we yawned--but only 'cause we were tired from a long day! Jen and Matt have great friends, and I think I can speak for Gina and say we are happy to count ourselves among them.