Randall & Hillary

During Hillary Clinton's October visit to New Hampton, Iowa, Randall had a prepared, researched question relating to Iran for Hillary - which resulted in ruffled feathers and raised voices from both of them. Lisa, at Randall's side where she was very aware the tone of his voice meant he was angry, was eyeing the secret service man standing about five feet away. But things did calm down, and Randall made the national news! Just try googling 'Randall Rolph' or click on this link.

Downtown San Francisco

After coming up the stairs from BART, San Francisco's subway, the first thing Dave and I saw was fantastic architecture like this building near our hotel in the center of action in downtown San Francisco. Besides enjoying Emily's wedding and getting together with relatives, we enjoyed a tour of the Giant's baseball park by a guide who loved his job. After our cable car ride to Fisherman's Wharf, we enjoyed clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and then heard the raucous and fortissimo sea lions at Pier 39. A fun trip!

Emily's San Francisco Wedding

Here's Emily and her dad going down the aisle toward the Pacific Ocean in this outdoor wedding at the Cliff House in San Francisco. The sunset was just perfect and the breeze made Emily's veil flutter and float. In fact, sometimes her veil was vertical!

Favorite Photo from Yesterday's Hike

Taken at serene Nolte State Park where we walked the 1.4 mile trail around Deep Lake. Nolte is about five miles from Enumclaw.

The Judges Have Reached a Decision

Judge Margaret, who has returned from Kansas, and Judge Rebecca, who recently spent two weeks in Hawaii, reached a decision in the Hoon Herald "Add A Caption - Family Contest." Their decision: the first-place winner is Kara with Justin receiving Honorable Mention. The winners can claim their prizes by contacting me. Kara will receive her choice of either a $10 bill or a $9.99 download from the iTunes store. Justin will have a choice between a $5 bill or five 99¢ iTune songs. (By the way, it seems Roscoe feels that Kara and Justin both have potential as caption-writers.)

Salmon on the Cedar

We saw hundreds of spawning, mostly red with some green, sockeye salmon and enjoyed a great tour of part of the Cedar River Watershed today. The sockeye with some white - that's usually caused by "battle scars," the tour guide told us.
Here's some info about sockeye salmon from Wikipedia:

A Sockeye can be as long as 33 inches and weigh 6 to 8 pounds. Its colouration changes as it migrates from saltwater to freshwater in preparation for spawning. In freshwater, its colour is bright red with a pale green head; females may have green and yellow marks or stains. Its colour in saltwater is bluish-green on top, silvery on the bottom, with uniform, shiny skin.

Mother Nature Paints

Just one example of the autumn color change in our yard - the Crimson King maple next to the street.

Same Birthday as Rod & Born in Beaconsville, IA

You must google 'Astronaut Peggy Whitson '- you'll love reading her letters from space! Here's an excerpt: "Ah, the perfect trip: Eat from a bag, cut your hair with scissors and a vacuum cleaner, and see several sunrises a day." By the way, the population of Beaconsville (south of DesMoines) is 27.

Feel a Cold Coming on? This is Worth a Try

Ads constantly try to lead us to believe that their answer is the best and only answer. (A type of "brainwashing" I guess.) But the ads for cold remedies shouldn't be our only source of information. What about other solutions? Since we're in a season change which might include the discomfort of getting a cold, here's a free alternative that you don't have to run to the store for - give it a try. Do-it-yourself Acupressure And, of course, as always, drink lots of water - your body will thank you! Yes, you need some rest, too!

No, I Havent Named My Roomba!

I haven't named the iRobot Roomba vacuum that Dave gave me for my birthday. (He was influenced to purchase one by Jen who was in turn influenced by several of her friends!) Anyway, according to today's Seattle Times article, there are people out there that DO name their Roombas. So far, Roomba and Dave and I are still getting acquainted, and Hoover still needs to come out of the closet to do the stairs - with assistance! Oh yah, be sure to read the last sentence of the Seattle Times article