Last Tuesday we left for our Boles Aero, north of Ellensburg. In our driveway, when we were leaving, I found a dead butterfly. I assume it was hit by a car.  I decided to bring it with me.

En route, we could see the remnants of the Red Bridge Fire which had flared up on June 9.

We also saw evidence of the manhunt for Travis Decker who had presumably killed his three daughters.  It was on our minds through our whole trip

We arrived Tuesday afternoon and set up.  My father and step-son were already there, working on the cabin build.  On Wednesday I took the dogs for several walks.  The lupine were impressive.

Other flowers were impressive too.  I tried not to take a lot of flower photos as I have already done that.

Tom actually had to come save us as Steve couldn’t walk anymore.  He has suddenly become old.  It is hard.

This gives you an idea of the terrain we are in.

More flower photos.  I couldn’t help it.

When we got back, the dogs were tired.  I did notice some grey on Ryeleigh’s ears.

On Thursday, I took the dogs walking again but shorter routes.

Here are some views of the cabin under construction.

Ryeleigh was going crazy over chipmunks.

On our next walk, there were some young bucks that we disturbed.  Thankfully, the dogs didn’t notice.

Later in the afternoon, I was able to get some knitting done.  I was listening to Ellensburg Community Radio and the Dead came on.  I am still working on the sheep tribute scarf.

We had Mojitos as our cocktails.

Here are the lights of Ellensburg below us in the evening.

And then the kids arrived.  It was Russ, Jay, William and Piper in the motorhome with Diana in her car.

 

Here is the fun chaos in our trailer after they arrived.

On Friday morning we all talked.

I did notice some butterflies across the road.

Then we got ready to ride.  My brother Greg arrived on Friday.  This is Russ’ photo.

This is Russ’ photo.

These are Russ’ 3 photos.

Then we got to Lion’s Rock.

These are Russ’ photos.

My photos:

There was a snowball fight on the way out.

We hung out pretty late Friday night at the camp.

On Saturday morning, I took the dogs on another walk.  Here is a Meadowlark singing

In the afternoon we watched Thomas and Greg work on the roof  Sue had arrived on Saturday as well.

We had a multi course Shish Kebab dinner in honor of Father’s Day that evening.

Diana and Piper had picked some wildflower bouquets for us.

There was a night ride on Saturday after dinner which I didn’t participate in.  I was tired.  Here are Russ’ photos.

Sunset on Saturday.

On Sunday I took the dogs walking again.

Ryeleigh tried to tear apart a stump looking for rodents.

There was nice breakfast Sunday morning.

I managed to miss taking a photo of Piper’s play table but managed to get a photo of her on the cooler when they were getting ready to go.

Here’s the group photo that Russ took.

Then Jay, Russ and the kids packed up to leave.  Greg, Sue and Dad left as well.

After they left I went walking more.  Here’s the burnt castle and now Buddy’s grave.

The elderberries are really making a nice comeback.

I managed to get some spinning in.  I was also able to on Wednesday and Thursday mornings as well which was nice.

On Monday Thomas and Diana left.  I took it easy, but Tom got a new solar panel installed for our Boles.

Today was more dog walking.  I am really appreciating how the undergrowth is coming back.  This is a snowbush ceanothus,

a creeping snowberry,

and a bitter brush (per my plant identifier app).

Plus the pine trees that were planted are about 4 feet tall. It is finally all starting to come back.  We packed up and headed home.  It was a great trip, and it appeared that everyone had a good time.