For several weeks a friend and I have been planning a motorcycle ride on Tuesday, May 20th.
After a great (hot) week prior, of course, on this day, the entire northwest was covered with rainstorms.

We went for it anyway. Taking a slow, winding route on Waikiki, to Rutter Parkway (BEAUTIFUL area btw, and one of the few roads deserving the title "Parkway"), finally to highway 231, going north by Nine Mile Falls, and continuing up to Long Lake, past Tum Tum, and finally stopping at the Long Lake dam. The vibration from the water coming from the spillway on the opposite side of the canyone could be felt through my boots on the rocks. It was gorgeous.

The ride back became increasingly wet and cold.

It was however well worth it. I got in some zen-riding-restorative time, and had a nice short adventure. It was approximately 80 miles round trip. Stopped a lot to read markers, look at inidian paintings, stop at a cafee/saloon that had decent mexican food, and chat with the postal worker at the Tum Tum (micro) post office.

I'm very tired (had kid's concert to go to afterwards), so these blog posts might be a little disjointed, sorry about that.

Some pics below....

Hawke's 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200 on lookout platform opposite Long Lake reservoir spillway.
May 20th, 2008.


Hawke on lower lookout area opposite Long Lake Reservoir spillway (with helmet still on warding off the rain). Already quite soaked, even through the leather jacket. But enjoying very much. ;-)


Hawke and Bandit in front of Tum Tum Post Office that has apparently been there for over 100 years.
According to the postal worker, they used to do delivery by lake long ago. You can't tell from this shot, but it's probably only a 20'x30'x structure. Long Lake is in the background beyond the trees.

I'm very tired, so please pardon the brevity of this posting.
Brennan had his final Mead Beginner Orchestra performance tonight.
He has been working hard on his cello playing, even when he was sick, making the effort to put in some good practice time.
He's obviously having a great time with it, and his (private) teacher, Nina Petersen does a great job teaching and inspiring him.
You can see from this photo what a great time he was having:



And here the concentration and focus:


They are coming along very nicely. Each group, Advanced, onwards, were very impressive, and had a fun selection.
We all especially enjoyed the mor senior groups renditions of Orange Jam and The Lord of the Rings.
Brennan was "rockin'" to the music.

On a side tangent, the lead violinist  (Concert Master?) for the high school group, was Michael Mortier, the son of my voice teacher. He received numerous awards, and his violiln playing was wonderful. It was great to talk briefly with Steve (his dad) as well.
The audience actually gave a standing ovation for the final piece (which had the violin players scattered throughout the audience for a nice "surround sound" effect.

All very nicely done. Way to go Mead Orchestra!
Way to go Brennan!

G'night all.