Random Ramblings Through the Years: April 1994

1994

Oregon and Vancouver, BC

This was the year MaryAnn came out to Oregon with us for a week. I think she had a good time. We had fun showing her around Oregon. She enjoyed starting the day by sitting out on Mom and Dad's porch and reading the newspaper.

I believe this was her first time putting her feet in the cold Pacific ocean.

Here she was marveling at the size of some of the trees.

playing around with some new cokin filters for my lenses.

Angie being limber.

Angie chillin' at the coast.

What was going on in MaryAnn's mind here?!

The kids playing in the ocean

they didn't seem to mind it being so cold!---usually around 55 degrees.

walking to one of the view points along the coast.

The kids even got to do the bumper cars in Devil's lake about a mile from the ocean by Lincoln City.

Wonder if they still offer this?

The kids liked to go crabbing with Uncle Tom. He was quite the character. Died way too early at the age of 50 from cancer.

Angie having fun while crabbing

they sure had fun with him.

Tim fishing in Devil's Lake---hope there are bigger fish then this guy in there.

love the marinas along the Oregon coast. This one is in Newport.

This year the kids even checked out the Ripley's Believe it or not museum.

I have no idea what this exhibit was, but they looked like they were having fun.

We also had our usual family bar b qs. This one was hosted by Carolyn and Tom.

This one at Mom and Dad's.

Mom and Dad

We also took MaryAnn up into the mountains to one of our favorite areas---around Clear Lake.

We often rent a row boat and the guys fish in Clear Lake.

This time we took a scenic loop drive and took MaryAnn to Wright Observatory. Pretty interesting place in the middle of a lava field.

We also took in a Sahalie Falls.

Even did a little hike to this cascading waterfall. MaryAnn was having a lot of trouble breathing. Back then, I didn't notice the difference in the air. But I bet I would now!

After MaryAnn left, we took our usual 2 or 3 night vacation within our Oregon vacation. Usually it's to the beach. But this time we took Mom and Dad's car and went up to Vancouver, BC. Pretty neat place!

Vancouver, BC

love the lighting on the city as seen from Stanley park.

reflections

the cruise port

we also walked around downtown. Found it interesting that there were so many underground walkways---just like England.

Rode past the museum

more from Stanley park

Even came across a musical group performing downtown.

As I recall, Tim tried to order a grilled cheese sandwich with American Cheese. They told him they didn't have American Cheese, just Canadian cheese. Vancouver is a beautiful city. It would be nice to spend more time there.

Around Florissant

Angie's teeth are almost ready to get her braces off.

She was always into portraits, so when her braces came off, I let her get Glamour Shots done----Whooooaaaa! She doesn't look 13 here!

The select volleyball team Angie was on. Tim played select one year and Angie did a couple years---until we got caught up in some terrible politics.

But she excelled in softball. It wasn't always easy finding a CYC team for her to play on, but she did get on a couple good ones. She played on the high school team for 3 years, too, until she got another ignorant coach. Turned out not playing softball her senior year and stepped onto the varsity volleyball team instead.

She also played CYC volleyball for many years. I was her coach. It was a fun group of girls and I was happy to see them become real volleyball players over the years.

Angie had bugged us for awhile to let her have a hampster. We finally gave in. Didn't really know much about these critters----like they can lift the lid of their cage and get out in the middle of the night. I don't know how many hours we spent looking for it. It finally committed suicide by falling off it's cage wheel and smashing it's head into the wall.

Since Angie was in public school now, she did attend PSR classes and got confirmed this year. I had a bit of a battle trying to convince her it wasn't a "formal" affair, but eventually gave in. At least she chose a tasteful "formal" dress for the occassion.

Confirmation girl and Grandma MaryAnn

Over the weekend we had a big party for her. That was back in the days when I did a lot of cake decorating.

Angie and Pepsi in a stare down. He was a great dog!

Angie and Tim as alter "boys" for Richard Baronowski's wedding.

This was also the year Grandma Mary died. Dad had her sent back to New Jersey to be buried by his Dad. Carolyn, David and I made it out for the funeral. Although the circumstances weren't good, we had a great visit with our Great Aunt and her kids (our first cousins once removed). Here's Carolyn with cousin Danny (the baby)

Carolyn, me, and David.

I stayed a few extra days. One of those days they took me to Atlantic City for some gambling. I went through my $20 rather quickly, but had a good time watching everyone else.

Back in Missouri----another summer rolled around and Ken and Tim were off to scout camp again. I made my Thursday family night trip down there. I still don't see the thrill of camping, but they sure seemed to enjoy it.