Perspective Ravine - Ten Years Ago

It was ten years ago today that the Mayor was rescued after falling and breaking his leg and ankle while backpacking in Olympic National Park. Over time, the Mayor realized that photos were scattered in various places, so here are some photos that weren't previously posted.

Looking upstream to where the fall was arrested by a clump of bushes.

The camp where the Mayor stayed for five days, awaiting rescue.

Park rangers cresting the hill, after the Mayor was located by a search helicopter.

Coast Guard rescue helicopter hovering overhead.

Coast Guard rescue swimmer being lowered down. The Mayor was airlifted out in a basket.

The Mayor with the park rangers that headed up the search and rescue effort.

The Mayor with the Coast Guard helicopter crew.

In Matthew 12:11, Jesus said, "Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn't, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out?" It was a Wednesday, not a Sabbath, but the Mayor was one of those lambs.

Moclips

We took a trip to the Washington coast to spend time with family in Moclips.

A lot of family - 20 people in total.

It was wonderful to hang out - there are quite a few more family members than the last time we did this back in 2011.

Here is Cousin M assembling his first LEGO set with the help of Papa, Seimi and Eejee

The boy cousins spent literally hours wrestling on the couches.

The girl cousins being beautiful and princess-y. We celebrated Cousin B's birthday, but Cousin H wasn't left out and she got some matching presents.

Lots of hang-out time over meals and games

As well as time at the beach

Boookie teaching Cousin M how to use a katana

Cousin M attacking the ground.

Playing "Rocket League with Feet"

Eejee and Cousin B

Family!

Growing Up

We've been working on chipping away at Boookie's driver's training hours, most recently with a long freeway drive.

The Mayor and Boookie stopped and had a lovely little hike on the way back.

Thunder/Weber Week

We recently had a chance to have just the Sons of Thunder around the house, so we had "Thunder Week" to celebrate them. We started off at the hardware store to buy some supplies (more on that later), and we picked up some cool new cars.

Our complete collection of pull-back cars.

On our way off to an adventure, Seimi noticed this Aston Martin Vantage next to us at the gas station.

Heading off to go backpacking! It was Eejee, Seimi and the Mayor for the hike, and we headed off to Pete Lake, which is also where Boookie had his first backpacking trip.

Ready to go!

On the trail...

Relaxing in camp after 5 miles of hiking.

Camp all set up.

Early morning in the Cascades. It doesn't get much better than camping next to a lake and river with these views.

Hiking back out.

Eejee noticed this "sperm whale" downed tree.

Back at the trailhead after 10 miles of hiking!

While the lads were celebrating Thunder Week, Boookie and Ela were doing Weber Week down at the Cabbage. Boookie helped Apu do some work around the place.

Ela also helped out with yard work...

...and also did some art commission work.

We wrapped up Thunder/Weber Week with fun at the Cabbage, where we tested out something we built together (at Seimi's request) - a potato bazooka! The Mayor did his research beforehand to make sure there were no legal issues with this creation.