Hi Everyone, Just been puttering around the last few days and seeing whats going on in peoples lives, I still see the site is having problems and trying comment on peoples blogs it shoot's back to the top. Everyone doing find here I've just been enjoying life since my last blog. Judy and I celebrated on 27th wedding anniversary in June, Our youngest daughter finely had here wedding in June. Our son in-law i finely home, Well be grandparent again in about 3 months our on and daughter in-law are expecting there 3 child. Haven't had a whole lot of time to watch TV lately so I'm behind on shows. Have a great week.





Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden Panorama





Duncan Garden Manito Park Panorama





Moran Prairie Farm





Looff Carousel





The Spokane Falls in the evening





In Memory Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson





Williams Lake Eastern Washington State

Hi everyone, Figured I would do a blog and sorry if I haven't visited your blogs just haven't had a whole lot of free time, for the last month I've had split days off work a week get one day off work 3 days get one day etc. etc. I finely picked up a cheap computer for $100.00 at a pawn shop a Dell Latitude 510C It works for getting online it has a Intel(R)Celeron(TM)CPU 1066MHz 935MHz 256 MB of Ram. I have this weekend off yes a whole two days to relax. That's all I have to say have a good weekend.

Saturday In The Park





Sydney Harbor Bridge Australia.


Sumers Prince Edward Island.


Ocracoke N.C.


Bitterroot Valley Montana.


Pennville Indiana.


Solar Eclipse Spokane Washington.


Lewiston Idaho.


Vancouver British Columbia.



God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him,
resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds,
"Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God,
"and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth.
"For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things,"
God continued pointing to different countries.
"This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said,
"What's that one?"
"Ah," said God
"That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, plains, and coulees. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed,
"What about balance, God? You said there would be balance."
God smiled,

"There is another Washington...wait until you see the idiots I put there."

In the United States, the Veteran's Day holiday is celebrated next Monday, November 12th, even though November 11th is the traditional Veteran's Day (this is also Remembrance Day in Canada). In the early 1970's, Veteran's Day became a "movable" holiday -- the fourth Monday of October. In 1978, at the urging of veteran's groups who realized the sanctity of the date, Congress returned Veteran's Day to November 11th (if on a weekend, it moves to the closest Friday or Monday). Please remember that this day is not to honor war, but rather to honor the sacrifice made by others for our freedom.

What we call Veteran's Day is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice in the Forest of Campiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This signified the end of World War I and was originally known as Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Congressional Resolution on Nov. 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day.

However, after World War II, the day began to lose meaning and since there were many other veterans to consider, the decision was made to change November 11th to honor all those who fought in American wars. The United States Congress passed an act to change the name to Veteran's Day and in 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower signed the act.

With that in mind, I would like to say "thank you" to all the men and women with whom I served, and to especially remember those who aren't with us anymore. As a former Hospital Corpsman, I wish a heartfelt "Semper Fi" to all my Marine friends.

- Tom Ellsworth
(HM2 USN 1965-69)


A SOLDIER PRAYS

Oh Lord!
Here we sit on this foreign soil,
So very far from home and loved one all.
Death so very near and we so very much afraid.

Please help my comrades and I,
For we wish not to die alone.
We pray that you will be here,
To hear our cry and us to your breast to take.

You are the only living Lord,
We give ourselves to you.
If we must die, and die we must,
Please take us home on high with you.

With outstretched hands we grasp for thee,
Thy love so tender and yet so strong.
Every breath of ours is yours to have,
We need you, Oh so very much Lord.


Gettysburg Pennsylvania.
Ocracoke Island North Carolina.



St. Johns Newfoundland.
Mt. Adams Washington State.



Glacier National Park Montana.



Marshall Indiana.



North Yorkshire England.



Baker Beach California.



Vancouver British Columbia.

Hi Everyone, It's been a while since I've done a blog, Been busy with work and our youngest daughter computer died. So instead of buying a new one the wife packs ours up and sends it too her so she won't have spend money, I'm no hurry in buying one right now using the local library and the one at work when I have time. Just posting some old photos and have a good week.


Perth Australia.


Durango Colorado.


Birchy Head Newfoundland.


Durham North Carolina.
Pownal Prince Edward Island.


Steptoe Butte Eastern Washington State.


Street food Baghdad.


Street patrol Baghdad.


Sunset Patrol Baghdad. Funny Money

On my way home from the second job I've taken for the extra holiday
cash I need, I stopped at Taco Bell for a quick bite to eat. In my
wallet is a $50 bill and a $2 bill. That is all of the cash I
have on my person. I figure that with a $2 bill, I can get something
to eat and not have to worry about people getting upset with me.

ME: "Hi, I'd like one seven layer burrito please, to go."
IT: "Is that it?"
ME: "Yep."
IT: "That'll be $1.04, eat here?"
ME: "No, it's *to* *go*." [I hate effort duplication.]

At his point I open my billfold and hand him the $2 bill. He looks at
it kind of funny and says

IT: "Uh, hang on a sec, I'll be right back."

He goes to talk to his manager, who is still within earshot. The
following conversation occurs between the two of them.

IT: "Hey, you ever see a $2 bill?"
MG: "No. A what?"
IT: "A $2 bill. This guy just gave it to me."
MG: "Ask for something else, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A $2 BILL."
IT: "Yeah, thought so."

He comes back to me and says

IT: "We don't take these. Do you have anything else?"
ME: "Just this fifty. You don't take $2 bills? Why?"
IT: "I don't know."
ME: "See here where it says legal tender?"
IT: "Yeah."
ME: "So, shouldn't you take it?"
IT: "Well, hang on a sec."

He goes back to his manager who is watching me like I'm going to
shoplift, and

IT: "He says I have to take it."
MG: "Doesn't he have anything else?"
IT: "Yeah, a fifty. I'll get it and you can open the safe and get change."
MG: "I'M NOT OPENING THE SAFE WITH HIM IN HERE."
IT: "What should I do?"
MG: "Tell him to come back later when he has REAL money."
IT: "I can't tell him that, you tell him."
MG: "Just tell him."
IT: "No way, this is weird, I'm going in back."

The manager approaches me and says

MG: "Sorry, we don't take big bills this time of night."
[it was 8pm and this particular Taco Bell is in a well lighted indoor
mall with 100 other stores.]
ME: "Well, here's a two."
MG: "We don't take *those* either."
ME: "Why the hell not?"
MG: "I think you *know* why."
ME: "No really, tell me, why?"
MG: "Please leave before I call mall security."
ME: "Excuse me?"
MG: "Please leave before I call mall security."
ME: "What the hell for?"
MG: "Please, sir."
ME: "Uh, go ahead, call them."
MG: "Would you please just leave?"
ME: "No."
MG: "Fine, have it your way then."
ME: "No, that's Burger King, isn't it?"

At this point he BACKS away from me and calls mall security on the
phone around the corner. I have two people STARING at me from the dining
area, and I begin laughing out loud, just for effect. A few minutes later
this 45 year oldish guy comes in and says
[at the other end of counter, in a whisper]

SG: "Yeah, Mike, what's up?"
MG: "This guy is trying to give me some [pause] funny money."
SG: "Really? What?"
MG: "Get this, a *two* dollar bill."
SG: "Why would a guy fake a $2 bill?" [incredulous]
MG: "I don't know? He's kinda weird. Says the only other thing he has
is a fifty."
SG: "So, the fifty's fake?"
MG: "NO, the $2 is."
SG: "Why would he fake a $2 bill?"
MG: "I don't know. Can you talk to him, and get him out of here?"
SG: "Yeah..."

Security guard walks over to me and says

SG: "Mike here tells me you have some fake bills you're trying to use."
ME: "Uh, no."
SG: "Lemme see 'em."
ME: "Why?"
SG: "Do you want me to get the cops in here?"

At this point I was ready to say, "SURE, PLEASE," but I wanted to
eat, so I said

ME: "I'm just trying to buy a burrito and pay for it with this $2 bill."
I put the bill up near his face, and he flinches like I was taking a
swing at him. He takes the bill, turns it over a few times in his hands, and
says

SG: "Mike, what's wrong with this bill?"
MG: "It's fake."
SG: "It doesn't look fake to me."
MG: "But it's a **$2** bill."
SG: "Yeah?"
MG: "Well, there's no such thing, is there?"

The security guard and I both looked at him like he was an idiot, and
it dawned on the guy that he had no clue.

My burrito was free and he threw in a small drink and those cinnamon
things, too. Makes me want to get a whole stack of $2 bills just to
see what happens when I try to buy stuff.

Finely have time to do a blog, Like everyone else busy and trying to figure out this new mess they came up with on this site. All I have to say about it how about doing some testing before you run out a new version to find the problems instead they launch it and then try and fix the problems. Two things to add SNAFU/FUBAR, I'm in a good mood just had to add that. I'm looking forward to Monday night there concert in town and the groups are Journey/Hart and Cheap Trick. 3 months till our youngest daughters wedding and I can't believe the prices these kids have pay to have a wedding. It will soon be time for steelhead fishing have a great weekend my friends.









Jeffersonville Indiana




Seattle Washington.




Banff NP Alberta.




Yoho NP British Columbia.




Yosemite NP California.




Molas Pass Colorado.




Raleigh North Carolina.




Huntsville Ontario.




Pennsylvania.




Prince Edward Island.




Hayden Lake Idaho.

Hi Everyone, The only thing that has been going here was we had last week was Pig Out in the Park is Spokane's favorite food and entertainment event. For 29 years, the Labor Day celebration signals the end of summer and the beginning of 6 days with 75 Free concerts, 42 fabulous food booths and 3 thirst quenching adult beverage gardens. Over 225,000 servings of food, desserts, beverages and treats will satisfy Pig Out fans from across the region. Staged in beautiful downtown Spokane in Riverfront Park, the sights, smells and sounds begin Wednesday at noon, and continue until the end of the day on Monday. Pig Out is organized by Bill Burke Productions with The Six Bridges Arts Association, and is generally regarded as one of the most successful and best produced events in the region. The county fair is going on right now, We will be going Monday to that.

I see they finely sentenced Robert Yates to death. ACOMA, Wash. -

A judge signed a death warrant Friday for convicted serial killer Robert Lee Yates Jr., but the execution date could be postponed for further appeals.

Yates, 56, showed no reaction as Pierce County Superior Court Judge John A. McCarthy set an execution date of Sept. 19, The News Tribune of Tacoma reported Friday. Relatives of Yates' victims were among those who packed the courtroom during the short hearing.

Yates' attorneys said they expect to immediately ask the state Supreme Court for a stay of execution.

Yates was sentenced to death in 2002 for shooting two Tacoma prostitutes and suffocating them by tying plastic grocery bags over their heads.

The former smelter worker and Air National Guard helicopter pilot also was sentenced to 408 years for murdering 13 women in Spokane, Walla Walla and Skagit counties. All those victims were prostitutes he killed in the same manner as the Tacoma women, but Yates avoided the death penalty in a plea deal.

The Supreme Court examined Yates' Tacoma case in an earlier appeal, upholding his death sentence in an 8-1 ruling last year.

In that appeal, Yates asked the court to take a fresh look at how capital punishment is applied in Washington.

He pointed to Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, who avoided capital punishment for killing 48 women through a plea deal with King County prosecutors. Yates also raised his own plea bargain in Spokane County - he got life in prison for slaying 13 women, but death for killing two Tacoma women.

Yates' lawyers argued at the time that such disparity showed Washington allows "disproportionate, freakish, wanton and random" application of the death penalty.

Yates also contested Pierce County's decision to withdraw from what he called a deal with the Spokane prosecutors to take the death penalty off the table in exchange for his guilty pleas and information about his victims.

But the high court swept away all of Yates' arguments, saying prosecutors' discretion to seek the death penalty as they see fit did not pose a basic constitutional flaw in how the state applies capital punishment.



Two Jack Lake Alberta.



Vancouver B.C.



Crescent City California.



Falls in Madison Indiana.



Pocatello Idaho.



Mount Spokane Washington State.



Trinity Newfoundland.



Leamington Ontario.



Cavendish Prince Edward Island.



Yellow Stone National Park Wyoming.



Marysville Penn.

Hi Everyone, Just post some pictures from Mount Rainer National Park that promise to maritimer,kelalala_121,AprilFox,Angelwomyn,sesho2022 and MacToo. Sorry if I didn't visit some peoples blogs last week I only had a few hours of free time last week. I'll try this week if I have time. We just have to love our Governor here in Washington State she decided to sign a bill raising the gas tax. The dumb dumb award this week. A Washington State trooper arrested a drunk driver early Saturday morning and had him in the back of the patrol car when another drunk driver slammed into the State troopers car everyone had minor injuries lucky no was killed or seriously injured.

Have a good week.

Hi everyone.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend, I'm ready to get back to work on Tuesday been nice two weeks off but that's enough time off did some fishing,Launched some rockets and went to Mount Rainer NP. I'll post some photos next week. The weather has been off and on hot then cool Were a fire ban here for the next 3 months. We went to there air show this weekend at Fairchild AFB was fun and very good the Blue Angles performed. Been watching the Olympics here on the West coast NBC is doing tape delays of the games. Have a great week. PS Thanks for the well wishes and I feel a lot better.




Bow Lake Area Alberta.


Invermere B.C.


Yosemite National Park California.


Priest Lake Idaho.


Michigan City Indiana.


Killarney Provincial Park Ontario.


Lancaster PA.


Prince Edward Island.


Seattle Washington.


Spokane Washington.

Hi Everyone. I was going to do a blog Sunday night, But things happen I watch what I eat exercise and get a physical. Don't worry about there are other people in worse shape then me, OK what happen I had a heart attack Sunday night there's no damage to my heart because I made it to the hospital quickly, They did put a stem in one of my artery's it was 95% block. I'm on some drugs and will be back to work in 2 weeks. Just made it home today and looking forward to good night sleep in my own bed. Nothing else going on here and I'm going to be doing some fishing next week and get caught up on shows. Have a great week.




Rimrock Lake Washington State.


Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Lake Huron Ontario.

Lake Coeur dAlene Idaho.

Jasper National Park Alberta.


Hot Air Balloon Race Indian.


City of Coronado California.


Yoho National Park B.C.


Prince Edward Island.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I really don't have anything to say this week, Enjoy the photos.






Kananaskis Alberta.



Lake Powell Arizona.



Yoho N.P. British Columbia.



Highway 1 California.



Twin Falls Idaho.



Indiana.



Niagara Falls Ontario.



Spokane Washington.



Prince Edward Island.


Valley Forge Pennsylvania.



Curlew Washington.



Spokane Falls

Hi everyone, Just finely getting a chance to relax today, It's was one busy week I'm sure some of you have seen what has been going on here last week on the news. The fires here aren't as bad here like California. Enough about that I just need to get out and do some fishing and few other things I'll do that Monday Sorry if I've missed some people blogs just haven't had time or felt like commenting, The title of blog is for one of my sisters she just thinks The universe does revolve around her and my brother in-law. Let's say the family reunion didn't go so well with them and my dad. She thinks she should got the house my parent's sold to my brother and they should get the property my parent's have now. I started a forum for the people that are JAG fans and I made my Brother in-law a site administrator It seems he's banned my wife and me from the site, I didn't mean to write a blog about that I just need to vent.

Now on to other things, Saturday the 5th of July was my day off went down to riverfront very relaxing and took a lot of pictures, Went up Manito park and took more. Slowly posting some of them on Trekearth and treklens. I'll start doing a album on Pbase later on. Have a great week everyone.








Calgary Alberta.



Prince Edward Island.

Victoria British Columbia.



Arnold California.



London England.



Richland Idaho.



Hamburg Indiana.



Glacier National Park Montana.



Timmins Ontario.



Lancaster Pennsylvania.



Spokane Washington. Here's one of the photo's I took.



14 homes were destroyed no one was injured.

Hi everyone. All I can say this was one heck of weekend. Have a great week.
























Carson Washington.




Prince Edward Island.




Lake Pymatuni Pennsylvania.




Huntsville Ontario.




Battle Ground Indiana.




Smiths Ferry Idaho.




Yosemite National Park California.



Rogers Pass British Columbia.




Calgary Alberta.

Hi everyone. Have a great day and also a great 4th of July.










Men of Honor (Fourth of July - Serious)

As I sit here, it is Friday evening here in the United States, July 2, 1999. Sunday is the Fourth of July, the day we Americans celebrate our independence.

The Unites States is not very old by the standards of many countries in the world. The Declaration of Independence was an action of the Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776.

It begins with the words "When in the course of human events ..." and was signed by 56 men. Some famous names from our history are repesented in the signatures on the Declaration of Independence, the name most associated with the Declaration being John Hancock, the first person to sign the document. The other signers were:

GEORGIA: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton.
NORTH-CAROLINA: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn.
SOUTH-CAROLINA: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward Jr., Thomas Lynch Jr., Arthur Middleton.
MARYLAND: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll.
VIRGINIA: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton.
PENNSYLVANIA: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross.
DELAWARE: Caesar Rodney, George Read.
NEW-YORK: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Frank Lewis, Lewis Morris.
NEW-JERSEY: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton.
MASSACHUSETTS-BAY: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry.
RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE: C. Stephan Hopkins, William Ellery.
CONNECTICUT: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott.

Some of these names are well known in American history (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin) but in his note to Beulah, Andy asks a very good question.

Here it is:

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the opposing Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by search parties that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the opposing forces had taken over the Nelson home for their headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. His wife was jailed and died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife and children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

John Hancock lost his home and possessions when Boston burned.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. Some of us take these liberties too much for granted ... We shouldn't.

So, take a couple of minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!





"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I want wish our friends to the North a Happy Canada Day.



Canada Day

Background

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.


Regina Saskatchewan


Cavendish Prince Edward Island


Ottawa Ontario.


Hall Beach Nunavut.


Boutiliers Point Nova Scotia.


Northern Yukon.


St. John Newfoundland.
Winnipeg Manitoba.


Rosedale British Columbia.
Elbow River Valley Alberta.
Yellowknife Northwest Territories.


ST JACQUES New Brunswick.

Canadians

On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said: "Today I am going to create a land called Canada, it will be a land of outstanding natural beauty. It shall have tall majestic mountains full of mountain goats, and eagles, beautiful sparkling lakes bountiful with bass and trout, forests full of elk and moose, high cliffs over-looking sandy beaches with an abundance of sea life, and rivers stocked with salmon." God continued, "I shall make the land rich in oil so as to make the inhabitants prosper, I shall call these inhabitants Canadians, and they shall be known as the most friendly people on the earth." "But Lord," asked Gabriel "don't you think you are being too generous to these Canadians?" "Not really," replied God "just wait and see the neighbors I am going to give them."



Hi everyone. Not a whole lot going here with us just busy getting stuff done, Will be heading for central Washington for a family reunion on the 4th. Judy and Eve will I'll be working. Have a great week.









La Push Washington.



Evansburg State park Pennsylvania.



Windsor Ontario.



Caraquet New Brunswick.



Newburgh Indiana.



West Bear Lake Idaho.



Buckinghamshire U.K.



Mount Shasta California.



Agassiz B.C.



Calgary Alberta.

Hi Everyone, Wife and I had a great vacation and were back and running again. We have had some nice warm weather finely this year, I'm not complaining we had on of the coldest springs this year. not a whole lot to talk about everyone. Enjoy the pictures and have a great week.







On Island of Kauai, Lower Hanalei Valley, as seen from the overlook near Princeville. Hanalei (town) is to the right.

When Captain Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, the native population (est. 300,000) lived chiefly on dasheen and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), supplemented with things from the sea. In the Hawaiian Islands, taro was said to have been formed by the union of daughter earth and father sky, before man was born, so taro was honored as superior to man and treasured as the most important food crop. So intensive was its cultivation there that there may have been up to 300 cultivars in Hawaii when Captain Cook landed. Poi was traditionally prepared by removing the corm "skin" and then pounding the white flesh on a board with a stone pounder (pohaku ku'I) to make a thick paste, which was dried, diluted with water, kneaded, and then aged. The infamous Polynesian poi may be fermented (first bacteria, then yeast) or sometimes unfermented forms of this sticky dasheen paste, eaten with the fingers or as small balls. Some Polynesians were said to consume up to 20 pounds of poi per day!




This is a beach near the pituresque Napali Coast of Kauai Island.




Waimea Rainbow.




Kapaa Beach on the island of Kauai.
A photograph of the Na Pali Coast located on Kauai, Hawaii. What i love most about this picture is the combination of nature. There is the vividly blue ocean, the white sand beach, the tropical rainforest, waterfall, and the lush mountains going into the foggy mist. This was such a beautiful place and i would strongly encourage everyone to go see this wonderful place. Even if you arent into landscapes, the amount of wildlife is amazing. Humpback whales, Green Sea Turtles, Spinner Dolphins, and beautiful fish inhabit the area. It was such a great experience and very hard to leave. Enjoy!




Tunnels Beach on the Island of Kauai is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Well I guess there really isn't a bad spoto n Kauai to watch the sunset!




A shot from the beach in front of Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. That guy thought about jumping or not for quite a while, so I am lucky i got this shot!


A fisherman walking on the offshore reef at the K'ee beach.








This picture was taken at the Gaylord Wilcox Kilohana Plantation museum and restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii.




The lazy Wailua River that flows through the East side of Kauai.

Hi Everyone. Were home and we had a wonderful time, I'll post another blog later in the week.
The Church in Donavon's Reef


This image doesn't do it justice, but the greens in the mountains of the Na Pali coast on the northwestern shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai are among the most vibrant you'll see anywhere.


This unnamed waterfall is in the vicinity of Kalihiwai Falls just outside of the town of Kilauea on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.




Were Blue Hawaii was filmed. Coco Palms Hotel, once the finest resort on the island. It was badly damaged by Hurricane Iniki, which savaged Kauai in 1992, and has been closed since because of insurance wranglings. The hotel, with its single security guard, has the eerie ambience of an archeological site.


Were some of Fantasy Island was filmed.


On a beach in Kauai.


A pool outside a restaurant of Princeville, Kauai.


View from the end of the Awa'awapuhi Trail. The cliffs of the Napali Coast drop 2500 feet to the stunning blue of the Pacific


The Na Pali Coast is a surprisingly isolated place, accessible only by helicopter, boat when the surf is not too rough, and the 11 miles long and moderately difficult Kalalau trail. Although the island of Kauai is a major tourist destination, one can hike for hours along the coast without seeing other people, especially after passing Hanakapi. The coast is equally beautiful during all seasons, however during the winter the surf is rough and swimming out of question. It also needs to be remembered that the rainiest point on earth is only a few miles away... Breathtaking views of the coast and the steep cliffs reward every step of the trail. Following the coastline quite closely, the trail climbs up and down, crossing five valleys separated by steep, narrow ridges and passing by two backcountry campgrounds before reaching Kalalau Beach. A backcountry permit is required for those who want to follow the trail for more than the first two miles or spend the night out, and can be obtained by phone from the central office in Lihue. These permits are barely ever checked, and the occasional helicopter visits by the park authority are mainly meant to keep under control the population of hippies and self proclaimed gurus who attempt to live there permanently. Jack London's novel "Koolau de Leper" was based on a real drama that took place in this area. Parts for a few movies, including Jurassic Park, have been filmed here.


The Kalalau Valley is in the northwest side of Kauai. It is part of the Na Pali Coast. This senic overview is on the trail to the Alakai Swamps, the wetest place on earth.


A roadside flower stand on the garden isle of Kauai, left unattended at the end of someone's long driveway, with an open cash box. I appreciated the trust shown, especially in a tourist area.

Kauai's rainfall results in lush and colorful landscape. Absolutely beautiful, and friendly, place.

Hi everyone. Yes finely have every thing reinstalled on my computer, Windows XP wouldn't down load right so installed Windows Vista. The only thing I don't like about Vista so far it takes to long to start.

Saturday morning our flight leaves for Hawaii, I'm looking forward to warm weather. Were about 10 to 12 degrees below normal this year were in the 50's and 60's right know. I will be able to keep in touch with everyone, I have a PD/Blackberry that was issued to me at work. Have a great week.









Calgary Alberta




La Conner Washington




Bushkill Fall Pennsylvania




Windsor Ontario




Grand Falls New-Brunswick




Bloomington Indiana




Fredericton New-Brunswick




London England




Half Moon Bay California

On Memorial Day the Spokane Chiefs became the first U.S. based team in 10 years to win the Memorial Cup, the championship of the Canadian Hockey League, with a 4-1 win over the host Kitchener Rangers. Dustin Tokarski backstopped the Chiefs with 53 saves and earned the tournament's MVP honors and helped Spokane win their second Memorial Cup in franchise history.

"Its crazy, I don't know how to explain it," Chiefs 19-year-old Justin McCrae said. "At the start of the year I never thought I would be hoisting the Memorial Cup, but I couldn't ask to do it with a better group of guys."

For the second straight game between the two, Kitchener scored first after the Rangers won a face-off in the Spokane end and Mike Mascioli's initial shot was stopped. Brandon Mashinter was there for the rebound goal at 5:01 of the first period.

Spokane tied it up with a power play goal by Judd Blackwater, his first of the tournament. The play was a prototypical Ondrej Roman feed from behind the net, skating with the puck, the left handed shot reversed the play to Blackwater coming down the left wing. The 20-year-old tied it up at 16:10.

"I saw the defenseman skating backward and thought I could beat him with my speed. Judd just stepped to the first post and yelled for the puck. It was a great play by him and I think a huge goal after they scored first."

The second period saw Spokane take a two goal lead with goals by Drayson Bowman and Trevor Glass.

Bowman scored at 4:11 with a wrist shot from the left circle with a Chris Bruton assist.

Glass, who was playing in his second straight Memorial Cup Final, walked down the seam in on the right side and snapped it past Josh Unice for his first of the tournament. Bruton had his second assist of the night.

Spokane entered the third period with a two goal lead but knew the Rangers didn't have would play their best period of the tournament coming out in the third.

"It was pure desperation," Jared Spurgeon said. "We knew they were going to come out in the third period and give it their all be we played simple hockey and gutted it out."

As well as being named the tournament MVP Tokarski was named the Outstanding Goaltender and to the All-Star team. Bowman, Mitch Wahl and Justin Falk were also named to the tournament's all-star team.

The Chiefs will travel home from Kitchener on Monday and are planned to have a rally at the Spokane Arena at 12:00. Fans can enter through the main gates.




Hi Everyone. Sorry if I have missed some of your blogs, Our computer is dead again. I won't worry about getting it fixed till Sept. So my posting blogs will be maybe once or twice a month. I will be using old photos from other blogs till then. What has been going on my brithday was the 15th of May Judy's was the 29th of May. Been working non stop lately, Judy and I will be having 26th wedding anniversary June 11th. The reason the computer is going to waitis I'm taking my wife to Hawaii for a week. Have a great weekend.






Can you guess who this country singer is. Hint his dad was a country singer and died at a young age.


Painted Hills Oregon.


Foscoe North Carolina.


Florenceville New Brunswick.


Glacier National Park Montana.


Chain Lakes Washington State.


Monterey California.


Rosedale British Columbia.


I didn't think this old house outside Moxee Washington was still there. It's been like this since the 60's and surprised it's still standing whats left of it.
The house I grew up in.


The street were I meet my wife. Here parents house is on the left were the truck and RV are.
This is looking South towards the old cannery and grain silos.

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The only American team to win the Memorial Cup is heading back to the Canadian Hockey League championship tournament.

The Spokane Chiefs will represent the Western Hockey League at the Memorial Cup in Kitchener, Ont., after defeating the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-1 on Wednesday and sweeping the WHL final in four games. The Chiefs, who won the Cup in 1991, will start their quest for a second championship May 17 against either Kitchener or Belleville.

Mitch Wahl, Tyler Johnson, David Rutherford and Ondrej Roman scored for Spokane, while Nicholas Hotson had the only goal for the Hurricanes.

Dustin Tokarski stopped 17 shots for the win. Juha Metsola made 21 saves in a losing cause.















Four Lakes Washington State.




Coudersport Pennsylvania.




Windsor Ontario.




Kincardine Ontario.




St. John Newfoundland.




Columbus Indiana.




Casino Point California.




Hope British-Columbia.




A view of my Great Great grandparents homestead outside of Ripley Ontario. My Great grandparents moved to U.S. in 1893, I still have family that lives in Canada I think this will explain why I post pictures of Canada and I have friends on this site that live in Canada.

Spring here is finely getting to normal, The fruit trees are starting to bloom here, I had a PM from a person that not on my friends stating they have more people commenting on there blog then mine. They said I should spice things up. Sorry I post what I feel like posting and those that want to comment can. In couple of weeks I'm going to a vacation I have a 186 hours of vacation time to use up. Were not going far just around our area to do stuff the price of gas is to hight to take a long trip. Plus food is going up every week at the store like every were else. We went a couple of concerts last week Def leppard and The Little River Band both were good and cheap. $15.00 Each.

Have a good week.








Cheney Washington




Kennett Square Pennsylvania




St. Johns Newfoundland




Indianapolis Indiana




Huntington-beach California




Victoria British-Columbia







Scenes from counties which lie primarily east of the Cascade Mountains




Old Bolinger homestead 1892 in Methow




Nine Mile Falls dam Spokane
Farm 5 mi. W of Reardan




Evergreen Lake 9 mi S Quincy




Burke Lake 9 mi S Quincy




Billingsley Ranch 18 mi NW Ephrata




Barron's Flour Mill 1891 in Oakesdale




Barn near Waterville




Sun Lakes




Lenore Lake




3 mi. SW of Tekoa



Just a project I finely finished a couple of weeks ago. A upscale version of the Estes Der Red Max 1.59 upscale.

The on the right is the original



















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skmvHZvXNMA