A New Season

The first day of Fall brought with it clouds and fog. The air is crisp and There's no denying it, Summer is over! We can already see the hint of red in the mountains from all of the leaves turning. And the temperatures went from 89 to 45 degrees in a matter of 3 days. Our first frost warning of the season is scheduled for tomorrow with a morning low of 31 degrees. But then the thermometer will steadily move up to the low 70's by this weekend.

Shot #1: This is the view from our deck looking South
Shot #2: Same shot as above, but zoomed in so you
can see the leaves changing in the mountains

Shot #3: Mt. Spokane in the clouds
Shot #4: Panning to the west

Yesterday was rainy, so we used it as an excuse to just stay in and veg so we could watch the last day of the Ryder Cup and as many football games as possible.

Growing up in Southern California I've never experienced a real changing of seasons. This must be my cue that it's time to bring up the cold weather clothes and swap them with all of the summer stuff in the closets. I imagine that we'll be able to use our So Cal "winter clothes" this fall. It gives us a few more months to shop for the clothes that will be suitable for the winters here in the Pacific North West.

Right now I'm going out for a long walk in the woods. Maybe I'll run into some of the local wildlife.

Any suggestions on the types of clothing we'll need and/or where the best place to buy them to get through our first winter here will be greatly appreciated.

Annual Hackers Tournament

This year's Annual Hacker's Tournament was held here at Stoneridge. It commenced on Wednesday the 10th. Bildo, Dorkter, Llama Guy and Sleve, (those are the tournament nicknames for Bill, Jim, Wayne and Steve), started their 8 round tournament right after the last guy was picked up from the airport.

One round on Wednesday then two rounds each on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The scores from those rounds determined who would be playing for the coveted H.O.T.T. trophy & hat on Sunday. There was one match for 1st and 2nd and another for 3rd and 4th.

Wayne and Steve played for the trophy and Wayne prevailed. He walked with a dozen Pro V1s and the trophy. It will spend the next year at his home in Northern California which is also where the 2009 tournament will be held.

Bill and Jim fought it out for the bottom 2 positions. Jim ended up in the cellar. Bill won the shirt he is proudly showing and Jim won a "potty putter" which will be shipped to him in Reno.

We will once again host this event in 2010 and look forward to it.

In Memoriam: Ronald "Pete" Bradford

Friday, September 12th was the first anniversary of Ron's death. Today September 14, 2008 we would have been celebrating his 80th birthday. There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded of him.

Happy Birthday Ron!
We Miss You.

1st Annual StoneRidge Jamboree

In getting to know our new friends, Stoneridge Guy discovered that a couple of them share in his passion of guitar playing. We have gotten together a couple of times in the past with the guys playing and the gals just hanging out.

This past week we have had Steve's golf buddies staying with us during their annual golf tournament. One of the guys is his best friend, Bill, and they have been playing guitar together since they were 13. Because they have been playing together for so long, they have quite a few songs in their repertoire. Add the fact that Bill is now playing lead in a band called "Moderator Band" it inspired us to have another get together while they were all here.

Musicians (from left to right): Bob, Steve, Bill and Jim

That plan came to fruition last Friday night, with an evening of cocktails and music. Our friends offered the use of the Motor Coach Owner's Lounge equipped with couches, a kitchen and even a stage.

Bill playing lead guitar

One of the guys jokingly introduced everyone on stage and welcomed all to the "First Annual Stoneridge Jamboree." The name stuck. The guys played and the rest of us would sing along whenever the mood struck us. There was a turn out of about 20 and we all had a blast so much so that some of our guests are considering coming back to visit next year so they can attend the 2nd one.

Check back again soon, I have more pictures to come. In the meantime, check out Bill's band on myspace by clicking link below.

MySpaceTV Videos: Moderator Band Video Channel

No One Said It Would Be Easy

Now that Stoneridge Cousin is back, so is the heavy equipment. The back-hoe and bull dozer arrived last Tuesday and the guys have been working feverishly to get the lot ready for the foundation.

Stoneridge Guy filling up the dozer.

Heading back to the lot.

Stoneridge Cousin re-grading the basement

Along with the grading, we have to keep the water going about 10 hours a day so that the loose earth can be compacted properly. So this weekend, I got to be the water girl.

We are hoping that we don't have to keep the equipment here too many days beyond the scheduled pick up date. But for now we get to play in the mud every day.

The Prize at the End of the Rainbow

There's a feeling that fall may come early this year. The air is cooler and crisp in the mornings. Even though the forecast calls for mid 80's next week you can tell that summer is passing. It's dark by 9pm and a sweatshirt is a must.

The neighboring town got a storm and we got the rainbow.

This picture doesn't do it justice. The colors were so vibrant! And there were two of them. Stoneridge guy was just coming home from working the lot and got these shots from the 9th green.


I'm hoping this will bring us luck with the construction at the lot. Stoneridge Cousin is out of the hospital. He does need to go back twice daily for antibiotic drips for the next month. Never the less, he's back to work! The guys got all of the boundries set and they are out renting the heavy equipment to finish what they started 2 weeks ago.

We are nearly 2 months behind schedule, but still hopefull that we'll have the shell built by winter. Keep your fingers crossed.