When we left Prosser we stopped at Wild Horse Casino for a lunch break. After watching their balloon for three days it seemed the right thing to do. Joyce also won a bunch of money there (nearly $45!).
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Wildhorse Casino
When we left Prosser we stopped at Wild Horse Casino for a lunch break. After watching their balloon for three days it seemed the right thing to do. Joyce also won a bunch of money there (nearly $45!).
Prosser Balloon Festival
We then moved on to the Balloon Fiesta in Prosser, Washington. This was fun in it's own right and good practice for the big gathering in Albuquerque coming up in October.
Friday we watched the balloons inflate and take off from the field. It was a working day so the ascent was when each balloon was ready. This was Mickey Mouse's first appearance since they put his black ears back on (last year he was wearing a gold hat and ears in honor of Disney's 50th anniversary).
The next day we found where the balloons dip into the river.
That night we attended the balloon glow that featured six balloons at the high school stadium.
Sunday morning we saw the dawn patrol balloon dip in the river and then . . .
. . . there was a mass ascension.
Friday we watched the balloons inflate and take off from the field. It was a working day so the ascent was when each balloon was ready. This was Mickey Mouse's first appearance since they put his black ears back on (last year he was wearing a gold hat and ears in honor of Disney's 50th anniversary).
The next day we found where the balloons dip into the river.
That night we attended the balloon glow that featured six balloons at the high school stadium.
Sunday morning we saw the dawn patrol balloon dip in the river and then . . .
. . . there was a mass ascension.
More NW Trek
When we left Everett, we travelled only 66 miles to Graham, Washington, where we spent four nights. The main reason we chose this spot is because it is right next to NW Trek and we wanted to visit some more.
The coyotes were fun to watch, alternating between shy and inquisitive.
The beaver scared Joyce (but then what doesn't make her jump a little?).
Joyce had never seen a fisher before. He moved really quickly which made it a challenge to photograph him.
The river otters were long and sleek and hard to focus on. They slid through the water and in and out of their den.
The wolverines were fascinating. Their was a "baby" who was born in captivity on February 14 and hand raised by a keeper. She was rambunctious and nearly big and strong enough to move back in with her parents. And her parents! My goodness, watching them "play" explained why they have such a reputation for fiercness.
And of course there were opportunites for artsy-fartsy photos, too.
The coyotes were fun to watch, alternating between shy and inquisitive.
The beaver scared Joyce (but then what doesn't make her jump a little?).
Joyce had never seen a fisher before. He moved really quickly which made it a challenge to photograph him.
The river otters were long and sleek and hard to focus on. They slid through the water and in and out of their den.
The wolverines were fascinating. Their was a "baby" who was born in captivity on February 14 and hand raised by a keeper. She was rambunctious and nearly big and strong enough to move back in with her parents. And her parents! My goodness, watching them "play" explained why they have such a reputation for fiercness.
And of course there were opportunites for artsy-fartsy photos, too.
Mukilteo Festival
We attended the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival (where Joyce was living just prior to starting this adventure). There were craft and food booths, rides for the kiddies, music, and a juried art show (where Joyce's niece won a $15 prize for her soft sculpture!).
We attended a fun party on the Saturday night and that included watching the fireworks show up-close.
We attended a fun party on the Saturday night and that included watching the fireworks show up-close.
Evergreen State Fair
Joyce attended the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, Washington, twice -- first with a girlfriend and again with a sister, niece and niece's friend.
The Grange Exhibits of fruits and vegetables are always attractive.
The pig races are a standard at the Evergreen State Fair. Those running the races invite little kids to "help" by holding up rails or being cheerleaders for different pigs.
The Grange Exhibits of fruits and vegetables are always attractive.
The pig races are a standard at the Evergreen State Fair. Those running the races invite little kids to "help" by holding up rails or being cheerleaders for different pigs.
More Time in Everett
We enjoyed more time in the Everett area -- you may not be surprised to learn that we stayed "for just one more week." Highlights included more visits with family and friends and photography opportunities, too.
We made the big trip down to NW Trek which is part of the Tacoma Zoo system. It has animals in a natural setting which fulfills their interest in education of the public and our interest in good photo opportunities. We were prompted to visit because of a friend that Ron made at the camera store at Alderwood Mall. We attended a meeting of the camera club he belongs to and enjoyed that, too.
The eagle was a very patient photography model. The fact that it's permanently disabled and can't fly (that's why it's now at NW Trek) helped with the posing and eliminated the need for cage bars.
The snowy owl, also here due to permanent injury, was adorable. He would pose and move a little and pose again.
The grizzly bear, a large male, was playing in the water with an animal skin. The keepers give him the skins of animals that die out in the open range portion of the park (and they also get skins from a butcher when the other herds are overly healthy).
We made the big trip down to NW Trek which is part of the Tacoma Zoo system. It has animals in a natural setting which fulfills their interest in education of the public and our interest in good photo opportunities. We were prompted to visit because of a friend that Ron made at the camera store at Alderwood Mall. We attended a meeting of the camera club he belongs to and enjoyed that, too.
The eagle was a very patient photography model. The fact that it's permanently disabled and can't fly (that's why it's now at NW Trek) helped with the posing and eliminated the need for cage bars.
The snowy owl, also here due to permanent injury, was adorable. He would pose and move a little and pose again.
The grizzly bear, a large male, was playing in the water with an animal skin. The keepers give him the skins of animals that die out in the open range portion of the park (and they also get skins from a butcher when the other herds are overly healthy).
Despite what you may think , , ,
We aren't dead or in jail. Joyce has just been too busy and/or lazy to update. She even has a bunch of photos ready to go. Maybe posting this will shame her into updating for real.
[Maybe not!]
[Maybe not!]
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