First Ceramic project

Charles was in the ceramics studio this morning, working on the first project (due Tuesday). The assignment is to make 1, 2, 3, & 4 lb. bowls (he made an extra 4 lb. for fun)!

First Friday in September

Sign of an early autumn at the church?

Bees gathering in the mint blossoms this afternoon

 

 

After yesterday's abrupt end to our reentry to the parsonage life (see yesterday's post), we were so looking forward to a pleasant start to September!

Seeing the first glimpse of autumn peeking through the ivy on the south side of the church was a welcome sight after the smoke and heat we've had this summer.

Charles enjoyed watching the busy bees this afternoon as they were buzzing about the mint blooms in the backyard.

To top it off, this evening we were called out to enjoy two Great Horned Owls (an adult and a juvenile) that were perched on to of the church roof!!!

Vacation 2017 - postlude

A CH-47 on the way for more water

3rd & Pine Streets

2nd & College Streets

Reunion in the library

Making our way home yesterday from Walla Walla, we encountered a fire (in Kellogg, ID), forest fire smoke warnings between Superior & Alberton, MT, lots of road construction, and dense smoke as we approached Missoula.

Being tired from the long drive, we decided to extend our vacation one more night. We enjoyed a late meal at Cracker Barrel and retired to the hotel to rest-up for the re-entry to 'normal life' in Stevensville.

As we began to return home this afternoon, we were notified by a church member that our block had been evacuated due to the discovery of an explosive item at a neighbor's home! We were reunited with Belinda's mother at the library and after a couple of hours were allowed to return home.

All the cats - Wesley, Monty, Patch, and BB, were happy to see us!

Vacation 2017 - Day 5 (pt.4)

The Chinese immigrant experience in Walla Walla

Wedding dresses over the years

An early teddy bear

Lewis & Clark slept here

Fort Walla Walla uniforms and flags

Seeing all there was to see at Fort Walla Walla, we set off through a remote part of Washington and mile after mile of freshly harvested wheat. It made us very happy to emerge just west of Spokane onto I-90!

Vacation 2017 - Day 5 (pt.3)

An antique fire engine

A thirty-three mule team pulled an early harvesting combine

A old water wagon

A cook wagon used in the harvesting effort

John Deere tractor with iron wheels

In addition to the historic buildings there was an amazing assortment of implements used in the building of the amazing agricultural area this part of Washington has become.

Vacation 2017 - Day 5 (pt.2)

 

 

 

Before leaving Walla Walla this morning we took the time to visit the Fort Walla Walla Museum. This is a fascinating look at life in the frontier period of Washington, agriculture in the region, and during the WWII period in this area.

First up was a look at buildings used during the Washington Territory period (1853-1899).

Vacation 2017 - Day 5 (pt.1)

Charles got in a third round!

A phone in the Loo!

A statue of "Heroic Pigeon" in Wala Wala

One more visit to Bright's Candies!

We woke up in Walla Walla this morning, refreshed and ready for the start of our return to Montana.

But first, Charles was able to get in a round of golf, his third (in three states: Montana, Idaho, and Washington) on this trip! Wala Wala's municipal course, Veterans Memorial Golf Course was a pleasant way to start the day!

A visit to Bacon & Egg for some tea and to Bright's Candies for a treat to take home, was next for us. At Bright's Candies, we watched with rapt attention as candied apples were being made. Of course we just had to get one which was thoughtfully sliced by the friendly staff!