Here are some photos from the first sunny day we have had since class began three weeks ago. Boise is an inversion bowl.  I am hanging my first double crossarm.

Taylor update...

Well, officially Taylor has been in school now for two weeks. He has gotten up on a pole 3 days and he's loving it. Other than trying not to walk funny after climbing all day, he's learning alot and thinks he'll really enjoy the work. He has not only started to make new friends but has managed to connect with many old friends from the Moscow area that now live in Boise. He even ran into a buddy from way back at a random bar watching football. Good times catching up with his friend Dane. The instructors sound like good ol' down to earth fellas that say it how it is. The total class size is 101 dudes. They are broken up into 3 classes. As I have heard many times from Tay he is stuck in the smallest classroom that used to be the equipment room, but they are all managing. After a couple hours in the classroom they go into the yard where they either climb, play with trucks or learn about the ground workings of Electrical stuff. All I know is Taylor is in heaven because of all the new specialized tools he gets to use and learn about. The funniest term I've heard him use so far is "the elevator" This is when you are climbing an old, used up pole and you slide down an area that has nothing for you to find a purchase on with your boot gaffs. (sorry if i spelled gaffs wrong, Tay) I do find that quickly Taylor is talking over my head about all sorts of lineman terminolgy. Can't even come up with examples right now. Overall, I think he is really enjoying himself. As I get pic's from him I'll post em and give you all a better idea of all that he is doing. Thanks to quick technology and webcam's using Skype, I think we'll make it through this pretty quickly. Take care everyone and send Taylor good climbing vibes. :)

The joy of riding

Yesterday was the first day of the season for me and my board. I know, it's a bit delayed but that's just the way it goes this year. As I was gathering all my gear and calling the snow phone. I realized how very much I had been anticipating this day. It seems that my love of snowboarding can go into hibernation when it's just not available. But let me tell you, the joy and love are BACK! As I headed up to the hill with Nine Inch Nails thumping and enjoyed the anticipation. I remembered yet again why I love to live here. The mountain was not so busy and the skies where huge and blue. It would be all groomers today, but at this point I don't even care. As the chair swung around and scooped me up I looked around and just took it all in. The trees stood out with their vibrant green against the backdrop of shiny white. I unloaded from the lift and realized with some sadness as I buckled my bindings that this is the first time in years that Taylor is not with me to enjoy the first run of the season. A moment to smile about Taylor and then gravity and need took over and away I went. The feel of the glide of the snow and the pull of gravity is such a wonderful feeling. You feel truly free. Muscle memory takes over and the flow comes back. With each turn you gain momentum and let the wind caress your face. Ahh, it was good to be back. For all the other fellow snow riders out there. I hope you too have been able to get up to the slopes and enjoy all it has to offer.

1180 miles later...

Well, the last few weeks have flown by. The weekend before xmas Tay and I headed to his future home site Boise, ID. We rallied through the long desolate road called highway 26. Beautiful and very remote. Our mission was to meet Taylor's potential roommate. We found our way to a quaint irish pub in downtown Boise, The Ha Penny. I was thrilled to see they had Boddington's on tap. We downed a few pints and Jonene and her friend met up with us. After another pint it seemed that it would work out fine. The next morning we headed over to check out the digs and found that it should work out great. He even gets a spot in the garage. Fabulous! We headed out to Kuna to check out Taylor's school and after a mere 14 hours of being in Boise we once again got on the dreaded highway. Much to our dismay there was alot more snow but as we got closer to Bend it got sunny and dry. The trip was made even better by a little text message from our great friends that at 2:08 on Dec 21st Bjorn Thurston Blankenship made it safely into this world. We were so excited and the rest of the trip flew by.

Now fast forward two days and yes, once again we are back in the car. I thought about decorating it, but never did quite find the time. We braved the crazy roads and made it to Tacoma, Wa to spend the holiday with my Dad and Margi. It was super fun to see my sis and my step sister and my little niece, Lili. All in total Dad had 17 people over. The wine flowed freely and we had a fantastic italian dinner. It was really fun to see my little niece and her friend Johnny open their gifts. There is something about kids and the joy that they excude. It's just pure happiness and very catching.

The day after xmas once again we got into our lovely home away from home, dog and all and headed to my mom's in Yakima. My sis caught a ride with us and we had smooth sailing over Snoqualmie pass. Mom was great as always and it was good to be in the home I grew up in. We had a yummy steak dinner and were excited to give my mom her cool stained glass window that we had made for her stairwell. Can't wait to see it installed. She loved it!

Saturday came up quick and we headed back to Bend and much to our delight the bridge that was supposed to be closed and cause a long, annoying detour was actually open. That was a very nice surprise and we got home before sunset.

So this week has flown by and Taylor is getting ready to leave on Sunday for Northwest Lineman College. Sad but inevitable. I'm not letting myself get all weepy until after he leaves. So to everyone Happy New Year. I hope this year brings you peace and all that you wish for.

And for a good laugh. We were fascinated by this display of ultimate red neckness and thought you all might enjoy!