Region 1 "Fires of 1910" dress-up day

Dave loves to dress up.  When they announced at his office that they were going to have a contest for dressing up as a person in the 1910 period during the big fires, Dave was all over it. 

He knew just what he wanted to do.

He dressed up as a 1910 fire ranger (who had been working on the fires)

I am quite amazed at how he thinks these things up.  He had all the parts of his costume decided when he came up with the idea.
"1910 Safety Dave"

This was the group that dressed up at the office. 

The woman 3rd from the left won the contest.

She came into work with period attire and black smudged all over her face.  Apparently when she got on the bus that morning to go to work, the bus driver asked if she was alright and if she needed some help.

They had ice cream after the contest and did a 1910 trivia game.

Here are a couple web links for information about the 1910 fires

The 1910 Fires-USFS history

USFS 1910 Commemeration Info site

Edward Pulaski 

(developed the firefighting tool still used today)

The Craftsman rides again!

Thanks to Riva and Matt (we bought their Craftsman mower when they left Utah), the lawn is getting a good trim.  Good thing we have a riding lawn mower, the majority of the yard is lawn.

When we unloaded the mower from the back of the truck, with the help of my Dad's homemade ramps (those ramps have seen the country), we noticed that there was a flat on the left rear tire.  We took it to Les Schuab Sat. morning to get it fixed.  Dave and I put the tire back on the mower that afternoon and started it up.  I was going to take it for a spin to see how it was working.  When I tried to engage it in reverse, nothing... the motor was running fine, but no movement. Forward, reverse, more gas, different gear speed, nothing worked.  What the Hell?  After going thru all that a second time, I decided that it must have something to do with the tire.  It worked just fine before the tire was taken off.

So off with the tire! Checking, checking...what could it be?  After some thought and much frustration (emphasis on frustration), I see a 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch metal piece/pin on the floor of the garage.  I also notice that there is a notch in the axle, that matches up with the notch in the rim of the tire.  Could it be some type of key that engages the transmission to turn the wheel?  Hmmm...

The maiden voyage on the new lawn took place July 3rd, 2010

Dave took to it like a natural.

Dave's Birthday- The big 5-0

I flew into Missoula the evening of Friday, Jan 22nd to surprise Dave for his 50th birthday.  I had the Motel shuttle come and pick me up so that I could just knock on Dave's door to surprise him.

The Missoula Airport is small enough to get in and out easily.  A nice change from SLC airport.

On Saturday we went to the Monte Dolack Gallery.  I like to see his paintings.

This was the first time Dave had been there.  I have been a couple of times when I was up in Missoula for trainings and fire assignments.

We also drove around the area to look at housing possibilities.  This big white tail buck was lounging in one of the neighborhoods.  I guess I didn't think about the fact that they don't have mulies in Montana.

 

The Birthday boy out for his Birthday dinner at an Italian restaruant.  You can tell that he just loved getting his picture taken.  "I don't want to end up on your blog"  Hmm, guess you were right, here you are.

 Dave took me to the Forest Service Regional Office to see where he works.

Because I insisted...

 It is located in an old Federal Building.  The post office is located in the South building.  This is the R.O. on the North.

 Safety Dave's Office.  He has a corner office with window on the east and south sides.

He can even open the windows too.  Which he reminds me quite often since it has been sixty degree temps in Missoula several times already, but cold and yucky down here in Utah.

I also went to the "Good Food Store".  It reminds me of the Boise Coop. 

I must have spent 2 hours looking at the bulk spices and teas before I had to catch my flight back to Utah. 

Bike Ride w/ David Nov. 22

Dave and I went for a bike ride up Provo Canyon the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It was a gorgeous day as you can see.

We rode all the way up to Vivian Park. The ride up the canyon was really nice. I forgot to take a light jacket and it was a bit brisk on the way back.



These berries looked so pretty, I couldn't resist getting a few pics of them.




Dave going really FAST!!

I just love to ride up Provo Canyon. It is such a nice ride.