Summer 2021 Dynamics!

In August, friends and family met in Portland to celebrate the life of Joe Sullivan, the husband of my friend Lynn. Joe passed away during the pandemic over a year ago. Prior to the service friends Linda, Lynn, Dixie, and Joanne met for lunch. Lynn has been a very special friend since we met in second grade and Joe since 3rd grade when his family moved to La Grande.

2021 definitely affected many including the antelope. One day on our way home we observed all these animals in our wheat field doing some "pre-harvesting" prior to the farmer and combine arriving!

Drought definitely affected Eastern Oregon including many lakes and reservoirs. Phillips Reservoir south of Baker City was dramatically impacted. This photo is near the boat dock area near the dam. Notice the distance of dry rocks on the right side! Usually the water was at the top of this little hill.

This photo is near the boat dock in the RV Park where we normally stay. No one leaving the dock this season! Actually the reservoir water ends about straight out from the Park instead of extending several miles to the west.

This is Social Security Point...a location many people use to fish from shore. Obviously no one is fishing here in summer 2021! (Where the road curves to the left by the trees is where the water started!)

In August it was a great pleasure to participate in a wedding shower for Nicole, daughter of our friends Brent and Susan. There is an exciting fall season ahead for this family!

A delightful evening was spent at the Koza home when daughter Melissa and family visited from Portland. As always, the food was delicious and conversation joyful!

Observing the activity and hearing about the summer was really fun! Here Joanne is with grand daughters Elena, Lily, and Karina as well as back row nieces Sarah, Amelia, and Becca.

Labor Day Weekend niece Teresa treated us to an excursion on the Eagle Cap Train Ride from Elgin up the Grande Ronde River and to the Wallowa River.

Besides the view of nature, the ride included being given "fake jewels and money"!

We were then held up by Robbers...both on horseback and then coming on the train...very exciting and actually lots of smiles.

You'll note the view out of Ken's window...water in the Grande Ronde River was at the lowest we'd ever seen.

The opportunity to have a lengthy chat with Teresa was also a highlight of the event!