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A few random snaps from last week when we road-tripped it southeast to the center of Idaho, where my parents have a house, in Challis. Small town that gets busy one weekend a year when the Muzzie Braun family hosts a 3-day country-western music festival. And as they say: a good time was had by all.
I love a parade! The first Saturday in May is always Wenatchee's biggest event, the Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade (the event lasts all week and culminates with the parade.) It's just the best time to be in the valley and the thing that 14 years ago led me to return to my job in Seattle on a Monday and give my two-weeks notice. No job lined up, just divorced and two little girls of 5 and 3 and yet I know this was the place I wanted them to grow up. It all worked out, as things usually do ("things always work out in the end, if they don't, it isn't the end.") I found the best job I've ever had, got remarried, we had another beautiful daughter and raised the three of them in this valley (and are still raising!)
Anyway, the Grand Parade is always an awesome way to reconnect with friends and the community. We call the royalty by name, shouting it as they drive by in the fancy cars or ride by on trick ponies. We cheer loudest for any friends we recognize on floats and also for the "clean-up crews", who follow the horses, and, well, clean up after them when necessary, by giving them the most attention for what has to be an unpleasant job at best. The color and pagentry and general goodwill renews my sense of small town pride and community and always lasts just long enough until the next year's festivities.
2 brothers, 2 wives, 2 mothers, 2 fathers, 2 daughters, 2 dogs, 2 days and a 2-hour Uno game = Thanksgiving 2010.
Recently I had a fun afternoon with 10 gorgeous volleyball players. Talk about setting yourself up for low self-esteem! I got to shoot the Wenatchee Valley Knights women's volleyball team for a little fundraising project we're working on. Not sports shots, but more personality portraits to match the month they will be in a calendar. We're making a calendar for the team to sell as part of their fundraiser for a community service and volleyball event trip to Nicaragua in February. These girls are so great, they have a huge emphasis on community service, equal to their drive to win. They all maintain great GPA's, practice 5 days a week and are there for each other through thick and thin. It was awesome getting to spend a little time off the court with each of them. I'll post when and where the calendars are available as well, it's a worthwhile cause for a group of deserving, hard-working young women.
