InSPIREd Sunday - Immanuel Lutheran

To my fellow InSPIREd Sunday participants - I was unable to visit blogs last week. I having been living in the midst of a vey large (250,000 acres) wildfire that caused so much damage to our community. Over 300 houses in the Methow Valley/Pateros, Washington area were lost in the Carlton Complex fire with one reported fire-related death. It was truly a firestorm and the largest fire in Washington state's history. I will have pictures to share in a day or so.

We were without power starting last Thursday through yesterday around noon. What a relief to have our power restored! Unless you have to live long periods without electricity, it is very easy to take it for granted.

But back to InSPIREd Sunday.

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Farming, Minnesota

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday - a weekly meme sharing religious architecture.

InSPIREd Sunday - St. Mary's

Welcome to this weekend's edition of InSPIREd Sunday.

Here is another example of spotting a tall spire from a distance.

Getting to this church was a bit of a challenge because of the railroad tracks. Trying to find the crossing required a few blocks of back tracking once I got into town. But it was worth it!

St. Mary's Catholic Church - Waverly, Minnesota

Backside of the church in the setting sun

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday - a weekly meme of religious architecture.

Good Fences - Grand Coulee

Recycled Large Wooden Spool Ends Fence - Grand Coulee, Washington

Linking to TexWisGirl's Good Fences meme.

Falling Cabin

Along US395 - Northern California

Monday's Barn

Barn along US395 - Northern California

InSPIREd Sunday - St. John the Baptist

It has been a busy few weeks and I have been very remiss in visiting the InSPIREd Sunday participants. Tomorrow is out - it's an all-day travel day for me as I head back to Minnesota for a week. If I can get my packing done in a timely manner tonight, I hope to visit a few blogs.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - Bluffton, Minnesota

Sign for school that no longer exists

Please join us at InSPIREd Sunday - a weekly meme of religious architecture. All are welcome!

I Love a Parade - Part 2

I found my missing parade photos!! My camera started a new folder and I wasn't paying attention to what was on my SD card. I happen to take some additional photos yesterday and when I went to get them, guess what I found?! Hip, hip, hooray!

Our Turn is Next

Feeling the Cool (even got a water drop on the lens)

Ahhhhh! Refreshing!

Time to Soak Another Group

Since it got up into the low 90's today, I would LOVE to go do this part of the parade again.

Twisp Fly-in - Family Style

My sister, Karen, sent me a message last night. "Whatcha doing tomorrow?", she asked. I replied that we were playing golf in the morning and then hanging out around the house in the afternoon. "Why?", I asked back.

While George and I were out on the golf course this morning, plans were firmed up with Jim, my brother-in-law, this morning for them to fly over for a short visit. Cool! My sis and BIL live southwest of Seattle and we are on the eastern slopes of the North Cascade mountains - a five hour car ride away but only a 45 minute flight.

Here they come!

Doing the Fly-By First

Aligned with the Runway

A safe and smooth landing behind them, time to taxi to the parking area.

We're over here!

One of my sister's friends, Becky, also came along for the flight. George and I took them into town and we had a late afternoon lunch at the Twisp River Pub. Luckily for them, they didn't have to ride into town in this "classic" courtesy car provided by the airport.

Ain't she a beauty? But a ride in this is better than no ride at all!

It was fun to visit for an hour or so before it was time to take them back to the airport. No TSA hassles, no parking fees, just a little old country airport.

George helped Jim push the airplane out onto the taxiway and then Jim started his pre-flight checklist. I have flown with Jim before and he is a very competent pilot. I am not afraid to fly with him at all!

Push, George, Push!

Checking for water in the fuel

We said our good-byes and the trio took off.

They're up!

Up!

And away!

Until next time!

I Love A Parade!

Our little town of Twisp had their annual Fourth of July parade on Friday. We are definitely small town America!

From the requisite fire trucks to horses and local "floats", there was a little something for everyone to enjoy. The kids especially enjoyed the candy being tossed out but it sure made for a few anxious moments for me.

The best part of the parade for me were the fire trucks. Every 100 feet or so, they'd stop and spray the street in front of the one truck. The kids would rush out to get soaked and even I got a little wet which was fine on a hot summer day. Too bad my camera shut off on me while taking pics. Either my battery died or it timed out waiting for the fire trucks. Its a waterproof camera so the spray wouldn't have done it. I didn't notice that it was off and I was snapping away! Oh well, there's always next year.

Enjoy the parade!

Arriving for the Parade

Pre-Parade Entertainment

Waiting for the Parade to Start

Methow Valley Horsemen

Aero-Methow - Local Ambulance Service

Tossing out Candy to the Kids

Parade Goers in Fourth of July Gear

More Candy Tossing!

Spartan Art Project Float (one of my favs since I love old trailers)

Hot Rod

Vintage (sort of) Hot Rod owned by our Local NAPA dealer, Dwayne

North Central Washington ATV Club Group

Another Business Float

Antique Truck Powered by 3 Men (Yep - they were pushing it)

Local Balloonist

Pipestone Music Float

Old Army Truck

Another Old Army Truck

Firemen Cooling off the Crowd

Local Firetrucks and Spraying The Crowd

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!