Remote Geocache Finally Found

You all know about geocaching, right? (If you don't, short version: it's a treasure hunt using global position system; long version: read this.) You all know about the time I was on that mostly deserted island in the middle of the Pacific, right? (If you don't, short version: I spent 3 months with the Nature Conservancy on Palmyra Atoll, a tiny island 1000 miles south of Hawaii; long version: ask me about it sometime, but make sure you've got at least an hour to spare.) Good, now that we're all on the same page, I can begin. While on Palmyra, I placed a geocache. Part of the draw of geocaching, for me, is going to places you might not otherwise go. I say, the more isolated, the better (most of the time). With that thought in mind, I figured my geocache on Palmyra would be much appreciated for any nerdos like myself who happened to be passing through. What I didn't anticipate, however, is how long it would be before it was first found. Two and half years after posting the coordinates on the internet, someone finally found Palmyra: No worries atoll. (There were two pseudo-finds before that, but none that actually involved finding the thing.) I was overjoyed to get the notification that it had been found. I was starting to think maybe the sharks had grown legs and plundered it. The finder's comments take me back to those shirtless days of swimming with sharks, obliviousness to the outside world, and total immersion in the natural world around me. Anyway, in a shameless ploy to make this post interesting for those who don't care about geocaching*, here are some pictures from near the geocache on Palmyra: me on the rope swing at the swimming hole, solar shower* constructed by yours truly in an old dilapidated relic of a building.

Saturday September 8 2007

File under: geocaching, pics

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on Sun 09th Sep, 2007 09:23 pm PDT cardboard said: oh man so i just hovered for the first time, had no idea what the * were all about, kept looking at the bottom of the page for footnotes or something. Sharp work there Wren, thats something else. ************************ on Tue 11th Sep, 2007 11:43 am PDT trista said: Tropical, the island breeze. All of nature wild and free. This is where I long to be.La isla bonita. ************************

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Spot the Irony

Anyone? Anyone? Well, I got a good chuckle out of it, at least.

Saturday July 28 2007

File under: travel, pics

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on Sat 28th Jul, 2007 06:07 pm PDT Chris said: Hey, it's a well known fact that Vegas is very environmentally minded; if everyone died then no one could gamble. In fact, that entire sign is run by just one compact flourescent bulb! ************************ on Thu 02nd Aug, 2007 02:04 pm PDT mandy said: do as vegas says, not as she does ************************

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Angels Rest on the Columbia

Not too long ago, I got to experience the northern shore of the Columbia River courtesy of our friend Scoot Scoot, remember? Well, just this past weekend, I got a taste of the Oregon side of things. I think it is safe to say that the Columbia River from either vantage point is a worthy spectacle. Although the weather was hot and humid beyond my comfort level, I couldn't pass up the chance to get out of the city for a hike with friends. When we reached the top, after significant elevation gain*, I could really see where it got its name from. If I were an angel, I think I would stop here and have a nice picnic. Besides the lovely view, the welcome breeze, the cheese and crackers*, I found this inspiration gem hidden off the trail a ways. After a group shot and more view admiring, we headed back to the city for a BBQ. Good time abound here in Portland, I've decided.

Tuesday July 17 2007

File under: travel, pics

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on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 11:29 am PDT Saxtor said: So where, precisely, was this hike? Looks like a cool spot. ************************ on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 12:22 pm PDT Wren said: This wonderful little hike can be found at latitude:45.55968 longitude:-122.17295 (or for those non-nerds among you, off eastbound I-84 at exit #28 (Bridal Veil))And I forgot to mention the plentiful and varied berries we found along the trail. We couldn't identify them but they sure were tasty! ************************

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Sand in the City

While out meandering around the city the other day, I am came across a neat little exhibit in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown. While a far cry from the sand castles of my youth, these sand sculptures were pretty neat. I even caught one in the process of being finished. All I know is that back in my days of sand sculpting, trowels, squirt bottles, and wooden frames were not part of the standard issue equipment. Anyhoo, check out these dandy little pictures: Overview of the festivities (did I mention there was music and food going down as well?); Calvin and Hobbes lookalikes; reading brings the world alive unless there is a dragon under your bed unless, of course, he is a smiley dragon; and a Burgerville Display. To check out the official Sand in the City site, click here.

Monday July 16 2007

File under: pics, travel

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on Mon 16th Jul, 2007 06:49 pm PDT Wilbur said: ha! that's cool. never seen anything like that before. ************************ on Mon 16th Jul, 2007 07:43 pm PDT Chris said: Wait, you're not trying to say they rivaled the great Sandcropolis of 2007 are you? ************************ on Tue 17th Jul, 2007 10:28 am PDT Sean said: Ahhh, BdW. My window to culture and neat stuff.The sand out here is not conducive to building neat things, unless you think a cathole is neat. ************************ on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 10:36 pm PDT Cyndi said: Try this world championship sand castle contest at Harrison Hot Springs, CAN. It is fantastic. http://www.harrisand.org/ Sorry Chris, no comparison. We went for two days last year and got to vote for our favorites. Tournament of champions is on display now. http://harrisand.org/toc.html ************************

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Small Town Parades

Small town parades are one of the great joys of living in Anacortes. Sure, it is mostly classic cars, candy, kids on bikes, and shameless commercialism (although this guy spiced it up, making me feel better about bowing out of my two year tradition). But chances are, you know somebody in at least one of the troupes which always makes it fun. Plus, walking down the streets, you are bound to run into people you haven't seen in a while, and it is always good to catch up. One of the bummers that gets me every year is the on-it's-way-to-the-trash-heap crap that Shell Oil and others insist on throwing to the masses. Stop by Kiwanis the week after the parade, and I bet you'll find hundreds of those unthrowable frisbees stuck in purgatory on the shelves. And those are the ones that didn't end up the garbage, like I'm sure the majority of them did. Also, do we really need to pretend we are New Orleans and do the beads thing? The plastic crap is one aspect of the parade I could do without. On the up side, however, there was a pleasant counterpoint, a new addition to this year's parade. A troupe advocating carbon reduction marched along advocating living in harmony with nature, using bikes and public transportation, and more*. Star of their group was the much talked about electric car. Yep, living in a small town ain't so bad at all. Top it all off with a top notch fireworks display this evening, and I'll pick Anacortes's Fourth of July any day.

Wednesday July 4 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 09:30 pm PDT Cyndi said: I like your tallness better! ************************ on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 09:47 pm PDT Amanda said: I'm so sad I didn't get to go to the parade this year- and I'm even more bummed that I missed the fireworks. Thank you for your lovely photographs. ************************ on Thu 05th Jul, 2007 08:35 pm PDT Wilbur said: I missed the parade...on purpose...but i did catch the fireworks...i could actually see em from my front yard! I was stoked...so i sat on the bench and enjoyed them last night...awesome. ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 12:06 pm PDT Sean said: Holy crap it's July. ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:09 pm PDT Sean said: Sean, what's the deal with your frequent BdW commenting and your infrequent sirmaxalot commenting?? I thought the Marine Corps instilled loyalty and such. P.S. Why no stilt man this year, Wren? ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:11 pm PDT Sean said: (The above is from me. Sean is not chastising Sean yet, as far as I know, but the desert can do crazy things to people.) ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:11 pm PDT Sean said: From Christen: Why won't it let me use my name? Hmmm... ************************

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Baby Time

It seems the talk amongst people my age these days is babies. Everyone is either having them, thinking about having them, reading blogs about them, or fawning over someone else's. Put me in the latter category. This past week, I've had the opportunity of chilling with Ms. Clara (of Emily and Clara fame) while she and her mom were out visiting from Las Vegas. It is sometimes hard to appreciate the little observations and joys shared on other baby blogs like IHJ and SMaL by those of us that are so far removed from the baby world. Passing time with a young 'un this past week enhanced that appreciation for those little things* you are always hearing people talk about. Anyway, it was an awesome visit what with the beach, garden, frisbee, goobering, walking, and whatnot. (First item on the agenda after a week of baby time: a three hour nap. Good times.)

Sunday July 1 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Sun 01st Jul, 2007 11:02 pm PDT Saxtor said: Hmmm, your new home* doesn't have the same charm as the Out-Back... ************************ on Mon 02nd Jul, 2007 05:10 am PDT Chris said: Hey, anytime you need a baby fix, you just fly right on over here and take him for as long as you want. If you're too busy, I can alwyas next-day air him to ya too. Just make sure you open it right away, he can only eat so many of the peanuts before he realizes they're styrofoam. ************************ on Mon 02nd Jul, 2007 03:10 pm PDT Janet Bremer said: My, marvelous pictures of my gorgeous granddaughter. All 3 of you are SO photogenic. Janet B ************************ on Tue 03rd Jul, 2007 09:24 pm PDT Wilbur said: yea that kid was pretty cool. The coolest thing she did? when she would grab some toy, hold it over her head in triumphant victory, then spike it on the ground as if she were so over it...and then do it again. ;-) ************************ on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 11:50 am PDT Jule said: that is some look on ms. clara's face in the "whatnot" picture. just what is she thinking? planning how to take over the world? ************************

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Scraptacular

Scrapbooking is all the rage these days. Back in my employed days at www.PhotoWorks.com*, we were always taking the scrapbooking crowd into account when designing our products. ("Who would possibily want to order an empty book? Oh yeah, scrapbookers.") Besides knowing that scrap bookers might want to purchase an empty book and fill it with pictures themselves, I didn't really know much of the nitty-gritty about the world of scrapbooking. When I got back from Asia, I was thinking that I should a book together for myself. I had saved maps, ticket stubs, and of course had lots of pictures. When looking around and talking to people about scrapbooking, I found that it was much more complicated than putting pictures and ticket stubs in a book. You needed embellishments. "Embellishments, embellishments, embellishments", a scrapper* friend told me. That same friend recently put together a scrapbook of my scooter trip for me as a gift. Let me tell you, it was a fine piece of work. Embellishments galore! Now that I have an idea of what a proper scrapbook looks like, I might have a go at my Asia one again. Not that I have a chance of equaling the style that is this, this, and this, but I can try.

Saturday June 23 2007

File under: pics, misc

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on Sat 23rd Jun, 2007 07:02 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Did PhotoWorks wrong you in some way? Who do you now recommend for our photo-based projects? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:10 pm PDT Saxtor said: I'm with Ryan. Are you withdrawing your endorsement on personal grounds, or has their product suffered in some way? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:33 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, little wierd, but Ok ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:36 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, I cant spell today, I have a cold ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 04:48 pm PDT Amanda said: oh come now wren, you're embellishment enough! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 05:52 pm PDT Wilbur said: nice! that's TOTALLY how i'd picture you'd look in scrapbook form. ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:37 pm PDT Jule said: that is scraptacular! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:38 pm PDT Jule said: ah crap, that is what your post is called, i am not original at all, ************************ on Mon 25th Jun, 2007 12:20 pm PDT Sean said: Only 15 piece of flair? Come on. ************************ on Wed 27th Jun, 2007 06:53 am PDT Nesbitt said: I read the following article and thought Blog Du Wren. Thought you would enjoy it. Not sure if Baltimore's haul would be nearly as good.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/garden/21freegan.html?pagewanted=1 ************************

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Public Water Features

As far as public art goes, I would have to say that water features are my favorite (with the exception of maybe functional art like bus shelters, etc.). In my meanderings around and about, a good water feature will always stop me in my tracks. One of my favorite attractions in Rome was Trevi Fountain. The Bellagio's fountain in Vegas captures me. At the mall in Pattaya Thailand, I sat and watched a funky little water feature for hours (while I ate $0.65 oreo blizzards by the dozen). It isn't just in far away places that water features add to the interest of an urban landscape. Just the other day in Seattle, with a couple hours to kill, I thought I would do a quick tour to see what I could find. Pictured to the right is a calm little fountain next to Key Area at the Seattle Center. Also at the Seattle center is the famous International Fountain which, esp. in the summer, doubles as functional art keeping people cool. Downtown has a couple neat little fountains like this one at the Baimbridge Ferry Terminal, this serene waterfall at the birth place of UPS (privately maintained), and one of my favorites at 5th and James. Also vying for a top spot in my favorites are some of the basalt fountains at Amazon.com. I didn't get a chance to trek up to Cal Anderson Park to snap a picture of that great fountain. So next time you are scurrying through a city with your head down, look up and enjoy some of the public water features!

Friday April 20 2007

File under: misc, pics

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on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:59 am PDT Saxtor said: I too pay attention to water features, but less for the aesthetic (though not always) and more for the sound and the feeling they elicit. The UPS one is a great example of this. When you walk by that place, you're drawn in by the heavy vegetation and obvious park-ness of it. But once inside, the sound is completely different than the cacophony of the city noises. Water features can express many different types of sound, this particular one suggests being in the forest. Also, when you walk into the enclosed area of the UPS park (or in proximity to most water features), the air temperature drops a measurable amount that tells you you are in a different place. The smell also changes (sometimes to chlorine). What amazes me is every time I have passed the UPS park, I have only seen one or two people at a time sitting and enjoying it. Also, I have been by the Amazon fountains countless times on my way to Uwajimaya from the train station, but it wasn't until you brought to my attention that that was Amazon did I have the foggiest clue the purpose of that building. ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 04:28 pm PDT per said: there's a project in Vancouver by Arthur Erikson that employs the water feature in a stealth way. It's a courtyard bldng where the lower level facing the street becomes a sheet of water that pours out of the 2nd floor above. visually it's open as the main entrance, but the water completely eradicates any noise pollution from the clanky vroom vrooms happenin at street level. http://www.hillside.ca/1540/erickson.htm http://www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca/faculty_projects/terri/gallery/waterfall_gallery.html ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:16 pm PDT Mom said: Imagine a huge waterfall in Spring during the early melt, imagine surround-sound and then you can imagine what a large water feature does in the center of a bustling city. Downtown Minneapolis has such a place as well, next to Symphony Hall--a place to really get away from the city. Also, remember that touch-of-the-wild fountain at REI. ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:58 pm PDT Sweet Julie said: I like cascadas, personally. ************************ on Sat 21st Apr, 2007 04:04 pm PDT amanda said: what about the one in your own backyard?? i like that one too ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 11:56 am PDT Sean said: I enjoy peeing from high places.Wren enjoys peeing down his leg. I have pictures. ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 09:03 pm PDT Wren said: Speaking of water features, Sean, I happened by the Seattle International fountain again this weekend and realize this was a much better angle for a photo. ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 09:38 pm PDT Sean said: Uhhhh that's a lot of peepee.I like the Swiss Family Robinson water gathering contraption. ************************

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Rust In Peace

Good cars—I mean cars that we really love—don't come along very often in our lives. It is with great sadness that I had to let Marilyn go this past weekend. She lived to a ripe old age of 309,811 miles. Now she has gone to a better place, the vehicle donation program at KUOW. Hopefully someone out there will find a use for some of her parts, so she can continue to live on in one form or another. But instead of focusing on the sad, let me look back on the good times she provided. We shared accomplishments,setbacks, learning experiences, and confusion. She took me on adventures and was always patiently waiting for me when I came home. Marilyn, you will be missed.

Monday April 16 2007

File under: transportation, pics

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on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 02:48 pm PDT Saxtor said: A great eulogy for a great car! It should also be noted that the fourth BdW post was about the car. God speed old girl! ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 03:27 pm PDT Andrew said: I spent more than a few hours in that car, and I must say, each was an adventure in it's own right. She shall be missed. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 04:20 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Sad. RIP. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:08 pm PDT Doubting Mom said: In all honesty I admit that at 250,000 miles with white smoke billowing out her tail pipe I was a non-believer. Marilyn, you have proven that trust alone can make a car go. Wren believed in you to the end. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:24 pm PDT Jule said: I would like to advise the members of KUOW not to take any part of the car involved in steering. Marylin, I love you, but talk about a speed shudder! You couldn't look out the rearview mirror, and that wasn't cause she was missing one! It is good to know she has gone to a better place. RIP ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:27 pm PDT Jule said: whoa! new background for the title of BdW? what gives? ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:27 pm PDT Jule said: whoa! it changes all the time! ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:53 pm PDT Saxtor said: Also, since Wren likes statistics, lets take a look at Marilyn's sordid, dirty past. If Marilyn averaged 30mpg (research shows 27/33mpg city/hwy) she slurped down 10,327 gallons of sweet Middle Eastern nectar in her lifetime. That's a whopping 56800 pounds of carbon she pumped into the ol' atmosphere! This sounds like a lot, but here is where it shows that Marilyn was an extraordinary car, and Wren an extraordinary car-owner. According to EPA statistics, the average car pumps out 11,681 pounds of carbon per year (at a conservative 12,000mi/year @ 21.1mpg) which means it would take the average driver less than 5 years to generate as much carbon as team Marilyn/Wren. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:59 pm PDT Saxtor said: (although, much like our parents used to drink soda with real sugar vs. today's high fructose corn syrup, Marilyn likely drank mostly North American oil in her early days) ************************ on Tue 17th Apr, 2007 11:37 am PDT Sean said: I gave Marilyn sugar once. Only the best for Marilyn! None of that high fructose corn syrup garbage. ************************ on Wed 18th Apr, 2007 07:05 am PDT Nesbitt said: By the way Wren, Honda is still kicking. ************************ on Wed 18th Apr, 2007 09:47 am PDT Wren said: I was thinking of Honda when I wrote this. I remember the jump starts they shared back in the good old Bates' days. ************************ on Wed 18th Apr, 2007 02:56 pm PDT Deanna said: Marilyn, there is a huge void in my heart(and behind my house) We will miss ya! ************************ on Thu 19th Apr, 2007 08:54 pm PDT Siri said: I think Elton John said it best in the song "Candle in the Wind":"Goodbye Norma Jean,Though I never knew you at all.You had the grace to hold yourselfWhile those around you crawled. . .And it seems to me you lived your lifeLike a candle in the wind,Never knowing who to cling toWhen the rain set in.And I would have liked to have known youBut I was just a kid.Your candle burned out long before,Your legend never did."Get it? It's a Marilyn Monroe reference. RDRR. ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 07:26 am PDT me said: where will the random drunk guy crash now that she's gone? ************************ on Wed 13th Jun, 2007 07:43 pm PDT Auntie Rose said: Wren'Thanks for taking such loving care of Marilyn. She was so good to me and to you as well.I have never had such a fun time in a car as I did with Marilyn. She was always ready for any adventure, thats why I knew the two of you would be a perfect match. DOn't evben be thinking that you are getting my HYbred TOyota Hylander any time soon however >Love Ya like family, oh thats right you are family. :) ************************

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Estamos En Fuego

Who said sparklers were just for kids or making bombs*? With a little creativity, a fancy schmancy camera, and a little help from the internet, lots of fun can be had. In honor of the IHJ invasion, Ryan held one of his world renowned Movie Nights. (Casino Royale was this episode's feature.) After the movie (and pizza, cake, and splargus*), Ryan coaxed us all outside for a little sparkler art. While I was a little reluctant at first (partially because of the cold, partially because the chances for undesirable fire consequences were not as slim as one would hope), I quickly got into the spirit once I saw the results. Outlining was the first course of business. Here's Ryan, me, and Chris and Jenn. (You may notice a bit of a solar flare above Chris in that last one. He took it like a champ!) After we had our fun with outlining, we tried a little skywriting. As you can tell, I was decidedly unsuccessful.

Sunday April 15 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 12:34 pm PDT Andrew said: nice pics champ! too bad art is for nerds! ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 08:28 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Good times. Next time, we'll do it on a warmer night so we can perfect it! ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 08:34 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: You're right -- splargus is cran-raspberry. Splongus is cran-apple. ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 10:11 pm PDT Sean said: OlogduWon? What the heck does that mean?I did the rhinocerous juggling trick out here. It was a big hit. Poop is universally funny. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:26 pm PDT Jule said: wow! you guys look like angels! that is really neat. ************************ on Sat 21st Apr, 2007 03:53 pm PDT amanda said: but did you actually burn anything? ************************

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