Mary and I had a wonderful visit with my sister Gloria and her family in Upland, CA last week. Present during our visit were all six of Gloria's children and all but one spouse. Also, present was Gloria's new friend Cal. Gloria and Cal met recently while attending a bereavement group. All the family appear to be doing great.

The country life continues. Elley visited early last week, and Mom and Dad Strehl arrived while she was here and stayed until today. With visitors we rafted the Nanthahala River, rode the Blue Ridge Parkway, visited Cherokee, and enjoyed watching waterfalls.

On Sunday we went to Hot Springs, NC with the Strehl's. We hiked the A.T. into town while the parents enjoyed the town itself. The hike included a descent to the French Broad River zig-zagging down the bluff. The tiny town is a back-packers haven. It is the first town that the trail passes through from the south end. A.T. plaques are part of the sidewalk all along Main Street.

We thought we'd check in since we have a temporary period of access to the rest of the world. We just completed a 3 night adventure in Yellowstone backcountry. Lots of fun!! Lots of hiking. If you feel like looking on a map, we hiked to Bighorn Pass one day and Fawn Pass another day (roughly 9100 feet elevation). Base camp was 5 miles in from West Yellowstone, along the Gallatin River (roughly 7500 feet elevation). Many elk seen but mostly when hiking with 10 people and llamas, few close encounters (all but Anna got up from our picnic area to explore, and an elk walked within 10 feet of her, thinking we were all gone).

If you have the time, and it does take some time, then you should try
this. MENSA (organization for really smart people) says if you can
solve this problem in a reasonable amount of time (20 minutes) then your
IQ should be well above average to Genius.

This quiz was made up by Albert Einstein and according to him 98% will
not solve it.

There is a row of five houses, each having a different colour. In these
houses live five people of various nationalities. Each of them nurtures
a different beast, likes different drinks and smokes different brand of
cigars.

1. The Brit lives in the Red house.

We had a lovely Saturday together as a family. Dan had gotten in on Thursday so we had a nice game of Up and Down the River that night. Friday the men in the family went to Auriesville and walked around. Apparently, they have sold the Retreat House, where we think Uncle Francis died, so they couldn't get to that building. I had to work so they all graciously and pleasantly agreed to go on the Pitchoff hike with me in the Adirondacks on Saturday. We heard a strange sound probably a bird but it was almost mammal sounding--we actually thought it was kids fooling around for a long time. Another bird was flutelike in its song so I thought that might be a thrush.

Mid-summer in the mountains. It is a warm 85 degrees and the sun in intense. At dawn it was foggy and cool as usual. About nine o'clock the sun had dried out the lawn and turned the day toasty. Chuck had watered the garden areas where he planted the second crops of lettuce and beans last Friday. We are already enjoying the harvest of lettuce from the first crop and a bit of basil, coriander, and dill. The corn is already stately and thigh high. No major problems with pests. The dogs are always on patrol, but we still worry that some Peter Rabbit will elude them and find a way through the wire.

This article caught my eye becuase it has the byline,"York. PA" and was a positive message.

"Arabs in York, PA"