Merry Christmas to all from us Bears.

Scenes of Christmas Day 2008

Around Millerton Lake

The Avellar boys bring their friends to Millerton for a campfire and hike.


Sunset in winter at Millerton Lake

The Weekend at Millerton

Big bass tournament here this weekend. Lots of boats, campers, families.


Junior rangers getting their badges from "Ranger Dan." They were collecting trash.

Millerton Lake 2008-2009 Season

We're back at Millerton Lake for our sixth season as winter camphosts. We even had friends here waiting for us that first weekend. There were friends from San Jose and friends from Madera.

I was back east (Virginia) for my mom's funeral. Karen went also from Washington State. It was a wonderful time with family. She died peacefully on October 28, 2008 in the evening. Her heart just gave out. Lots of friends and family came to honor her.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (uh, lake) Bear was holding the fort. He told everyone I'd be back on Monday. So this weekend both couples showed up again. Fun! This is a beautiful place. No, it doesn't get really cold here in winter. Remember, we are where the oranges grow on trees. Really! So if the oranges don't freeze, we don't either.

Back to California

We don't have any pictures yet, but we're back in California at Beale AFB near Marysville and north of Sacramento. We had to dig out our summer clothes again because it's in the 80's instead of the 60's. We'll be here until the last week in October and then go on to Millerton Lake to assume our winter host duties.

Always enough work to do

Many of you have been following us in Prosser, WA this summer. If not, go to the post for August 16 to find out how we got here. The weed patch (left, above) is an ongoing project. It has taken several weeks to uncover the wonderful evergreen ground cover that makes this a lovely spot (right, above). We've put down a pre-emergent in some areas. We still have to get the native grasses out of a few areas, but it's basically finished. We're wrapping up things and getting ready to head south.

The wisteria was Bear's first assigned task. We think it grows four feet of stringers every night. The trellis covers a patio area that will accommodate fifteen or twenty people. It faces east and west and has a good breeze. A couple of times this summer Warren has hosted a cookout for friends from his church, our church, the neighborhood, and our kids, Eric and Karen from Richland came to one. It was a great time for people to get to know one another.











The picture to the left is the front of the house taken about sunset. To the right is the driveway that leads to where our camper is parked (in the turnaround). [Clicking on a picture will give you a larger image.]

More Balloon Rally Pictures

When we woke up Sunday morning, there were balloons all around us. Bear dressed quickly and started taking pictures as he walked across the lawn toward the river. We saw several balloons skim the water of the Yakima River. One landed and deflated right next door. Several others landed in the park directly across the river from us. The people on the bridge got a spectacular view as balloons dipped into the river on both sides of them.

Prosser Balloon Rally 2008

Today is the first day of the Prosser Balloon Rally. We are so excited because being by the river and two blocks from the air field, we have front row seats. So we're giving you some views from our front row.

The two balloons below tried to do "feet wet" in the Yakima River. One made it. The other was too high and ran out of room before he crossed the river.
These last pictures were taken looking at the next door neighbor's lawn, a view over our camper, a view down the river, and a view over the trees beside us.


What goes up must come down

Plans for Fall

The Prosser Balloon Rally is here. Today, September 26, 2008! It's not Albuquerque, but it is right in our front yard, front row seats by the river. When these people touched down with their balloon, they were actually talking to us. It's quite a lot of fun. Our granddaughter Katie will be performing with the Tri-Cities Steel Band tomorrow.

About the end of the first week of the October we will travel back to the Fresno area to begin our sixth season as winter hosts at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. "Ranger Dan" has already called to find out when he can expect us. We will probably spend a couple of weeks unwinding at Beale AFB. Then we will arrive at Millerton Lake before the first of November.

Eric, Karen, and Katie Lipp in Europe

In June and July, Eric, Karen, and Katie went to Europe with Eric's parents celebrating their 50th anniversary. They traveled to Estonia, where John Lipp was born, to France to see Merrie Goddard, and then to London to see several plays.

The Bears in Prosser

As many of you know, we came to Prosser, Washington in April to work for a private RV park. By the first of July, we were asking the Lord for a new direction. As we prayed, we received a call from some people in the church we attend. Would we meet with a friend of theirs who was looking for someone to do care and maintenance on his 1.7 acres on the Yakima River? We met with Warren, and the next day moved our camper onto his property.

We know the Lord brought us here for this purpose. Warren is 79 years old and physically as fit as a fifty year old. He has been a contractor/builder for more than fifty years. This home was his creation and was designed for hospitality. He keeps it immaculate. He also does much of the yard work and continues to work on new homes and home improvement projects. As you may well imagine, he needs help with yard work.

So we are here. We put in at least five hours of yard work five days a week. We also offer meals to this "bachelor" who does not cook. We have wonderful fellowship together. We look forward to more of the same.

Katie Lipp and the Tri-Cities Steel Band

One main reason for our being in the Lower Yakima Valley and the Tri-Cities area this summer is to spend time with our granddaughter Katie Lipp. Katie will be a senior in high school this year. So we are trying to get to as many of her "gigs" with the Tri-Cities Steel Band as possible. The band will be playing again in Prosser during the Balloon Rally (see posting for Fall events).











We've also hiked with Katie and Karen in the Cascades on Snoqualmie Pass.