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.

Relaxation on the Yakima River

We were guests for a pontoon boat ride on the Yakima River. Evenings are cool. The river that evening was calm.