September 4, 2004 - Lake Sawyer, Black Diamond, WA (Moscow, ID, LOW)

One of the challenges facing the parking crew was this "swamp" where the University had a leak in one of their water pipes, and didn't get it fixed as early as they should have.  We had some interesting times getting rigs around it, but thanks to the experienced "boss" of our section, Jim was able to fit them all in.  These 4X4's were really useful tools, too.  Jim gave me a ride more than once, and I was very grateful.  The first day of real parking, I walked over 8 miles, going back and forth.  Wore a brace on the knee and that helped a little, but mostly it helped my resolve to get that sucker fixed when we got to Federal Way!  And as I sit here today, I feel I really got Barb's money's worth.  Other than a little soreness from the procedure and three tiny little scabs, it's doing great, and it's only been a week and a half.  Doc said things should be "normal" in six weeks.

Inside one of the tents, some women are gathering early for a class, and then in the Administration tent we could drop off our class evaluations and pick up our mail.  The University really does a great job of making life easy for us, and the volunteers are indispensable.

The admin tent had several phone lines available for internet hookups if you didn't happen to have a WiFi setup at home.  The required board for notices was there too.

There were free books and books you could buy.  Many written by the teachers we were listening to.  Peggy Waterman was the grease that kept the squeaking wheels happy.  I could be wrong here, but I understand she's actually an employee of the University, but her main job seems to be coordinating stuff for these LOW conferences across the U. S.  Not sure how all that works, but it does.  And nicely, too.

Something for everybody.  Gaylord is also an excellent marketer.

Yup, something for everybody.  And that impressive looking rack of free literature is a lot more challenging to put together the first time than it looks like!  We got to do it twice, too, because the first time we put it together it was in the wrong place, and it has no wheels!

Several years ago, friend John came up with the idea of building a system whereby people could be located.  The final rendition of that system is here on the board.  "Where are you LOWcated?"  Not sure who came up with that, but it sure sounds like John.  You find the name you're looking for on the lists on the left, and then go to the map on the right, and bingo.  You're LOWcated.  Also darn handy for the fire department too!  And because of all the running around he does, John was issued this nifty golf cart.  Actually, I think he rented it for the occasion.  We hitched rides with him on more than one occasion, too.  He had to cover all of the parking lots to make sure the numbering system was working right.  In my view, an administrative headache.  Fortunately for people like me, there's people like John in this world.

"Graduation" time.  Last of the conference wrap-up, including door prizes.  Because the official photographer for LOW at this session (again, friend John) was busy as a presenter, I got drafted as the photographer, and was able to snag a few choice photos for here.

Gaylord presenting the door prize of free parking and tuition for next year's conference, and Dick Reed presenting the free instruction certificate for a driving school session.

Friend John presenting the Grand Prize certificate for a free trip to Mexico or the equivalent in Wal-Mart gift certificates.  Since the recipients were from Florida, I think they took the Wal-Mart gift.  John was one of the major sponsors of this year's conference, and donated the Grand Prize.  And then a final party over at the Maxwells for the parking crew.  On the left with the blue skirt is Carolyn who has attended every single conference Gaylord has had.  All 10 of them.  I accused her of having a bad memory.  She took the joke well because I managed to get a wonderful cinnamon roll she'd done for one of the cooking classes she taught.  Then Gaylord's wife Margie, Pam Steffen, Judy Bluestone, and Kay Hill.

Not sure who's telling whom what, but I do know for a fact that the first liar didn't have a chance!  That's Ray Hill to my right, Gaylord Maxwell, and JJ Williams.

Isn't that the way?  Any time any guys goes near a bar-b-que or lifts the lid of his car/truck, it's not long and there's plenty of "help"!

Now lessee......if I needed a car to tow behind my motorhome, I wonder what I should be considering.  This small gathering has too many years cumulative in the RV'ing lifestyle to count, and we have 4 Jeeps and 2 Saturns....and nothing else!  Actually, the last survey I saw gave the Saturn and Jeep a neck & neck run for 1st place, with everything else a distant 3rd.  Today I'm not so sure it's the same.  But we're sure happy with our Jeep and most the people we talk to feel the same way.  We know of one couple who had an older one and traded for a Honda CRV, and there are lots of others out there that are as easy to tow.  And as you can tell by the arms in the air, good stories abound at gatherings like these.

Alan and Judy Bluestone were the recipients of these jackets by Gaylord as a "thank you" for heading up the parking crew for the last several years.  Next year they plan to be in Alaska for the summer updating their photos for the class they teach on traveling to Alaska and photography, so Jim will be taking the job.

Susie looking for handouts, and me perusing the wonderful scrapbook that had been presented to Gaylord and Margie.

Well, yeah, it was funny, but was it really that funny?  Kay & Ray have been in and out of our lives now for almost four years.  You might remember them from our cranberry harvest way back in October of 2002.  Kay's sporting a beautiful cast as the result of a nasty tumble off a ladder.  Last week I heard she's doing great--no more cast--and the progress with physical therapy is exceptional.  The Maxwell's like flowers, that's for sure!

Even the cattails are pretty here.  See that activity in the pond?  It's because Gaylord has tossed some food to the fish in there.  He asked Susie if it was time to feed the fish, and she went wild running around and barking.  She'd run to the end of the pier and back waiting for him to get there with the food.  It was crazy the way that little dog got off on watching the fish break the surface.  When he was finished, Gaylord simply told Susie they were done, and she shut up and trotted off the  pier as if nothing at all unusual had happened.  Try as I might, I couldn't get a decent shot of her dancing around barking like crazy there on the end of the pier.

Barb always finds neat flowers for us, doesn't she.