Do I want to walk with rhinos?

Top Ten Reasons I am reconsidering a trip to Kenya

10. I don’t have boots for the jungle

9. I don’t want to pack boots for the jungle

8. I don’t like hiking through jungles since I’ve read Hank’s account from the Amazon.

7. I would l rather experience working among the Kenyan people not among animals.

6. I cannot shoot a gun.

5. I don’t want to watch anyone shoot a gun.

4. I don’t like an armed guard near me.

3. I don’t want to spend 15 days in fear.

2. I would not like staying in Nairobi alone.

1. I’m waiting to be convinced that I need to travel with Earthwatch.


A friend of a friend just returned from Kenya after many trips there. He said these were the worst conditions he’d experienced and considered it not the time to visit.

Believe me I initially thought I would like to go but these things are on my mind. I know the Kenyans need tourists and are still encouraging visitors.

Top Ten Reasons I am considering a trip to Kenya

10. Anticipating Africa is entertaining.

9. I can get those cool boots with WSU printed on them.

8. Fellow tourists will be interesting.

7. Everyone has to die of something sometime.

6. I get to meet Kenyans and their children.

5. Earthwatch will be safeguarding their members.

4. I have a travel group.

3. I get to leave Spokane for two weeks.

2. I get to visit the continent of Africa.

1. Finally, Ta dah--I get to spend time with Judy or should this go on the first Top Ten List? Just joking, of course.

Thanks Judy

Next to a physician’s stamp of approval or maybe before, your approval has always been very important to me so thanks for sending the previous comment. I will try to keep your wise words in perspective but it is difficult to keep from thinking that with just a little assistance here and there my mom could be functioning well in her former location.

The pressure is off now and she is very relaxed and content as you can see from her photo where she’s wearing someone’s blouse that evidently got mixed up in the laundry. Yesterday she came to my house for dinner and when Brett's family and Ray and Claire arrived she took me aside and suggested that we leave now as it was getting too crowded here. I had to tell her it was my house. It reminded me of some 38 years ago when she came to Everett bringing Cyd with her as Cyd had been staying in Warden while Brett and I went to Dallas for his eye surgery. After about an hour at our house in Everett Cyd said, "Let's go home now, Mommy" to Alberta as she'd been gone from me for several weeks and was ready to pass me off for Grandma in a second.

The state department's travel advisory for Kenya sounds pretty ominous to me. I’m not afraid for my safety but I would not like the hassle involved in getting a passport and or visa replaced in Nairobi which no doubt would be the least of the possible problems.

We had 6-8 inches of snow a few nights ago so I’m almost ready to send a photo to Ron but our snow isn’t quite as high as it is at their cabin. I’m wondering if we have reservations at Vernonia for Memorial Day. Maybe Jill has that answer. Oprah's website says they're looking for reunion stories. Do we have one?

Happy Alberta

Sorry, Seattle

Cyd’s house is quiet and I’m sitting here among a pile of toys trying to think of fun things to do before the twins wake up from their naps. Cyd and Dave just left for a wedding and won’t be back until after the twins are in bed. Both boys have new teeth in front so maybe they will be happy tonight.

I’m still worrying about whether or not I should have moved my mom to a center with more care even though her doctor told me I absolutely did the right thing when we saw him last week. Things always seem to get a stamp of approval when a real medical doctor says so. My mom just doesn’t seem as upbeat as usual and I say its because only one other resident there is actually verbal. My kids remind me that Alberta’s topics of conversation are birds and clouds so I guess I need to get a proper perspective. Mostly I just want my mom to be happy.

Dave just finished watching the Seahawks get mowed down by your Bears. I’m so glad I don’t have to listen to you gloat today but I will hope you can go watch a Superbowl somewhere.

Leslie and I had an hour long video chat last week and she is beautiful to listen to though I feel so sorry for the state of her video screen. I hear she has a new Volks convertible and is going to Hawaii. Ron and Dorena must be buried in snow at Lake Wenatchee. The sun is shining in Washington so that makes the snow all the better.

Go Bears!

Alberta's New Room

My mom ended up this week as a permanent resident in the care unit. She seems to be making a seamless transition from her former location with its two lobby fireplaces and chandeliered dining room to the smaller, homelike atmosphere of the ten room Harbor Glen. I think the changes are barely noticeable to her especially after yesterday when her dresser, recliner and wall photos arrived. All her other belongings ended up here on my kitchen floor until I got all the important mementos of her life put neatly into 12 bankers boxes. She has been sleeping well and is wearing her earrings which I take as a good sign.

I’m getting to know her other table mates and they are interesting to say the least. Anna Marie went with me one day and the former Villanova basketball coach was trying to recruit her for his practice that afternoon. It was his good day I guess because most days he is sleeping in his wheelchair.

I know you have already signed up for your next Earthwatch adventure for 2007. I appreciate the invitation to join you on your Walking With the Rhinos vacation but this week isn’t the time to make up my mind. Besides after seeing your Amazon dancing photos I’m not sure I could keep up.

Thanks Judy and Arla

Thanks to Judy for the wonderful photos of her trip. Thanks to Arla for the cute picture of the twins and update on the family. The rest of the family needs to get "posting". I need to know how to post straight to this site. Otherwise I still go thru Arla's original email inviting us to post...

Any way, The Johanson-Kubin-Lee-Dehler-Wheat family spent a week in the snow together at Ron and Dorena's Cabin. A ton of snow. The two new snow mobiles came in handy. Had a total of 6 adult size plus three kid's size snowmobiles. Pat, kids and Regina and Jared (friend) skiied one day. We snowmobiled at least two trips a day and sometimes three. Pat broke the record of 97 mph on the "beast". Only 79 mph on the two new Phazers.

In door actitivities included a 1000 piece Dalmation puppy puzzle, a wooden board SUDOKO puzzle, card games, clue and dice games. Play Station 2 kept the boys entertained and a couple of movies....Cars and Second Hand Lion.

Had a jolly New Years around the firepit - buried deep in the snow-hut Pat carved for us. A roaring fire, tequila shooters, music, fireworks and noise makers rounded out the party. All the kids managed to stay up this year - even until 1:00 a.m.!

So lets hear about everyone's Holiday! I'll be checking.... Jill

Twins Are One

I keep checking this site to see if the contributors have contributed but nothing has changed. I guess it’s still my turn. Here are Peyton and Walker with their new birthday toy. They keep me going when I visit.

My mom keeps me going some too. She developed pneumonia on Friday and was sent to Sacred Heart Hospital for the night on Saturday. Sunday she returned to her living group and is now at their infirmary for a few days. She is very confused and weak but seems to be improving each day. I’m hoping tomorrow she can go back to her apartment. She has a difficult time sleeping so that doesn’t help give her the rest she needs.

Lucas and Miles stopped by for pizza tonight. Miles likes to climb the stairs and Lucas works hard at defeating enemies. It must be something with the male gene.

The neighbors and I are still walking in the morning and now we are wearing our yak trackers to keep us standing up. I loved the photos of your trip. Could you please post the Kodak Gallery address so everyone can see them?