That's not just any duck. See the crutches? With only 27 work days left to go, Mike is officially a

LAME DUCK

.
Carrying through with the poultry them, I'm his "biker chick".

Sunset in Seattle

This is the view from the balcony in our condo in downtown Seattle right above the ferry dock. There's no place like home...isn't this a spectacular sky? My mom (the artist) would say that if you painted a sky like that no one would believe it!

Spokane, WA

Inside the Cessna 182, we have future pilot Madeline and copilot Alana with mom Christina looking into the cockpit. They really got a kick out of sitting in Grandpa's airplane and watching the planes take off!

Albuquerque Eclipse Traning

Here's Mike about to step into the simulator for the Eclipse 500. It has a real cockpit with all the bells and whistles, and a wrap around screen that can display just about any major airport you want to try out. You can also create weather on a whim, or have a 747 fly right in your path. It definitely keeps you on your toes.

One of Mike's instructors is Casey Jones, a former lead Blue Angel!

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

This part of the Fiesta is called "special shapes". The beer mug was a definite crowd favorite!

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We've been wanting to go to this for years! It's a whole week of balloon events with literally hundreds of balloons in the air at one time. The balloon pilots have accuracy competitions where they have to drop weighted ribbons in specific targets on the fairgrounds for points and prizes.

Swimming in Scottsdale

This sure beats Seattle in late September. It was still 80 degrees outside after sunset. (Okay, so it's pretty toasty in the daytime!)

In Moline, IL for Nick & Emilee's wedding

Mike's nephew found his dream girl, and what a party it was!!! Congratulations to the happy couple!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This is the central plaza in Jackson Hole, and the archway here is made out of antlers. I finally went to the doctor about my rib after a local said to Mike that ..."things are kind of rugged here in Wyoming, are you going to take your wife to the doctor or are you going to put her down?"

Market comment from Seattle

The Lusty Lady, a local institution in Seattle with the best marquees ever... wins the market comment of the week, hands down.

Captain Mike flies the Eclipse 500

Eclipse Aviation http://www.eclipseaviation.com/ had a fly-in at Sunriver, OR. After waiting seven long years, Mike finally got to pilot an actual Eclipse 500 (I got to ride, too!). It was a sweet ride and a nice treat on his actual 60th birthday!

Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell

By far the most popular destination on Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge stands majestically above the clear blue water creating an awe-inspiring sight. Photographs simply cannot capture the size of this monolith. The world's largest natural bridge, Rainbow Bridge is 290 feet tall, spans 275 feet, is 33 feet wide and 42 feet thick. It is called "Nonnoshoshi" by the Navajo people, or "rainbow turned to stone." The stone bridge is formed of Navajo Sandstone at the top and Kayenta Sandstone at the base. Its deep spiritual significance is respected and we were asked not to walk beyond the viewing area.

Romancing Lake Powell

Lake Powell has lots of cool shady slot canyons to swim in - they get so narrow you have to squeeze in. By the way, Mike and I are three years married and still going strong!

Lake Powell, Arizona

Lake Powell is a magical place on the border between Arizona and Utah. It's like the Grand Canyon, filled with beautiful 80 degree clear water. The shores are all natural, except for the rare marina, so houseboating is the way to go. We had QUITE the birthday party with 45 family members on 4 houseboats for a week. We set up in a great little cove and did day trips from there by power boat or jet ski. On shore we had volleyball, nerf golf, floaty toys, scavenger hunts, costume parties, spanking machines...you name it!!

High activity adventures @ Lake Powell

That top photo might look a little innocent, but it was followed by a MAJOR battle for king of the floating island, complete with water cannons and dunking. (Congrats to nieces Aimee and Ashley who held down the fort while the guys attacked each other!)

The bottom photo was the incredible ZIP LINE set up by our guides - it went from the rocks about 160 yards up in the air down to the water in Lake Powell. It looks like Mike is balancing his tip toes on the rock, doesn't it?

The Birthday Boy @ Lake Powell

The shirt reads " You may be better at sports, but I get more chicks". Niiiiiiice.
Check out the water skiing photo...not bad for 60, huh??

Breaking Ribs in Lake Powell

That's Sue in the middle, sandwiched by Mike's sisters Kathy & Cookie. We made the mistake of letting Mike drive the boat...once he hit the throttle, we all went flying into the water. Broken ribs are not for sissies...it only hurts when you breathe!