Summer Vacations

It has been a few days since I have been on here but I've been keeping myself busy. Working all last week and looking forward to doing it again this week. I had a good weekend, playing some ultimate frisbee as well as getting my car washed and cleaned out. There is a possibility that I will be going to the Portland Highland Games this Saturday and then after that I'm off to Bend for camping at Tumalo State Park. Neither Tim or Kevin will be able to come camping with us either. Another bummer is that I'm going to miss the VW Jetta TDI Cup that is coming to PIR on the weekend that I will be gone.

John

Making Memories

I had a great Memorial Day Weekend camping with my family. I was a little scattered driving back for Graduation, staying the night, then working Saturday morning. I also came back into town to drop Timmy off. Ultimate Frisbee was great, and the Thunderstorm really was exciting. I got sunburned the first day so my personal toaster oven inside my jacket kept me warm. I had a hard time sleeping because of the sunburn on my shoulders and last night the aloe Mom put on made my skin stick to my bed sheets. We had some great times and I'm looking forward to this summer, my last few months in the States for a while.

John

Gone Camping

I'm going camping today. The weather has cooled down and it's been raining lightly, which is good to keep the allergens down while we are camping. I hauled a ton (literally) of brick yesterday out of a house from a chimney we demolished. An equal amount was hauled out the day before by Mr. Dutton and Brandon. Working early, staying up late, that hows things go for me around here.

John

Building the Perfect Wake

It seems that the more crazy fun stuff that I do, you know all that fun stuff that would be so perfect for a blog entry, the less I actually write about it.

Two weeks ago Evan, Sara, and I went camping on Lemon Island with the Olsons for their annual family camping trip. We only stayed for one night but we really packed the time we had. On Sunday, the first day were there, we went tubing on the river. I had been tubing once before and doing it again was so much fun. It really wears you down though. The next day started off a little slower but the tempo picked up when Kevin and some other of Andy and Davey's friends showed up. After messing around on the island a little and hanging out we finally got out on the water to do some wake boarding. I was so pumped but waited my turn until some of the others tried it. When I got in the water I was fully expecting to be able to get up on the board after a few tries. I tried four times but didn't end up getting it. I was last and we wanted to head back to give the girls a chance to do some tubing so I was finished for the day. After that we started to slowly pack up our tent and our gear to get ready to go that evening. We all had fun and it was really quite and experience.

The very next weekend Kevin, Tim, L.J., and I went camping with L.J.'s family at Detroit Lake for four days. We started our amazing journey on Sunday right after church and the fun and excitement didn't stop until we got back. I got on the wake board on my second try and after that it was really easy. Kevin also got up on the wake board after trying a few times the week before at the island. That was a really big thing for Kevin. The weather was nice and the water was amazing. Wake boarding every day and Axis & Allies every night, what a camping trip. On my last run Tim was taking pictures and videos of me so I have quite a bit of footage from our time. The boat we were using was one of L.J.'s friend's and it was a really nice boat. We ended up spending a lot of time just hanging out on the water. We had a great trip, my happiness level was 9-10 the whole time.

And finally, this weekend after work on Friday my family all got packed up and we headed out of town to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a night. Mom had a class reunion on Woahink lake so we stayed and our Grandparent's house while they were camping with my Uncle, Aunt and cousins. One of Mom's classmates, who has been friends of Dad since before high school, was going to bring his boat for us to go wake boarding but the day they left the truck wouldn't start so we are going to reschedule for another time. After hanging out at the picnic for a while we, the Bower children, scooted off to the beach with Joel and Jesse a the North Jetty. After purloining part of the jetty we went back to the picnic and got ready to go. When we left, heading for home, we stopped down on Bay Street to buy a fish. We got it straight from the fisherman. Then we stopped for ice cream at BJ's. After a quick stop at Gram's house we were on our way home. It's nice to be at home again.

John

The Trip

It wasn't exactly the camping trip to end all camping trips - thank goodness - but it was a great camping trip. You know, I find it funny. Every year that we have gone to Tumalo State Park our emphasis has been on Frisbee and swimming. This year though, I only went swimming on one day and we only played frisbee twice. Unfortunately, I injured my foot on the first game and then ended up playing on the injured foot for the second game. But this camping trip I had a new focus, one that is more and more beginning to define me as I explore it and it's possibilities: Climbing.

After Church, Sunday morning, we came home and made the final preparations to leave for Central Oregon. Adam drove all the way and when we arrived we began setup. Anna, who normally leads the trailer setup, was AWAL at another campsite so Adam and I set it up with intermittent help from a few others. With that completed I made my way over to the Nutter's site where Anna was. She inquired if we were ready to set up the trailer yet; I informed her it was done. That night after dinner at Cibelli's pizza with Grandpa and Grandma a couple of us played Texas Hold 'Em until 1 o'clock in the morning. The following morning, after breakfast, Adam, Luke, James, and I walked across the bridge spanning the Deschutes River to the cliffs (rim rock) on the other side of the river. There we began to climb. Probably an hour or so later we finally headed back to camp after making our way along the cliff alternating climbing and down-climbing to try another route. Back at camp we found the others getting ready to head to the rapids. Adam and I didn't feel like swimming so we climbed the rim rock on the edge the canyon through which the river flowed. On the top of the ledge we snuck around some guys house in an attempt to find Alex's sandal that he had lost while climbing there the previous day. We were unsuccessful, but Adam did catch a lizard. Later that day Adam Luke, Anna, James, and I went to play Disc Golf at Central Oregon Community College. The course was rough on my disc but we all had a good time. While we waited to be picked after completing the course we all stood around on the soccer field and practiced our driving. That night we played our first Frisbee game. After dinner all of us youngsters made our way across the road to the day-use area. The game went mostly well until during a course of inexplicable events I stepped on a irrigation device and cut my foot. I hurt only momentarily so we all kept playing. A few minutes later my foot began to ache and I knew it was worse than I thought. But, being the trooper that I am, I kept playing a little longer. It all ended when I made one wrong turn guarding Evan. At that point, with the pain filling my foot, I knew that I was done for the night. Adam assisted me over to a picnic table nearby where I attempted to see it by taking a picture with Sara's camera. After putting my sandals back on I rode James's bike back to camp. With Dr. Bower and Nurse Mom present I was fixed up in no time. The next day Mr. Nutter took Luke, Sara, and Me into Bend. We spent a little time wandering around the mall area there before stopping at Starbucks for some drinks. Before Mr. Nutter picked us up Luke and I played a little hackie out in front of the Starbucks. The moves were wild and the outside furniture was flying everywhere, sent there by my high-flying feet. That evening we played another game of Frisbee. I got there a little late and the score was already 3 to 2. I joined the side with 2 points and James moved to the side with 3. I played with my injured foot but it didn't give me much trouble. We ended up winning 15 to 6. That was a happy game. The following day, Wednesday, half of us were to head out for Canby to make it to the Westgate Family Camp. The drive was very nice, we took old highways from Aumsville through Silverton and Marquam to Canby. My post is already too long so I will abbreviate these upcoming days. I played in the ping-pong tournament and was knocked out in the first round. The MarWeBowNezevichKins did very well at the frisbee golf competition and won second place. I took home both of the prizes. The preaching by Scott Dean was very good and was designed to make one t.h.i.n.k. Board games are a staple of family camp and I ended up playing a few. When we played Pirate's Cove I started off very bad, being beaten twice in a row, but ended up in second place. Yes I know, first place loser. All in all family camp was great. Friday night I drove the three hours back to Central Oregon ending at just after 11 o'clock. The drive was great, I like to pass people in the rain and in the the dark. We finished up our week of camping back at Tumalo. On Saturday I finally went tubing on the river. I had my towel with me and I was trying not to let it get soaked. All my attempts were vanity. I was sucked under at one particular rapid and at that point I was barely more soaked than my towel. It was then that I realized that I had lost James's shirt. Leaving my now soaked towel and my inner tube on a rock, I ran back up the path the the point where I had first tipped over, coincidentally losing the t-shirt. I wasn't really sure if I could find it but I had faith that God does care about such seemingly little things as lost t-shirts so I made my way down the river, partly swimming, partly scrambling over rocks. I took a break for one moment and stood one a rock. I scanned the scene and noticed something dusty red underneath the surface of the water across the river's flow. At that moment I knew that I had found it. Jumping off a rock I plunged into the rover and swam violently to get across the flow without being taken downstream too far. I reached the other side and reached under the water. I pulled up the missing t-shirt in my hands. Now victorious I made my way back down the river on the opposite side making my own way through the sagebrush and rocky ground. I finished off my river float at the private bridge spanning the river. I tossed my towel and inner tube up onto the bridge and climb up after. Anna and I walked along the road back to the day use area where the adults were. On the way Anna noticed a shirt next to the road. I picked it up, hey free shirt. It was a little large for me but that the way it was supposed to be worn. After I got to the day use area and laid out my towel to dry, and with my new shirt on, I decided it was time to try some more climbing. I waded across the river and found a little trail through the bushes on the bank of the river to the cliffs beyond. I scrambled a little ways until I found the place that I wanted to start then I took off my sandals and started climbing. Anna took a few pictures of me from across the river and Mr. Meigs said I was going to kill myself. I didn't care, then it was just the rock and me. Thinking, rethinking, a little strength and technique all in one fluid thought and I was at the top of the crag in no time. I down climbed to another area and started again only to be baffled by a difficult crack. No problem though. I just moved around the outcropping of a big boulder and found another way up. After that ascent Mr. Meigs suggested that I be done for now, mostly for their sakes. I complied willing, seeing as how I had just had my fun. I ended up getting to bed early that night and we had to pack up camp the next day. Packing up was work but didn't take very long considering what it used to take to get us going. We finally hit the road and I was looking forward to stopping at Cibelli's one last time before heading home. I wasn't even thinking; when we got to Cibelli's it was closed because it was Sunday and they don't open until 3. Bummer. It turned out to be okay anyway though. After stopping for gas in Sisters we made up our collective mind to stop at the Marion Forks Restaurant with the Nutters, the Meigs, and the Starks. Finally, after a few more hours, heavy traffic on I-5, and some long hauls with the trailer we had made it home with only thirty minutes to get ready for Evening church. Uber Camping Trip successful. Body - Energized. Spirit - Uplifted. Mind - Enlightened.

John

P.S. Tim is an amazing guy, and he did a great job on the paintballing at Family Camp.

Another Day, Another Dollar

Frisbee today was great; we played a four on four game to 13. My team didn't win, but the final score was 13-12. I don't mind since our team out played the other team. Earlier today I drove over to South East Portland to pick up some Quickdraws for rock climbing. I can't wait to go camping. I really want to climb the cliffs across the river at the day use area. I also can't wait to play games with Scott Dean at family camp. I'll definitely have some stories to tell when I get back.

John

Photog Phailure

I fail at photography. I have this great camera and I always take it everywhere with me too, but I never come home with any pictures. Despite my lack of any photographing my expiriences, I had a great camping trip. The weather was almost perfect, except for a little rain the first night and the following morning, but after that it was clear, if not a little chilly. We played a lot of board games and went shooting a couple of times. I enjoyed myself so much, I can't wait to go again. I love camping!

John

Chapped Lips, and Chapstick, and Things Like Chemistry

I had a good time tonight canvasing for NBT, but now my lips are chapped. It may not have anything to do with that, it's more likely that it's because I was working at church today surrounded by foam dust, saw dust, and concrete dust which probably completely dehydrated me.

I didn't get back from my piano lesson until after 2:00 so I didn't have lunch until then. Having lunch that late meant I wasn't hungry at dinner time so I didn't eat. Not eating made my tummy hurt so I ate an Odwalla bar and had a Pepsi. I feel fine now.

I'm working tomorrow with Mr. Martin painting a foundation. My only day working for the rest of the week is tomorrow because of the Father/Son campout so I'll be working my tail off.

John

Crunch

Sorry all. I didn't realize that I had work this week as well as the father/son campout. I won't be arranging any frisbee this week; however, Tim is planning one for Saturaday. See you all later.

John

Every New Day

I'm just back from my piano lessons, thought I'd let you all know what I'm doing these days. This morning, and probably for the rest of the week, I'm working for Mr. Martin at the Knights residence. John is my name, manual labor is my game. The weather outside is great today for working outside, but tomorrow it is supposed to be 90 + degrees. It's gonna be a scorcher.

We had a good weekend camping. Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf, and Axis & Allies sums up what I did over the weekend. Besides eating and sleeping and showering that is. Sunday night/Monday morning, Alex, Ben, Chris, Adam, and Myself stayed up until 4:30 playing a ten hour game of Axis & Allies. That had to have been the best game of A & A for me ever.

John

Work Week

Ever since I got home, and even before that, I've been getting a lot of job offers. It would appear that I'm one of the most sought after worker dudes around. This week and last I've been working with Mr. Martin. I worked Yesterday and today digging and placing landscaping timbers and cedar bender board. Tomorrow I will be working a half day finishing up the job that we are doing at the Knight's house. We also might have another half day to do next week.

This Memorial Day Weekend we will be going camping, just like everybody else. Because of all the work that I've been/will be doing I'm not going to have much time to help get ready for camping so we'll have to see how things are going to go. I can't wait to go camping.

John