Today was a great day. I met new rockhounds and celebrated some huge changes in the lives of two friends. Good earth and his partner are moving across the state for many years for educational purposes and they will be sorely missed by their family and friends here on the wet side of the mountains. Bittersweet for sure but life has many closures and openings if one is lucky. I got to meet folks that I have spoken with on the net and met a new friend who will be a hounding buddy on the other side of the mountains.
The party was marvelous. On the hottest day of the year we were escorted to a deeply shaded lane running through big cedar and maple trees to a long row of tables and chairs running down the center . The tables were dressed beautifully and Japanese lanterns hung above us from the lowest limbs. Exquisitely prepared food and drink were served and thoroughly enjoyed by the throng of people. After the celebratory cake the youngsters ventured out into the hot sun to fill their rock buckets to their hearts content. When the youngsters( anyone under 60 ) had wilted Gergis my wife and I got to it. I imagine we got about a thousand pounds of poppy jasper for future cutting and distribution. After the group picture we took a very meaningful picture of Gergis , Goodearth and myself. The three of us get along marvelously and while we will miss the special times we had our friendship will surely endure for many years. I would like to thank Joshua ( Goodearth) and his partner Jennifer for wonderful hospitality once again and I would be remiss if I did not mention Andrew who prepared the wonderful food.I would also like to thank Greg ( Gergis) and my wife both of whom are wonderful company. The first shots are approaching Pt. Townsend below the mountains on the Olympic Peninsula below which Goodearth has lived and built a house with Jennifer and the last shot is of Mt. Baker volcano with my island in the foreground. Very soon we will have pictures of Helene collecting both at the very special Secret beach on the peninsula , the shores of our island and far up in the mountains on the lower slopes of Mt. Baker. A good and memorable summer.
