New homes now stand where 250 homes were destroyed in the 2003 firestorm that devastated Kelowna.

A portion of the vineyard near the Grey Monk winery. The Okanagan valley is becoming a major winemaking area and there are many opportunities to enjoy a tasting of the wines.

Wines are not the only thing that they excel at at Grey Monk. The desserts finished off a wonderful lunch in a beautiful spot.

September 4 - 09, 2005 A little 'wining' in Kelowna

Di is anticipating tying into her dessert, a wonderful chocolate creation.  

The deer wandering through the vineyard at Grey Monk, were probably looking trying to get a preview of the 2005 Merlot! 

Di is admiring one of the gorgeous hanging baskets at Grey Monk Vineyards near Winfield, B.C.  

August 18-25, 2005 A Family Reunion in Oregon

A thresher sits on a piece of farm land, just east of Bend Oregon. We are heading to East Lake at the 6 500 foot level of the Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument.  

Freda, Di, Anne, Ed, Hans and Anna are enjoying dinner at East Lake. 

It looks like it is going to be brown trout for breakfast! 

Anne, Di and Ed are standing on the Big Obsidian Flow, a huge mass of obsidian that streamed from a nearby volcano a few thousand years ago.  

There is no question where the obsidian flow stopped its advance. 

A tiny brown sedge somehow has managed to exist on this shattered obsidian boulder. 

Man has used obsidian in many ways over the years. Double click on the picture for a larger view...and one that you can hopefully read! 

A tiny pine tree ekes out an existence in the middle of the obsidian flow. 

Roosevelt Elk graze at the Deer Creek Elk viewing lookout on the way to Reedsport, Ore.  

Here we can see the Roosevelt Elk herd grazing near Deer Creek. 

Here we are in front of a workshop/garage on the property of my Uncle Val and his wife, Utako. They live on 40 forested acres just minutes from Bandon, Oregon. 

This log splitter is just one of the many pieces of equipment that Val has used to clear and develop his 40 acres near Bandon.  

I found these little wild flowers and posed this shot by dropping them in the middle of a piece of Queen Anne's Lace.  

Bill surprised a bunch of wild turkeys while walking through Val and Utako's property. 

Utako, Val and Di are standing in front of one of the many huge wild rhododendrons on their property.  

Uncle Val is showing us his 'hi-tech' gas guage for his '56 John Deere . 

...another rugged stretch of the Oregon coast. 

Utako, Val and Di are enjoying the scenery at Shore Acres State Park. 

We loved the pond...and hope that the herons stay here versus attacking the fish in our pond at home!