Today is Thursday, Feb. 28th. I got a call from Lt. Agnew of the Chelan Co. sheriff's office today. She works in Emergency Management. Since I decided, recently, to start volunteering with Chelan Co. in the area of Search & Rescue, I have been doing some things out of that office. She wanted to know if I wanted to go for a helicopter ride today. I had earlier talked with her about hitching a ride in March to do some GPS & mapping on Badger Mountain for Emergency plans on evacuations on that mountain, in the event of a wild fire. So I went down to the heliport and hopped on the Sheriff's one of two 'birds'. We first flew up to the Cashmere area to take pictures of the County Fairgrounds for future training. Then Up onto Badger, in the snow, and checked some roads. Then we headed south, down the Columbia River to check on a place that may have a Meth Lab somewhere on the property. Then back upriver, back to Wenatchee. It was a great ride. Sorry for the bouncing in the video. It's a little unsteady, at times, and you're strapped in pretty tight and can't move around much to take pictures. But it wasn't too bad. Enjoy. Rick

On February 23rd, several brave souls braved the 38 degree waters of the Columbia River at Walla Walla Park in Wenatchee. They were there, raising funds for the upcoming Special Olympics. The event was MC'ed by Mike & Dani Utley. some of you recognize Mike. He was a professional football player for the Detroit Lions. He received a permanent spinal cord injury during play and is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He and his wife are active in fund raisers, in our valley, usually those associated with handicapped persons. He is the primary organizer of the Dam to Dam bicycle ride fund raiser that Susie has ridden in the last 3 years (100 miles). Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal is seen in the video as he has participated for the last seven years in the event. I did not get the amount raised but it generally averages about $4000.00 each year.

Well, folks. Here's another attempt at a video for our Blog. It didn't turn out too bad but I've got a bit more practicing to do to work out the glitches. Hope this works for everyone. I get my lessons from my buddy in Montana, good old Eric. He has had very good luck with his Blog and the video's. I hope I can do as well so we can post them more, especially this summer. I got Susie the new Video camera for Christmas and she has used it some. The last time she went over the hill to visit kids she let Holden take movies. We haven't even checked that out, yet. Might be interesting. Anyway, hope you enjoy the video. Take care everyone and talk at you soon.

I've joined the Chelan County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Services group. This last week I went with them on a training exercise up in the Lily Lake area above Wenatchee Heights. The training was with Lake Wenatchee Snowmobile club and the Lake Chelan group. Also joining them were several Deputies who are with the Search and Rescue portion of the Sheriff's Office on snowmobiles. The exercise involved a lost and injured snowmobiler off the groomed trails. The exercise went well and we all learned a lot. We also had a lot of fun. I helped run the Communication van at base camp as well as acting the part of an Information Officer, writing Press Releases for the event. All ended well. And, it was a truly beautiful day. The weather is starting to improve around the Valley. Warmer during the day but still winter cold at night. Spring will be here soon. Hope this finds all well.

Construction has been continuing throughout the cold weather and snow on our Events center. It's come a long way in just a few weeks. The inside has the cement seating in place. I think they come along and bolt the seats down to the cement. The owner/contractor, who owns a hockey division (southwest, I think), assures everyone we will have a hockey team, in place, on opening in September. They also have other events already on tap with Disney on Ice and a couple of concert events. It's exciting for most. There are still a number of skeptics in the Vallley.

Our new Snow for first of February. About 4" of new on top of nearly a foot that has hung around for over three weeks. Out neighbor, Jimmy, was out this morning plowing the driveways and road. Our house is on the left, in the photo on left. It's a little warmer, this week so things may start melting off. There will be a heck of a lot of water running around here in the next while.