Spencer Jack's PNW Island Orcas Mystery Solved

Incoming email this morning from Spencer Jack and his favorite dad, my nephew Jason, with a subject line of...

"Beautiful PNW Day".

Text in the email asking...

"Do you recognize this PNW location Spencer and I visited today"

For those not familiar with the PNW abbreviation, PNW abbreviates Pacific Northwest.

The email included three photos, including the one you see above.

And the one below.

I was fairly sure I knew the location in question when I saw the photo at the top. The second photo confirmed that I knew the location I was looking at.

Behind Jason and Spencer Jack in that second photo you are looking at a structure constructed by the Civilian Conversation Corps back in 1936, modeled after a medieval watch tower.

The CCC was an evil socialist plot launched by FDR during the Great Depression. There are CCC structures in parks all over the Puget Sound zone.

This CCC structure is an observational tower atop the summit of Mount Constitution.

Mount Constitution is the most prominent feature, elevation-wise, of the San Juan Islands, which means Spencer Jack took his dad on a ferry ride to Orcas Island, which is where Mount Constitution is located in Moran State Park.

In addition to being the highest spot in the San Juan Islands, Mount Constitution is the second highest mountain on an island in a ocean location in the lower 48 American states.

For those reading this in Fort Worth, Texas, who do not know what an island is, what you see behind Spencer Jack, surrounded by water, are islands. Spencer Jack is standing on an island. These islands were not created by digging a ditch into which polluted river water was diverted. These are real islands. Lots of them, as in hundreds of islands of various sizes make up the San Juan Island archipelago.

No bridge connects the American mainland to any of the San Juan Islands. Access to these islands is via boat, small and large, with the large boats being the multiple ferry boats which take one from Fidalgo Island, and the town of Anacortes, to the islands.

Fidalgo Island is not one of the San Juan Islands. One does access Fidalgo Island via several bridge options, all of which were built over actual water in way less than four years, including that iconic PNW actual signature bridge connecting Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island over the swift moving tidal waters of Deception Pass.

Meanwhile in that aforementioned Fort Worth town, we are almost to year six of trying to build three simple little bridges over dry land, to connect the Fort Worth mainland to an imaginary island.

I doubt ferry boats will ever be needed...

Back On Texas Circle Trail As The Fort Worth Boondoggle Turns

It seems like weeks, because it has been several weeks since my handlebars took me on a bike ride on the Wichita Falls Circle Trail.

But those handlebars took me on a ride today, to Sikes Lake, then MSU, then the Circle Trail back to my abode.

My return to Texas went much more smoothly than my exit to Arizona weeks prior.

It will be awhile, as in quite awhile, before I muster the stamina to put myself through that type travel ordeal again.

When I finally managed to land in Wichita Falls on Saturday, shortly before midnight, the temperature in the outer world was about as perfect as it can get.

Quite the contrast with what I had been enjoying sweltering in in Arizona.

If I remember right it was 112 when I lifted off the tarmac at Sky Harbor, 81 when I hit the tarmac at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport, also known, I think, as SPS.

I am still in recovery mode from the past couple weeks. I gained the usual ten pounds I gain during an Arizona visit. McDonald's was particularly tasty this time.

This morning I was fairly sure a drive to DFW was going to be required. But the need disappeared by mid-morning. I was sort of relieved. When I am in Arizona it seems like I do a few thousand miles of driving Miss Daisy around.

About the time I got back to Texas a new chapter in the ongoing soap opera known as America's Biggest Boondoggle, or the Trinity River Central City Uptown Panther Island District Vision, took a new pitiful embarrassing turn, with Fort Worth mayor turning panhandler begging for federal money like a stereotypical welfare queen, attempting to fund the lavish lifestyle she is unable to afford on her own.

I think I may have totally bungled that welfare queen metaphor.

Anyway, I have saved all the info about the latest episode of As The Boondoggle Turns and will have fun opining about it just as soon as my cerebral blood flow returns to normal.

Oh, and I have heard from Deep Moat for the first time since she attended the Fort Worth Wedding of the Year, thus confirming, for me for the first time, that those nuptials actually took place...

Fountain Hills Steel Drumming With Jamaican Jake & Jackie Duo

That is that Fountain Hills fountain you see here, in the background, out in the middle of the Fountain Hills Lake.

In the foreground you see the Brother/Sister Jake & Jackie Duo performing a Jamaica type steel drum rhythm song timed to the spoutings of the fountain.

Prior to this musical interlude Sister Jackie drove me and Brother Jake to Fiesta Burrito in Scottsdale.

I had my usual chile relleno enchilada platter, as did Sister Jackie. Brother Jake had habenero infused carrots because he is on a strict diet.

The drive northeast to Fountain Hills was via a different route than I took last March whilst driving Miss Daisy. This different route was significantly more scenic than the previous route Miss Daisy had directed me to drive.

Tomorrow Miss Daisy's regular driver drives me to Sky Harbor, from there I hope to successfully board a plane to fly away from modern America, back to Texas.

I am sort of looking forward to being back in Texas.

Modern America is exhausting...

Last Day In The Oasis Of Arizona

 Last night was my first night at the Oasis in Chandler. One more day of this level of serene peace and quiet and I may be ready to return to Texas to less serenity, peace and quiet.

Yesterday's delivery of me to the airport by Miss Daisy and her regular driver was perfectly timed.

As we drove into the Terminal 4 departure area upon entry we passed a Honda with Washington plates. Miss Daisy's driver pulled to the curb a short distance thereafter. I got out of Miss Daisy's chariot, said my goodbyes, entered the terminal, exited the terminal and then got into that Honda with Washington plates, driven by Spencer Jack and Hank Frank's Grandpa Jake.

Grandpa Jake then drove me to Scottsdale to a gallery with an incredible stock of various works of art, in various forms, including two displays of Grandpa Jake's Gems by Jake Apache Tear and Various other gems made into door knobs.

After that we ventured to the north side of Camelback Mountain where I soon found myself on the grounds of an over the top example of why the 1% need their marginal tax rate returned to 90%.

Ending that tour of excessive consumption we headed to Grandpa Jake's Scottsdale abode where he had made a big pot of seafood chowder which was just about the best of this type vittle I have had this century.

My suite in the Chandler Oasis was at a comfort level much more comfortable than I had been enjoying the previous 14 days. A HUGE bed with giant pillows elevated so far above the floor I felt in need of some sort of mechanized assist to get to ground level, and then I mastered going from horizontal to vertical.

By the time I exited my luxury suite all the other inhabitants of the Chandler Oasis had exited to other activities, such as playing pickle ball.

I opted to take my blogging device to the pool patio, which is what you see photo documented at the top, and then go for a salubrious solo skinny dip.

The Chandler Oasis pool was at a cooler temperature than I had been experiencing whilst swimming with the Sun Lakes ladies in their pool. Quite refreshing. I swam for an hour or two, taking libation breaks periodically.

I forgot to mention, I once again tried to take one of those patented Elsie Hotpepper style selfie photos, to no success, with the result being what you see above. I can not see the phone's screen in the bright sunlight.

It is now an hour later. Sister Jackie has returned from pickle balling. We are soon going to be heading north to Scottsdale to Brother Jake's and then on to Fiesta Burrito for a chile relleno.

And then tomorrow I fly back to Texas....

Chandler Peace & Quiet Oasis Before Maricopa McDonald's

For the first time in what seems weeks I am in a totally private, totally quiet, totally serene location.

An Oasis.

Also known as Sister Jackie's pool in Chandler.

Sister Jackie is currently driving Miss Daisy to a doctor appointment, after which my short peaceful period will come to an end, and then we will be heading south to Maricopa to Penny's McDonald's, where I am hoping to have myself a Canada burger, and a Dutch dessert.

Tomorrow morning Sister Jackie will drive Miss Daisy to Sky Harbor Airport to drop me off, after which I will get in my brother's vehicle. I am not quite sure where I am going when my brother drives me out of Sky Harbor Airport.

Sun Lakes Kids Chase Me To An Oasis Before Haboob Monsoon

My days of pooling in Arizona during this current visit are drawing to a close.

Due to an 8 in the morning breakfast date with Bruno and Mary, Miss Daisy sent me to the pool well before 7 this morning. That pooling is at the location I call the Big Pool at Miss Daisy's Community Club. The Big Pool is actually multiple pools, not just one Big Pool.

Then later, following that early morning breakfast I decided to go swimming again. But, when I returned to the Big Pool it was full of little kids. Not the usual Sun Lake Ladies. Little kids. Where could so many little kids come from in this elderly desert?

With the Big Pool over crowded I opted to go to the pool closest to Miss Daisy's. That pool is known as the Oasis Pool. It is a small, rectangle shaped pool. I had the pool all to myself, which you can clearly see via the photo documentation above.

There is no deep end to the Oasis Pool. It is only 5 feet deep at its deepest. Due to the time being near the noon hour I did not last long once I was out of the pool, what with the temperature being somewhere north of 100, with some clouds somewhat mitigating the direct sun misery.

Out of the pool I tried to take what is known in Texas as an Elsie Hotpepper style selfie, but I could not see the phone screen in the bright sun, with the result being the photo you see here where everything in the photo appears crooked and it does not even remotely resemble an Elsie Hotpepper style selfie.

Last night nephew Jeremy arrived right on time for his regularly scheduled dinner date with his Grandma. This involves driving to a fast food joint then returning to Grandma's TV viewing room where Jeremy and Grandma have their weekly Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy competition.

Soon after the visiting Uncle's latest correct answering of the Final Jeopardy question Jeremy headed east to Chandler to his current home location.

Jeremy was gone less than a minute when my phone alarm suddenly became alarmingly loud.

MONSOON!

HABOOB!

The phone warning from the National Weather Service said something like "SEVERE DUST STORM IMMINENT AT YOUR LOCATION. STRONG WIND, RAIN, ZERO VISIBILITY EXPECTED."

The phone warning had barely shut up when the wind hit like a slap. With thick dust which made for a thick haze dimming outdoor lights. I tried to make it to the road to drag the recycle bin back under cover. But I was unable to make it to the street due to being slammed by dust which felt like sandpaper.

Soon rain began to downpour. The Monsoon Haboob lasted about a half hour.

And then peace and quiet returned. Except for Miss Daisy asking a few more times what day it was...

Ruby, Max & Theo Cardboard Boat Regatta

Sunday morning Spencer Jack and Hank Frank's Grandpa Jake went swimming again with one of their favorite uncles.

During the course of pool time Grandpa Jake asked if I had seen Ruby and Max together.

What an odd question I thought to myself, what with Max the poodle having gone to dog heaven way back in summer of 2017. So, I said, yes, I have seen Ruby and Max. Why would you ask, I asked?

Because they are just so darn cute together, like an old married couple.

To which I said Max the poodle and Ruby are like an old married couple? Max has been dead for over two years, said I.

No, the Max who is Ruby's best friend since they started school said Grandpa Jake.

So, I then texted Ruby's Mama Michele to ask about this Max character, and to request some photo documentation, which was quickly forthcoming, arriving as I drove Miss Daisy on her first drive of the day.

The photos came with explanatory text, which I will copy and paste. for the most part, with the following photos, except for the photo above, which is not below, in which we see Max for the first time, sharing a jacket with Ruby.

Max and Ruby have been best buds since the start of kindergarten. I will find some photos.

Theo, Ruby and Max.

Max is not a huge fan of swimming but he helped out at the cardboard boat regatta. Did I mention the regatta to you? Theo and Ruby took second place.

The cardboard boat regatta had not previously been mentioned to me, and so more photos with explanatory text were sent.

Regatta was June 1, at the wave pool they took you to. They won their heat and took second in the final.  

In the above  pic Ruby and Theo squeak by a boat at the finish.

After that all the remaining boats got to go out and they turned the waves on, which is the third pic (the pic above). Middle is their boat. Had to be cardboard and duct tape. Max's dad, Saul, helped us build the boat and then we covered it with duct tape. It was free to enter the regatta but I spent a fortune on duct tape. LOL. Was totally worth it. So much fun. They won an inflatable boat.
I agree with what Betty Jo Bouvier recently said, that being that those kids sure do have a lot of fun adventures.

Army Corps Of Engineer's Document Contradicts Controversial Riveron Review

Less than a week to go before I return to my regular Internet connection to the world. It is frustrating having a thing or two I feel compelled to opine about, and not being able to easily do so.

The thing or two I am feeling compelled to opine about have to do with the controversial Riveron Review of the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle.

As more and more people read the Riveron Review it has become increasingly clear that a half million bucks was wasted on what amounts to being a review based on multiple falsehoods.

Near the end of the Riveron Review a couple pages list those "interviewed". No one from the Army Corps of Engineers is on that list. The people interviewed, to varying degrees, are those responsible for the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle mess, people like TRWD General Manager, Jim Oliver, and TRVA Executive Director, J.D. Granger.

Whoever did the interviewing apparently accepted the self serving spin spun by the likes of Oliver and Granger.

More on those other obvious obfuscations of truth later, but for now let's just take a look at one falsehood which shows up in the Riveron Review.

That particular falsehood is the Riveron Review's claim that the Army Corps of Engineers had determined the levees needed to be raised by 10 feet to meet some post-Katrina standard.

The following is copied from the Riveron Review...

"Build the existing levees an additional 10 feet taller, requiring an additional 150 feet on each side of riverway, negatively impacting businesses and neighborhoods, and resulting in an even more inaccessible riverfront."

The above makes ZERO sense.

First off, the area in question has not flooded in well over a half century, due to massive levees which have long done their intended job.

Second off, what are these businesses, or neighborhoods which would be affected negatively? The area is an industrial wasteland.

And third off, the Army Corps of Engineers never suggested raising the existing levees another ten feet. Never determined doing such was needed, feasible or recommended.

As we already pointed out, the Riveron Reviewers did not interview anyone from the Army Corps of Engineers. Instead the Riveron Reviewers only interviewed the various foxes who have been ineptly allowed to guard the hen house.

Methinks this half million buck Riveron Review borders on fraud.

The raise the levees part of this scandal came to my attention via email from one of the early victims of the TRWD/TRVA eminent domain abuse, with this victim's business taken a decade ago, followed by a long struggle trying to be made whole from the taking of his property.

Eminent domain is a legit process where property can be taken, with the owner fully compensated, for a project for the public good, like a highway, hospital or school. That type thing. Not for imaginary flood control or an economic development scheme benefiting the schemers.

Clearly this was not a legit eminent domain use for the public good, what with it now being well over a decade with that totally unneeded flood control project not anywhere close to being reality.

Now the motivation behind the Boondogglers misrepresenting the history of their ill fated project we will look at in future blog posts. In the meantime let's look at the email exchange between that aforementioned victim of America's Biggest Boondoggle and a former Fort Worth city councilman...

Bob Lukeman to Durango---

I did not get too far into the Draft before I hit my first WTF moment. 

Bob Lukeman to that aforementioned former Fort Worth city councilman...

This was news to me. Was the Corp initiating the idea of a bypass channel and was the levee fix an across the board 10 foot raise with a property taking element? We had Corp docs that gave the sparse locations of levees that need topping out in way less that 10 feet and no reference to any takings.

You may know more having been on the Council. Makes me think that Riveron was interviewing TRWD staff about the origins, and they were revising history to justify and defend the flood control aspects. 

10 million was the fix as I recall. Not 10 feet more on all the levees. That early of a suggestion to dig a bypass would have been in conjunction with the taking DOWN of certain levees. The 2 points made in the Draft seem to contradict a levee repair plan.

And then this from that aforementioned former Fort Worth city councilman...

I wasn’t aware that the project was in planning as early as 2001. There was never any discussion about the height of the levees or taking 150’ on either side that I was aware of. Sounds like a little historical revisionism although maybe they have the documents to back it up. I believe the channel idea may have come from Gideon/Toal and the corps bought into it. It started downhill in 2005. At least that’s when it was apparent to me.

Cheers, Clyde

Theo Hires Sand Castle Building Consultant With Ruby & David

After a couple days of amateur sand castle building, Theo hired the services of a professional sand castle builder to instruct himself, and Ruby and David, in the art of fancy sand castle building.

Mama Michele photo documented the results.

In the first photo we see Theo, Ruby and David, along with Mama Kristin, at the start of their intensive sand castle building instructions.

That would be the sand castle construction instructor on the left, next to Ruby.

Prepare to be impressed when you see what resulted from Theo, Ruby and David learning how to build a complex sand castle.

This appears to be a classic Gothic Sand Castle, rising taller than the tallest of the trio.

I know you are wondering if Theo, Ruby and David guarded their latest sand castle til the tide rolled and gradually obliterated it. I do not have the  answer to that probing question.

My information source may be faulty, but it is thought by some that today the sand castle building trio are flying their parental units back to Washington, which is extremely disappointing, because this morning Miss Daisy decided it would be fun to drive to San Diego to surprise the grandkids...

Theo's Pacific Sand Castle Building With Help From Ruby & David

Photo evidence has arrived documenting the fact my Favorite Nephew Theo has raised his sand castle building skills to a new level of complexity.

Prior to receiving those photos, whilst driving Miss Daisy in the extreme Arizona heat, Theo's grandma verbalized concern regarding wondering how David, Theo, Ruby and their parental units could possibly spend so many days outdoors in extreme heat.

I then tried to remind Miss Daisy the Pacific Coast is way cooler (in more ways than one) than the Arizona desert.

I suggested to Miss Daisy if we took off early in the morning we could reach San Diego easily by mid-afternoon, which would make for a fun (shocking) surprise for David, Theo, Ruby, their parental units, and Aunt Jackie and Uncle Jack.

Miss Daisy was not receptive regarding this adventurous concept.

Which is probably for the best, because tomorrow morning David, Theo and Ruby's Uncle Jake is planning to show up for Miss Daisy's morning swim.

However, Miss Daisy has been refusing to participate in the morning swim due to excess heat concerns. I have not informed Uncle Jake regarding Miss Daisy's current no swimming status.

Let's take a look at last yesterday's sand castle building...

Above Theo celebrates castle construction completion. Now the wait for the incoming tide begins, and the eventual defense of the castle as the Pacific floods in.

Here it appears Ruby joined in with the castle defense as the tide began to breech the outer defenses.

Theo looks forlorn as the tide begins to win.

Theo, Ruby and David stand on top of the sand castle ruins.

Around the time the above photo arrived Mama Michele texted "OMG. I am freezing. Sitting waiting for the ocean to destroy Theo's sand castle. I blame you for this fixation. LOL."

It's true. Theo and I had ourselves a mighty fine time fighting the incoming tide way back in August of 2017 up north at Birch Bay in the state called Washington.