A Very Big Thank You from Elaine & I

Elaine and I would like to thank some very special people that helped not only reunite us with Nashaba & Kaia after they went looking for us, but also took care of them and even invited them in their houses. Some were friends more like family and some we never met before but they helped our animals, for that I'm grateful They were abandoned when the weather here dumped 14" of rain in 2.5 days then started snowing on top of that shutting down the plant.

We were in Tx with family. When we arrived back here we wer told that the kids were out looking for us. Not knowing where to look first went to the Alder Creek tribe's house. Then went home hoping they went back after we looked around where they had been seen the day before. No they weren' t here. A couple of days later a friend of ours John heard where they were and went to get them off Brown Rd past Lk Wenatchee. He got Kaia in the truck but Nashaba doesn't like to ride so with flashers on and window down so he could tell passing vehicles what was going on and that he had a wolf following him, John drove back to Alder Creek with Nashaba following, it took several hours. There they were met by the rest of the Trinity pack, Mocha & Willie who actually live at Alder Creek . They kept and took care of them until we could get out which ended up being the day before Thanksgiving. We arrived at Alder Creek and found out that Kaia & Nashaba had been gone since the day before. They ended up on Pine Tree something not sure but they ended up at Bob & Kathryn Dickinson's cabin and stayed around there until the Sat after Thanksgiving due to my transmission going out in the Ranger on Fri. It's hard to find the words to properly express the gratitude I have for all of you and for Bob my friend who went to get them on his rig because he is also part of the Trinity tribe. They followed him home all the way to Trinity it took them about 5 hours to get back here and if it hadn't been for everyone helping me to get in on Sat by breaking trail it would have taken so much longer like the next day, we didn't have to walk in. We are very greatful to everyone this past weekend . These pictures are because of a request fro Kathryn. This is how we meet people living out here. It's these things and so many more that make this Paradise, we hope you find yours. Namaste' & Blessing to all.

Lots of New Powder

The last 24 hours brought many changes to Trinity we now have 6' of powder, baby fine powder, great for skiing,snowboarding, and sledding with the right sled. We got 18" of new snow yesterday and last night but it stopped for about 3 hours while we went out to Bob's rig and got it dug out and found out the problem bent an anti-torque arm, got it being overnighted. No snow so far today and the temp is up to 25. We actually can see sunlight on Massey & Buck Mtn. Going to see where we can get to today after letting our bodies recover. We found our Paradise hope you find yours.

Thanksgiving at Trinity

This has been a very different year than last. Monday & Tues we had snow and sunshine then on Wed we went out to our neighbors at the other end of the road and the only other full time residents out here. We not only had a long ride out because the Ranger started acting up and it was snowing here all day some times very hard and big flakes. On Thur we celebrated Max's 2nd birthday and Thanksgiving which also brought alot of new snow. While we were in Tx a friend was supposed to be taking care of the place and the animals but because the weather got bad he ended up leaving a week before we got back and Kaia and Shaba went out looking for us and were found last Monday over by Lake Wenatchee at Karen Dickerson's about a 35 mile trip from home. Our friend John went and got them to follow him to his house but it was a slow and dangerous trip since it was snowing and cold with alot of traffic on the road. Then on Tues they decided to take another journey and ended up at Bob & Kathryn Dickinson's cabin which they contacted us via this blog they our wolves were there and they were enjoying playing with them. I made arrangements to meet him on Friday morning but the transmission on the Ranger went out aborting that trip. We got it back to the garage and made arrangements for Sat. Bob went and got the kids on his ATV and they followed him back to our neighbors. After a short rest and some much needed water we headed out for Trinity but since the road hasn't been groomed and we got about 28" of new snow weren't really sure what the conditions would be or if we could even get here. Things went smooth as I left first on a snowmobile and let Bob come with Kaia & Shaba following him home, but about 2.5 miles from home I came upon 5-6 powder junkies that had been out riping up the fresh powder and they were turning around and heading home and it looked as if I was going to have to leave the sled and walk in the rest of the way and that wouldn't have been fun at all since the snow was waist deep with no base.
At this point I meet Nathan & Ashley, Ryan, Allan & Shauna, and Ryan who broke trail the rest of the way to Trinty for me so no walking for which I will forever be greatful. They were definitely Snow Angels and so I wanted to take this opportunity the thank each of you for what you've done for us. Keeping our kids safe and not having Kaia picked up but enjoying them and caring for them and reuniting all of us. Then helping me to get home when it was not an easy task but not giving up when it would have been easier to say no and turn around but instead they kept at it and I made it home safe and in one piece. I had been waiting for Bob to arrive and had gotten into some dry clothes and warmed up a bit but it was dark and still no Bob or the kids. I had to try to get to the computer and webcam to get it working again and while doing so had Kaia come home but no Bob. 5 min later Shaba showed up but no Bob so I made arrangements for a friend to go looking for Bob and as I looked towards the gate I saw Bob's flashlight coming toward the house. He got stuck about a mile from here and walked in so we cancelled the rescue got warm and dry and kicked back for the evening. Elaine stayed at the neighbors to help and babysit so as soon as she gets home we will all be reunited for the first time in almost a month. Life is Good. We found our Paradise hope you find yours too.

Sunday Visitors

On Sunday we had a couple of visitors/neighbors from down the road. We already know John but he brought along a friend and neighbor that is the only other full time resident out here. He introduced us to Brad who spent his first year of life at Trinity, not only that but his family is one of the original settlers of this area and made this valley what it is today. We had a great time and since they were the first to snowmobile in thought we'd give them a spot on the blog, so here they are.

Making Trails

This morning was beautiful at Trinity, it started of snowing but then the sun came out so we got in the Ranger and made trails around Trinity and out to the Phelps Creek cutoff we also made a trail up to the Bowling Alley. The sun broke through for a little while and it was breath taking.
Elaine is having fun getting out in the Ranger and learning how to drive it with the tracks from Mattracks. It helps to stay ahead of the snow so there isn't so much deep snow to have to go through. We found our Paradise and hope you find yours too...

Knocking down the ruts after the snow setup after the sun shining brightly for the last 2 days. Had just put the track back on after it came off. 

This is the Ranger with the new Mattracks M3 tracks after we had to put the track back on from our trip in on Tues. The sprocket froze up and caused the track to come off. It can't be done by one person so our friend John came to the rescue 

Just got back from TX

We just got home from Tx and the place was a mess, the weather was crazy, we got almost 14" of rain in 2.5 days and then the snow came we had almost 4' when we got home after an adventure getting here.

The reason we went to Tx was to have an early Thanksgiving and Christmas visit with all of our family, both Elaine's and mine who are all in Tx, except Chris, Kerry & Austyn Jolie.

There was even a funeral for an uncle of mine and it helped me to see other family members that I haven't seen in way too many years. Overall the trip was great we had fun but at the same time it was stressful not being able to find out what was going on here until the Sat before we came home.

I want to thank Bruce and Reid for coming up and getting the plant back up so that we came home to having power and heat.
We found our paradise hope you find yours too. We are so blessed.

Now that I fed myself what is this stuff I think I like it alot. Avery sitting up in her Bumbo chair. We will be seeing them again in Nov and can't wait, we'll also be seeing Elaine's family then also. 

Much love between big brother and sister. Aren't they precious. 

Avery being cool with the shades, pput on her by her big brother Aiden. Avery is almost 5 months old now. 

Aiden @ his first day of kindergarten, he is such a big boy, always smiling. I've missed alot of their growing up but not anymore. 

Meet Aiden my big 5 year old grandson in Houston, TX going to kindergarten 

The crowd danced to Jude Bowerman all night during Octoberfest Weekend at Uli's. It was TR's birthday  

Jude keeping it real with an Isley Brother's song. 

Jude having a good time and the crowd kept dancing the night away. 

Keeping the beat solid throughout the night. 

Jude Bowerman Band playing at Uncle Uli's in Leavenworth on Sat night. It was TR's Birthday.  

Austyn Birthday Girl

Meet Austyn Jolie Sotherlund she is 1 today... isn't she precious. This is Elaine's oldest grandaughter who lives in E Wenatchee with her parents Chris and Kerry. Dad is fighting fires in N. CA now but coming home today we will celebrate her birthday next week. On this note her new cousin Breece Ann is 5 weeks old and weighs in at 9 # not bad for being a month early so she's really catching up. We miss and love ya'll. Happy Birthday Austyn

Love Mimi & Gregg 

Yearly Snotel Maint.

This past Thursday the Chelan PUD and the NCRS were at Trinity for their annual snotel maint which is usually done the first week of the high hunt but this year was put back because of the fires that have been burning up the northern part of WA. It seems that all aircraft and pilots were being called in for the fires and so maint was put on hold. It was a beautiful day clear skies and Elaine and I got to fly up toward Miners Ridge and Lyman Glacier and Lake. The scenery was breathtaking and Elaine decided that she really loved where we live especially after seeing it from the air. IT was sad to see all the dead trees most of our valley is brown but the closer we got to Red Mountain and Chiwawa Mountain it got greener and much more golds and reds in the higher meadows. For some of the crew it was the end of summer maint and they were looking to enjoy a night in Leavenworth. Thanks again to all we enjoyed the flight and look forward to next year. This was my 3rd time to fly with Doug it is always a pleasure for him to be the pilot he is very good at what he does. I may not get to hike the trails around here but seeing them from the ar gives it a whole new perspective. What a beautiful place this is, we found our Paradise, hope you find yours.

Kaia making sure that Doug is doing it correctly, lol she enjoyed it once it was down but not when it was taking off or landing. 

Bill & Roshon getting their gear ready to do snotel maint 

Scotty getting ready to go Park Creek to do annual maint 

Doug the Pilot for Northwest Helicopters flew in to do Snotel Maint