Business Trip

This series is me running the meat of Boulder Drop on the Skykomish at 8,000

Buried in the hole next to House Rock


Keith vs. Ledge Hole


About this time I thought I was going swimming...


To be included in highsideing 101 instruction manual

I have been in Seattle for the past week testing rocket engines. We use a small maneuvering thruster to steer the upper stage and the mission I am working on requires additional lab analysis. The work has been interesting and I am learning a ton about a side of the business I have not yet seen. It is really cool stuff. The highlight of the trip has been seeing friends and family.

I got a chance to go down and see Bill and my Mom in Portland. Pa was 24 hours post-op after having his prostate removed and now appears to be a cancer survivor. This has been really stressful for me and I am so relieved to hear the good news. Wednesday night he was recovering well and hadn't lost his humor or the twinkle in his eyes, so I think he will be just fine.

Thursday night, I had a wonderful dinner downtown with my aunt Nancy, uncle Mike and two cousins Evelyn and Rachel. I haven't seen them in such a long time and the girls have really grown up. They are both so articulate and are growing up to be fabulous young ladies.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Hower, Kelly and Jason's three week old son. He is a real cutie and I even held him for a few minutes without being too awkward. I don't have the cable to get those pictures off my camera just yet, but they will be coming. The conversation is always so good and it seems that we just pick up like no time has passed.

Saturday morning I took Mel's rolly luggage and went rafting. I met Franz and Aaron on the Middle Fork and they offered to take me boating while I was out here. I took them up on their offer and made three runs in three different cats over the course of two days. Sunday, Franz and I decided to step up and run Boulder Drop down the gut. That was some big water but neither of us swam, but I did get worked by Ledge Hole.

One final note, the rental car company decided to bestow upon me a 2008 cherry red Ford Mustang. Amazingly enough, I have managed to drive this thing for a full week without a speeding ticket. It's not my style at all, but still kind of fun.