Backpacking, Bears and...Ming?

Levi and I headed out Monday morning for a backwoods adventure in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness area of the Kootenai National Forest near Libby, Montana. Ming couldn't have let us have a photo op with out her being in the shot.

Not many hikers have used the trail yet this year. The heavy snowpack from the winter along with plenty of blow downs caused the trail to be in rough shape. We climbed over many logs, and in some cases had to engage in some bushwacking just to detour around problems.

Besides backpacking we were 'packing' a little weaponry. The bears and the mountain lions must have known that we had a couple of different calibers of fire power because all we saw was one little squirrel.

We made camp at an elevation of 5571 ft, a little more than 5 miles from where we started. There were still snow patches all around our camp, though we were able to find a decent dry spot to pitch our tent. About the last mile of the trail was primarily snowpacked...firm enough to walk on, but every once in a while we got a little surprise when we sank in up to our knees. There were times when it was very difficult to discern the actual trail. Our days were clear and sunny - which also made it a little chilly at night.

Winkin' @ You, Dad!

My little sweeting is giving me a wink as she enjoys her own little pool party on Father's Day. (Hey Ming, who is that pretty blonde you're hanging with?)

Making Music with the Mingster

Ming loves her brother "Yi-Yi!"

Minsook's Famous Korean Noodles

Big Korean fun in our house this weekend...The parents of our Korean college student (SoYun) came to town this week. Mr. and Mrs. Yoon--ChulSub and Minsook--are in town because their son, KangRo, graduated from St. George's High School here in Spokane. KangRo stays in a different home, but he hangs out with us frequently. Minsook spent a day cooking in the kitchen for KangRo's graduation party. Ming loved eating the noodle dish that Minsook made.

From L to R: ChulSub; Minsook; KangRo; SoYun. KangRo will go to the University of Arizona this coming Fall. SoYun is going home to Seoul for a a couple of months, then back to Spokane in August. She'll live with us again next school year.

As I've said before, There's never a dull moment in the Szym home.

Clowning in the Kitchen

Gotta love those pigtails!

Piano Concerto No. 9

Also known as: Hanging out at Aunt Cindy's in Ming Minor

Biofuel

Thank goodness those farmers in Iowa are growing lots of corn because Ming is gaining lots of energy from this stuff. She is delighted to have discovered corn on the cob this year now that she has a full set of chompers and can use them to her pleasure. At a recent backyard BBQ she chose more corn over chocolate cream pie. Smart girl. (Thanks, Titus, for the phunny photo.)

Another Memorial Day Shot

Here's one that Aunt Cindy took of Grandma, Levi and Ming. Looks like some fun golf action at Eagle Bend!

Crazy Pirate Golf

This one is too funny...Ming starts with a goofy pirate look on her face and then shows off her excellent swing. After she connects with the golf ball, she performs her own special end zone dance.

Memorial Day Weekend '08

I spent the week in the Bay Area, only to return home on Friday night. On Saturday AM we buzzed over to Bigfork, Montana for a little R&R - including some golf action. Click on these shots if you want the full affect. Ming Mei is a golfing machine. She makes ALL her putts...because she always places her ball right next to the hole. Here she is monkeying around in the cart while Mom and Dad are teeing off. When you're little, you can take power naps on the golf cart seat.

Weekend Sunshine

It finally got good and hot this weekend in Spokane - too hot. Ming and I were probably the two family members who handled it the worst. You can't tell from these pics of Ming that she was a little grumpy because of the heat, but you need to take my word on it. And as for me being grumpy...well, you need to take my word on that too (or ask Linda).

I'm in San Francisco for the week so you won't see any posts until next weekend when the family heads to Montana for the holiday weekend.

Lunch At The Roost

Ming came to Eastern Washington University (with mama) today to have lunch with me. Nate had wrapped up his classes for the day, so he joined us too. We walked over to the newest dining facility on campus at the Rec Center. Food, Fellowship and Fun was Famtabulous.

Tigerette

Plastigrapho shafts - nothing but the best technology.

A club for both hands - if we're gonna play, we might as well play.

And hey, sometimes it's easier to move the hole if the ball doesn't go in - this isn't the face of a cheater, is it?

The Rock Stars

Actually, they are very hip swimmers.

Swimming with the Kitchen Sharks

Those floatie rings really work on kitchen tile! Ming told me that there was "no wahwee" (that's her word for water).

Ice Cream on the Front Porch

It was a beautiful day in Spokane (finally!) - around here the first Sunday in May is 'Bloomsday' and we celebrated by hosting one of the largest road races in the nation (www.bloomsday.org). Sometimes we run, but this year Linda and I volunteered our encouraging services at a water station along the race course. Levi stayed home and cared for Ming while we were having fun in the morning sun. This evening we enjoyed some ice cream while sitting on the front porch. Ming Mei is wearing her butterfly catching net as a hat (as she often does). Silly girl.

Hey Ho Play Dough