Hot Air Balloon Launch

It's a cool night here in Richland so we decided to let a hot-air balloon fly. We launched around 6:30 and got about 15 minutes of flight time. The balloon flew high into the misty sky and finally fizzled out. A good flight and you can watch this brief video if you'd like. Thanks for the great balloon sacks, Matt!!

New Year's Day 2009

We actually made the front page of the Tri-City Herald newspaper with our annual Polar-bear dip in the Columbia River! We got in the 35 degree water at about noon on new year's day. About 30 of us braved the cold. Nate and Paul went from our family. If you look at this link, you'll see Paul already underwater just above guy in blue shorts and Nate is on the dock in the black and white flower swim trunks. This is the brainchild of our former stake president. He does it every year with members of his family and friends. He was the oldest participant (he's seen in the picture diving in the blue shorts). The youngest were a boy and girl around 10 (the girl was crying when she got out but she made it!).

---

After the dip, I went out to the country and shot miscellaneous firearms with some friends, we had a good time. Then, I decided to take a late afternoon bike ride (wish I hadn't). I was on my way back home when I was riding across a cross walk. A truck turned in front of me and I slammed on my brakes, too late! I smashed into his left front fender bounced my head and right side of my body off his Ford Ranger Pickup and ended up on the ground. I laid there for a minute assessing my situation feeling different parts of my body for bumps, breaks or bruises. Feeling okay, I got right up as the truck driver approached to see how I was doing. I told him I was alright. I started to feel some pain in my ribs and on my right pinkie. Onlookers called for police and ambulance. The police showed up and the onlookers gawked. I told everyone I was okay. Police had us exchange names and they canceled the ambulance. The truck driver and I both apologized to each other. We exchanged information. He offered to give me a ride home. I checked my bike and the only obvious damage was bent handlebars. I rode it a few feet and it seemed to be okay so I decided to ride home. On my way I was assessing myself for anything serious that would need attention. As I moved my right pinkie, I realized it would bend just fine but I had to use my other hand to straighten it. I was afraid to take my glove off. I thought it might be dislocated. I was also feeling pain from the rib impact so I decided I would go to the ER when I got home just to be safe. Spencer drove me there and I also realized I had a bruised heel. After X-rays, no broken ribs, collapsed lungs or obvious internal injuries. The finger is kind of a weird case, though. It's called "Boutonniere's Finger". See this link for more details This apparently rare problem comes from a rupture of the the tendon that runs across the top of the finger so you can't straighten your finger. I have an appointment Tuesday to see the orthopaedic surgeon to see what he thinks. Meanwhile, a few bruises and scrapes are showing up and the pain medicine is doing a pretty good job of making life bearable. Happy New Year!