2025-09-07 Getting colds while traveling

We drove from Bend to Boise on Sunday, and Dean was not feeling great, but in addition, Derek and Kris also came down with colds. 

Monday thru Wednesday we did not do much, as we were all feeling a bit bad.  Coughing, sniffling and lots of nose blowing.    

Derek and Dean worked on designing and making some boat parts on Derek's 3D printer.  We have thru hulls for locker drains on the boat, with rubber flapper covers on them.  They work fine, but when water runs out them, it tends to run out the thru hull, and run down the side of the hull, leaving a dirty stain.    

We did some experimenting with sealant, and tried to put a drip edge on the covers to get the water away from the hull so it would drip down instead of running along the hull.  Had some success, so had Derek make us some covers with built in drip edges.

Old one on left, new one with drip edge - hope it works

Dean mowed Derek's yard, which was overdue after our travels to Bend.  Kris weeded some areas in the front courtyard.

Derek's back yard, nice view, but lawn needs some love still

We went to lunch with Dean's Mom.  She is having some back issues, so sitting in one position for a long period is not great, and unfortunately the restaurant we took her to had horrible service, so we were there way too long for her comfort.

Dean and his Mom, Nita

Dean took a trip with his brother to Magic Reservoir, where they have some property.  About a 2 hour drive, and they hauled 140  concrete retaining blocks and a picnic table out to put on the property.  It is a dry area, and the reservoir is very low now.

Magic Reservoir - very low

Never saw a beige Praying Mantis before - guess when the vegetation gets dry and yellow, they do too.

Dean and his brother, Lee

Kris did her annual shopping run to thrift stores in the area  picked up some boat clothes and found a bunch of forks for Derek, as his roommate has the irritating habit of losing them - or throwing them away with leftover food stuff.

Kris and Derek got busy, and put some landscaping in the courtyard area where Derek has had only bare dirt and weeds for the past year.   Looks much nicer now.

Weeds and excess dirt are gone now

Got heavy duty landscape fabric for the area

Looks better than a clump of weeds and dirt

We all went out for the afternoon with Deans brother Lee and wife Edie for a target shooting session.  A 22 caliber and 9mm handgun were used to shoot targets out in the hills.   Lee was the best of us all, but we all hit the target multiple times.

Dean shooting the .22

Have enjoyed spending time with Derek, and his girlfriend Emma, and visiting family.   We have a couple more days before we fly out.