Well, first of all, I think that Dad of the Year awards are gonna be pretty easy this time around...
Second, you prompted such a memory for me. My Uncle Rudy used to be - for many years - in charge of the hydroelectric station at Grand Coulee (and lives in Coulee Dam to this day, in his 80's, creating some of the most beautiful inlay, marquetry and woodworking I have ever seen, but I digress). When I visited, as a wee girl, we would all go up there and he would turn on the light show that illuminates the spillway on special occasions - just FOR ME. Even at 5 I knew that this was a HUGE DEAL and almost 45 years later I can remember it clearly (and the rattlesnakes that curl up on the concrete slabs of the observation areas in the evening, soaking up the last of the sun's heat).
Your children are insanely lucky. They will realize this one day and it will bowl them over...
Bless you Jesse, you words are an inspiration to this father. Have a great trip!
backpacking is my families insanity, can't wait till my kids are old enough to attempt to fallow dad around nwe mexico with 50 pounds of gear on their backs 
mpt here. I still remember what felt like a roadtrip to get my first bicycle w/my dad and the orange Sunkist soda he got for me (behind my mom's no-processed-food back).
Your children are blessed and so are you. The most important things kids need is time. Actually that's pretty much the case for all people, but especially children.
I see kids in our 'hood being shuttled from the library to the local Score! by their nannies so they can get a leg up on the next year in grade school. That's the alternate universe we live in. We're here for now...
I meant verklempt, not mpt. grr.
hope you have a great ride! we are sure you will. SO missed you here at YK- you simply must come next time around.
much love
tlg
Maybe you and Avian could make a second excursion for her turning 21?
Doc,
Have a great ride with your kids. I will be thinking of you continually and forming pictures in my mind. You better bring back some photos!
As a father of two young children (daughter 4, son 1), and a novice triathlete, I often wonder how I will welcome my children out of adolescence and into young adulthood.
After reading your post, Jesse, I think I may have found my answer. Thanks for the very thoughtful post.
Boy, that was a great piece, brought back loads of memories for me as well. I was raised just a few dozen miles from Grand Coulee in the Okanogan. Used to bike everywhere. As kids, we would ride from main street Okanogan up to Conconully State Park - 25 miles uphill. Not much to those training for the next Tour de France, but significant to a 12 year old.
You make it sound so easy - and so hard - at the same time.
Thanks for your insight.
Inspiring post. As the father of two teenage boys, I salute you!
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