It's always interesting when we go visit Grandpa Parks.  You never know what part of the house is in middle of construction, what new project he has embarked on, what new idea has entered his mind.  We decided to brave the bridge being out and head to Grandpa Parks' house memorial weekend.  We woke up early and were on the road by 7:30, preparing for up to 1 hour extra drive time due to the Skagit River bridge being out.  It took us all of 5 - 10 extra minutes both ways.  Not a problem at all.  When we arrived we noticed the the trailer on the lower portion was gone.  It had been there for years.  When I first came to visit there were apple trees growing over the road and the petals were falling on the car as we made our way up the drive.  Those apple trees have been gone for around 15 years.  There have been some changes made to the place since the property has been incorporated into the city limits.  There have been officials that came in and made a list of what needs to be done.  I'm sure that it's for the good.  I wish I had photos of the property throughout the years.  The kids seem to look at the property as a great big treasure hunt and this time Isaac came away with a chain saw motor that he's working on for his small engines class.  I'm not sure if Grandpa Parks sees it as a good thing that the kids go "treasure" hunting on his property.  On the way home we were discussing Grandpa Parks' age.  He's 81 or 82 years old, but you'd never know it.

a view of the house from the back

The front of the house

the lower garage

the upper garage.