Coast Swap: Billings MT + Missoula MT + Spokane WA + Puyallup WA

Billings MT

April 6, 2012

2683 miles

Mandy and Nick loved Clementine! She's so tired of driving in the car, she would have loved to stay with them.

We spent two nights in Billings to spend some time with family. Mandy and Nick did a great job hosting a brunch. Left- Stephen, Ginger, Ron, Nancy, Uncle Jim, Aunt Mary, Nona Lena (Jim's mother), Grandma Pearl, Mandy, Nick.

Missoula MT

April 7, 2012

3030 miles

46° misty

We drove north to Missoula to have lunch with Uncle John and Aunt Gloria. They made grilled cheese and delicious carrot soup with produce from their garden! We went for a walk on their beautiful property in the mountains.

On the road again, we stopped at an unusual tourist location: 50,000 Silver Dollar. The bar and the walls are covered with silver dollars that tourists have purchased then displayed since 1952. Some have become very valuable. 

Spokane WA

April 7, 2012

3242 miles

41° overcast

gas $3.43

Our last night on the road was spent in Spokane to see cousin Stephanie. She took us to a fun spot where everybody takes their photo- the Wagon in the park. 

Puyallup WA

April 8, 2013

3525 miles

55° sunny

We've arrived! Time to rest... next, looking for apartments, hopefully find one near Stephen's new office. So far, we love the beautiful green grass and flowering trees. 

Adventures: Stephen's Job

Stephen continues to work for Absher Construction as this job draws to a close. They have been building a housing complex for officers in training at the Newport Naval Station. Stephen's boss takes helicopter photos every month to track progress:

At the beginning of the job, Stephen worked primarily coordinating mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, using a program called AutoDesk NavisWorks. Trying to fit all the pipes in the hallway ceilings without intersections requires a lot of formulation.

An overview of the hall spreading into bedrooms.

Cross-section of the three story building, 120,00 square feet.

This phase of the project is complete, so Stephen is spending more time on quality control (punch lists) and buyout (signing up contractors for miscellaneous scopes of work). The managers work in a trailor on site.

 

A co-worker's absence prompted some redecorating...

The team had some fun this spring renting a fishing boat for the day and went deep sea fishing. Below, Jill (Brock's fiancée), Stephen, Brock (the project manager) Steve, Jason, and Dewey.

Stephen also continues to do some consulting with Neville/Gerald Architects, primarily making renderings (using Revit and photoshop.) Below, a rendering for a wine cellar.

Stephen just celebrated his 27th birthday this month. He helped Ginger design and construct this cake!