Birthday Dinner for Ted

Bronka invited Ted and I over on Sunday, July 17 for Ted's birthday. He turned 61 on Saturday. Bronka made a lovely dinner for him. She also made him a wonderful birthday cake and even sang a Polish birthday song.

Bronka has a secret to baking a cake and you will have to ask her what that secret is.

We had wonderful conversation and a very lovely time with Bronka, as always.

David Uberuaga Going Away Party

On Wednesday, July 13, Ted and I picked up Bronka and took her to Uberuaga's going away party at Whittaker's, which began about 5;30 with dinner of burgers and salad and beverages. Bronka had a wonderful time seeing old friends, like the Molenaar's who came all the way from Gig Harbor. There were other friends she spoke with. We had very nice dinner there. The weather was really nice, but at the end of the party, it started to rain, which was when we decided to leave after 2 hours of being there.

Uberuaga received many gifts and honors from many people who acknowledged the great job he has done in the Park for 27 years. Bronka gave him a hug and told him how much she admired all he had done for the park and wished him well on his new job.

Bronka said that Uberuaga had come up to her on one of her hikes and introduced himself. We all had a great time and Bronka was very happy she attended the party.

On Saturday, July 9, Bronka joined us on a hike to Geenwater Lakes. She rode with Ted and I as well as our two grandchildren, Aleah, 10 and Eli, 8. Bonka is so gracious. She enjoyed talking with our grandchildren and our grandchildren enjoyed talking with her. They shared with her a children’s National Geographic. She is a great listener.

Our hike was wonderful. The day was sunny and warm and the lakes were beautiful. Bronka enjoyed the hike very much. She had never been to Greenwater. She mentioned she and Ake had hiked in the Olympics frequently, but when they moved to Ashford, they rarely hiked in the Olympics.

Bronka still suffers from swelling in her legs and stomach pain and bloating, which she will speak to her doctor about. We had a nice leisurely lunch and hike back.

When we left our grandchildren off, our three year old grandson, Ethan, came up to Bronka and took her to his play area and showed her how he could go down the slide by himself. Bronka was delighted to go with him and watch him. She loved being with them. She is so good with children.

On Sunday, Bronka had a visit from her friend and neighbor, Judge McCarthy. They had a nice visit. She had mentioned they had gone on a hike to Indian Bar years ago, and how beautiful it was. Bronka also worked very hard all day, filling in a ditch that had been dug to check the propane line. Ted was going to do it for her, but she did it herself. She said a neighbor stopped by and was not very happy that she did that.

Today, July 11, 2011, Bronka went on a walk with us on the levy along the Nisqually River. We like to take our two dogs there. Bronka had told me that she had been frightened of dogs since one of her neighbor’s dog, bit her. Our dogs Polly and Buster are so friendly that she will sometimes walk Buster. She told me we cured her of being scared of dogs. Polly and Buster love her and they get very excited when they see her. As we walked along the levy we ran into neighbors, Andy and Regina and chatted with them. Then ran into Park Ranger, Jim and chatted with him. We had a pleasant walk, and Bronka always invites us in for a cookie and coffee or tea, but had to decline. She was planning to work in her yard today, which looks beautiful!

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     Rosie and I built a new home on property we had owned for 15+ years in Ashford, WA in the summer of 2009.

     We found a treasure in meeting and being befriended by Bronka Sunstrom. We had met Bronka on the Muir snowfield over the years as she and her beloved husband of 64 years passed by and conversed with and encouraged thousands of hikers and climbers vying for the 10,080 ft base camp for the standard route up 14,411ft Mt Rainier, a 4,630 vertical foot gain, 8 mile round trip. She and Ake had made the trip as many as 50 times a year.

     She has taken us under her wing and often accompanies us on our short mini hikes when we take our doggies out for their 60 minute minimum constitutionals daily. Sometimes on the levy by Bronkas home on the Nisqually River. Occasionally on the Muir snowfield, Rose has skied and snowshoed in the winter with Bronka in Mt Rainier National Park. Bronka lives 3/8 of a mile from the park, we live 1/2 of a mile from Bronka. Yes, she has walked over.

     We love Bronka and want to share with others that love her all that is going on with her. And there's a lot. She does not have the ability to "broadcast" as she does not have an internet connection. It came after her time. Bronka will turn 86 August 15.

    

     btw, Bronka was the oldest women to summit Mt Rainier @ 77. She did the round trip in 19 hrs.

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