When we found the Tree last month, we talked to Gerhard's dad about scattering ashes. Then last week he had a doctor's appointment so we told him we'd do it today. I arranged with Gerhard's friend, who had helped me find the Tree, to meet us at dad's house.

I called first thing this morning just to be sure he was expecting us. We left in cloud and cold, but then drove above the clouds to sunny, cold weather. The rain threatened again. Then we arrived in Reno a few minutes early, and found a note, so we went for a walk at Rancho San Rafael park, and actually ran into Dad and the dog. We walked back to the house and arrived about the same time as the friend and the dad. We all went into the house and rather awkwardly sat around, till I said "Well, are we going to do this?" Dad had forgotten why we came up!

Well, THAT is awkward. He took a minute, with me saying we didn't HAVE to do it today if he wasn't ready, but decided yes, it is time. Rich had brought up some film cans for a little of the ashes to go somewhere else, but this was Gerhard's Tree, and most should go to it.

I drove with dad and dog and ashes, and Rich came with the friend. The natives know better ways to get through Reno. The aspens are now turning on the lower slopes. We found the road to the Tree. Dad had never seen it before, and I think he was pleased with it. It's not a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. The friend, who had spent a lot of time this summer looking, had not ever spotted the road down to it.

I'd found some dogtags (including some for "Gordon Shumway") so Rich put one up, on the side away from the road but toward the stone the Wiccan group uses as an altar. Then we took turns scattering. I've never done this before. It was solemn, though nobody prayed or did anything else my friend would have hated. We missed the full moon, but we were in time for Samhain. (A year late, but on the other hand, I don't think dad would have been ready if we'd found the tree last year.) The friend wants to visit the Tree now, and bring Scouts. Maybe Gerhard would have hated that, but we do think more people should know about (and treasure) his Washoe Pine.

We then left, after a half-hour or so. On the way out I spotted what initially looked like a big sprinkler up on the side of the mountain. After an initial "wha'?" thought, I realized it's a snow-maker! The friend went back to work and dad took us to lunch. He told us about the time he had a bunch of Scouts on the mountain learning Orienteering, and they found a dead body. (It turned out not to be foul play.) I piped up with "gee, Rich only took them to a nude beach!" (It was an accident!!) "You guys really give Scouts lots of experiences!"

We said goodbye and went to a couple of casinos. I couldn't win anything, but Rich got a $100 jackpot, so we left. En route home, we got a few splashes of rain. That's our last visit till next April. I think we'll lose a dollar or so of our "O'Lucky Bucks" but will keep most of them. ($5.80, enough for one buffet meal.)

Tony Woodlief has another sad story.

ObGoe: Gun Control's Twisted Outcome, Joyce Lee Malcolm.

A cartoon about Condi, Powell and Belefonte, and Cold Fury on it.