On President Day weekend 2002 we purchased a house, that sits atop (what is known as) Political Hill, from the Bushes. True. This, back when “W” was in office. And since that time, we have been good friends with these non-political Bushes.

Although they did not look it at first glance, David & Rose Mary Bush were adventurers. Following their bliss of travel and photography (and videography), they modeled how to live the ultimate, fulfilling retirement — motorhoming, sometimes annually, from the Arctic Circle to Key West. They were enamored by bears, birds, crashing waves, and majestic mountains, and they went to get lengths to find them. They would patiently wait for hours, days, weeks to get that “right shot” — sometimes enduring considerable discomfort. But they loved it and they were tough. And they did it later in life than anyone we had ever known. Their drive and passion kept them young and strong.

But more than adventurous, they were models of loving mutual respect. We admired them, greatly.

Their long ride has sadly ended. Rose Mary passed away yesterday, just four months after David. It seems like such a short time ago that they were active and healthy — seemingly with inexhaustible vigor. Now they are gone.

Of course, they live on in our many memories. And, I like to think they still have a presence in our house (their house) atop Political Hill.

May their adventures together forever continue.

Marlene’s logging camp is open for business.

The girl likes her outdoor fires.

A frightful evening of Treat-Or-Treating in Missoula, Montana.

We also visited their new library, where (much to Marlene’s displeasure) a snake was being handed around to inquisitive kids (and grandkids). Marlene does not do snakes well. A ghost or zombie, fine. A snake, not so much.

Suffice it to say, she never expected to encounter a snake at the library. And, suffice it to say, she will not be back soon.

A Halloween with plenty of fright to go around.