California here we come....DAY TWO

Woke up this morning and got packed up in quick order and headed down to breakfast. Not sure what was on the menu - but I was anticipating the best and preparing for the worst. As son as I got to the bottom of the stairs I was greeted by a fairly large sized dog of unknown breed that had the utterly creepy charm of being blind as a bat. He (or she, perhaps) would simply lean his head into my thigh and just hold it there while waiting for a scratch behind the ears or a belly-rub or whatever form of affection would be offered. I complied and the dog went about his morning ordeals while Doug (I believe was his name) took requests for breakfast.

We were joined in short order by another couple who had stayed several nights here and we asked where they we traveling from. We were, of course, hoping to meet someone from a far-off land who could regale us with tales of adventure and nuance. Their home? Vancouver, Washington. I suppose when we told them we were from Beaverton they may have been equally underwhelmed.

Actually, it turned out that the woman was a teacher and she and Laura had a common friend in someone from our church - Karen "Whats-Key" (I know that's a terrible way to spell a name, but damn-it, sometimes you just have to rely on phonetics).

Breakfast consisted of blackberry pancakes, eggs, toast, coffee, and orange juice and it was, or course, delicious. We finished our meal; bade good-bye to our housemates, Doug, and the dog; packed up the Pilot and started out on the road.

Our first stop was only a few miles away and something that I've been to a few times - but Laura had yet to see: The Oregon Vortex.

California here we come....DAY ONE

Got off to our trip Saturday morning with a drive down I-5 South toward the Gold Hill area.

We dropped off Michael's kids with his Mom and Laura's with Robert (Justin is White Branch-bound!) and hit the road.

Our final destination is Oakland, California to tour the Bay area for a bit of the day on Monday. However, our first stop was in the Gold Hill area near Medford and a little B&B that Michael picked out called the Rouge River Guest House. Pictured is one of the main rooms in the house and Laura posing for me (after much cajoling) on the swing near the yard.


The guy who runs the place met us on the patio as we walked up toward the house around 6:00ish Saturday night. He had a prosthetic leg and smelled of lots of alcohol. Nevertheless, he was kind and checked us in and led us to our room upstairs. I've (Michael) never stayed in many B&Bs - so I wasn't too sure what to expect. Laura assured me that it was much like some of the places she's been in while traveling in the UK and that it did, indeed, have a bit of charm to it. I was and continue to be confused about the choice of an open box of random screws and bolts for decor. We both, however, found it "peculiar" that it was physically impossible to shut the door to the shared bathroom. Thank God we didn't have neighbors!

We found a nice restaurant right on the Rouge River a few miles down the road and had a few beers (thanks to the recommendations of the local, yet earnest, barfly) and some good food while we watched the river roll by. Still not sure - but we think we may have been sitting next to a food critic who spent her time alternating between bites of food and tapping on her Blackberry.

After dinner, we drove back down the road to the house and after getting thoroughly confused and nearly lost for a moment, we settled in the for the night and began planning our next day's drive into Oakland.

Dad & Me Camp 2009

A few weekends ago, Harry and I went down to the Bend/Sisters area to Camp Suttle Lake for our last year of Dad & Me camp together. We've attended this camp together at Camp Magruder in 2007 and 2008 - but went to Suttle Lake this year.

We did some hiking and swimming and a little bit of boating, too. We ate s'mores and banana boats and - of course - went on a Guava hunt.

Harry will be old enough to attend Jr. camp next year at White Branch - but Emma and Carter will be old enough for their first year of Dad & Me Camp - so I'll be able to attend for another 3 years.

Can't wait!

The Lunatic is on the Grass

Last night I entertained Emma, Carter, and Brendan by - of all things - mowing the lawn. As I wove my mower through the thick patches of grass (umm...it had been while...) the three of them dashed back and forth - pretending to be "chased" by the mower. And as long as they kept a healthy distance from the mower - I was happy with that.

Each of them also wanted to take turns pushing the mower - which they did with aplomb and a modicum of success. However, the hilarity ensued when they each wanted to pull the ripcord to start the engine. I thought Carter was going to hyper-extend his arms yanking on that. No one got it started - so I had to "help" each of the turn the engine over. Alas...

One thing I did fine cute - if not a bit primal - was how they loved laying down in the long, grassy tussocks before they were eventually and inevitably trimmed back. There was something very cat-like in their natures as their eyes peeked over the tops of the blades of grass. Brendan stopped stalking prey long enough to mug for this photo.

Now - on to the front yard.