37 in Oregon: Part 2

(Just realized I'm adding photos in wrong order; go to bottom for first!) We celebrated Jim’s birthday dinner at his request with MEAT! He asked for rib apps, then we moved on to the meat course: steak. The baked potato counted as vegetable. He opened gifts, and Rick held the phone so he could talk to Char and Larry while he opened their present. Once all the loot was unwrapped, we settled in for a movie, birthday cake and popcorn.

Up early in the morning (since we hadn’t eaten enough) for Uncle Nels’ famous Eggs Benny before loading into the Birthday Bus. We had a fun time on the road (what a smooth ride!) and stopped in Garabaldi for SIX big crabs. After a refreshing walk on Rockaway Beach at Barview, we had a crab boil and campfire. Bus camping is very civilized and we felt sad for people in tents since it did rain heavily overnight.

Another famous Uncle Nels breakfast of corn tortilla-eggs-sausage rollups in the morning, another walk on the jetty and beach before turning around for home. We had to stop at the Tillamook cheese factory (because there were free samples, of course) and then a quick visit with Jim’s very pregnant cousin Jenna who had been dog-sitting for the weekend. Dogs aboard, we got home and unloaded, had showers and had a very good night’s sleep.

37 in Oregon: Part 1

Jim's birthday began with cake prep last night and Rick blasting Jim this morning with the Beatles Happy Birthday song on the iPad. Jim requested "Eggs, lotsa eggs" at his party-festooned breakfast table. That was followed by a trip to town for "ribs, steak, baked potatoes" for birthday supper barbeque. We'll be well and stuffed with meat! Tomorrow, Jim gets a camping trip in Nels' converted Greyhound (really!) to Rockaway beach on the coast. We'll have a crab boil and campfire. Thanks to all who have sent ecards and bday email wishes! We'll post an update after our trip on The Big Birthday Bus.

Day trip to Columbia River Gorge

Nels and Gwen had Wednesday off so we all drove out to the Gorge. We visited the Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery and were all gobsmacked by the size of the sturgeon. One named Herman was over 10 feet long. They look like dinosaurs. Jim fed the trout. Lots of pretty waterfalls. We stopped for lunch and did some hiking. After a visit to a little museum, Nels had a nap on the lawn in the sun, at least until Jim jumped on him.

Farmer Jim

We're catching up on a couple of updates at a coffeeshop in Newberg since Nels and Gwen have a slooow connection up in the hills. Jim's getting a good dose of farm life, and now even feeds stale toast to the goats and donkey himself. Jenna's leftover baby shower cake was pretty dried out, so Jim carried it to the barn. The Curly and Jasmine particularly liked the pink icing. He draws the line at farm animals on his bed, though, so we have to drag the dogs and cats out of his room.

Heading north again

It was hard to say goodbye to Ben and Julia this morning, but they'll be glad to have their house back! We're looking forward to coming again to explore more of their favourite places in the city. They treated to a fun breakfast at Bette's and presented Jim with an early birthday gift before we piled into the car. We made good time and are overnighting in Grant's Pass. Mt. Shasta was completely snowcovered just like it was when we were going the other way in December. The last photo proves that men on the road talk softly and carry a big spoon.

Visit to the Zs and Wights

Our good friends Todd Zazelenchuk and Helen Wight live in San Mateo with baby Sam. We showed up for supper tonight and had a good catch up with them. Our timing was impeccable; we arrived just as Todd got out of his car with pizza. Fourth-month-old Sam is, of course, adorable and tolerated being passed back and forth. We are again reminded what good friends they are and how we wish they were closer.

San Fran

Having fun, cooking (see the beautiful artichokes we got at the market?), walking, eating! So much to eat in this city! Julia showed us how to use Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains, so we don't need to use the car much. Rick, Karin and Jim walked to Berkeley campus yesterday (there was a protest of some sort) and on the walk home, stopped to pick up some basil plants. We're rehabilitating the kids' backyard garden. Ben's old high school friend Tony just got back from an extended stay in Thailand, so he came by last night looking very calm and Jesus-like and we all swapped travel stories. Jim wrote a postcard to his YMCA coworkers and one to Jon to drop in the mailbox today. Beautiful sunny day and blue skies so a good day for more gardening.