Vacation - Part 1

What a marvelous time away! We began in Enterprise OR for a wedding that Sue officiated. (She was NOT on vacation at that point - I was! It was a gorgeous setting in the backyard of the bride's parents - and a high mountain ridge was the backdrop. From there we went to Pendleton, OR to see (again) the Tamastslikt Cultural Center of the Nez Perce. No photos were allowed - but they do an outstanding job of telling the whole story.

The next day we drove to Bend, OR - and went (also again) to the High Desert Museum. On the way we stopped at a display of the Oregon Trail and saw the actual road - still with ruts! I cannot imagine that kind of traveling. The High Desert Museum is a favorite place for both of us. The pictures show snakes, lizards, Gila monsters, eagles, and a spotted owl. There are also photos of Snowball, the lynx. The bobcat was hiding and doing "cat stuff" - i.e. sleeping.

From Bend we drove to Crater Lake and spent the night in the lodge. It was smoky upon arrival - fires from both California and within the park itself. I sat and looked at the smokescreen while Sue hiked to one of the higher points. While we ate our peanut butter sandwiches seated on the rock wall outside the wall, there were sirens, and motorcycles - and then the lodge restaurant was closed. The King of Jordan and his son were out for a motorcycle ride - with the US Secret Service providing protection. Needless to say - the lodge was abuzz that evening!

From Crater Lake we drove to Yachats OR - on the coast. We highly recommend the Ocean Haven (www.oceanhaven.com) where we stayed. We had a studio apartment, with a queen bed, cooking facilities, comfy chairs - and a window wall that faced the Pacific. They even supplied GOOD binoculars, and all organic teas and coffee. And only $100 a night! We stayed there until Sunday - and enjoyed tide pools, walks on the beach, good meals - and the joy of our "beach fix".

From there we went to Troutdale OR for the night - then wandered our way home along the Columbia River Gorge - enjoying the many waterfalls. Tomorrow we are here in Moscow - and then off to Columbus OH and the Great and Glorious Grandchildren for a few days. We'll drive on Saturday to Lake Forest to see Sam and family and celebrate his 90th birthday. Then we're home for the Idaho Repertory Theatre's last two performances - and then it's August and almost time to go back to work!

Pictures on Google's Picasa - a great and free program! http://picasaweb.google.com/layspeaking/OregonJuly2008

Hope y'all have/had an equally stupendous vacation.