Roadtrip-Pacific Northwest

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

We've reached Portland, after an overnight stay in Roseburg, an overnight stay with Jamie's aunt and uncle in Hillsboro, and a visit with my grandmother in Forest Grove.

Perfect Mt Shasta day! And now I know you're flying up 5.

Did you stop in Weed?

We considered a stop in Weed just for the giggles, but we wanted to make good time. So, we just made fun of the name and drove on by.

I think that you will find that is Black Butte. From

snip..


I am looking forward to more pictures, and to meeting you on August 1.

Thanks, ronstew, now I don't have to look it up!

Thank you for the update and very nice photos.

Wow this is a long journey... You must have very patient children !

Did you take your dog along with you ?

I hope you are enjoying the trip. The weather looks fine.


Kind Regards to you and Jamie,

Robert
Ze French konnektion

Thanks, Robert. Yes we have little angels for children. Actually, we're bribing them $5.00 a day, all or nothing (meaning if they are good for ALL 10 days of our trip, they get $50.00 each, but if they're bad even once, they get nothing!). The dog is not nearly as good as the children, though, so we left her with Jamie's parents.

The weather is wonderful, but it is warming up, even as we speak-expected to be in the 90s (farenheit) over the weekend and next week in Seattle.

Yup, Black Butte....classic example of a cinder cone.

Are both the kids still alive?

I'll be at the Enumclaw Games on Sat and Sunday, if you're there. Lunch gathering happens at the hammer cage at 11:30.

Both kids are not only still alive, they're still earning their money!

I really wish we could be there for the games Alan. But, no matter how much we love you, beer is calling and resistance is futile. Beer is good. "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy". So, unless you're providing 80 different microbrews at the games, I'm afraid we're still going to BrewFest tomorrow!

We will be arriving in Seattle on Monday afternoon-maybe you could just stick around until the Tuesday night gathering? They don't need you back at work or anything do they?


Alright, enough socializing.

I have a few more photos to post if they're done uploading.

Be well,

Star

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Pictures....hmmm

Ok, let's start with this:




What can we say about that? Grant's pass....was totally unsuccessful. Grant's pass...this too shall pass. Grant's pass...and here we thought there was only Grant's failure.

Hi, Grant...it's 5:00 pm (in Portland)

We stayed at a nice little hotel in Roseburg-no pictures, not very exciting, but we did get this picture for Sorcererdale:



A few hours on the road the next day brought us to Roseburg where we stayed with Jamie's aunt and uncle, somewhat out in the countrry.

On one side there were horses:



And on the other...Llamas!



Jamie's aunt took us to the Jackson Bottom Wetlands, for a wee bit of birding:





We found this one in one of the shelters overlooking the lake. An exotic Robin.



We did nab 2 new birds (Tree Swallow and Marsh Wren) for our year list, but we were kind of expecting dozens-it was surprising how many we already had and frustrating how many new calls I heard but could not identify.

Ah well, we birders are a strange race.

We also got a Red Breasted Nuthatch and a Black Capped Chickadee the next morning on our walk, so I'm happy with the past 24 hours.

Jamie kept wasting time looking at plants...



This morning we made a quick trip to Forest Grove and visited with my grandmother (91 years young).

Don't they make such a cute couple?



Tomorrow is BrewFest, so we'll be on the lookout for fellow kilties. We'll be in Loud Macleod, so maybe our fellow kilties should be on the lookout for us!

By the time we're done with that, we'll be too hot, tired and slightly the better for beer to post, so I'll probably be checking back in on Sunday.

Be well,

Star

[vmac3205]

Darn, wish I could be at the Brewfest. Crumb!!

[McMurdo]

Great photos so far, you never really, completely understand Grant's failure until you see it live.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

We had a lovely time at the BrewFest today-lots of good beers. Oddly enough, I'm having a hard time remembering them all at this point!



We were responsible folks and took public transit to the waterfront.





Nice views from the train.






We dressed to impress (or at least to be noticed and not to lose each other)






I wanted to be sure that I coordinated well, so worked especially hard on the nails this morning.






The Brew Fest officials wanted to be sure we had a good family photo. They did insist that our glasses be full for the shot.





We saw a few kilts at the event. One or two Utilikilts.





And we met a lovely gentleman and his wife. He's know on X-Marks as werewolves. He's wearing a great two tone kilt by Celtic Warrior Kilts and a Wyvern sporran with his coat of arms on it.





We had just enough to drink to feel happy. Here's a list of all the brewers.





And here's all the origins of the folks attending(I loved that there was someone there from Siberia).



More to come...

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

So, we were feeling very happy.



Here's a nod for Weed






But, it was time to take the "kitties" home (this beautiful woman is a friend of mine from college, and we always joke about how she's the true mother of my children-look at the ears and nose!)






Took the bus back (remember, we're responsible drinkers!)








Goofed around on the bus and train though (because we had been drinking after all!)











Cheers!




Be well,

Star

[KFCarter]

Great, great pics!! Ya'll are quite a sight in the Loud Macleod, just wonderful stuff.

Nice to see some glimpses of Portland, too. We worked there several times when we lived on the left coast and have very, very fond memories of that city.

For some odd reason, I'm jonesing for a beer..........

[macwilkin]

LOL. 30 minutes from where I am we have Weed and Sacramento New Mexico. Lots of neck whipping from tourists when people say they are going to run out to Sacramento real quick

Ah, Weed, New Mexico...home of my great-uncle, the honest-to-gosh cowboy!

T.

[bigdad1]

"We also got a Red Breasted Nuthatch and a Black Capped Chickadee"
That reminds me of when I was on leave once long ago. Ah but that's another story for another time, and place.
Wonderful pictures and you all look very happy. So glad you are having such a fine time.

[werewolves]

It was nice meeting you guys. Glad you enjoyed your visit to our fair city. Cheers!