And a friend's a friend forever...

Life may be busy, but we still have time to gather and grow. Miss Piss, Nurse, and I have a glass of wine in Modesto before I leave for San Diego and Arizona.

The race results of the Wharf to Wharf

Well, a quarter of a mile into the race, Lisa ate pavement. Cheetoes had a head start so he missed the action (and he felt miserable about it) and I was blessed enought to see it all. Ironically, the song that played right after the starting gun-shot was "Wipe Out." I might add that we are inside of three weeks from LuLu and Cheetoes' wedding. From here on out, there is no text; the pictures say it all.

It's a beatiful day...

Our final day in Oregon included seeing these strange plants. We think they are beans of some sort.
We rode across a river on a ferry. I felt like I was playing in the Oregon Trail game. Aahh, to be in fifth grade again!
We stopped at a vineyard/garden in the Willamette Valley and saw many a sight such as this.
That was Oregon. The last night ended with another stroll around Portland and a few shopping trips to enjoy the tax-free merchandise one last time. It was such a great trip. Thanks to the parents for sponsoring LuLu and me! Tomorrow we are flying to California only to hope in the car and drive to Santa Cruz for the weekend which we will end with the 10K race, the Wharf to Wharf. Good luck to us!!!

“The very best of vineyards is the cellar” --Lord Byron

Well, today LuLu and I prepared for the Wharf to Wharf by running a two mile run in the hills of Oregon (we about died), then went on a kick-ass walk along this lake.

It was important to make it home in time to change for our private tour on King Estate thanks to Uncle Wine-o!
The view of the Valley from King Estates.
The beginning of the tuor showed stainless steel vats of wine, delicious wine!
The cellar--awesome one-time poured celings as well.
The oak barrels. And the end of my pictures of the tour...too mucch wine.

"A lighthouse keeps sailors from danger, to navigate from danger out there. The light is a comforting thing to see.” --Carolyn Harvey

The next day we ventured into the city of Newport and checked out the harbor.


Took a few fishing boat pictures for Lil' Harcher...
Then we visited the local lighthouse that was pretty but very stinky. It reeked of bird poop/pee combo and seal smell. Peeeeeew!
Walking up the long spiral staricase to the top of the lighthouse...
Catching LuLu talking a picture.
After looking at the lighthouse, we traveled an hour and a half south and looked at Bictor and Dancer's property in Yachats. The picture below is the actual parcel.


And a very short walk is to the shore where one can sink his or her feet in the sand... as we have demonstrated.What does LuLu do when she's bored? She smells the fresh mint and balance it on her nose.
Then we wait patiently for the ladies to hurry off the beach. Well, I don't look so patient.

Then we packed up the car, headed south to the worst Mexican et al food ever, and saw a cool lighthouse on the way. Once we arrived at Bictor's sister (JMR) and brother-in-law's (Wine-o) house, LuLu and I had to do some moth-hunting before we could sleep. There was an infestation. Yuck!

“A strong man and a waterfall always channel their own path.”

So, day two here in Oregon and Bictor, Dancer, and I decided to check out the river gorge. What a beautiful sight.

We took the senic route
and came across lovely rivers like this one...
waterfalls like the one Dancer is displaying...
and the second tallest waterfall in the continental U.S.
Then, on our last stop before heading to the airport to pick up Lulu, we stopped at the dam. It was amazing.

After we picked up Lulu, we went to Newport, Oregon and saw our friends' (Dog Lovers') new home away from home. It is something to envy!

“Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you” -- Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Summer holds many vacations for me. I took a week-long sojurn with my parents and sister to Oregon. The first day we spent touring Portland and the Rose Gardens. What a beautiful day! We had a great dinner atop a 30-story building that had 360-degree views of Portland. The food and service was outstanding. After dinner with took a walk around the city, popped into a popular hotel and listened to a jazz trio and singer while enjoying a hot cup of herbal tea. What a great finish to a great day!

Bictor loves trains, but it would have been better if it were running!
Waiting to board the bus that would take us to the rose gardens.
Vic takes time to smell the roses.
Dancer is in her element. We could have spent so much time here looking for the perfect rose...but it was hot and humid.
What lush and beautiful gardens.

“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you” --Christan Morganstern

Since LuLu's getting married in August, I moved home for the summer to help plan the wedding and to save money. One of the benefits was that I can spend time with my high school friends. Here's the second night home...we don't waste any time.

Miss Piss and Ford
Swat (Miss Piss' new man), Miss Piss, and Ford
Liability and Me...pretty in yellow!