“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!

Barf construction: you build it up, we'll throw it up!

So, this is how the next day started...the Bride to Be is not so well.

Trying to appear happy while waiting for the common hang-over cure: greasy breakfast food

Six hours later, we realized it wasn't working and the vomiting wasn't stopping, so we took LuLu to the hospital...

Two IVs later...

She was feeling human again (but no alcohol for LuLu!!!)

Party like a rock star...

So...it's been a long time since the last post, but if you read on, I think you'll agree it's been busy.

Lulu's bachelorette party was the first weekend in June and here's how it went...

All smiles in the elevator on the way to dinner on Friday night. Santa Barbara held the perfect place for this group's adventures.

This is our "Goodfellas" picture.

Hmmmm...I can see where this is going to lead...

Well, if there was any question...there should be none now.

Time to pause for a sisterly smile.


I wear my sunglasses at night....

The veil moved from the head to the back as her dancing becaame more "serious."

Did I mention there was a dancing cage?

Aren't we classy and beautiful?

Some down time.

In case anyone ever wondered what it is that women do after a night out during a bachelorette weekend, here's the answer.

"Gone - flitted away, Taken the stars from the night and the sun From the day! Gone, and a cloud in my heart." Lord Alfred Tennyson

Days 7 & 8--Saturday & Sunday in Costa Rica


Saturday, Day 7: "SCUBA Steve and Sally"

As our trip came to a close we didn't get lazy and stop taking pictures, we were just underwater. I have "borrowed" a few pictures to help illustrate the day. Our dives held sightings of four white-tipped sharks and a HUGE manta ray. Af first I had no clue as to what our dive guide was pointing to (I thought it was a rock) then it moved and I forgot to breathe for a bit...not a good thing when you are 40 feet under water.

After the dives we just spent some time relaxing and enjoying the amenities of the hotel. Tomorrow holds a journey home, one we were both reluctant to take.

The place we did one of our dives was just on the other side of this "island" of sorts.

The only dive shop in the area. The dive masters were knowledgeable and fun. They had yummy snacks, too.

I wish I had an underwater camera so that I could have snapped a shot of the manta ray that was about 12 feet wide.

These guys are shy creatures who just wanted us to leave them alone. After petting his tail, I was happy to comply.

Sunday, Day 8: Our Final Day

As we made our way out of town, we snapped a few pictures of the resort since it was so beautiful. . .Los Suenos attracts those seeking relaxation, fishing, and golf.

“There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot.”--Steven Wright

Days 5 & 6: Thursday and Friday in Costa Rica

So, after sleeping in and not diving (thanks Tsunami), we decided to get back on these crazy roads and head to Manuel Antonio to see the jungle and all its lovely animals. Once there (after another harrowing ride in which I thanked God for gravity--CRs are not afraid to put you on a 30% grade road!) we went on our tour and saw monkeys, sloth, and a few crabs and other interesting creatures of the jungle.

We stopped at a restaurant called El Avion on the way back and enjoyed breathtaking views from atop a high mountain. Oh, and we were sitting next to a gunned-down airplane (hence the name of the place).

Here's one of the bridges we crossed. Cars and cars would wait to pass...no police to monitor and control the traffic. Just a bunch of patient people.

The main entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Our first monkey sighting. They're so cute!

The sloth has the life. Live slow, eat slow...poop slow (once a week!) Interesting facts we learned on our tour.

Did I mention that the jungle nestles right up against the beach?

On our walk, we encountered a big bamboo "forest"...pretty cool.

Enjoying a cocktail and the view at El Avion.

The next morning...rise and shine...we went fishing again. This time I loved it because not only did I have a great time fishing, but because the 50-footer we were on had an air-conditioned salon so I read a whole book. By the way, The Glass Castle is a great read.

All in all it was a very successful day topped off by eating our daily catch at the restaurant in the hotel. The chef there is a phenomenal cook and we enjoyed it all so much.

My first sail fish. Catch and release him to swim another day!

In the chair...this is for serious reelin'!

Lil'Harcher's big catch of the day.

He is so happy when he's a catcherman, not just a fisherman.

The day's eatable catch: three Dorado.

On the menu: fresh Mahi Mahi.

He's so serene...I better take a picture because he won't stay like this for long.
The sky is so awesome...

A beautiful sunset on a beautiful day...