Brief Respite

And...we're back. Briefly. Seven hours 40 minutes brought us home along I-84 and the beautiful Columbia River today. We were amazed to see how many new wind turbines are being installed on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the River -- and there were many semi trucks on the freeway bringing new turbine pieces for installation. You'll see all of the pictures here. Oregon is poised to be one of the largest producers of wind power in the nation -- and maybe even the globe. We also made a brief stop at Multnomah Falls, just a scant 20 miles east of Portland and very near Rooster Rock. We've said it before to one another, and we said it again today, we live in one of the most amazing places on earth. If you haven't been here, you need to plan your visit. I also found myself wanting more -- more pictures. More and more. But, alas, being the sole driver and speeding along at 70mph did not permit such frivolity today. Maybe another time.

Time with the family is always good but always hesitant. I find myself getting irritated at some pretty silly things -- like the fact that many of the adults in my family cannot hear well and we find ourselves yelling everything and repeating questions over and over. I hate that. And then there is the narrow-in-scope Republican issue. It's everywhere. From the Ten Commandments being posted in house windows to their inability to recognize same-sex couples. I just don't like it. I know full well that we live in a political and social bubble here in Portland. And I like my bubble. We visited with my brother, my sister, and all of our nephews and niece. Plus, we got to see cousins, aunts and uncles. In spite of it all, we do have a great family. My mother's 79th birthday is tomorrow. I hope that I'm half the gal she is when I grow up.

I'm unpacking, repacking, and off to yoga this afternoon before I begin a long four-day trip early in the morning. It'll find me in San Diego, Los Cabos, Oakland, Seattle and Anchorage. I'll be home on Sunday. It appears to be nearly 8,000 miles. Here's the routing if you're interested.

Cheers and deep-throat kisses to you all.