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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

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.

12 comments:

anne marie in philly said...

Multnomah Falls - it IS gorgeous, as is the whole columbia river gorge area.

did you see the news - new hampshire will become the next state to allow same-sex marriage!!! YAYZ!!! 6 down, 44 to go.

glad to have you back!

Blair said...

It was a great trip with you as always! I just love it. It is what life is all about....the road trip that is.....as far as being trapped in a Red-State for 4 days well, thats another story. It's a great thing I love you, your sister and my mother-in-law as much as I do! A few of our other family members and most of the rest of the State need to crawl out from under the rock they have been under for so long. They just don't get it.

Vic Mansfield said...

Our families of origin always provide challenges, and sometimes entertainment and some good scenery.

Mine is mainly in the "challenge" department.

Ur-spo said...

dear me
don't you ever sit still?

I have not been to Idaho, but it does not sound attractive.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home! And then you are off for a long work trip... whew! Never a dull moment for you!
Ah family! Can't live with them, and can't get any money for them on the black market. HA! My brother and his wife just visited us this weekend. It was WONDERFUL! And I got a terrific email from him saying how impressed he was with all the kids. THAT was cool! OK... time to go, I am rambling...
Love that header pic!

wcs said...

Glad you both survived! Happy trails. Con-trails, that is. :)

wcs said...

p.s. At least you don't have to drive the plane.

Stephen said...

You are correct... we live in a special place that has natural beauty that is unsurpassed & a forward looking community.
Thanks for the pics!

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back and have a good trip again!

Gregorio

Billy said...

Glad y'all are home and safe... And you're so blessed to still have mom at 79!

Will have to plan that trip to your side of the world soon!

travelling, but not in love said...

busy busy. hope your schedule doesn't drive you too crazy. or more crazy, as the case may be... ;-)

Geoff said...

I love Multnomah Falls! Glad you survived the rough spots, but aren't roadtrips the best? Travel safe!