Oregon - She Flies With Her Own Wings

Just over one month ago we arrived in Portland. As mentioned in my last post, it hadn't been the best of experiences. But as promised, I didn't let it deter me. I got involved in meetup groups and started getting active. Went on some incredible hikes to see wild flowers and waterfalls abound. I've seen rat snakes and rattle snakes and a huge spotted owl. Helped decorate a float for the Rose Festival Parade, participated in a traditional Memorial Day/field day potluck picnic, complete with three legged races, wheel barrow races and tug of war just to name a few. My team even won a shiny "gold" medal for the sponge toss relay-first to fill up the cup. :-) (There might be a more technical term for it but that's what it was.) I'm slowly getting back into yoga but it is kicking my butt after a three month hiatus. I also play pick-up games of either kickball or sand volleyball on Thursday nights and there are loads of plans to do other fun activities and amazing hikes. My house finally settled on May 30th and I've been so busy I haven't even had a moment to look for a job. No rush, I'm enjoying not working right now. Too much beauty to explore and fun to be had.

Oregonians are, understandably so, very proud of their state and have been very happy to show me around, including a private, one day, 300-mile tour. Driving first through the Douglas firs and red cedars to lunch at Timberline Lodge (setting for The Shining) near the top of snow capped Mt. Hood. From there we hit some sacred Indian grounds amongst tall grass meadows then followed the White River, which starts as a near trickle at Mt. Hood and develops into lush, fast flowing waterfalls. Got a good pic of some kids jumping off the cliffs into the river where it calms down after the third fall. It was a hot day and I'm sure that cold water felt refreshing. If I'd had a swimsuit, I would have been right there jumping with them. We finished in the high desert, past the salmon packed Deschutes River, near Maupin, Oregon. It was easily 85 degrees at 5:00 in the evening and I enjoyed relaxing in a hammock under a couple shade trees (rare in the desert area). A stark difference from the snow I'd been playing in just a few hours earlier. I've also been lucky enough to be taken on a Harley ride through the countryside to the local wineries, go for a bike ride along the Willamette river into Portland. Discovering the Saturday Market and cute, trendy Portland neighborhoods and delicious restaurants with a friend has been great too. Fortunately I've been able to give back as well; sometimes it takes the 'new kid in town' to help locals experience things in their own back yard. Specifically, me and four locals went as first time spectators to the annual Naked Bike Ride. Thousands of cyclists participated, of all shapes and sizes and varying degrees of nakedness: some tastefully covered in body paint, others just had it out there for the world to see. Sometimes it was a good thing, other times not so much. ;-P Regardless, it is a beautiful event because it is the true embodiment of the Oregon motto and spirit--She flies with her own wings!

Overall, Orgeon is AMAZING! I've smiled and laughed more in the last three weeks than I have in years. It is incredibly beautiful whichever way you turn and the weather has been spectacular almost the entire time we've been here. I'm looking forward to the upcoming hikes, tubing trip down the Clackamas river and our trip to the coast next week. But most of all I'm looking forward to Clay turning 18 on Friday. Sometimes I can't believe how quickly the time has gone and how grown up my baby is, other times I can't believe the long awaited day is finally here. ;-) Either way, I'm grateful to him for directing us to Oregon.