I have been taking it easy lately, but that doesn't mean that I have not been exploring. This past weekend, I went with some friends on a moderate hike along the "Wild and Scenic" Rogue River. The hike was very picturesque as we meandered along the clear, green river waters through the canyon. Our trail ended at Rainie Falls, a large rapid which I can only describe as "angry". The water was churning out of control. We took a resting place on some rocks near the rapid. Much to my amazement and sheer excitement, a large salmon jumped out of the river and up the rapid. We watched this occur about 10 times before we hiked back. I have never seen that happen. Most of these salmon had to be at least 2 feet or more. It was awesome. Sunday was beautiful and I spent it playing tennis in Lithia park. While playing tennis, there was a doe and three fawns across the street just grazing. After playing tennis, relaxed on a blanket in the park and read a book.
Went back to the Applegate Valley to attend church. It is still held outdoors in an amphitheater. It absolutely beautiful. I am getting quite used to spreading out my blanket and kicking back while we sing and listen to the sermon. Then we have dinner on the grounds. I have been doing more shopping lately too. I am trying to stock up on souvenirs for everyone. Ashland and Jacksonville are very trendy and historic and offer an excellent selection of shopping. Still taking tennis lessons and playing as often as possible. I am surprisingly getting better.
Heading to Portland this weekend with a co-worker for a conference. We are hopefully going to be able to go to Body Worlds while we are there. Starting my count down-for real this time. Can't wait to come home and visit. Hope everyone is doing well.
17 September, 2007
04 September, 2007
Lounge Lizards, Craters, and Kayaking
Wow! What a week it has been. Many thanks to Wendy for visiting. I know she is exhausted. I kept her moving...but there is so much to see. I didn't want her to miss anything. It is always nice to see a familiar face...feels a little closer to home.
Where do I begin? Went to a "lounge lizard" party on Wednesday night. Wendy got to meet the Oregon gang. We all enjoyed some not so traditional games. Lots of fun though. Thursday night, we enjoyed the venue at Britt Festival. Saw Chris Botti-a jazzy trumpet player. I thought he was hot until I looked him up on the internet. He looks better from a distance. Friday night, we had tickets to go to Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Festival. We dined at the DragonFly before the play. They serve a fusion of Latin and Asian food. Their theme is "be curious"... I was. Tried caviar for the first time on top of baked plantains. The rich and famous can keep their hors d' oeuvres. Romeo and Juliet was long but wonderful with its medieval setting and many modern twists. My favorite thing about the play was that it was performed on the Elizabethan stage which is outdoors. Not wanting to end the night but having a hard time staying awake, we dropped in the Black Sheep Pub to give Wendy a taste of the night life. That's about all we had and then we went home.
By Saturday we began to drag a little bit. We ate a scrumptious breakfast at Morning Glory to get energized. I gladly made the drive back to Crater Lake to show Wendy the sapphire blue water. I will have to admit that while Crater Lake is still amazing, I enjoyed it better with the snow. We stopped by Becky's, a restaurant on the way to Crater Lake, to pick up her much talked-about huckleberry pie. We stopped to see the lava tubes before heading back. Saturday night opted out of "nerd night" and watched a movie instead. I know you must be wondering what is "nerd night"? Basically, the gang dresses up like nerds and goes out dancing. We were very entertained as they modeled their outfits while in full character. I couldn't let Wendy leave without showing her the huge Redwoods. Sunday we drove through a portion of the Redwood National Forest on our way to the coast. We hiked a few trails, saw some seals, and waded in the tidal pools on the beach. I can never get tired of the absolute beauty of the Oregon coast. Needless to say, Sunday night we went to bed early. Monday was full of adventure too. We went kayaking on the Applegate river. It was very peaceful floating through the small canyons and looking down into the clear river water. We stopped in an eddy and picked some wild blackberries...yum. We completed the day with a little vino tasting at Troon Vineyard, where I plan to return later in October to stomp some grapes.
So it would seem that my time here will be extended yet again. I now will officially be completing my assignment on Nov. 2nd. I promise this is the last time. Hopefully my next adventure will be as great as this one has been.
Where do I begin? Went to a "lounge lizard" party on Wednesday night. Wendy got to meet the Oregon gang. We all enjoyed some not so traditional games. Lots of fun though. Thursday night, we enjoyed the venue at Britt Festival. Saw Chris Botti-a jazzy trumpet player. I thought he was hot until I looked him up on the internet. He looks better from a distance. Friday night, we had tickets to go to Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Festival. We dined at the DragonFly before the play. They serve a fusion of Latin and Asian food. Their theme is "be curious"... I was. Tried caviar for the first time on top of baked plantains. The rich and famous can keep their hors d' oeuvres. Romeo and Juliet was long but wonderful with its medieval setting and many modern twists. My favorite thing about the play was that it was performed on the Elizabethan stage which is outdoors. Not wanting to end the night but having a hard time staying awake, we dropped in the Black Sheep Pub to give Wendy a taste of the night life. That's about all we had and then we went home.
By Saturday we began to drag a little bit. We ate a scrumptious breakfast at Morning Glory to get energized. I gladly made the drive back to Crater Lake to show Wendy the sapphire blue water. I will have to admit that while Crater Lake is still amazing, I enjoyed it better with the snow. We stopped by Becky's, a restaurant on the way to Crater Lake, to pick up her much talked-about huckleberry pie. We stopped to see the lava tubes before heading back. Saturday night opted out of "nerd night" and watched a movie instead. I know you must be wondering what is "nerd night"? Basically, the gang dresses up like nerds and goes out dancing. We were very entertained as they modeled their outfits while in full character. I couldn't let Wendy leave without showing her the huge Redwoods. Sunday we drove through a portion of the Redwood National Forest on our way to the coast. We hiked a few trails, saw some seals, and waded in the tidal pools on the beach. I can never get tired of the absolute beauty of the Oregon coast. Needless to say, Sunday night we went to bed early. Monday was full of adventure too. We went kayaking on the Applegate river. It was very peaceful floating through the small canyons and looking down into the clear river water. We stopped in an eddy and picked some wild blackberries...yum. We completed the day with a little vino tasting at Troon Vineyard, where I plan to return later in October to stomp some grapes.
So it would seem that my time here will be extended yet again. I now will officially be completing my assignment on Nov. 2nd. I promise this is the last time. Hopefully my next adventure will be as great as this one has been.
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