Eastern Oregon-Maupin and MaryHill, Wash.

Well, the weather here in Oregon has been in the high 80's (86-89, sometime's 90's) for the last two weeks... with no releif in the near future.  Which is great for our summer, the  gardens...as long as you don't forget to water your gardens...but takes it out of you otherwise. We who live in Oregon are used to a bit cooler weather. Anything over about 82 or so,  and  I just  wilt.... a true Oregonian  ... one who never has a great tan, and can't handle the  heat...

Last week, Seth and I took some time off work, and got on the bike and took off........

We ended up in Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington...  a great!!! R and R on the motorcycle....we took the backroads, around the back side of Mt Hood and into Eastern Washington We visited Maryhill and other musuems in the area, plus  the repica of Stonehedge that Sam Hill built ca. 1890's ... Wonderful!! loved it all!! And the time we had to rest and be together.

I have learned how to pack in one saddle bag, and one 1/2 of a back pack.... on the back of a motorcycle.  I can do it... We were gone for three days.. not a problem. And we had our tecky Kindle, and IPad with us too.... I can now pack small, only what I am going to need on a long weekend.  There is a store on the way... if I REALLY  need it,I can buy it. of which 99% of the time, I don't need it that bad :)

We usually take back roads to get where we want to go when we are on the motorcycle, because we have found it's safer.  It is often a lonely road, which  is fine with us.  Nice long.... quite stretches of  road with no one to worry about on the road. Just you and the wilderness.....

We took some time to ride along the Dechutes River, a long little used road along the side of the river, the reason we did that, is 30 years ago we ran the river with our friends, Monte and Ilene...  lots of great memories.  So, here we are  years later,  running the river.... only on our motorcyle this time, following the same two day path we did so long ago. Seth is sitting in front of the last big rapid  drop  of the run we had on our river run back in the day. I remember Monte getting out of the raft at the edge of the river upstream, walking down with Seth and checking out the river, before he ran us down the river into this last part of the rapids. He did this at all parts of the river that  held questions in his mind, as rapid waters were always changing on the river.  He would never run rapids without ch ecking them out first. I always felt safe with Monte and the river.
The river has changed over the years, and the drop is not as big as it was back then. When we went over it years ago,  it was at least a 10 foot drop into a rapid and river....below... now it does not look like it's even 4-5 feet. Lots of water in the river right now.     Great memories ....

The wheat fields were wonderfiul to ride through in Eastern Oregon after Mapin, Or. Had to stop and take a picture. It's going to be a wonderful harvest! ......

Well, that's about all for tonight, take care and God Bless,
Save travels,
Cathy

PS:

Stopped by and saw the repcia o Stonehedge that Sam Hill built in attition to his home Maryhill along the Gorge in Eastern Washington. I have been to the real Stonehedge in England, so I was looking forward to seeing this repica in Washington state.  Very windly and high heat, but that didn't stop us.  Very cool, worth the visit.

4th of July Weekend... A Blast! really....

We had a great time this weekend! The 4th of July this year was busy but great in many ways. We spent it with the company of friends and family. And had a couple of first's that happened this year for our family. The first one, was our two daughter in laws ran in in the "Freedom Race 5k" race on the morning of the 4th. We were all up at dawn with the sunrise. Seth took this picture as sunrise was peaking over the trees  on the morning of the 4th... and yes were up and getting ready for the day.

Soon it was off down the road to lay claim to our parade site, Seth left at 7:15am to stake claim to our area of the sidewalk in which to watch the parade. He told me later, that he got the last bit of area left in front of Bi Mart, which is where we like to watch the parade. Boy... you would think  you were   battling for a sideway spot  at the Rose Parade or something...

Next, our girls Brittni and Lindsey were both running in the 5k Freedom Race. They were running ahead of the parade, early in the morning.  Seth was able to snap pictures of them on their way by. They both finished and did well. :) We are proud of them for running the race.

 

Soon there after, the parade started. I was so excited to be able to be in the parade this year. The Wells Fargo Coach was coming to town to be in the parade, and I was able to ride it. We had a blast. It was something I will never forget. So many customer and friends through the years... were so pleased that the coach was there, thanking us, saying hi... through out the parade. It really validated to me that Wells Fargo Bank is doing a good job with their customers in Molalla.  So many of the people  all through the parade route, clapped, stood up and clapped in some cases, said thank you for bringing it to town.... its beautiful,.... that's my bank... called out my name to say Hi... it was really  a great day.

 

This is us, after the parade. we won the President's Choice award for community involvement.
Can't wait to do it again. Till we meet again,
Happy Trails,
Cathy