Happy New Year!

Keiko and Katja wish you all a snuggly, warm and happy New Year! May 2009 bring you fewer hairballs, cleaner litter boxes, extra bouncy toys, juicy mice and lots and lots of bonito flakes!

Oh These Kitties

Yes, I was wondering the same thing. How did that awkward, clumsy Keiko manage to get on top of the bedroom door without falling splat on the floor? Katja I can see... But Keiko?

I can SO Relate!

This poor little Cute Overload kitteh and I are so on the same page... someone send him some flowers and maybe a catnip face mask!

My physical therapist, Mary Edna, says I can go ahead and try a little knitting. She thinks doing some things that will get me back to a more natural habit will be good help in loosening the muscles. She did note that I shouldn't, uh, promise any finished projects anytime in the near future, though. Heh. I found a simple seed stitch hat pattern that I'm going to give a try, provided I can get a good gauge. M.E. also suggested trying some other natural movements, like splashing water on my face. That one didn't go to well since I couldn't really get my hand close enough to my face. I did, however, manage to butter and jam up some toast using my right hand! You may scoff, but if you had seen me in the beginning trying this with my left hand you'd be happy to see my progress with the right. :-)

Overall the day has been boring. The slacker bro was supposed to come up for a visit, but his back is bothering him so he had to pass. Instead, I've been pretty much doing nothing except thinking about the organizing of my living room and looking for some easy knitting patterns to try.

Belated Birthday Posting

I meant to post this ages ago. Well, at least 2.5 or so weeks ago. Suie called me up to wish me a happy birthday and sang me this special birthday song.

Happy birthday to you!
Your elbow's askew,
Although you are broken,
We still all love you!

We really doooooooooooooooo!

Okay, is that not the cutest?

Desk Placement

Thanks to Lisette and Ebru for furniture rearranging. After several machinations we settled on the set up in the picture. We moved my short but long red bookshelf into the bedroom and put it against the north wall, adjacent to the foot of the bed. We then moved the tall bookshelf along the west wall of the living room closer to the living room entrance and put the desk in the corner, flush against the west wall. Lisette used her super human strength to relocate my enormous iMac onto the new desk. I will have to get all the pictures re-hung and there is still a bunch of junk I'll have to find a home for that is currently littering the living room, but progress was made.

Lisette and Ebru also took me shopping and we had sandwiches together. It was a nice afternoon, but as always the visit with them was too brief.

Those Silly Furniture Showrooms

Even after measuring the desk and trying to show that measurement in my apartment, the desk still looks so much bigger then I thought. The mind is easily deceived by the use of space. I can't decide, now, where best to put the new piece, though it is quite lovely. Maybe I'll move my short, but long, bookshelf into the bedroom and put it opposite the foot of my bed and then put the desk against the wall in the living room. Sigh... When I figure it out I'll post a picture.

Now to my morning arm exercises... blech and double blech...

The Day After Christmas

I am back at home now after my little visit to the Humphries Household for Christmas. Boy, did we have a great dinner, a la Suie. Roast pork, veggies, crunchy potatoes, salad. Ian even cut my meat for me! I am totally spoiled!

Sue took me to PT today. Bits of improvement of some things... Can bend the arm to about 125 degrees, straightening is still in the 130 degree range per the doctor's request, pronation at about 80 or 85 degrees. Supination still the struggle. Managed 5 degrees on my own, but not much further with Mary Edna doing her magic. Maybe by next week I'll get it out to 10 degrees. I got copies of my disability paper work in the mail and in the section of physical impairment Kaiser checked me off as Class 5! That's, like, the worst. "Severe limitation of functional capacity; incapable of minimum (sedentary) activity (75-100%)." Yikes! Class 4 is "moderate limitation of functional capacity; capable of clerical/administration (sedentary) activity (60-70%)." I guess Class 5 is on target for my current state, even though it sounds so awful. If I had to go back to work right now, it would be seriously hard. I'm not even sure I could get through a full day. As it is, even doing little things part of the day, like going out to lunch or socializing, is exhausting. But I think that will start getting better soon, as I try to do a bit more each day. My mood has been pretty good this week. Some little rough spots just before time for pain meds, but overall okay.

Tonight I am off to the Walrus Arms for dinner. I'm really looking forward to it...

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Today's blog is brought to you via the wonderful typing skills of one of the guys in the featured photo. No, no, not the blue three eyed alien blob, but the guy, our precious Ian. Iam spending Christmas day at the Humphries Household. I had the adventure of taking the B.A.R.T out here and Suie picked me up at the station. We had a nice exchange of gifts and now we wait patiently for dinner!

One of the prized gifts of the day is the alien in the picture with Ian. Suie made him just for me and there will never be another like him!

Another highlight gift was the Roku box that John got for the fam. Apperently my slacker bro and I started a Roku trend. Steve got one for Christmas, too. Ian made out like crazy with over $200 in gift cards. Ahh, to be young again.

We attempted a walk before dinner out at the Martinez marina, but it was too cold and windy. Instead we are just staying indoors and keeping warm. Perhaps after dinner we will take a drive around the 'hood to see the Christmas lights.

I hope everyone has had a great day and I send out much love.

Bad Bad Kitten!

Some how the devious little Keiko managed to find a way to get into the cabinet with the dishes. Imagine my horror when I heard clinking glasses behind me. I though, yikes, how are those glasses clinking? I turned and saw the cabinet door barely open. I was just about to get up when suddenly I noticed a tiny bit of calico tail peaking out at the bottom of the cabinet door! Thankfully, I was able to evict Keiko without any incidences of broken glass...

Some things supination is good for:
Writing
Bowling (will I ever bowl again? boy, if not, this will be the best excuse ever.)

What is this?

David's lunch beverage.........

Update at 8:45 pm:
A nice day out today. Went to Park Chow for lunch... I walked down there and met David. Later, back at the house, David moved the furniture around to make room for my new desk. It should be delivered Saturday. Living room looks funny now when the first thing you see is the couch... I may have to start looking into getting the pillows re-stuffed!

Be One with the Paw

Update: just had my butt beat at scrabble. Mr. Bill took the game with QUIETER on a triple word score, using all his letters and making two smaller words in the process. Oh the shame, the humility!

Just a Little at a Time

Good day so far. Despite not wanting to get up, shower and dress, I did. Edwin picked me up for PT and it went well. Painful, of course, but good. She managed to push the supination of my wrist to 5 degrees!!! Woo Hoo!!! Didn't even cry this time, though it was close -- did make my stomach turn a bit. So work this week will be to keep it there and perhaps move a bit more. Work continues on bending and straightening the arm as well. She even said I could try to do some typing with my right hand, and I am!!!! Feels funny, but also feels like progress. But only a little at a time or ouchies.

Edwin and I then went for a quick bite to eat and then took a walk in the Arboretum. Very relaxing and refreshing. Hoping for some company for dinner tonight, too, so all in all a good day.

Yesterday was good, too, cause I went to brunch at my friend's house and then the Slacker Bro and Mattster came by. The company really helps keep my spirits up.

Until later...

Update: current degree status for PT
Bending arm in: 125
Bending arm out: 130
Pronation: 75
Supination: 5
(all done with PT therapist force)

New Member of the Household

Thanks to the most generous Brother Slack, we have a new member of the household. Met Murry the Murlock. He may look harmless... that's cause he is. Murlocks are not generally harmless, which is why Murry is here. He wasn't tough enough for the Murlocks of Azeroth. So, Keiko will take him under her paw and he'll do just dandy. Hopefully he won't disgust Pierre. Penguins don't normally care for Murlocks.

And a new blog for you all to check out... Sue's Paprika Craft & Sass. It's spicy cuteness!

Vampire Fluff

Beware the Vampire of Fluff. She will hypnotize you with her golden eyes, suck your blood and then cough up fur balls.

Patience Must Win Out

Those of you who know me well know that I am not the most patient of peeps. I tend towards spontaneity, want to finish things once I start them, can't stand slow drivers, etc. PT today was a painful - literally - reminder of how I am going to have to find some way to achieve patience in my elbow's recovery. I'll need reminders.

In an earlier post I said I'd find out how many degrees of supination I have... well, not enough to measure accurately. If the doctor thinks I'll get 45 degrees back, at least, then the less than 5 degrees I have now makes achieving 45 feel impossibly daunting. That said, I really have only just begun. Who knows, by the end of next week perhaps I'll hit that first measurement.

I told my Uncle in an email this week that I could see some positives in this whole miserable accident, and I do. But today it's harder to appreciate.

Bear with me as I go through this. SP and I have talked about acknowledging one good thing we do each day... mine today was taking a short solo walk. Seems funny to say that's my one good thing worth noting, but after nearly 4 weeks, it's something.

Crafts anyone?

Katja has offered to work on some of my craft projects while I'm out of commision. Though she's willing to take on some of the sewing, she refuses to do anything as mundane as hems or attaching buttons. She plans to start on the lace scarf this weekend despite the complexity of the pattern. Oh, she adds someone else will have to do the blocking.

That Pesky Elbow

I'm trying to be PT tough with my elbow. I have a few things I have to do. Bending up towards the shoulder (not supposed to try straightening it yet), rotating the wrist inward - pronation, and rotating the wrist outward - supination. The last is the most painful. When you rotate your wrist so your palm faces up that is 90 degrees supination. My doctor anticipates I'll get 45 degrees back! Totally lame. But she wants us to try for 60 degrees. Not sure what I'm getting right now, but I'll ask my therapist on Thursday. Ultimately, though, anything beyond 45 degrees will be a great result. I'm having a hard time thinking of the kinds of tasks that will be affected by this. Brushing teeth, passing a dish of food to someone,holding stuff? All three of these exercises are passive, meaning my left arm provides the energy. The only thing I'm doing actively is hand exercises; making a fist, wiggling my fingers, and moving the hand up and down.

On a positive note, in between reps while doing my exercises I'm rubbing my arm (to help reduce swelling) and saying, "This is my arm. It will heal and be strong again." Power of positive thinking combined with hard work!

Some kudos for Kaiser. I can get a decent amount of PT - starting next week 3xs a week. I also like my therapist.

Keiko says...

...what do you think you're looking at? What, huh? Well, like,
whatever!

Bob & Thuy

Here's a picture of Bob & Thuy, the newly weds. I've known Bob 20 years now! I'm so glad he's finally found the love of his life!

Ewwww...

If you think this is gross imagine what it looked like over the last few weeks. It is a mere 4" incision. My first physical therapy appointment was today. It will be a lot of work. For now all exercises on the arm will be passive - meaning my good arm will do the work on the bad arm. That will be the case, I think, for about 4 weeks. Then we shall see.

RoboBeth

I'm on my way to becoming RoboBeth. Finally posting some x-rays from my doctor visit last week. The first one shows the pin before they yanked, twisted and pulled it out. Not fun. My understanding (which doesn't say much) was that the pin was there to provide support to keep the elbow from dislocating again because of damage to the soft tissue. The second and third pictures show the plate they put in pretty clearly. The plate was put in to replace the smushed part of the radial head. I start physical therapy Friday. I am both looking forward to and dreading the PT.







DP visited yesterday and was a great help. Took me out to lunch and to Walgreens, clipped the girls' ginsu sharp claws and stood guard while I showered. Big accomplishment of the day was managing to get my arm fully wrapped on my own!

Leave it to Sarah & Larry

Note Baby's furry little self in the pic. Do kitties have the vote yet?

Ya Gotta Have Friends, la la la laaa friendsssssaaaaa

Bette Midler had it right when she sung how you gotta to have friends... as did the Beatles and all the others. I don't think there's been a day since my accident when someone hasn't come by or called to check on me. So, I send a big lopsided hug out to all of you with my thanks. I believe that all this love and attention will make me heal all the faster! It is keeping my spirit up!

So, thanks everyone -- you are the bestest. I look forward to the chance to thank all of you in the proper fashion!!!!

Coming soon... a icky picture of my arm and some x-rays...

Now back to my yummy salmon via Ms K....

Traitorous Feline

So here I am stuck inside and on the couch but does Keiko give me the love? No, of course not. But she has no problem given it to the Big L. And let's be clear. That love is paid for in big handfuls of fish flakes.

My Friends Kick Ass

Thanks to everyone who has come by and called. Pain still intense so I am often in a daze. Was talking to a few peeps and had a little clear mind and needed to distract myself. Still two hours before I can take my next dose. Hence this minor post. I look forward to some improvement. Hope the surgeon will have good news next week.

Sent from my iPhone :-)

Ouch!

Picture of my dislocated elbow. All I can say is this hurt it a big way!

Fresh Bedding... Yum

The girls revel in clean linens. Chop Suey and 'da Moose concur.

I've been putting too much WoW time in and not enough schoolwork or reading. And speaking of reading... I am in the process of reading, count it, 5 books! I need to just put 4 of them down and finish 1, but they are all so good...

Labyrinth: weird historical time/space confusion holy grail type book.
The Last Good Kiss: noir reading in the modern day -- private dick out of Montana.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: sorta like a coming of age novel.
A Dangerous Man: just goes to show how a good man can just saunter down a very bad road.
Watchmen: reading again... and again... and again...

And then in Wow, we've got Ute who's grinding Ironforge rep because she just wants a mountain goat to ride; Pirjo who doesn't know what to do with herself out there in Northrend; and poor Tytos, who just wants to redeem his Death Knight corrupted soul.

I'll say it again, working for a living just takes all the fun out of life...

And boy is it nice to come home to a clean apartment. It is worth every single penny!

Maybe it's the full moon?

Okay, I'm not usually quite this dark, but I was just watching that John Grisham flick with Gene Hackman, where he plays a guy on death row for killing two kids during the Civil Rights movement. Neither the movie, nor the book, were particularly good, but I didn't feel like changing the channel, so I watched it to the end, when (spoiler) he gets executed. It got me thinking about death and life and all that fun stuff and I wrote this...

No matter how we face death,
asleep
or with eyes open,
we see in those fleeting moments
a lifetime of memories.
The wrong we have done.
The good we have wrought.
For all of us
there is both
and only through death
are we reconciled.

Ewww... I know, dark and not particularly good, but I felt compelled.

Forgive me for sharing, but really, I didn't want to suffer it alone.

Now for some Wrath of the Lich King!

First visit to the vet since...

Keiko had her first visit to the vet today since I brought her home over two years ago. I took both the girls and realized I only had one cat carrier, so I put Keiko in my weekend bag. This is her while we were in the waiting room. She has a VERY LOUD MEOW. Dr. Weiss took good care of both the girls. Katja weighted in at 9.5 pounds and Keiko at a stunning 13!!!! I've been directed to cut their food portions down by a quarter of a cup. They will not like this.

Spent the evening with S&L. I have a new necklace :-) I dig it. We had some tasty chinese food for dinner and watched Sunshine. I had never heard of this flick, but it was quite good.

My weekend looks to be a good one... tomorrow, perhaps, purchase of a Tassimo machine so I can renew my latte addiction... Sunday, Naan & Curry and W with a couple of nice boys...

Perhaps I'll fit some work in there, too... I'm very behind.

Election Day 2008

I voted. Did you?

If not, get out there and vote because your vote DOES count.

UPDATE: YAY!!!! Obama wins! Wish my the women of my family (Mom, Aunt Douglas and Grandma Forest) were around to see this!

Boy How I Love Case Studies

Okay, I know I am not particularly thrilled by my online PM classes. They aren't bad, but I'd rather be studying some cool piece of history.

I do need to finish these classes, however, so here I am on my Sunday trying to finish Portfolio Management so I can then get through with Project to Enterprise. But... how the heck can I get through the final Harvard case study when I've got Katja interrupting me? I mean, for pity's sake...

And don't even ask what Keiko is doing while I'm here trying to work!

***

Update: 4:38 pm
Done with the Portfolio Management class, exam submit and passed! One down one to go! Woo Hoo!

Take the time...

Even in times like these, when all may seem gloomy, one must take just a moment to sniff the flowers!

All Quiet on the Kitty Front?

Things seem better tonight on the Kitty Front. Katja and Keiko appear to be talking to each other in the way cats do, and I haven't heard a growl yet. I'm supposed to keep them out of the bedroom so if the neighborhood cat shows up at the window Katja won't totally freak out again. I've had the bedroom door shut since I got home, but I'm not sure I can lock them out all night, though i'll try for their own harmony. I expect they will be digging at the door before long, but I shall force myself to be strong.

I did a short writing exercise, but I'm not as brave as Just Mike to share it with all of you. But I shared it with him. I figured I owed him one since I gave him some feedback last week. Gotta be willing to take it if you're gonna give it...

Feline Chaos

Late in the night, when the sky was dark and the fog thick, I reclined in bed, resting against my pillows, reading quietly. Suddenly, with no warning, noise erupted around me. By the window, dark blue curtains in array, gray flashing fur and the rough, aggressive feline growling and hissing filled the evening silence.

A neighborhood cat had strayed onto our fire escape. Katja, in defense of her home and hearth, tore down the screen and launched herself at the offender, making it clear that no stranger cat was welcome here.

After grabbing the enraged girl from the fire escape and bringing her back in the house, things did not settle down as expected, once the foe was abolished. Instead, Katja, in her rage and fury, no longer recognized our calico girl and Keiko tentatively moved around in fear and worry, her ears back and her shoulders low to the ground in an attempt to reassure. Not appeased, Katja remained on edge and only in the morning hours did things seem to have returned to normalcy.

***

I'd like to say it was just last night, but things are not back to normal... just before leaving for work this morning Katja flew off the handle again and started growling and hissing at Keiko. Now I am home and again, I thought all was well, but sure enough, Katja is still being a total freak. I'm very perplexed. Total cat freak out.

***

9:40 pm still having hissing and growling drama.
10:20 pm neighborhood cat appears on fire escape and causes drama despite windows being shut- Keiko's tail resembles wire brush.

Thanksgiving in October

They look sober but don't be fooled!

Bill taking a Turkey nap before desert.

I think these two are sober.

Actually, I'll confess, I think I was the only one who wasn't sober. Let's just say, I wasn't driving anyone home last night!

Oh My Goodness!!!

Insane cuteness!

Exfoliating the Bird

I'm preparing for our "Thanksgiving in October" dinner tomorrow -- maybe this will be a tradition -- and have brined my first bird. 16 pounds of fleshy goodness is now fully exfoliated with kosher salt and soaking in a nice bath of cold water. Tomorrow, she heads to the sauna!

In case any of you have forgotten about another non-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, you can expect more of the same. Given the amount of wine and vodka I currently have and with the expectation of prosecco and heaven only knows what else on the horizon, I can only say Sunday will truly be a day of rest.

Does this mean I won't be making another turkey come late November? Hmmmm, who knows... maybe I'll feel like cooking fish instead...

The Horror!

I've installed Vista on my precious Mac. It is sacrilegious and I feel as though I have violated my beautiful iMac. But I do this in the name of gaming and the playing of Warhammer, a new game my Slacker Bro is trying to get me addicted to. Of course, between installing Vista and then doing all the patches and updates and installing Warhammer getting all the other stuff set, well, like 50 years have passed and I'm now gray and wracked by arthritis and won't be able to play after all.

Warhammer vs Portfolio Management

One more class session down, though it was a particularly boring one -- on resource allocation. The topic is important, but I didn't find the session very useful in helping to understand ways to better determine and manage. But then, I suppose we still remain pretty far away from being organizationally ready for this type of effort -- not to mention that there just isn't enough people to even develop and manage such information.

Now I just have to decide... do I want to do another session and be all productive and one step closer to being done with the class and ready for the next one? Or do I install Vista on my mac and set myself up to play Warhammer, which my Slacker Bro bought for me the other day? And how can I cheat on WoW in such a way? It just seems, oh, dirty to contemplate it!!!!

UPDATE: doing another session... at least 1/2 of one. Not sure I'll have the attention span to do the whole thing now. Maybe finish after I watch today's episode of Trueblood later on...

Dengue Fever

Chillin at Bimbo's 365 listening to Dengue Fever. SP won tickets. The band is ok. Some songs are really good - sounds kinda like Dream Pop - but some other songs just miss the mark. Having a nice time with my crew, which is the important thing. Plus, I just dig Bimbo's.

Where's the Beef

So, on my way home tonight I decided to stop for some food and, because I was dropping someone off on Clement, I opted to get some mac & cheese & tots from Q. While I was waiting for my take out, I sat at the counter drinking a tasty pinot noir and gazing around, checking stuff out. I noticed taped to one of their fridges a print-out of a cow, divided up to show the different cuts of beef.

It got me thinking. What would it look like if a human silhouette was divided up in such way?

Round roast? Well, that's pretty easy. I have a nice big round roast myself, but you'd have to cut off quite a bit to get to it... heh.

Filet Minon? Would that be, like, the lower back? What about brisket? Skirt steak?

Ewwww!!!!

Heh!!!!!

Meanwhile, back at home I watched the Presidential Debate. McCain said nothing that would make we want to change my mind.

By the way, the mac & cheese & tots was kick-ass!

Happy Birthday, SP!!!

Our sweet SP giving me a birthday pose! Vogue, baby, vogue!!!

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

A view of the Banjo Stage and Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain
Band.

Tequila Anyone?

Silliness

At the Pig & Whistle post tequila shots.

Map of the Montana Road Trip

Here is the final map of the path traveled on my Montana Road Trip.



I wanted to do a point by point, but it's kinda hard to do that easily within Google Maps, at least in a way that can be narrated. But I suppose it isn't really necessary. Including the portions of the trip done with Linda and Wood, we're talking roughly 3,600 miles of road. What the hell was I thinking?

I'm working on some trip tidbits, but this requires close review of maps, pictures and personal reflections.

All that really matters, though, is the Jay-Walking Mountain Goat!

Yum, it's 10:15 pm now and, well, I guess I won't be doing any classwork tonight... doh!!! I'm such a slacker!

Homework

So, now that I'm home and have a few days before going back to work I thought I'd catch up on my project management classes that I have been slacking on...

Of course I had all sorts of problems accessing them so I had to call the Help Desk. You'd think after 5 years managing my own help desk I would have, oh, I don't know, WRITTEN DOWN my password somewhere... or taken notes on stuff... duh. Luckily they Stanford Help Desk guy was just as sweet as pie and now I'm up and running...

But I have no printer!!! And I hate reading stuff on line!!!

Okay, maybe I am procrastinating... but wouldn't you?

Home Sweet Home

Loved KoKo. Enjoyed Peanut. But there's nothing like my girls.

Where am I now?

HOME!!!! With my kitties!!!!

And in dire need of a really, really long nap...

I still have a few days before having to go back to work... I will do somethings, but hopefully they won't involve driving.

Once I've rested, I'll post details on miles and maps and whatnot...

In the meantime, to the couch I go with some kitty snuggling on the agenda....

Eureka

Just passing thru Eureka. Filled up for the last time this trip.

Almost home

Just crossed the border into California! Now a leisurely drive south on 101...

California Here I Come

Well, I've updated my blog with some of my other stuff and now I'm posting today's current info.

I left Portland around 11:00 a.m. after a relaxing morning at The Edgefield and a tasty breakfast. I decided I didn't want to drive the whole Oregon coast so I drove first to Eugene and then cut across on Rt. 126 to Rt. 101.

I had planned to stop at the Dunes, but I realized I was kinda tired and really didn't want to stop, so I just continued south.

Overall it wasn't a very exciting drive. I am either too tired or have seen too many beautiful sites on this trip... but the Pacific remains beautiful.

I'm now at yet another Best Western, this one in one of the beach towns in Oregon, right before the California border. Can't remember the name of the town, but it starts with a B. The room is a bit pricey and smells funny, but I've got a little porch, I am looking out at the Pacific, and I can hear the waves hitting the beach... which is what is most important for me right now. Hopefully the people next store won't go out on their balcony every time they want to smoke, cause I want to keep the window open...

Some random pics from the drive today...









Tomorrow morning I head home. My hope is to make it back to the kitties by the end of the day... I look forward to seeing my girls again... miss them...

Traveling Catch-up

Portland, Or, Monday, 9/22, 2008

I'm going to try and catch up a bit on the blog, even if I won't be able to post it for a day or two... the place I'm at tonight, The Edgefield, has no internet connection, and I'm not sure what I'll end up with on the coast. So, I will blog the old-fashioned way -- like a travel journal -- and post later... :-) (yay, it's later...)

So, some catch-up. I think I blogged Friday night, when I arrived in Polson, Mt. That was the day I visited Glacier Park. Since then, I have driven from Polson, Mt., through Missolula, then down on Rt. 12 through Clearwater National Forest to Lewiston, Id. You cross over into Idaho while going through the Clearwater National Forest.

The drive to Missuloa was pretty uneventful, but once I hit Rt. 12, that all changed. Clearwater National Forest was beautiful. It is like the Pacific Northwest or even like Vermont and New Hampshire. You just drive for miles along a road that winds alongside a river through the mountains. I actually drove rather slowly. I pulled over once or twice to let someone pass me, but overall, I had the road to myself. I stopped a lot and got out of the car, walked around a bit, peaked up some trails, that sort of thing. It was just plain relaxing. Here are some pics...



(It was, indeed, a windy road... as river roads tend to be...)









Once out of Clearwater, I drove through the northern part of Idaho to the Washington border at Lewiston/Clarkson. This is a pretty industrial area. Linda warned me that it might be a bit noisome, and it was... but only for a little bit of time, thankfully...



I continued on Rt. 12 in Washington... this is big wide open farm country and the weather started to change for the worse. It was overcast and drizzly. I drove through Walla Walla Washington -- a cute little college town. It was just outside of Walla Wall that I actually got pulled over for speeding. I was going 70 in a 60. The State Trooper was sufficiently intemidating what with his fancy State Trooper hat and all... so I did the most appopriate thing and "Yes, Sir'd" him a lot. When he saw I was from SF, he blamed me for the weather -- isn't that just so typical? But in the end, he gave me a break and told me to slow it down, which I did for the rest of the way to Portland....

Here are some random pics from the drive...











As I mentioned in an earlier blog, it was a long drive. I was pretty tired when I hit I-84, but I was bound and determined to make it to Maryhill for the night. It was dark by the time I hit I-84 (see the two pics below of the Columbia River when I hit it at the junction of Rt. 12 and Rt. 730), so it seemed a pretty tedious drive at this point, plus the weather was crappy. But I drove and drove and drove and finally hit Maryhill -- but the one place I checked was booked and the other two looked creepy, so I decided to go on to the next place. This turned out to be The Dalles. Everything booked -- I checked like 4 places. Continued on to the Hood River exit. Booked! So, I gave up and drove all the way to Portland... finally found a Best Western off of exit 16. Sigh. The life of a road traveller.

Sunday, as noted, I went to Powell's and met up with Barbara. Spent the day chillin with her, and later, James. I had a good day.

Today, Barbara took be back up the Columbia River so I would get to see at least some of the Columbia River Gorge in daylight. We took what I think was the old highway, Rt. 30, east along the Oregon side of the river, to Kultnomah Falls. Okay, beautiful.







On our way back to town, Barbara stopped to show me The Edgefield, a former poor house that was turned into a hotel and restaurant by a pair of enterprising brothers. I loved the place and decided I needed to spend the night here... (which is where I am now). The place is full of all sorts of interesting artwork and has a really surprisingly great vibe about it... In my room is a painting of a clown with a cigar. He reminds me a bit of Bob Hope. We had lunch here and I booked a room for the night...

Then we went back to Portland and drove into Washington Park then over to the Pittock Mansion. Sadly, we arrive too late to tour it, but it was still pretty and just means it will be something I need to do next time I'm here.

I ended up back at The Edgefield and then joined Barbara and James for drinks in the wine bar. We listened to a truly atroicous band play (or shrill as the case may be) what they considered to be folk rock, but which was really badly expressed bluegrass. But we had fun despite that. They make their own wine here so I may bring back a few bottles... :-)

Here are some random pics of the art that is all throughout the hotel... oh, and Kim and Bill... apparently they have some wonky Par 3 course here...







My one regret... not buying the beautiful vase I saw in the glass blowing shop... sigh...

Tomorrow, Tuesday, I head west for the coast, though I will do so by going south to Eugene first. Then is it 101 all the way home, baby. I'll stop at least once on the way... perhaps even twice... maybe in Sea Ranch :-)

Nigh night...