So, what's the deal with Condon and Fossil?

Well, there is nothing really special about these "seen better times" towns of around 700 people in central Oregon. Our empty nester's group went to Fossil last February in the hopes of digging fossils. One and a half inches of snow put the kibosh on that activity, but we hung around the old ranch house in the evenings, went to the underpopulated Branch for Sunday, played "Hand and Foot" card games into the wee hours of the night and vowed we would return often to this quiet burg. When I saw that Condon, some 20 miles north was touting a 4th of July celebration it all clicked. No work, no calls to teach a class, no calls to accompany Carol's folks to this or that. And Heather and Brandon with a 3- and a 5-year old. Took off after Sunday School and drove the 70 or so miles to Arlington where we cooled down at the town beach, watching the kids enjoy themselves, and soaking in the shade. On to Condon 37 curvy miles of Highway 19 to the South (Carol has to drive to avoid motion sickness) to check into the only hotel in town. Hotel Condon is restored from 42 to 18 rooms. Classy fixtures, squeaky floors and a cheese and cracker tasting at 4 PM. Gpa crashed while Gma and clan took in the "lay of the land." Decided to drop down to Fossil for a mediocre but available dinner. Again, the lay-of-the-land explorations continued with Carol leading everyone but me up to the fossil beds, now immediately available. No supervision, nobody else, the gentle digging and rock splitting revealed several treasures until we decided to head back to Condon. Asleep to the sounds of farm boys setting off M-80s in the streets, but we slept well enough. Brandon and Heather were up early (7:15 or so) and off to the 8K run where they had to hitch a ride to the starting point. Breakfast was continental and enough to satisfy the slow awakening boys and the grandparent babysitters. We could tell Brandon was dying to get back to the fossil beds, but we made him stay for the parade. Heather had set up our lawn chairs in the shade on Main Street (actually still Highway 19) and as we waited for the parade to start we couldn't resist the chuck wagon feed right around the corner, and I couldn't resist still another book from the bookstore across the street. The library had a clearance sale right in the bldg behind us so Carol and Brandon each loaded up for $10 each. Carol bought a new purse and then the parade began with showers of candy from the participants to the point where children were getting selective on what they'd get out of their lawn chairs to pursue: "Is that just a sucker? Aw, let it sit!" The parade went from right to left and nobody left because it came back going left to right. What fun. They then set up ramps to start soap box derbies and that was cool for one round and then I conceded to the almost rabid dog son-in-law to head back to Fossil. However, with a twist. I took Heather in the car, while everyone else went with the kiddie seats. Hev and I went after some old barns to photograph (see her blogs for the spectacular results). I was amazed as this girl climbed grades, walked through cheat grass in her sandals and we had a ball. She ended up startling 5 deer in three locales, along with several hawks who circled their interruptive guest. At the top of one hill we could see Mt Hood and Mt Adams in the distance. We met up with the fossil diggers at 3:00 and drove home with exhausted gma and kids. Home at 6:30 or so, we bought Mexican and said "good night." No attempt at fireworks. So, what was so special about Condon? Well, the fact that it wasn't really so special, so no crowds, no rude folks and everything was at a relaxed pace. And the them was independence day, not entertainment.

Las Vegas Retreat

Well, took advantage of an opening at Sin City time share and rented a three bedroom condo. Hev and her family as well as Carl and his family filled the joint. Grandma served as Pied Piper again with her mysterious bags of gifts and flair for entertaining the grandkids.

Not very flattering of me (horizontal stripes add 150 lbs), but this was our discovery this year. Lola's kitchen. I'm having catfish and grits. Carl is having Jambalaya. Definitely something for the next trip.

Hot tub for all!!

Carol and I fell in love with hot tubs at a winter resort called Three Rivers many years ago. The enchantment came with snow on the ground and peaceful soaking right on the spot. So, what better than to have that option in our own back yard. Aaron and his four oldest on Thanksgiving Friday with 10 inches on the ground. I'll wait for more peaceful times (and less climbers--if you see what I mean).

Stehekin Bound

If you are ever looking for a getaway, the Kennewick McCains have always recommended Stehekin. It is a 2 1/2 boat ride up Lake Chelan from civilization to remoteness

This is our group of friends known by ourselves as the Empty Nesters. I am retiring for the night, but will add more later.

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Orlando or bust!

Another spring break, another jaunt to exotic places.

This time we went with Laurel and Tom and their kids.

To Disney World and with side trips to Daytona Beach!

I really don't know how to compose these blogs, in terms of pictures and text. I really enjoyed the parade that invited folks to hit the streets and dance. I did my part from the bench and really enjoyed good ol' Rock and Roll.

You and me, you and me, oh how happy we'll be

Okay, I have no idea how to edit this webpage, so I'll just start talking. This is our last weekend's hegira to the coast, including Seaside and Astoria. Of course, we had to have a sunset shot from our hotel balcony. Then there's the source of heaven's ambrosia--Josephson's Smoked Fish in Astoria where I dropped $16 for 8 oz of honey smoked salmon and another $8 for 4 oz of smoked tuna. Oh my. Oh my. The Victorian masterpiece home is the Flavell Mansion, now a museum in Astoria. We didn't go in, just marvelled at the ornamentation and the Sequoia tree planted outside. You see my smug pose with my Aaron-made custom walking stick at Cannon Beach with Haystack rock right behind me and then Carol with her Dennis-found-on-the-beach walking stick posing with Sacajewea and Jean Baptiste outside Fort Clatsop. We find it fun to enjoy the local wonders as easily as those of Hawaii and Disneyland. As long as it is "you and me" "you and me".

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea

Went to Astoria and Seaside for a long weekend and really enjoyed it. If you click on this photo you'll notice the mists that come up from the waves as they crest. Had Mom totally fascinated most of the trip. Of course, Dad had to have the historical element--here we are inspecting a recreated copy of Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805. We both liked it and had it pretty well to ourselves. Mom had to buy a hoodie and we found it in a trinket shop. Downtown Seaside has fun shops, rides and restaurants.