Along the Willamette River

July 5, 2009

Casey’s RV Park by the River -Oakridge, OR

Having arrived at Oakridge, our spa for the next 4 days, I must first reminisce over the past 3 days, leaving Long Beach and then spending the weekend in West Linn, Oregon.

Janice’s first taste of oysters in Long Beach was likely her last. An early hint was when she abandoned any interest in eating them after 2 or three finely fried sea-morsels. This meant that I would get to devour 11 or so, which I did with glee and chardonnay. All was well until I was awakened at 2 a.m.by a barking harbor seal inside the rig!! At least, that’s what it sounded like. In fact, Janice was giving the toilet bowl a very close visual inspection---on her knees. This occurred 2 more times before sunrise. During one encounter, she advises that she momentarily blacked out at the kitchen sink and fell on the floor next to Annika, who licked her face like Lassie would. No more oysters for Janice. Never. Ever.

She recovered enough to consume a Chai latte on the way to West Linn, where we set up camp in Fritz and Dee’s back forty. An added feature on our stay was their 25 year old nephew Charles, visiting from Moscow, Idaho. Just a fine young man, former Eagle Scout, now a math major with a Masters Degree looking for a teaching job. I’d hire him in a minute, except I’m not hiring. Fritz hobbled well on a healing broken ankle. A couple of fine BBQ meals, first a half salmon that we imported from Ilwaco, WA, and then scrumptious steaks (with mushrooms and artichokes). Fine dining at von Tagen Acres.

Sat. morning we checked out the charming Lake Oswego Sat. market and visited Janice's aunt in the same town. For our 4th of July celebration, we drove up the street from the von Tagen's to the highest promontory in the area -- a $3 ½ million vacant 20- acre parcel, and watched the fireworks going off in every direction. Once again the Chinese were cashing in as their products were being consumed in enormous quantities. Janice and I vowed to be somewhere next summer where we can attend a fireworks show up close. Nothing like it.

On Hiway 58 into Oakridge today we encountered a steady stream of travelers returning from 4^th of July campouts in the mountains. Arriving at Casey’s, a hot wind was howling upriver, as it does from time to time. We set up camp and battened down the hatches, then headed to Oakridge for supplies. From our encounters in the local Ray’s Market, I’m certain that they must be filming a sequel to Deliverance here. The ladies?? sported tattoos that would do a sailor proud, and the guys, semi-toothless, carried out their 12 packs of Miller Bottled Draft, continuing their celebration of the nation’s birthday. We were glad to see that our favorite Chinese restaurant was still in business. Hopefully we can pay them a visit this week.

The latest news on the house is that the appraisal was ‘on the number’, but the “investor” (loaning entity) will review it next week. We should know for sure by Weds or Thursday whether limbo will end.

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