Best Western Mill Creek Inn Salem

After leaving Vancouver on Tuesday, we caught a bus to Seattle. This is where we picked up our hire car for our two week trip to LA. We spent one night in Seattle, then drove on to Newberg, which is just out of Portland. We spent one night in Newberg and the next ...

... tre*t of fresh-picked pe*ches. B*rb (who by the w*y does not like pe*ch fuzz - much like Bri*n) *te two! I cont*ined myself *nd h*d just one but if they don't lock the door tonight, I m*y run b*ck *nd swipe one while they sleep.

We m*de it to the Comfort Inn *bout 9:00pm *nd got unp*cked *nd here it is *bout 10:00. I'll gr*b * quick shower *nd off to bed. The "bum" *s our New Ze*l*nd d*ughter-in-l*w s*ys, is * little ...

... wasn't creation of an income stream, I found that downtown Salem yields about $3 an hour.

We quickly transformed into homebodies again this past month, but we did take a few day trips to
Portland (located approximately 45 minutes north) and Lincoln City (a
beach town on the Oregon coast, directly west of Salem). We were
privileged to have Clooe's company for most of the month. A terrific
golden retriever ...

We were awake an up at 0444 this morning. We got preped and things packed then at 0530 went down to the breakfast room. Not a bad breakfast as they had English Muffins, my Frosted Mini-wheats, muffins, apples, and various other items. No waffles at this motel which was ok with us today. The coffee was ok but McDonald's is better.

We came back to the room and loaded the truck with our stuff and at 0600 we were off and down the ...

... customs, than I could ever have predicted even in my
wildest dreams. For now I will start by telling you some of what I do
know. Since there is little consensus as to the details of the world I
have enlisted wikipedia and google to compile a few tidbits.

A
few fun details about my new front yard: The earth is a small planet in
frighteningly near proximity to it's star. The earth, as the English
speaking world has dubbed it is 40,007.86 kilometers ...

... six, (including myself) suddenly there was much chatter among the other 5 and their group of spectators. Lots of cheering and clapping as we prepared for the next round. They didn't speak English, but I kept hearing the word Obama. Ahmed translated for me. The remaining group were all from Spain and they were shouting that now it is Spain Against Obama in a big competition! 5 against 1. I managed to uphold our side through ...

... total of 46 classmates attending both or one event. We had a class of 58 graduating in 58, but still in touch with and invited anyone who attended any of the grades with us. There were 8 of us who started in 1st grade together and completed all 12 years. I think all were reluctant to leave, I know I was, and we planned on another picnic next year. Leaving I turned towards Salem and then turned back and headed east to my cousin Warren and wife Nanci's-they ...

... t seen. For the time being, however, we will revel in the beauty of our home town - the breathtaking scene of snow-covered Mount Hood glistening in the late afternoon sun, the view of a sensibly planned cityscape, and a wonderful cup of Stumptown coffee (or micro-brewed beer depending upon the weather) awaiting us after a bike ride up into the West Hills, as well as the laughter and love of our friends and family who have let us slip back into their lives as if we never left...

... cities. Our concierge recommended Higgins for dinner (on Jefferson like the President - repeated twice for effect by the concierge/rainman). Higgins, by the way, was fantastic and served a great number of local microbrews. Our first visit the next day was to the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park (see photos). Zoe would like to have one wherever we end up living, and she especially loved the verdant ...

... in Capitol Mall; on the grounds are many statuary and monuments. Salem is in the beautiful Willamette Valley; Willamette University (2,500 students), the oldest institution of higher learning west of the Missouri River, is here too; on campus visit many historic buildings and the Mark Hatfield Library. At Mission Mill Village fleece is turned into fabric in the Woolen Mill Museum ...