Franklin Inn Eugene

So this is the start of my travel blog for FRANCE. I was just too excited to wait to start it until I leave in January. For anyone who doesn't know, I'm going to France on either January 9th or 10th to study abroad in Poitiers, a small medieval town in the province of Poitou-Charentes, which is on the western coast of France, only an hour and a half train ride to/from Paris (omg!). I really don't know much yet as for the ...

As anyone that has had the unfortunate task of traveling with me can imagine.....in order to get to our 8am flight at Regan Airport in DC, we got up at 4am and were at the airport by 6am. So the early start made for a long day, but with Florence struggling with a cold (no fever, so it's not Swine Flu), and a sore shoulder, we were ready to get home. <br><br>The flights were right on time, and we even caught the shuttle to our car with perfect ...

... to say.. I had a great time. <br><br><br>In other news..<br><br>Rob' brother Brian and his wife Sue arrived on Monday and are staying to Friday! It's great to see some family! And Mum and the boys are coming for the weekend! YAY! <br><br>I've been hard at work on my halloween costume for the party we're going to this weekend.. pictures to be posted in the future!<br><br>Today.. solo adventure.<br>

... have ever seen in one Pub but a lack of Aircon meant we only stayed for one. At that point Greg and Tim retired Rog and I managed to find happy hour at a mexican called The Mission we continued to drink like we were on one. Things we'll do difeerently tomorrow, an earlier start, more stops and not breaking up the group but its a 300 mile leg lets hope its not quite so hot

I went back up to Eugene, picked up Katie and we drove back to Idaho. On the way there we camped in the Cascades at the Metoleous River. The photos don't really show how incredible this is, at the mouth of the Metoleous the water comes out of the side of the mountain. Turn around and it's a full river.<br><br>We drove through the Craters of the Moon National Monument, also an incredible area.<br>

... oh well.<br><br>I went to the coast with my friend LaRosa, drove by my old house and found the fence I built and designed still standing :) I went to my first of several WINGS seminars, I am learning and growing a lot from these seminars and will stay connected with the program. If you're curious, google WINGS Eugene and check them out.<br><br>

... that fireplace bricks do. The steel of the garbage can obviously expands differently at different heats, so the mortar wasn't able to hold on, so it just cracked and sluffed off. A little more concerning, however, is that the wire basket I placed the lava rocks in. I poked at that a couple of times, and it seems like the metal had crystalized (or whatever happens when it reaches super high temperatures and then cools down)... because as soon as you poke it, the individual strands would ...

... s car and off we wento to their house to catch up with Steve before going out for sushi. Their home is lovely with fabulous views and a light and elegant atmosphere. One can see the influence of each in the rooms and patios that welcome you to sit and relax and soak it all in! Off to a sushi dinner "to die for". Eugene has it all! Andy ordered with help from all of us and we ate like kings and queens. June 19th Vickie arrived at the RV in Deerwood ...

... guys I'd still be sitting on my floor going through the silverware. It all worked out in the end, though I'm sure there's more stuff sitting in my folk's pump house than dad is comfortable with. I spent the last night and evening on Wolf Creek with Mom, Dad, and Cassie. I was spacie and useless again. Loading and reloading my backpack with ****... enough to last me 9 months (hopefully). Already I feel I have things I don't need, and left behind ...

My oh my... things to do while in Eugene, Oregon:(Not in any particular order) -drink lots of different beers -smoke the local homegrown -drink more different beers -try the local wines -eat the yummy organic food -did I mention the beer part? geez, for the past 2 days have done nothing but drink copious amounts of beer and eat fantastic food. And, the weather has been great and chance for snow in the days to come....perfect!! I love it here!!