Oregon trip, v. 4

For this year, PJ suggested that we reprise a favorite trip - our Oregon tour - I heartily agreed - so we pretty much retraced our steps from our visits in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (discussed here).

The formula we've been following:

--fly to Portland, pick up car, drive straight to Astoria for late lunch
--three nights at Cannery Pier Hotel; day trips in the area; wander around town
--drive to Welches (near Mt. Hood) and spend two nights
--hiking (Mirror Lake, Tamanawas Falls, in-town wandering)
--drive to Portland (via Hood River); get rid of car; spend three nights
--wander Portland
--interesting lunches and dinners throughout (and plenty of brewery stops)

We added one new hike (after Thursday's lunch in Hood River) - this was a loop in the Columbia Gorge area - around Horsetail Falls - just gorgeous.

The trip (September 10-18) was delightful, as always; in fact, we both felt that we enjoyed it more than ever.  Traveling together like this never gets old.  Very good luck with weather, restaurants (including old favorites and some very good new ones), travel conditions, hotels, hikes, etc.

A few looks from 2016 (not repeating photos posted in prior years, except when I occasionally do):

Columbia River slides past Astoria; Megler Bridge; Cannery Pier out in the water.  Walking the hills.

As we return from our walk, this huge vessel is heading toward the Pacific (PJ in pink top near the hotel)

Then we step inside . . . lovely room, you feel that you open the door and step right onto the river . . . 

From that same hotel room balcony, as sun sets later that evening.

Fortunate timing gets us to the best seat in the house for sunset on Mt. Hood (at Timberline Lodge)

Tamanawas Falls amazes; the entire loop hike is quite fine.

PJ checking out Horsetail Falls (Columbia River gorge)

A view along the Horsetail Falls loop hike - we'd never quite gotten to
this classic view of the Columbia River/Oregon Trail.

PJ skittering back to trailhead (last portion of the loop tracks the old highway).  

Returning from Mirror Lake:

some special visitors

As discussed here, our family has had the good fortune to be in touch with Luxembourg-based relatives since the early 1980s.  Primary contact points were Claude Lanners and his wife Mariette; we also had met their son Michel.  We have now learned first-hand - certainly not to our surprise - that that the deep sense of connection extends to another batch of Lanners family members!

At Claude's instigation, a few years ago I became a social media friend with his grandson (Daniel Ruiz).  Via that link, Daniel advised that he and his family (father Jose Ruiz, mother Martine Lanners, sister Laura Ruiz) would be visiting the western part of the US, including the Phoenix area.

So:  we had to get together.

Showing the relationship across the generations.

PJ put together a lights-out southwest-style dinner.  Chris and Dharma attended (unfortunately, all the other locals were out of town over Labor Day weekend).  Our guests arrived around 5p - we talked nonstop until 11:30p - would happily have continued - couldn't have been nicer.

They immediately recognized our prominently-displayed Luxembourg goods - and brought us some appropriately-labeled beverages (per below photo).

We shall look forward to resuming the conversation when we get to Europe!

Only from Luxembourg . . . 

AZ 30

Moving day!!  (27 August 1986)

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the date upon which we moved from Roseville, Minnesota (St. Paul suburb) to Phoenix.  Though the Twin Cities metro area is pretty hard to beat, we've liked being here in Phoenix from the moment our plane landed that evening - immediately comfortable with the desert even though we'd never lived anywhere similar.  Only downside, and sometimes it's felt rather heavy, has been distance.

K wore herself out helping
load boxes, or something.

The move itself was quite an adventure - four children (ages 5, 4, 3 and Patrick at exactly four weeks old).  We wanted to (and did) get settled in AZ prior to Nicole starting kindergarten (with kids ready to start school, the timing seemed right).  After a few days at the Embassy Suites (Thomas Road version), we moved into our temporary residence in a townhouse at 42nd Street and Thunderbird.

One of the motivations for the move:  climate.  Between South Bend, Chicago and Minneapolis - the city in which we resided had broken its all-time snow record five times in the prior nine winters.  Several law school friends had located in Phoenix, and the recent history of winter-struggles definitely made us more receptive to their relocation pitches.  We also had a "go west" urge more generally for whatever reason, as once attempted per here.

Sure enough on our last day in Roseville, the wind went around to the north - as can happen in the last days of August in that part of the world - online I see that the temp dropped to 66 degrees with 18+ mph north winds at 4p when we would have been wrapping up with the packers and heading to the airport.  Doors were open for the movers and the house was getting to feel a little chilly after months of summer weather; all jackets packed away so we dressed the kids in adult polo shirts and the like.

One might have expected these three to be a little fatigued upon arrival in Phoenix - after all, it
was a long, and pretty action-packed, moving day.  But not these three.  (EPG, on the other hand . . . )

Jetway not used in those days as we landed in Phoenix at now-long-demolished Terminal 1 - instead, we walked down the stairs and across the tarmac with our little crew.  About 90 degrees when we landed, and PJ and I recall how good that felt.

On a much-more somber note, today also is the first anniversary of losing Mom.  Lots of nice remembrances via email etc. among the family members.

First exposure to swimming pool fun,
Phoenix-style

Stone, Round 3

Seemed like we had a pretty good trip visiting the Stone anniversary brewing reception in 2014, and then again in 2015 - so we went for round 3 on Friday, August 19.

Bros(?) + PJ @reception.

PJr drove to San Diego with PJ shotgun; CPG 'n me holding down backseat.  Nice and early start such that we made it for lunch by noon (despite too many stops enroute for some reason) at some BBQ joint ID'd by CPG.  POC (already in town with D'Backs), NOC and EPG (arrived Thursday via driving down from LA together) met us for lunch.  We heard that the three of them had an entertaining evening prior.

NOC hoping to be invited into photo.

Transportation up to U Cal San Marcos always requires a bit of planning; PJr and I score with Gaslight district Tahoe rental; PJ as always graciously DDs us back to San Diego after the event.

EPG's patented selfie technique.

The reception was, I think, the best yet for us.  Better organized as to food.  Better weather (the inland location sometimes can be a little hot).  EPG creates spot-on tasting-tracking sheet.  Beer is always good; I particularly like trying the casked versions.

Was it really "last call"  if a relief-pourer volunteers to fill the breach?  Love the "a lot more/big pour" compliments starting around 0:19 of this short (CPG-captured) clip (gratitude from patrons otherwise expecting their night was over):



Just a delightful evening.  In addition to our group:  Michael Cafiso for his third straight year of this, plus Chris Wagner - who puts up with, or promotes, our group's shenanigans and fits in seamlessly throughout.  POC finagles the night off from his D'backs duties to join, unexpectedly.  Nice.

NOC's Instagram compilation . . . 

After the reception - PJ and I get the Tahoe returned - then join the group at a Gaslight area bar - lots of D'backs folks, a nice finish to a fun day.

NOC had a fine idea for belated PJr b'day observance -
cupcakes from a fancy cupcake-vendor - but the evidence
suggests the cupcakes didn't quite survive Wednesday night.

Saturday: PJ and I (joined by EPG) go for coffee/breakfast.  Our entire group then gathers for lunch; we lose POC to work; lunch is followed by a Cafiso-sponsored afternoon of games/sipping/food at some Gaslamp place that worked quite nicely.  Back to hotel for game prep, where we do a little in-house tailgate (NC-style) courtesy of Chris W.  Petco Park - across the street - is quite lovely - we arrive in the 5th inning of a fast-moving game.  The stadium is its own beer-heaven.  D'backs win; we are able to make a bit of strategic racket at key late moments.  Fun.  Then we get a very late dinner - that's it for most of us, EPG/NOC/POC continue.

Sunday:  coffee/breakfast for PJ 'n me (joined by PJr).  Meet with the group and recap recent doings; then we go to lunch (a Greek place, really good); EPG napping in Audi as we hit the road for Phoenix.  NOC joins us rather than waiting for team plane, which we like!  Fun ride back, fun weekend . . .

We spent hours here on Saturday afternoon.  Pleasant hours.

Thanks for the tix, POC (per usual).  Lovely Saturday evening, fun game, D'backs win.

some Virginia doings

Exciting news keeps emerging from Virginia!

observing EPG's 30th

EPG was hitting a milestone birthday - #30, believe it or no - so we all (except Europe-touring PJr and NRG - who will visit SF separately and soon) gathered to make sure the event was celebrated properly.  I'm pretty sure we succeeded.

Closing stages of "opening night" for the weekend - EPG apartment (Wednesday)

Sacramento stop-off:  "Cielito Lindo" - b'day cake caps epic lunch. (Thursday)

PJ and I flew into SFO on Wednesday, July 27 - easy trip in late afternoon after abbreviated workday, Uber up to the Corwin Street apartment; CPG and NOC already there with EPG; also got to see Shane; dinner at Zuni (of course PJ and I reprise the roast chicken), where Kerry and Luis joined us direct from the airport.  FUN.  Sing the HB song to EPG (round one).  Eventually back to the apartment where we enjoyed a nice bottle of champagne (even though at least one of our group somewhat discreetly mused about whether it might be just a little late to bust it open).  PJ and I were done for the night at this point; others did a little scrambling to establish sleeping spots.

Cielito Lindo  photo #2 - just before onset of food comas

Views from the deck of the rental home - nobody wanted to leave.

Some of us were up for coffee and breakfast on Thursday, July 28; back to apartment for final prep; picked up a cleverly-sized U-Haul trailer and the seven of us headed toward the Lake Tahoe area in a single vehicle-with-trailer.  EPG drove the entire way.  Pulling the trailer slowed us down a bit, which the passengers (especially the veterans of KHG's 30th b'day trip to Ireland) agreed was just fine.  Quite a bit of traffic at various points, but things moved quite nicely.  There is a new game called "Pokemon Go" which is wildly popular - some of our passengers found it an amusing way to pass the time.

View of Emerald Bay from trailhead (taken right after our hike) (Friday) . . .

. . . beginning of hike . . .heading down toward Emerald Bay . . .

. . . random spot along trail, enroute to "Viking House"  . . . 

Quite a bit of time in the Sacramento area - but it was well spent.  CPG's usual and thorough Yelp research had identified "Cielito Lindo" as a lunch target - we drive up to a nondescript building and some (esp. me) wish to just drive right by - fortunately, we enter.  Personable waiter, interesting food that also tasted really good.  Fun.  Then a very long stopover at Costco.  Then a stop for CPG to grab some SmartWater for certain thirsty travelers.  Then a longish slog through increasingly lovely (mountains, streams etc) country, and we're into Tahoe.  Another long stop at a supermarket and then, finally and properly supplied, we advance to the rental property identified by EPG.  This place was an absolute winner - don't think it could have been  nicer.  Unpack, settle in.  Food coma induced by Cielito Lindo eventually eases, and we move onto a very nice dinner - featuring grilled salmon - nice work all weekend by the cook-and-clean folks (pretty much all are useful 'cept me).

. . . trail comes complete with fancy waterfall (naturally) . . .

. . . me 'n NOC at hike's end - lovely - 

Onto Friday, July 29 - fun day, lots of action.  Coffee and some breakfast on patio overlooking the lake (and enjoying perfect weather).  We head out for a hike - EPG wisely selects Emerald Bay area, including lovely waterfall, stream, Viking house, etc.  Warmish day but beautiful conditions throughout (once we found parking).  Back to town for lunch at a brew-pub - good but not great.  We relax back at the house for a bit; then drive over to the staging area for a boat cruise on Lake Tahoe - the lake really is quite gorgeous - much larger than I knew - we actually (surprisingly) enjoyed hearing the boat operator's spiel about size of lake etc.  Smallish boat and very nice; converted from 3M corporate use and POC speculates that his grandfather probably was on board way back when for a corporate event or two (which is an amazing small-world story if you think about it).

B'day honoree possibly recreating a scene during Tahoe cruise.
Water was SO BLUE (not really shown here due to backlighting).

Boaters.

Then we hang around the dock area for a bit, mostly haphazardly tossing "the pigskin" around.  Decide to order carry-out pizza - which required a little delay so we hung around a shopping plaza area - nice but sort of standard-issue ski village feel - the pizza was really good however (downed back at the house).  Feeling a little tired after a lot of time out in the sun.  We play games for a while; K makes some chocolate chip cookies; we take a break to sing "I sing my song" at midnight, and then to chat for a while; then we resume the games (Five Crowns); wrap up maybe around 2a?  I slept well.

More boaters.

Billiards expertise shining through . . . 

And now it's the official birthday (Saturday, July 30) - made a pot of coffee and lingered on that amazing patio again, wow.  Patrick drives to boating area to try to retrieve a lost backpack (which later turns up in POC/NOC room!); his retrieval mission of course fails but we get McD's b'fast out of it.  Then we decide to take the gondola ride to top of mountain and do the various activities up there.  This turned out quite fun indeed.  Gondola ride portion is much steeper/longer than I would have guessed looking from bottom - great view of Lake Tahoe and the town (though a bit obscured via smoke from a distant fire).  Spent a fair amount of time in line, as one would expect on a lovely Sunday afternoon in prime season - but with this group, even that (non)activity is really fun.  Ropes course and the downhill/sled ride - whatever it's called - both entertaining.  Lunch place came up with surprisingly good stuff - BBQ/smoked pork was excellent, also good beer.  Nice!

Celebrating triumph over the ropes course . . .

. . .  while others are still navigating. 

Back to town where PJ and I ditch the youngsters in front of the casinos and the two of us go to grocery store to pick up stuff for dinner.  Then we drive to the rental house - weather was a bit cooler and the place was of course incredibly quiet with just us there - opened all the windows and doors, listened to the wind move through the trees, all that kind of thing.  We worked on food prep (I mean PJ did, I just cleaned up some sweet corn).  Then our gamblers returned, though without riches, or even their opening stakes (I heard they had a cooler with).  We spend delightful time on the patio as evening sets in; some are working on food prep; POC had a interesting+ Stone stout that MOC had identified, nice; eventually the table is set.  Food prep was a huge success - a mixed grill of tuna, chicken, steak; grilled vegetables; etc.; everything just right.  EPG brings a red and a white wine - souvenirs from trips with his visitors (including Viansa on this trip) - nice.  Then we go 'round the table and discuss the birthday honoree - not surprisingly, folks had a lot to say - nice.  Singing; dessert.

This guy's 30th birthday!!

The clean-up crew does its thing with high efficiency (POC's time to shine!)  I had spliced together some video clips from EPG's younger days - which I truly loved watching-repeatedly-while-editing - the group watched this, plus various other videos that are sitting on youtube (including Emma Jahns).

Already rather late by now; PJ gives up; I end up at the pool table.  Round 1 is a game newly-invented by NOC and KHG - certain never to be played again - balls are set in middle of table, two teams of two line up on opposite ends of the table and go for the balls on count of three; then the teams return to their respective ends, with the goal being to fire the balls into the corner pockets on the other end of the table (and defend your own corner pockets).  Luis was The Natural (and my teammate), and therefore he and I won.  With only minor bruising and no lost digits.  POC takes shoulder hit from a reckless player.

After that:  normal pool games (CPG, me, Luis) for a long time, followed by normal pool games for a long time (CPG, me).  Dart players (POC + KHG v. NOC + EPG) in continuous action throughout, though eventually that advances, or degrades, to POC v. EPG with feats of skill.  I'm done around 2a and don't really know how long the rest continued.  Fun b'day observance night.

 

Sunday, July 31 - lingered on that patio again for coffee etc. for as long as we could possibly get away with it before it was time to pack up the place, organize our trailer, and hit the road.  Which we were sorry to do.  POC heads to Reno airport, the rest of us re-create our long road trip from Thursday.  CPG Yelp-finds "Crystal Basin Cellars" (Camino, CA) where we have a fine lunch.  Some Pokes are captured.  Slowish traffic at various points but lovely scenery throughout.  Return the trailer.  EPG, PJ and I take a trip in EPG's new, and fine, Audi (his 2003 Kia having expired, finally) to "The Spice Jar" for carry-out Chinese.  Played some games but most or all were pretty exhausted after several days of continuous action.



Now it's Monday, August 1 - EPG and Luis make a coffee run; the rest of us are in travel-prep mode for return flights.  We go to Nopalita's - lunch was just excellent, plus we got another chance to sing to the birthday boy.  They drive Kerry, PJ, CPG and me to the airport where we say our goodbyes.  We hear K has a smooth return flight; after some uncertainty, our Frontier flight to Phoenix works out just fine as well.  Luis and Nicole staying in town a bit longer for business, or monkey business, or both.

Nopalita!

Great travel companions; excellent planning by EPG; a group excited to celebrate EPG's #30, and this aspect definitely showed throughout.  Fun/memorable!

Iowa for Father's Day (June 16-20)

Another overdue visit - getting out to St. Joe.  Father's Day weekend seemed like a perfect time for PJ and me to make the trip.

New plantings etc "looking good" at Mark & Therese estate.

Weather was great - especially on travel day (Thursday).  Made a v. pleasant drive-by at Mark and Therese's house - which really is looking quite sharp (including various new plantings).  We also think the overall neighborhood is neat.  Then up to New Brighton where Cecilia and Steve hosted a dinner gathering.  Couldn't have been nicer.  Angie came by with Liam, Josh and Tillie; Margaret and Jeremy; Nick, Maeve and Beau; Therese and Mark.  Good food, some nice beers (including Nick homebrews among others), lovely evening on the patio, chatted until fairly late.  (The only thing missing:  photographic evidence.)

I much liked this view toward St. Joe and the hill farm - don't get to this area of the farm very often.

 On Friday - we have breakfast, pleasant!, at Caribou with Steve and Cecilia; then drop her off at work before heading south to Iowa.  PJ does grocery shopping and eventually makes a fine dinner for us; EMG and I head up to the hill farm and poke around on F-20 carburetor; then take tractor and mower down to St. Joe bottom lands where clean up a track around the government acres.  Lovely afternoon, great views down there, I much enjoyed being out with my dad.

Selfie on 4020 headed west.

Saturday morning - EMG and I go up to the hill farm again - looking for just the right piece of post to support our fence-mending operation.  It's a nice morning and this gave an occasion to wander around the grove, behind the corn crib; look at the foundation from the cattle shed and discuss the work involved during his cattle-tending days - wow.  PJ and I go to Algona in the afternoon and have a lovely visit with Caroline.  Dinner in St. Joe; EMG and I watch some video from their 1999 European trip - stuff I hadn't seen much of before - found it interesting - this was enjoyable.

Kind of amazing how well this old tractor functions.

Sunday Mass in St. Joe; talk to various after; Steve and Liz come by; also Dolores - great to see so many folks over the weekend.  PJ puts together noon meal.  Relaxing afternoon; we watch a little golf-on-TV, also sit on front porch a bit - much hotter weather.  Watched Cleveland beat Golden State in game 7 of NBA finals (Lebron chase-down block).

Some minor fence repair . . .

Monday - got a pretty early start - I rode with EMG up to Rochester, PJ followed along in our rental car.  He had some tests scheduled (which turned out pretty much fine).  He seems to do fine with the long-ish drive.  I don't recall being in Rochester before, so it was nice to finally see the place.  Cecilia met us for the appointments, and stayed 'til the end - we had to depart for airport prior to the last phase.  The four of us had lunch at Mayo cafeteria, which worked really well.

Photo inspection during happy hour at Caroline's place.

We really enjoyed our visit . . .

It's sounded to us like EMG is doing pretty well, but we hadn't seen him in person since Mom's funeral - hard to believe it's been that long, the time has flown by.  Now we can report as eyewitnesses - if there are 87-year-olds doing better physically then him, I'd think it's a pretty small group!  Fingers crossed that this continues.  Will look forward to the next trip.

Just before heading to Sunday Mass.

Our lector . . .