October in Oregon

A weekend in Oregon with mom brought the

expected and unexpected beauties of this area.

I grew up on the shores of this river, in this

river, fishing this river, floating this river, leaping

from the bridge into this river. This is where I am

most at home.

As I walked in the misty rain

through the brush to this spot, I came upon

some edgey people living under a tarp in the

blackberry bushes right behind where I'm sitting.

After a moment of concern I thought to myself, "There's

always been creepy people hangin around here. This is

my spot! And, I can share it, as I always have,

with anyone who appreciates the solitude found here."

Heceta Head provided, once again, the beauty

and magesty of the rugged Pacific Coast. We both

have a abiding love for this place. The most excellent

adventure at the coast began with the sight of thousands

of California and Stellar sea lions on the beach below.

Mother was a trooper to take her adventuresome

spirit and sore hips, with a little help, over the guard

rail and to the edge to see this unique and massive

gathering of marine life.

I needed a little closer look. So, down the steep

slope and a belly crawl across 150 meters of rocks
to experience these huge creatures without disturbing

their naps and frolicing on the rocks. To leave this

beach I needed to backtrack and tred lightly. I had a very

close encounter with two sea lions who had snuck back

on the beach behind me to nap in solitude.

Biggest bachelor party on the west coast.

A young healthy male California sea lion, probably

1200 lbs.

The waves were big and there awesome power

expoded as they crashed on the rocks.

Sometimes these explosions engulfed me, and I got

a little wet.

An awesome time with mother.

Flying High!

Our weekend seemed to have a common theme, "heights". We left Lund at 3:45 am to travel to the Boulder City Airport where Bill would fulfill a lifelong wish (much to my surprise). Next it was off to see the new bridge at Hoover Dam. We left the boys in the motel room while we attended the temple. Saturday, we were up bright and early for another highlight for Bill, the Las Vegas airshow. We witnessed a lot of incredible demonstrations. I think the highlight was the Thunderbirds. They really take your breath away with their amazing manuevers. Whew! Safe on terre ferma.

Bill and his intructor.

Looking down at a golf course in Boulder City.

Yeah! What an awesome experience!

The moment of truth, leaving the safety of the airplane.

All smiles before the jump.

Just a reminder.

Up on the new Hoover Dam bridge nearly 900 feet above the Colorado river! After a few minutes, I decided I had had enough of looking down so far.

Whoa! Somebody help us!

Long bus lines at the airshow. It took us an hour and a half just to get on a bus to leave. We tried leaving on foot but were promptly ushered back onto the base.

There were 22 of these planes in the air at one time. You can buy a kit and put them together yourself.

Really cool explosions.

After a long day at the airshow.