Timberline Lodge Oct 09

When Ben visited Oregon in 1978, my family took him to Timberline Lodge. It was a freezing cold day but it was a great adventure for Southern teenagers who had never seen that much snow! Last weekend, we decided to go to Mt. Hood again, this time to look at the changing leaves and maybe glimpse a little snow.

As we drove along the highway, Ben asked if this was the same route we had taken 30 years previously. I said that I didn't really remember but that I thought so. He said "it isn't quite right, something's different." Soon, we turned off the highway and started skyward, climbing to 1600 feet, to 3000 feet, to 4500 feet and finally he said, "this is the road." I asked how he remembered and he said that (in 78) as we were traveling to the top, all he could see through the fog and snow was that where the shoulder was supposed to be was actually an edge of a cliff. He said he just kept thinking that all he had to do was make one wrong move and my daddy would stop the car, push him over the edge and no one would know where or how he disappeared! And all I remembered was how much fun we had!

Timberline Lodge Oct 09, cont.

This was a beautiful fall on the side of the highway that we stopped and watched. At 4500 ft, it will probably be a matter of weeks before it is frozen over! This is Bruno. He was so adorable! He had just come inside so he was wet and smelly but it was so nice to pet him and play for a little while. I miss having a dog but it's just not time to get a new one yet.

Much of the Lodge pays homage to it's history. This phone was cool!

Isn't this a great desk? I can just imagine a snowy day, sitting in front of the window, enjoying the snow outside and a roaring fire behind me as I'm writing the next great American novel. Such history!

Did you know that if you stand right here, you can upload to Facebook???

This picture of a man whose name I can't remember was beautiful. (And the man whose name I do remember is beautiful too!)

Peeking around the new entrance!

Love the way they announce which restroom is which!

"Pull my finger!"

Just kidding...we're buddies!

Timberline was the eerie setting for Jack Nicholson's "The Shining."

Ben is 6 feet tall. Look how high the snow gets each winter. That's some tall poles! If you look closely, it's so windy that his toes are off the ground.

The mandatory "Runaway Truck Ramp." Scary if you have to use that but it's a good thing to have if you need it! As we left Timberline, Ben put the car in neutral and we coasted downhill for about 5 miles. At one point, we were going 70 mph! To our right was a rock wall, on the left...a cliff off the side of the mountain that Ben was so worried about 30 years ago!

We pulled into this campground that was closed for the season. The leaves were beautiful. We lowered the window to take this picture. Can you see the spooky orb?

And what about these clouds? It was like that the whole day- dark clouds right next to fluffy, white ones. Crazy weather but it was beautiful!

Look at the changing leaves and the church steeple in the background. These pictures don't do it justice. God is a phenomenal artist, huh?

Ben always laughs when he hears something about Boring, Oregon. I thought this sign was funny! One boring city, lol!

We were going through Gresham when we stopped next to this taxi. I guess man's best friend needed a lift!

What a great day together. Despite the rain, the scenery was beautiful and the company was the best!

Ashley & Brady's Engagement Party

Only a couple of pictures to show you... the rest weren't so great. {We really need to get a new camera as low light is not our current one's strong suit! Ben has been doing lots of research. I imagine we will take the plunge very soon and buy the one he really wants!}

Brady and Ash are getting married next August after she finishes law school. Ashley's older sister, Allisa, put together a surprise engagement party for them. It was very nice and they were completely surprised.

They decided to practice cutting the cake. The wedding reception should be very interesting!!!

Ashley & Brady's Engagement Party, more pics

Come in my little pretties... SURPRISE!!!

" I can't believe you got me!" Jane (Brady's mom) is enjoying the surprise.
Allisa, my oldest and the event organizer. Nice job, honey!

Not sure what Ben and Steve (Ashley's uncle) were talking about...

Allisa and Anthony (my youngest).

Ashley and Anthony

Ashley's grandparents, Mel & Paula

Ben said "finally... this is what I came for!"

Cut the cake...

Ohhhhhh- that's just wrong!

This is the collage picture we gave them. I must say, it turned out very cool!

CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY & BRADY!

Thanks Uncle Dave for sharing your great pictures!

LSU vs Georgia '09

Time to go the Agency again to watch the Tigers play. I realize that it was on CBS but there is nothing better than getting together with Tiger friends to watch the game. So we got on Max, looked at some changing leaves (we'll have to get some pictures to share) and waited, hoping to see fare inspectors this trip.

We got off the train at the PGE Park exit so we could walk a few blocks. There were PSU fans who were going into their own game so we stopped to look through the fence. We stopped just as the Vikings took the field and we got a few pictures. How sad, look how few fans there are in the stands.

We walk a little further and look what we saw. If we had stayed on the MAX for one more stop...

Oh well! Outside the Agency I tried to get Ben to turn around so I could take his picture. He only turned in a circle so I am uploading this one anyway. After a ho-hum 3 quarters and 13 minutes, the Tigers caught fire and finished with an exciting 2 minutes! Can't wait for next time!

Ben's Birthday Weekend '09 Outdoor Mass

We've told you before about the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother aka the Grotto. It is one of the most peaceful places I have ever visited. Here are several pictures Ben took inside the main chapel. The paintings on the walls are magnificent. The more I look at them, the more treasures I find. Each speaks to a part of Jesus' life in an amazing way.

We took advantage of the great weather and the last outdoor Mass of the season and visited the Grotto again. We were happy to discover that the Mass was also celebrating Oregon Catholic Deaf Ministry so the whole service was signed. Wow- what a beautiful expression of God's love!

Then, we continued Ben's birthday celebration weekend with lunch at Red Lobster and a movie in the afternoon. What a great weekend we had together. It makes it even hard to leave him as we go back to work on Monday. Five more days until the next weekend!