Of Motorcycles and Weddings

This weekend marked the 104^th Rhody Days in Florence (not that we count them). This is an annual event like most small towns across the US celebrate. Unlike many of them, ours can get a bit insane. We’re not talking about little blue haired women getting in snarky bitch out contests over who has the best rhubarb pie either.

For some odd reason, motorcycle enthusiasts of all types and sizes make Florence an annual destination. Attendees vary from the Yuppie weekend biker warriors to a handful of the extreme “outlaw” biker types. What this has to do with Rhododendrons, I have no idea. I will admit, Rhody days can be fun, the amount of bikers make it loud and entertaining.

The artistry, care, and love some of these men and women put into their bikes is astounding. Of course there are a few bad cases out there- but for the most part- peace is kept in order. We’ve never been to Sturgis – but I equate Rhody days to a mini-Sturgis event. It almost calls to my budding mid-life crisis! Harley Davidson here we come (can anyone say divorce court?)

As for those of us without motorcycles (or excessive facial hair), we have a carnival, queen/princess pageant, gun show, car show, cruise, and several other events that culminate with a great big parade on Sunday. The parade can last up to 2 ½ hours! Morgan played the tenor sax this year and marched the 3 mile route – and actually didn’t complain. I’m sorry to say, that we watched him walk by, clapped, and took some photos, and then went home. One can only see so many parades before they become old hat.

I managed to get out and do some photography on Saturday when the weather decided to cooperate briefly. Then Bridget and I went out to celebrate of 17^th wedding anniversary at the Wakonda Brewpub a few blocks from our house. It’s the first time we’ve been there, and it was interesting. Good beer and a couple of good bands were playing. The brewery is owned by a couple of people we know and it occupies a warehouse space in the light industrial district. As a friend put it – the place is a huge garage with a few couches and tables with a bar in the corner. It was actually quite different and enjoyable. No frills, but a bunch of people having fun.

We are planning new tattoo’s for our anniversary gift to one another. We are thinking about a Celtic knot bracelet on our wrists and are awaiting our tattoo artist to get back to us. More come there! It’s hard to fathom that we’ve been together for 20 years and married for 17, it seems like only a handful. But when we look at all we’ve accomplished and the growth of our kids, it’s amazing how fast life moves.

Now we move away from Rhody days, and look forward to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Not sure what’s on the agenda there – but I’m sure it will be interesting…. Maybe a trip to the Harley store?

Are Things Better Upside Down?

This last weekend we tempted mother-nature and went camping and riding at the KOA just south of Hauser Oregon. We've been here many times in the past enjoying the sand dunes and the amenities of a full hook-up campground (gone are the days of tenting it on the ground). Mother-nature of course didn't cooperate (the biotch). It rained most of the time. I keep telling Bridgett that I haven't managed to be warm since we returned from Jamaica. I think secretly she thinks to herself "serves you right – I haven't been warm since we moved to Oregon!"

Anyway – this trip was different as we took Crixus. Great Danes, it turns out, are a bit high maintenance. We hadn't taken him camping before and our trailer isn't all that big. We actually haven't been out on the dunes since October (Morgan hasn't made it since September). Definitely not our usual riding schedule of at least one trip a month. Crixus did just fine, even though the space in the trailer was a bit cramped with the extra 150 pounds of get-in-the-way.

Crixus enjoyed the walks around the campground – but didn't like the resident horse (it was big and mean after all). He drug Bridgett all over trying to meet other dogs and didn't seem to mind the ATV's. We tried to walk him behind ours – but that didn't go over very well. We only managed to get in two rides between raindrops. Morgan did a great job and I think managed to get some of his 14 year-old frustrations out.

Crixus like other animals I've noted likes to hang his head upside down. I remember doing that as a child, although I don't really know why. I didn't like being light headed, so I figure it must have something to do with the world looking better upside down. After thinking on it and listening to grumbling at work today from some staff members, I decided to give it a try. I leaned my chair way back and tipped my head back promptly banging it on the counter behind my desk. After adjusting the angle – I leaned back and looked out the door of my office into the hallway. At which point the CEO of the hospital walked by…. He didn't say a word, just smiled and walked through. He's kind of like that – he encourages out of the box thinking.

Regardless – I didn't have much of a view – but decided that going into the lobby wouldn't be the best idea either – I don't want referred for a mental health evaluation by the registration clerk (she's not as forward thinking as our CEO). I'll have to give it a try some other place and time and see if things really are better upside down – or I could just get a really good head rush and relive my college days!

Tsunami on the West Coast

NOTE: My opinions are my own – this is purely editorial commentary based on my own experiences:

Last Friday early in the morning, I was jarred awake by the sound of the tsunami siren. Looking at the clock it was a little after 3am, I shook Bridgett awake and work Morgan up quickly trying to figure out what was going on. Turning on the news we saw the devastation in Japan and quickly realized that what was happening there would soon effect us. We turned on the local radio station to listen for instructions and information – but were greeted by bad 70’s music for the first 5 minutes. The announcer was nonchalant “a tsunami warning is in effect for the entire west coast, it’s predicted to hit around 7:30am local time – and now we go to the Bee Gees - Stayin’ Alive.”

Ok then…. What should we do? Then the phone calls started from panicked friends who were running for the hills – literally. We didn’t get the pre-recorded reverse 911 phone call that told everyone in the tsunami zone to “evacuate immediately!!!!” although everyone seemed to. Apparently we aren’t in the ‘zone’ identified by experts and probably a panel of insurance adjusters.

After deciding that keeping everyone at home was the best thing to do – it’s not the water that kills you it’s the debris and the crowd of madly fleeing people that get you – I decided to run into work to see what I could do to help. One aspect of being in an emergency healthcare provider profession is a duty to act when disasters or emergencies arise.

Everyone at work was rather calm and nonchalant again. In fact I was told “it’s only a warning.” OK people – that may be and there may be nothing to do four hours before “T-time” – but someone should take it seriously. I took care of what I needed to do and kicked back and watched the news. I kept in touch with people via text (most of them sitting on hillsides) and kept in touch with Bridgett via text and waited.

It turned into a non-event for the most part. Only the southern part of the Oregon Coast had much effect and parts of the Northern California Coast. One dork died trying to take a photo (Darwin award?) in Northern California.

Now I’m listening to a few people grip and complain about how community leaders overreacted. Looking at the news feeds from Japan – I would say they have a reason to react the way they did. I for one agree that the response was very much justified and I would have liked to see a little more coordination and information from the moment the siren sounded. I believe that I’m in the middle of the road when it comes to reactions. I’m not going to panic – I’m a realist – what comes is what comes. I hope we will all be alive when it passes over us. We will be prepared for the aftermath – but one can never truly be ready for the event.

Today – I watched a supposed expert talk about magnetite, fish kills, electromagnetic forces, earth tides, full moons, and the likelihood of an earthquake off the coast of Oregon (according to him in the next 2-8 days). Yep – there will be a major earthquake along the coast. Will it be tomorrow or ten years from now? I don’t know and I don’t believe in hokey predictions either. I’m not making light of the situation, but aside from moving – what else will we do?

For me – right now – I send my thoughts and energy toward the people of Japan and the rescuers who are stemming the suffering, recovering the lost, exposing themselves to radiation risks, and doing all this with grace and dignity. I read a report today about the politeness of the Japanese and the way they are handling themselves and their own self-sacrifice. I only hope as a people we Americans can do the same when it’s our turn.

No Worries Mon!

So for the first time in 13 or so years, Bridgett and I took a real vacation. We’ve done several family related things over the years, but never just a trip for the two of us to really get away. We had the opportunity this year to travel to Jamaica and spend time with some friends of ours from Roseburg. I must say that it has been hard coming home and facing the reality of life once again.

The trip started off quite well, other than we chose to fly out of Portland airport at 11:59pm. While we moved quickly through security and the airport hoops, it was impossible to sleep in the “extra-spacious” seating that Continental airlines supplies to its economy travelers. We made a connection to Montego Bay in Houston after a 3 hour layover (no sleep there either). Once we arrived in Sunny and humid Jamaica we took at 90 min bus ride to Negril to the resort there. We promptly crashed….

Two days later we felt recovered enough to really start enjoying ourselves. I must say that if anyone has not stayed in an “all-inclusive” resort before – do so. Walking to the bar and dining room without concern for how much this time or packing cash around was fantastic. The amount of Rum that I consumed over 10 days more than reduced the price of the room to a few dollars a day!

The beach was warm, sunny, and relaxing. We spent most of our time there. I had to flip Bridgett once or twice to be certain she didn’t crisp too much on one side or the other. Evenings saw spectacular sunsets and dinner in either the resort restaurant or open dining room. The food was ok (better than we expected) and was available most times of the day. Breakfast was the only exception – if you slept later than 10am forget it! Nights were warm but breezy, the resort had great entertainers, and it was easy to lose yourself to the music and the dancing.

We had a catamaran tour of the Bay and surrounding area. I was surprised that Bridgett agreed (she doesn't swim and hates boats). The tour was 3 hours and we saw the sand caves that pirates used to use and the world famous Rick's Cafe where you can cliff dive into the sea. The water was vivid blue and as clear as a swimming pool!

We took a couple of days to travel around the western edge of the island (people told us to definitely avoid the Eastern/Kingston end of the island). We did some shopping in Negril with our friends and met some very interesting locals. Jamaicans are friendly, laid back, and genuinely happy. Even the hustlers weren’t that bad.

On another day we rented a taxi for the day ($200.00 US for four people) and went to the Appleton Rum Estate/Distillery and YS Falls. The distillery was a bit disappointing for the money they charged for entry, but a 1 liter bottle of extra premium dark rum was very cheap. Of course the free samples were great as well!

YS Falls was the highlight of the day. We ate good food here (we had already tried the curry goat at the resort and chose to go for the jerk chicken instead) and played in the various fall pools for a couple of hours.

Returning to Oregon was difficult but ultimately what we had to do. Besides, our bed is far more comfortable! We are already planning our next trip!

By the way - STAY AWAY from the Brownies!