Visiting Family and friends on the way to Anchorage

The weekend has been a mixture of visiting with family and friends as well as driving. Traveling to the Lower 48 gave us the opportunity to visit those whom we won’t see again for quite a longtime. We made the most of the time and proximity in the northern and central coastal areas of Oregon.

After picking up the Toyota Camry at the dealership in Salem, we visited Jason, Patty and Lauren in their suburban home. Jason met us at the door, along with their golden retriever Mookie. Once inside, Rick’s son handed his three-month-old daughter to her grandfather. With a smile, Rick held this infant with light hair and a blend of Jason’s and Patty’s features.

In her rush to independence, Lauren grows daily. Her most recent discovery is her feet. While Rick held her, she kept leaning towards her feet. Lauren has also learned to flip over onto her stomach. As a precursor to learning how to crawl, Lauren lifts herself off the floor onto her hands and knees. Soon they will have to kid-proof the house.

The only child of Rick’s oldest son, Lauren’s middle name is Faith. Later in the day, we would visit Lauren’s namesake in Lincoln City for Faith’s 106^th birthday weekend.

After saying good bye, we began the hour and a half trip west to see Lauren’s namesake in Lincoln City. Staring at the green trees and thick forests through rain-drenched windows, the route is similar to the route to Reedsport along Highway 38. Deciduous trees are dropping their leaves. Beautiful burgundy and gold colors punctuated the green background. Heavy rains washed down the ravines as leaves and small branches made their way through the rushing waters of creeks and tributaries on their way out to the Pacific Ocean.

Along the way, we stopped to get gas. Ahhh, nice to have someone pump gas for us again. We stopped at a roadside restaurant that served a great lunch of salads, burgers and sandwiches. Café 22 West’s décor is a blend of Fifty’s retro and Oregon casual. In the same parking lot is an old-fashioned fruit stand where we picked up veggies, fresh apple cider and pies to contribute to the evening meal with Grand ma.

106th year old Faith Callahan

Upon our arrival, Rick’s aunt and uncle sang a phrase of Alaska’s state song as they welcomed us into the bounty of family who had taken the opportunity to celebrate Faith’s birthday.

After dinner at Mo’s, we departed for the Century Hotel in Tualatin. A business hotel, this hotel would be our resting station for the remainder of the night. After checking in, we walked to Hayden’s restaurant for dessert and relaxation. Two sisters and a fellow musician entertained the crowd. The harmonic blend of their two voices, along with his skilled guitar playing were pleasing to our ears and hearts.

After a long sleep in a comfortable bed, we awoke to begin the second day of visits, first with Rick’s daughter for breakfast at Hayden’s. Sara is an interior design student at Portland Community College. After catching up on life for Rick’s youngest child, we spent the remainder of an hour enjoying her exuberance about life ahead.

After re-packing our luggage, we made our way to I-5 for a forty minute drive to Portland where we were scheduled to meet friends at Powell’s Books. From I-205, we entered the state’s most populated city. Tall buildings touching the sky and metropolitan traffic had been a distant memory.  We were indeed far from the village of Kotzebue now.

After locating the Portland landmark, we parked the car in a nearby garage and walked through Whole Foods Market to Powell’s. I couldn’t resist wandering the aisles of this natural food store, similar to one I had visited in Graton a few years ago.

Our friends were awaiting our arrival and after more shopping, we went to lunch at Deschutes Brewery. My heart filled as we exchanged news from Reedsport and Kotzebue. At the end of our scheduled two hours, Rick and I departed for Bellingham, Washington.

Fall color along Washington's I-5 corridor.

After four and a half hours, we drove into the parking lot of our resting place for the night: the Best Western Lakeway Inn. We had made one stop about 30 miles prior to stretch our legs in Walmart. We relaxed in the sports lounge for a late dinner. Rick watched the rest of the Vikings/Green Bay football game and I made my weekly call to Dad. The day began and ended with family. As we continue this trek, our hearts will be filled by the visits and feelings of love for family and friends we have left behind.