The weekend before we started the trek south I had the opportunity to fly coast-to-coast from Massachusetts to Oregon to visit my mother, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, and my sister who… well, I won’t mention her age, but you can do the math. While there I also had the opportunity to enjoy some rare sunny weather on the Oregon coast and to go on a 3-hour mushroom tour with Tillamook Eco-Adventures. It was an exhausting trip, but well worth it.
My mother was in the hospital for several days just prior to my arrival, with fluid buildup around the heart, so naturally I was concerned about how she would be. Well, here is a photo I took just before I left:
Mom at 90
I thought she looked great. She was upbeat and got around pretty well, too, making it up the difficult stairs at my sister’s house for dinner on Friday. It was a very comforting visit with my wonderful mother.
The flight out was miserable. I had a stop in Phoenix and we encountered a maintenance delay there. I didn’t get to my hotel room until 3am and then had a problem getting the key card to work. I finally got to bed, but with my body clock all out of whack, I got only about 3 hours of deep sleep. The flight back, non-stop to Charlotte, was better. I think I got about 4 hours of sleep on that flight, which is a personal best for me.
On Friday my sister Lois and my brother-in-law Chris treated me to a short walk on the beach. The Oregon shore is always stunning, but seeing it in sunshine is a special treat.
Sunset on the Oregon coast
We took their 3 dogs with us. They always enjoy the beach walks, too. In the parking area I was a sign warning against picking up “tsunami debris.” Junk from the 2011 Japan tsunami has made it all the way to Oregon.
Tsunami debris warning
Dogs on the beach
Looking north along the beach
Just to prove I was there
On Saturday Chris and Lois treated me to a mushroom walk, which was more fun than it sounds. Again, the sun was shining, and the walk was colorful with the changing fall foliage. I learned a lot about mushrooms and even nibbled on one that was guaranteed to be safe.
Lois, Chris and me on the mushroom trail
Mushroom guy Brian with Lois and Chris
Sunday started with a wonderful breakfast at Pirate’s Cove Restaurant in Garibaldi, OR. The shrimp omelet was superb! It then transitioned into a sports viewing day. We channel-hopped between the Red Sox (game 4 of the World Series) and the Redskins (Chris is a Redskins fan – go figure).
Start of World Series Game 4
A happy Chris, before the Redskins collapsed
After the Redskins and before the Red Sox lost, I headed back to Portland for my flight. I drove a Chrysler 200 from Enterprise that cost me $68 for the weekend – a real bargain. I have to say that I really enjoyed driving it. It was smooth, responsive, had power to pass on the uphill stretches over the mountains and was very comfortable. I think it was the best rental car I have had in many years. Good job, Chrysler!
The Chrysler 200
It was great to see you, Mom. And great to see you looking so well. Lois and Chris – thanks for the hospitality, the walk and the mushroom tour. It is always a pleasure to visit you.