Hideaway at a Hidden Lake

I had planned to spend the day playing "Domestic Goddess", getting all the laundry done and doing some serious cleaning from top to bottom here at home. With fall classes starting up, a trip to Arizona fast approaching and a few other irons in the fire I'm not going to be home much for the next month or so. This seemed to be my one opportunity to get things done.

However....I'm so glad I didn't. Life is too short to let it be ruled by laundry.

My beloved had plans to go out this afternoon to the gun club shooting range over by LaGrande to site in his new scope for his rifle in preparation for the upcoming deer hunt. Initially I had no interest in tagging along. I'm really not into guns or hunting or any of that... but after he pulled away I felt so lonesome for my man I called him up on his cell and said "I changed my mind - the laundry can wait! Come back and get me!" Fortunately for me, I have a very patient man who is much accustomed to my fickle ways.

So I real quick downloaded some coordinates for a couple geocache over that way and off we went. We had a blast.

The shooting range is in a lovely spot surrounded by tall pine trees and amazing sky. I had fun running back and forth from the 100 and 200 foot target markers to see how close he got to the bullseye each time. (Fortunately I had good ear protection - that rifle is LOUD!)

Once he got that all done we took off to find the geocache. The first one was pretty simple - took us to a lovely overlook with an old pioneer cabin. The second one, however, was a real gem. Named Hideaway at a Hidden Lake, it took us to a place neither one of us had ever been or even knew was there. Morgan Lake is a beautiful little spot that I DEFINITELY want to return to. Not only did we have a great time finding the cache Larry caught five trout in in about an hour. He kept three for dinner and threw the others back.

Pat B., if you are reading this, I vote next time you and Chuck are up for an adventure the four of us go camping here. Let's plan it, ok?

ROAD TRIP

My beloved and I just returned from our long weekend away. We had a great time.

Wednesday night we drove to Hood River, which claims to be the Wind Surfing capital of the world, but to me will always be my old stomping grounds from my fruit tramp days back in the '70's.

THURSDAY - The husband person went fishing, exploring both Lost Lake and Lawrence Lake, while I was in meetings for the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.
He caught some fish, saw signs of bear and generally had a good time. I got to meet with some great women from all across the state and discuss Big Ideas, some which I'm still pondering mightily and may blog on a bit later. That evening we did a bit of geocaching and had a couple really nice finds.

FRIDAY - we went white water rafting near Maupin. It was a blast. We only did class three rapids so there was never anything dangerous or scary - just a fun ride down the river on a beautiful day. Again, at the end we did a geo search, nice end to a long day in the sun. Then we drove on to Redmond for the night.

SATURDAY - we did MORE geocaching, found several and got stumped on a few. Then we went to hear Terri Jentz talk about her book "Strange Piece of Paradise" at the Paulina Springs bookstore. Afterwards we went out to dinner with Terri and a few of the folks from the Bend/Sisters area that she knows. We had a fabulous time getting acquainted and sharing our thoughts about social responsibility, apathy, crime, and reclaiming life after trauma.

SUNDAY - we headed home going the long back way along Hwy 218. We went through lots of tiny little towns like Antelope, Clarno, Fossil, Spray, Heppner, Lexington and Echo. I couldn't help but wonder why people live in some of those spots...what took them there? What holds them? I'd love to go back sometime and interview a few of the locals.

Along the way we stopped at the John Day Fossil Beds and did a nice little hike to see some intriguing geology.

Then we stopped along the John Day River for a picnic lunch. Larry did some fishing (mostly caught TINY small mouth bass that looked like bait, but I guess it was fun for him) and I got to lay under a ponderosa pine tree reading a good book. Finally it was time to call it a day and head on home.

All in all it was a really good trip.

Look Out River - Here We Come!

I just made reservations for my beloved and I to do a bit of white water rafting on the Deschutes River. I am ever so excited we get to go on this adventure.

I have a conference to attend in Hood River on the 26th. So husband and I will drive over Wednesday night, have a nice dinner somewhere and relax away from our many work responsibilities. (He's up to his eyeballs in wheat harvest, so getting him to commit to go was a BIG DEAL, and one I appreciate immensely!) He will go fishing while I attend the summer conference for the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.

Afterward we may do a little geocaching or just explore around Hood River.

Then on Friday we head over to Maupin where we will take a five hour guided raft trip. I can't wait! The last time I was rafting was with our good friends Pat & Chuck Butcherite when we all went to Alaska together a couple years ago. That was SO MUCH FUN that I am very much looking forward to going again.

Then on Saturday we head over to Bend to knock around antique shops, do some hiking, and maybe geocache some more. That evening we go over to Sisters, OR to hear Terri Jentz speak out about her experiences relayed in the book "Strange Piece of Paradise." After having corresponded with her via e-mail for some time it will be great to finally meet her!

So I would say we have one full weekend coming up. I am very much looking forward to it!