Camping in our new-old Vintage Camp Trailer

Our first camping trip in our 13' 1955 Siesta Travel Trailer. Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Marsha invited us to camp with them at Detroit Lake this weekend. We had a grand time.

Squirrel Hunting

Zane and Grandma Boom-Boom set up a squirrel trap
when we were at Olallie Lake. Zane caught two squirrels
in the box, however he never figured out a way of getting
them out of the box. The first one quickly dug under the box,
the other Grandma tried to open the box and grab it with
socks on her hands, but the squirrel was too fast.

Hiking Weekend with the Boys

This weekend Lori went with her sister to Sisters to do the Sister's Stride 7 mile walk with their two three year olds.

So when the mama bear is away the cubs play. The "big" boys and I planned hikes both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we drove Aufderheide Memorial Drive between Oakridge and Blue River to go to the Skookum Creek campground trail-head to hike in to the Erma Bells however the trail to the Erma Bells was closed so we went to Otter Lake. As we left the house I was thinking I should get a jacket "just in case" but I was already out the driveway and I had the boys in long sleeve shirts so we should be okay. But as I drove I thought that maybe that was not such a good idea. I was right … it was cold! But we survived and had a nice time. Hamburgers at the Vida Café ended our day on the way home.

Sunday after church we headed back up HWY58 to look at a mobile home park that is for sale this side of Westfir (Oakridge) and then hike the Moon Falls and Spirit Falls trails. This time we all wore long pants and jackets. There had be a very slight drizzle off and on during the afternoon but when we got out at Moon Falls it was dry. I had the boys put on hats but I left mine in the van … it was dry out. Well, about 5 minutes into the hike it started raining. Not the "slight drizzle" of before, but rain. We got wet. But it was warm and beautiful, so no problem. It is an easy (1.2 round trip) and beautiful trail through tall canopy trees with healthy undergrowth. In the fall, the change in colors will be very nice. Moon Falls are very tall going over huge rocks.

Spirit falls is also beautiful. It is a moss-covered water-fall, the moss makes the water separate into thousands of streamlets, stunning. The trail is steeper but short (.8 round trip). Hamburgers and ice cream at P-Hill DQ ended the day nicely.

Lori had the camera with her so I have no pictures this time. I am taking up an offering for a new camera (I am lusting over the Canon 40D). Let me know if you want to donate (cash, check, paypal accepted).☺

"Talk Like A Pirate" Day!

Today (Sept 19th) is the International "Talk Like a Pirate Day"!

I almost missed it!

This international holiday started by two guys playing racquetball at the YMCA in Albany, OR back in 1995 (www.talklikeapirate.com/about.html).

But it did not really take off until Dave Barry wrote about it in 2002 (www.miamiherald.com/283/story/100129.html).

They have a website -- www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
MySpace site -- www.myspace.com/pirateguys
YouTube site -- www.youtube.com/user/OfficialWench

Purdue should offer Oregon first test

September 10, 2008 6:35 PM --- Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Purdue coach Joe Tiller apparently is playing the San Francisco 49ers -- Joe Montana variety -- this weekend, not the 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks.

Oregon's offense?

"Well, you try to see if Coach [Mike] Bellotti will agree to allow us to play -- I spent nine years in Canada, playing Canadian defense, which is 12 men, versus 11," he said. "That's probably where you start. Outside of that, I don't have any answers. They're a very explosive team with both the run game and the pass game. So they're just a handful."

And what about that Ducks defense?

"Fast, faster, and fastest is how I would describe their defense," he said before comparing the Ducks to the Washington defense for the Huskies 1991 national championship squad.

"I don't see a weakness in them defensively," he concluded.

Hmm.

The Ducks have been dominant in dispatching Washington and Utah State by a combined count of 110-34.

Even with a number of key injuries, the offense ranks No. 1 in the nation with 592 yards per game -- 332 yards on the ground -- and is fifth in scoring (55 ppg).

As for the defense, it shut the Huskies out in the second half and has yielded just 274 yards and 17 points per game.

So Tiller, who will retire at the end of the season, isn't just being silly.

Still, it's clear that the Ducks haven't been tested, a fact that Bellotti freely admits. The offense, in particular, has faced a pair of pillow-soft defenses, so it's probably premature to compare this year's offense to last year's nearly unstoppable unit led by QB Dennis Dixon.

"We'll certainly find out this weekend," Bellotti said. "We haven't been stopped too much in the first two games."...

Painter figures to test the Ducks athletic, veteran secondary, which -- surprisingly -- hasn't grabbed an interception this season after ranking second in the Pac-10 with 20 last year.

On the other side of the ball, Oregon, despite its eye-popping numbers, still has questions, such as its three-man rotation at QB, topped by Justin Roper, with Jeremiah Masoli and Chris Harper offering relief.

"All three have done some really good things," Bellotti said. "They complement each other."

Also, tailback Jeremiah Johnson is nursing a bum shoulder, though he's expected to play. If he can't go, LeGarrette Blount stepped in with 132 yards and two TDs against Utah State.

Oregon, of course, is hoping for a repeat of its last Big Ten road trip: A 39-7 win at Michigan last year.

"Now it's up to us to carry that Pac-10 banner," Bellotti said. "But that's secondary in my mind to us winning the game.

Ducks v Dawgs

Olallie Lake

Funny story of the day…

We went camping Thurs-Sat up at Olallie Lake, which is above Detroit, which is west of Salem. It was a very nice time (I will post many pictures later). It was beautiful, the only sad point was being in the mountains … I missed hearing or seeing anything about the Duck game until it was over.

On the way home we stopped at Burgerville in Albany for dinner this evening. Now Albany is Beaver Country being that it is the closest town to Corvallis, but on game days I-5 becomes coated with green and yellow as cars drive down and back from the towns and cities all along the I-5 corridor. When we arrived at Burgerville there were a three groups of Duck fans already in there and I was wearing my green OREGON hat and a green shirt. After we sat down another family sporting the green and yellow showed up, also.

After we had been eating for a few minutes a guy pulls into the parking lot and gets out of his car, but he pauses as he looks into the windows of the restaurant. You see his car has an OSU flag and he is sporting a Beaver jersey. It looked as if he sees the sea of green in his restaurant and decides is not safe in there. That is want it looked like, another guy in green noticed it too … the Beaver fan really got out of his car started to walk around it, stopped as he looked in the windows of the restaurant paused and then got back into his car and drove off.

BTW … the following scores from this afternoon might have had something to do with this young man's actions.

W --- Ducks 66 v Utah St. 24
L --- Beavers 14 v Penn St. 45

Currently reading : Modern Business (23 texts prepared as part of the Modern Business Program, 23 volumes) By Alexander Hamilton Institute

Political Resume - 10 Facts About Sarah Palin - TIME

I think I like Mrs. Palin.

I see how the opposition will attack ... lack of national and international experience, however, like she says, "That's a healthy thing," she told TIME. "That means my perspective is fresher."

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article...

Michael Jackson’s b-day was yesterday (50th)

Go to the link below to watch a very good slide show and commentary (photo essay) ... The commentary is similar to my point of view on this part of pop history. Its part of my history ...

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2008/michael_jackson_50/

Or click on the title of this blog to see the photo essay.

1955 "Vintage" Camp Trailer

Lori drove to Coos Bay yesterday to buy us a "vintage" camp trailer. We are fairly excited about having an a place to store our camping gear and have the ability to connect and go at a moments notice. This is a very small trailer ... so we can pull it with our van ... but it has enough sleeping space for all of us.




The guy in the photo is John, the guy we bought it from. You'll have to ask Lori about the gator made from bread.

They also went to Winchester Bay and played in the water for awhile...

Class Reunion - Wil-Hi Class of ’88’

This past weekend Lori and I participated in two events for my 20th Class Reunion.

Yes, it is true ... 20 YEARS! The first two numbers make me feel slightly old are the 20 year class reunion and 40 years old. The first has now happened, the second is still 3 years in the future.

Sadly, I have not kept in touch with any of my classmates, so we were a little nervous about attending.

The first event was at Quackers Bar and Grill Saturday night. Neither Lori nor I have frequented bars, in addition to the fact we were not sure if we would know anyone there made us almost back out of attending. However, once went in, we had an alright time. It was good to see old friends. It was interesting to get re-acquainted with friends of 20-25 years ago. There were some in attendance I never got a chance to talk with, which I feel bad about.

Sunday afternoon we joined classmates and their families at Roaring Rapids Pizza in their outdoor eating area. It overlooks beautiful rapids on the McKenzie river. Nice place. It was good to see and talk to a few more friends at this venue, as well, but again I did not get to talk to a few people I would have liked to.

Fun times ... after twenty years!

Currently reading : The Ohio River Trilogy 1: Betty Zane (The Ohio River Trilogy) By Zane Grey

Tamolitch - McKenzie River

In June, Lori and I spent a night at Belknap Hot Springs to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It is a resort on the world famous McKenzie River.

They have two hot springs-fed swimming pools that are cooled down to 105 degrees. Yeah … a little too hot to swim in, but very nice to soak in.

We were able to go on a couple hikes while there. I got the opportunity to take Lori to the beautiful Tamolitch Falls (a.k.a. Blue Pool or Tamolitch Pool).

I have hiked in there 5 times, but this time the pool was different. The water level was higher and there was water coming out of the rock wall. I guess all of my previous trips have been later in the season. I understand that earlier this year there was actually water flowing over the falls.

Next Spring I hope to make it up there earlier to witness this.

Most of the year the water flows in from below. A lava flow from a few thousand years ago spread across the McKenzie valley. The water of the McKenzie River now flows under ground through the porous lava rock and lava tubes for a stretch that ends at Tamolitch. The pool is very cold and very clear and very beautiful.

Clear Lake Cabin - Boys Fishing

Lori's folks rented a cabin for all of us at Clear Lake this past Thursday night. The cabins are simple fishing cabins with no indoor plumbing and the lake does not allow motorized boats so it is a little like going back in time. It is a very nice place.

Bud rented two row boats for us to use Thursday night and Friday.

All three boys caught fish! Cade's first, Zane's 2nd, and Luke's 3rd. Cade's reaction was the best tho, he caught his as we were heading back to the docks on Friday. As soon as he gets it in he starts yelling to everyone in sight "I caught a fish!", "Boom-Boom, I caught a fish!", "I caught a fish", "Papa, I caught a fish!", "Lolly, I caught a fish!", "I caught a fish!", "Joy, I caught a fish!", "I caught a fish!"... I am fairly sure everyone on the lake knew this 2 year old (he turns 3 this month) caught a fish.

Diamond Lake - The Boy's 1st Fish!

Zane and Luke caught their first fish this weekend. We went camping with my mom and Bruce at Diamond Lake ... a place I spent many a weekend, both summer and winter, as a child.

Anyway, the first night Luke caught two rainbow trout and Zane caught one. The biggest two were, 15 1/4 and 15 1/2". Nice fish!

Currently reading : Cottage Living, July/August 2008 Issue By Editors of Cottage Living

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8090bfba

Funny story of the day…

My mother-in-law returned from a vacation in Mexico yesterday. While she was in Mexico she got an opportunity to go fishing for Barracuda and caught one. After landing it she requested to be able to club it, as the guides were doing it previously for other clients, but she wanted to do it. I don’t know why, I guess it is just because she likes killing things. But they said, “Okay” and handed her the club. However, Barracuda are tough fish and she hit it again and again trying to knock it out. The guide said to her (you have to imagine a Spanish accent), “It’s not a piñata!”

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

Excellent idea, I can't wait to try it. They have not made it to Eugene yet, must just be in the big cities so far.

Challenge to You - 30 Days of Proverbs

It's June, probably my favorite month of the year.

Both my birthday and wedding anniversary are celebrated the second week! 38 years and 15 years respectively, by the way.

These two reasons are not the reason I love this season though. I love the weather change in Western Oregon. The cool mornings and evenings and warm days, plus all the green around make it my favorite. Green grass, green new growth on the trees and shrubbery, and flowers all around. The cool air is crisp and clean. New life. It reminds of the new life we have in Christ.

June is also the month I chose a few years ago to be Proverbs month. 30 days of Proverbs. There are actually 31 chapters in the Biblical book of Proverbs but it works.

CHALLENGE TO YOU:
Over the next 30 days join me it reading one chapter a day from the book of Proverbs. It is an excellent book of wisdom in Godly living. According to the first chapter the Proverbs were compiled "to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge, and discretion ... and to make the wise wiser" (1.4 & 5). And the secret of all wisdom is extolled in verse 7 "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Along the way post your favorite verses ... there are some good ones and some slightly funny ones, even if true, such as:

"It is better to live in the corner of the roof, than in a house shared with a contentious woman" (25.24) or "a constant dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are alike, he who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand" (27.15 & 16).

To be contentious is to be argumentative or quarrelsome. This is a life lesson for the young man and the young woman. Men chose wisely and women behave like a ladies.

Currently reading : Finish Carpentry (For Pros by Pros) Release date: 2003-02-01

Boys @ the Park pics

Click for larger view.



For more pictures and anecdotes: www.l2gant.blogspot.com

Books read (2005-present)

In 1993 I started recording all the books I read (completed, that is, there are probably many others I never finished).

I got the idea from a book Louis L'Amour wrote about his own life, The Education of a Wandering Man. It is a good book by the way, he lead a very interesting life. Much of the information in his books are from the adventures of his life and from the fact he was a voracious reader. At one point in his life he was living in Portland, OR and was living on one sandwich a day and the books at the library. All of his novels and short stories have historical and geographical accurate details.

I record the books I have read in a small leather bound journal that my wife purchased for me to record my "accomplishments, goals, and dreams". In the journal I have also recorded major events in our lives. Like the birth of our boys, new jobs, house purchases, travels (i.e. Mexico and Washington DC and backpacking Eagle Cap Wilderness) etc.

Reading is enjoyable, I desire to read more, however I am a slow reader and get distracted easily. My family, TV, work, friends have taken priority in the last few years, but this year I am planning on reading more. In looking at my journal 2002 marks the year that my reading decreased substantially. This coincides with the birth of our first born. My wife and boys are priority, however, TV and internet time hopefully will move aside for more book and study time.

If you challenge to read through my lists, leave me some feedback.
Have you read these books?
Are there any you would like to read? I have most of them in my library.
What do you think of my choice of reading?
Do you have a question about a book in the list?
Did you learn anything about me?

Below is a my list of books read by year, giving title, author, date published, and total pages.

2005-present

2005
1. The Journey Towards Relevance, Kary Oberbrunner, 2004, p 174
2. The Things That Matter Most, Bob Welch, 2001, p 234
3. As A Man Thinketh, James Allen, ~1900, p 31
4. River's Edge, Terri Blackstone, 2004, p 363
5. Experiential Storytelling, Mark Miller, 2003, p 157
6. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller, 1970, p 142
7. Tested by Fire, Kathy Herman, 2001, p 314
8. What the Monks Can Teach Us, JK Jones, 2004, p 79
9. As A Man Thinketh, James Allen, ~1900, p 32
10. The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence, 1958, p 112
11. The Dream Giver, Bruce Wilkinson, 2003, p 157
12. The Story of My Life, Hellen Keller, 1902, p 406
13. Yonderling, L'Amour, 1980, p 177
14. The Teeth of the Tiger, Tom Clancy, 2003, p 480
15. Paper Money, Ken Follett, 1977, p 253

2006
1. Body by God, Ben Learner, 2003, p 357
2. Child and Youth Immersion, Stephen M Compton, ~2005, p 36
3. What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, Raygene Wilson, 1999, p 147
4. Monster, Frank Peretti, 2005, p 147
5. The Godbearing Life, Kenda Creasy Dean & Ron Foster, 1998, p 220
6. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T Harv Eker, 2005, p 210
7. Buffet-The Making of an American Capitalist, Roger Lowenstein, 1995, p 425
8. It Happened in Oregon, James A Crutchfield, 1994, p 111
9. Stories of Oregon, Anderson Collins, 1961, p 254
10. Breaker's Reef, Terri Blackstock, 2005, p 315
11. The Lonesome God's, L'Amour, 1983, p 450
12. See You At The Top, Zig Ziglar, 1975, p 384
13. Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell, 2005, p 194
14. Going The Second Mile, Mel Blackaby, 2006, p 174

2007
1. Surviving An Affair, Dr Willard Harley, 1998, p 216
2. Creating Affluence, Deepak Chopra, 1993, p 103
3. How the Markets Really Work, Joel Kurtzmann, 2002, p 156
4. Freakonomics, Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner, 2005, p 242
5. Do What You Are, Paul D Tieger & Barbara Barron-Tieger, 1992, p 300
6. The Courage to be Rich, Suze Orman, 1999, p 370
7. Everyman's Battle, Stephan Arterburn & Fred Stocker, 2000, p 215
8. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert T Kiyosaki 1997, p 203
9. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Edwin Lefevre, 1923, p 299
10. Pit Bull, Martin "Buzzy" Schwartz, 1998, p 306
11. The College Press NIV Commentary – James & Jude, Gary Holloway, 1996, p 173
12. Mountain Men, Rick Steber, 1990, p 58
13. Wilderness Trek, Zane Grey, 1944, p 304
14. Heaven, Randy Alcorn, 2004, p 516
15. American Nightingale, Bob Welch, 2004, p 308

2008
1. New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines, SLO Green Build, 2005, p 56
2. My Oregon, Bob Welch, 2005, p 289
3. Oregon Contractor's Reference Guide, 2006, p ~600
4. 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee, John Fischer, 2000, p 164
5. Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell, 2007, p 390
6. The Cowboy Way, David McCumber, 1999, p 337

Currently reading : The Meaning of a Man: Discovering Your Destiny As a Spiritual Champion By Ronnie W. Floyd