Remembering

Apparently, memorial day was a large commercial success in Central Oregon. There were many ceremonies, none of which did I attend. 

I did spend a few hours walking along the Deschutes  river, enjoying the perfect weather. 

Many of the bike and boat rental companies were sold out.

Quite the place for your office.

This from a pedestrian bridge from the upstream portion of mirror pond.

And that is a very large Juniper growing straight out of the rock then making a 90° turn upward.

Wrapped up the day with a sausage, fried cheese, broccoli and cauliflower scramble topped with pepper and feta. 

Many times throughout the day I paused to remember my comrades who did not return from our war.

I cringe when I hear people thank veterans for preserving our freedom. I believe the last veteran to die for our freedom was in the War for Independence.

Since then we've been fighting for an ideology or commercial interest. Although freedom was definitely an issue in the Civil War, how's that been working out?

Not to diminish the sacrifices that so many vets have made a but the betrayal is hard to deny. No matter how many bumper stickers you may see with "thank a veteran for your freedom".

Memorial day is not a day to thank the living for their service. It's a day to reflect on the human cost of war.

Sorry for the rant, it happens. Some day I will talk about how we treat our veterans when they leave active duty. 

Hope you're enjoying perfect weather. Ours is going to get a little too perfect for me, mid to high 80s by the end of the week.

Lots of pollen if that makes you feel any better.

 Stay warm and dodge the tornadoes.

Discovered this city has a river through it

I'm I was looking for a place to have a beer by streamside.

While surfing for "Riverside Dining" I found the First St Rapids Park. So I thought I'd check it out.

Nice little streamside house.

Found a great path that follows the river upstream from the north end of First Street, across Olney drive, and up to Mirror Pond Dam (see photos in previous post). 

All very scenic but no beer.Just a couple of kayakers and trumpeters, swans that is.

But still no beer so on to the bar at the Riverside Inn. 

That's more like it! The river is a bit smaller down here because it's below the diversion dam that sends a large portion of the river off for irrigation.

Still a good looking trout stream.

Weather is still perfect 68°, a few clouds and no tornadoes forecasted.

Another Milestone

Finally got the caravan weaponized. 

Think I'll have any trouble convincing Canadian customs that it's not a weapon? The tubes are a perfect 40 MM. 

Now to begin perfecting the camping rig. 

Spring Fever

Back in Portland. The roses are going nuts.

They aren't nearly at peak yet.

This was one of the many gardens in the Ladd district. 

Gardening is a favorite chore of Louis'.

The dump truck needs a good washing.

And many of the plants need hand watering.

Thought I'd get in the spirit of things by going green for the Timbers game.

Nina volunteered to help.

It was very hard for her to press down the button, so grandpa helped.

Eventually, we got it done.

Ready for the game.

This must be a hereditary thing, because meanwhile in Denver.

And

Must be, as we say, "in their genes".

Shorts weather here, hope it's as perfect for you guys.