I have been to Oregon once before, in the 1970s, when I came to Corvallis to check out graduate school. I stayed in Arizona, so I have no practical knowledge about the state and its people. Based on news stories and political trends over the years, I pictured Oregon as one big, liberal college town. I…
So, after 2 months in wild Alaska, how am I adapting to mainstream life in the lower 48? Here are the highlights! Greatest convenience (besides a flush toilet): plugging in my computer and phone every night and finding them fully charged in the morning! Best Kitchen Moments: Washing dishes with soap, water, and a sponge, instead…
Tango and I are settled into my friend Gennie’s house in the Williamette Valley, in Central Oregon. She is making the transition to becoming a full-time RVer and needs some help making forward progress. Sorting through things and making decisions about what to keep for this next phase of life is so difficult. What goes…
I only stayed one night at North Cascades National Park. I wanted to stay longer but the rain came in and was expected to stay for a few days. No more rain, I protest. I packed up my wet tarp and some drenched towels. I hate packing wet stuff, but I had no choice. By…
I broke camp at Mt. Baker on Friday morning. I felt that now familiar urge to move on to something new, maybe Baker Lake, but I debated with myself. Leaving a great campsite on a holiday weekend (4th of July) is not always a wise move. Would I find another? No matter, I would be…
Life is boring, but that is just what Tango and I want for now. We walk the campground loop, explore the longer trails in the area, relax, sit by the campfire, and read. I also reflect often about the trip to Alaska and my class is helping me to focus those thoughts and to write…
Tango and I are settled into our campsite on Mt. Baker. The others here are mostly older folks who live in nearby Bellingham or British Columbia. I am sure it is worth the drive for the Canadians to spend time in this sweet campground on the glacier-fed, turquoise-colored Nooksack River. We are surrounded by massive,…
I drove towards the beautiful, glacier-covered Mt. Baker, which was not visible from Sumas but magically appeared once I left town. The road wound around through the lush countryside of Eastern Washington and into the Mt. Baker foothills. I pulled over at the first small town to check directions. A small car like mine with…
During the marathon driving episode through Canada, Tango endured being curled up in his bed for days while taking only brief breaks. it seemed only fair to give Tango some attention, so we walked around the area, exploring and stretching out our limbs and muscles. We discovered that Sumas is a dairy farm community with…
Thanks to everyone who followed my Alaska journey! I enjoyed sharing the sights, sounds, and vistas of the beautiful northlands. The people and places there are now part of my being and have changed me in several important ways. Now, I need some feedback. I want to write a book-length manuscript about the trip. Perhaps…