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03JAN-01FEB2005 I arrived about an hour late in Portland.  That was okay because Heather was running an hour late.  We both arrived a the baggage pick-up area at the same time.  My daughter is looking great in her new Outback with her stories of her new job.  

While we stopped for some awesome blossoms and nachos she updated me on her new job.  She is a staff member on outdoor treks for troubled youths.  Two weeks out in the high desert and then two weeks off.  

We drove to Diana's Treehouse in Corvallis and I got a happy surprise.  My son, Brentley, had driven up from Eugene.  Brentley had changed so much that I didn't recognize him at first.  We had a few beers and a few four-way hugs then Brentley had to go back to Eugene where he attends the University of Oregon.  It felt really good to be with my family again.  

The next morning Heather and I drove across Santiam Pass to Bend Oregon.  We stopped for a smoke break in the deep snow at Tombstone Prarie.  I felt like a dad again because I got to help her move her stuff into a new house.  We stayed at the old house because her roomate was out of town.

Bend is a cool town with lots of outdoor actiivities and lots of young people.  We spent an evening with some of Heather's friends, we went out to drink, out to eat, out to a movie, etc.  We also had plenty of time to chat and catch up of Heather's life since I left.  She's an amazing kid.  Makes me proud.

After a week in Bend, I caught the bus back over the pass and returned to Corvallis.  Diana has made the Treehouse even more comfortable than when I left.  We had many wonderful conversations and reviewed many happy memories.  After work, we frequently took a walk at Bald Hill.

I borrowed the car and saw some of my old friends:  Phil, Sam, Siobhan.  Corvallis hasn't changed much.  It's kind of like a double exposure.  Mostly the same businesses but in slightly different locations.  I saw the sad, closed remains of the Computer Exchange.

Diana delivered me to Brentley's house in Eugene.  He lives with three other students and it has an "animal house" feel to it.  I went with Brentley to his classes and while he worked I watched one of the 200 cable channels.  Thank goodness for Comedy Central and the History Channel...there's not much on the other 198 channels.  

We spent an evening at his girlfriend, Nikkie's house.  Her dad, Dom, cooked some great Italian fare and I got to see what HD TV looks like.

Brentley and I hung out at Starbucks on the main street near the school and I had a great time watching the people walk by.  We shared a few pitchers at Sakura and spent an evening with some of his friends.

Brentley is a junior working on an elementary education major.  I particularly enjoyed his Eastern Philosophy class.  He's a great kid.  I'm proud of him.

Back in Corvallis, I began the job of emptying out my storage bin and reducing the stuff to the essentials.  Diana found space in her heart and her garage to let me store the remainder of my earthly goods (except for a dab in Thailand and Dallas).

I ripped lots of CDs to fill up my mp3 player and cruised by to see my friends again.  I visited Troop 206 where I was Scoutmaster and was happy to find Bill still hard at work.  Charley and Milt were there so I caught up with the news on their son's.

On my last Friday night in Oregon, Heather and Brentley came by to see me off and we were joined by the Baileys.  Beer, pizza, family and friends...a wonderful evening.

The weather in Oregon was amazingly good for January.  There was sun at least half the days.  

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