Sunday, July 19, 2009

July 19--Oregon Dunes

Continuing down the coast to the Oregon Dunes.The views are magnificent, and the dunes are much bigger than ours! But they have the same problems with storms blowing sand over the local roads that we do.



Saturday, July 18, 2009

July 18--Oregon Coast

From McMinnville, we headed to the Oregon Coast for a few days. Got a campsite at Cape Perpetua, and Saturday morning we started out with a nice breakfast at the Drift Inn Cafe in Yachats. Neat place with an umbrella over evey table. You just don't know when (or where) it will rain in Oregon! The bar had parasols over the seats.





On to exploring Cape Perpetua!
Breathtaking views of cliffs and ocean.



Lots and lots of viewing areas to just pull over and enjoy the scenary. And lots of campgrounds too, federal, state and private. We like the federal ones that take the Grumpy Card.
This tunnel was a little scary--the height at the sides was posted as 11ft 6in, and we're 11ft 10in! So, if no one is coming the other way, we can hug the middle, but...

Thursday, July 16, 2009

July 16--McMinnville

We went to McMinnville to visit the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, which houses the Spruce Goose.
This is looking at the inside of the plane.
And it mostly birch, not spruce at all!
Looking out towards the rear of the hanger.


It's so big, they park other planes under the wings.
And did I mention that the Evergreen Museum has its own winery?

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

July 14--Lunch with Cousin

Had lunch today at the King Estate Winery in Eugene. What a beautiful place.
Got a picture of the picture taker!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

July 12--Family Time

Family cookout time, with Uncle Mike officiating. Semper Fi!
We managed to get 7 of the 12 cousins in the same place at the same time, and I still didn't manage to get pictures of everyone!
And what do we talk about? How much we all look or talk or act like our parents! And the good old days on Grandpa's farm or at Gramma's house. But it was good to be together, and the location was perfect.


Saturday, July 11, 2009

July 11--Library dedication

Ok, so this is Sailorsmate's second library dedication in 15 months. But this one was special. The former Lebanon Public Library was a very, very small building, with a lot of problems.
If you look closely under the window behind the flagpole, there's a cornerstone. There's a picture below, but the stone is so worn, it's hard to read. It says "Lebanon General Hospital and Library." This building started as the general hospital in Lebanon, and then became the library building.
It needs a lot of work, and here's hoping the town fathers choose to keep it as an historic landmark. When it came time for a new library, the old high school building and community pool, a few blocks away and closer to Main Street, were razed, and in their place, there is now a new senior center, and a brand new, much needed library.

Below is the meeting room, which is accessible even when the library is closed, so groups can use it.
This is the main section of the library. There are huge glass panels separating the adult section from the children's and young adult sections.

The glass panels are 2 sheets of glass with grass between them, constructed in much the same way as Sydenstricker Glass on Cape Cod.

Appropriate, as Lebanon is in Linn County, and Linn County produces more grass seed than any one else!

Friday, July 10, 2009

July 10--back to base camp, the farm in Eugene

Went with family Friday night to Sweet Cheeks Winery, for a picnic supper. Bring your picnic and get your wine directly at the winery. And what a view!