8. Up, Up and Away...6/27/10

If you have never been up in a hot air balloon, I would strongly encourage you to do so. I can hear you now, you are saying you have a fear of heights ... seriously, you only go up about 1000 feet, and the views are so worth it. I had to get up at 3:30 in the morning in order to be ready to launch at 5:15, but it was SO worth it! We were given the opportunity to help set up the balloon before the launch, but I was much more interested in photographing it. After the balloon was inflated, we hiked ourselves into the basket and we were off. As I looked over to my left, I could see the sun rising as well as some balloons launching from the Festival of Balloons at Cook Park in Tigard. Looking over to my right, I could see the two balloons that had launched prior to ours. The view was absolutely stunning. As we began to ascend, our pilot took us up and down into the trees. Then, we were able to fly over the Willamette River, and as luck would have it, our skillful pilot was able to put us down right on the river. We were able to skim right along the top of the river, and as we ascended back up I was able to capture the reflection of our balloon in the river below us as well as the water dripping off the basket back into the river.

I have seen some breathtaking photographs of hot air balloon adventures, but I had no idea how incredible it was to experience it firsthand. We could not have asked for a better day for hot air ballooning. The sunrise was beautiful, as was the fog that was rising off the river. The ride lasted almost an hour and then came the time for landing. I was a little anxious about the landing, especially after you have to sign a waiver releasing Vista of any liability. I had nothing to worry about, the landing was almost as smooth as our trip across the top of the river. After our textbook landing, we were asked to help gather the balloon and prepare the craft for transport back to the field. When we had finished that, we were treated to a wonderful champagne breakfast on the very field we had earlier had taken off of. The morning was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.













Vista Balloons, you rock!

7. What Happens in Vegas, 6/17-20

There is SO much to do in Vegas, I did not even know where to begin. It is a good thing I had 3 friends with me who had all been there before and who knew where to go & what to do because I truly was lost. We were not there 2 hours and I was having sensory overload. As we cruised up and down the strip taking in many of the sites, I felt like my head was on a swivel, spinning from side to side to see everything. So many people told me what Vegas was like, but until you have been there you truly cannot grasp what you will experience there.

We did some wonderful things while in Vegas: ate at a fabulous buffet, saw not one but two great shows (Tournament of Kings and Tony & Tina's Wedding) as well as many light and fountain shows, went through some luxurious hotel lobbies, went out to Hoover Dam, rode a wild roller coaster, spent some quality time at the pool, drove through Red Rock Canyon, and went down to the old strip and saw the Freemont District to name just a few. I took some great photographs to document my trip (be looking for them on SnapFish), and I have the blisters to prove I it all. I walked enough in 4 days to lose 2 pounds.

I now have a new understanding of the saying "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas." I know, I know...you all think that people who say "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" means that they have done something in Vegas that they do not want their friends and families back home to find out about. Well, I am here to tell you that is NOT what is meant by that saying. I believe its meaning to be that people do not tell what happens in Vegas because if they came home and told you what they saw, you would never believe them, it is definitely something you have to experience for yourself.

Some of the things I saw there...I am at a loss to describe. The drinking...we saw people drinking first thing in the morning, and it continued all day long. This truly is the city that never sleeps. There were drinks there that had strings attached to them and they would slip around your neck with straws that reached to your mouth, no joke! The crowds...as you walk up and down the strip, you are shoulder to shoulder with people. There literally were people everywhere. I even felt claustrophobic outside. Every 1 to 2 feet (no exaggeration) there are men and women on the strip passing out porno information. They are shoving it at you, almost right into your hands, even if you do not want it. For those of you who love to people watch, this would be the place for you. I saw people do things I never would see at home. I guess at times I forget about the mix of people out there. As you were in your hotel lobby, out on the strip walking, visiting the sites, shopping, etc., I was often surprised at the different nationalities of people. I guess "Sin City" draws people from all walks of life, young and old, poor and wealthy, black and white (and every color in between); it does not discriminate. That place will take your money, no matter who you are. I am proud to say...it did not get much of our money. I gambled only $6...I think in total Las Vegas only got $22 total from the four of us. There is SO much other stuff to do there, gambling just did not pique my interest.

I had a great time sharing my experience with my friends. Do not get me wrong, I am SO glad that I went to Vegas and was able to experience all that Vegas had to offer; however, I am not sure I would ever go back. There are so many other places to go and things to see. Now, on to my next adventure.

5/6. Rose Festival Floats/OC Municipal Elevator, 6/13/10

Fun Fact:
Did you know there are enough flowers used on the floats to send your mother a dozen roses, every day, for 30 years?

All the floats were wonderfully incredible. The purple hippo I thought was my favorite until I saw the roses. Then there was the float that won the Al Reser Sweepstakes Award (Most outstanding float in the Parade), the float sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino.

If you look closely at each float you'll discover an amazing array of items used to build them! For our all-floral parade, every float must be covered in NATURAL items - and the variety is fascinating! Seeds and rice are dyed and carefully glued on, bark and stems and fruit are added to all the incredible flowers that bedeck each float. The Stu Con people are creative artists always finding new ways to cover the floats they design and build.

I have lived in Oregon my entire life and in the Woodburn area for 27 years, I cannot count how many times I have driven past the Oregon City Municipal Elevator and wondered what it was, the history behind it, etc., so Dawn and I decided to visit it. In the early years, OC mostly was located on the 'first level' along the Willamette River. As the city grew, it became apparent that an easier way was needed to be found to travel to the upper level of Oregon City. At first, steps were built in the bluff, but the climb was difficult because the route had 722 steps from the base to the top. In 1922, the city built a public elevator, otherwise known as the "Vertical Street." The Oregon City Municipal Elevator continues to operate as one of only four municipal elevators in the world and "Elevator Street" remains the only "vertical street" in North America.

4. The Portland Japanese Garden, 6/7/10

Four Seasons * Five Senses * One Extraordinary Experience

Nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, the Portland Japanese Garden is a refuge of tranquility and exquisite beauty that has been proclaimed one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the world.

The 5.5 acre Garden is composed of five separate garden styles: a Strolling Pond Garden, a Tea Garden, a Natural Garden, a Flat Garden, and a Sand & Stone Garden - all of which seamlessly blend into one another to provide surprise vistas and restful repose. The Garden includes an authentic Japanese tea house, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood (when the weather cooperates). When you enter the Japanese garden, the desired effect is to realize a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility, and to experience the feeling of being a part of nature. In a deep sense, the Japanese garden is a living reflection of the long history and traditional culture of Japan. Influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies, there is always "something more" in these compositions of stone, water, and plants than meets the eye.

Three of the essential elements used to create a Japanese garden are stone, the "bones" of the landscape; water, the life-giving force; and plants, the tapestry of the four seasons. Japanese garden designers feel that good stone composition is one of the most important elements in creating a well-designed garden. Secondary elements include pagodas, stone lanterns, water basins, arbors, and bridges. Japanese gardens are asymmetrical in design and reflect nature in idealized form. Traditionally, human scale is maintained throughout so that one always feels part of the environment, not overpowered by it. A wonderful place to get in tune with yourself and God!

3. My 50th Birthday - Piercing, 6/5/10

Fifty years ago today, I arrived into this world. Just as the day we are born is special, I wanted today, my 50th birthday, to be just as special. When my day began at 6:15 A.M. with a phone call from an out-of-state friend (who lives in the midwest and is 3 hours ahead of us), I had no idea just how 'special' the day would be. There are few things in this life more special than receiving a bouquet of flowers, so I felt very blessed later in the day when I received not one but two bouquets. The day could not have been more perfect. I got to spend my birthday with both friends and family, it truly does not get much better than that.

When I decided some months ago that I wanted a piercing, there was only one thing I feared...the type of place you had to go to to have this done. I think we have all seen or heard about those salons/parlors that scare us, so I wanted to find the best possible place. After doing some research, I decided to go to a place called Addictions. Okay, I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about going to a place called Addictions, but this year is about adventure and sometimes adventure means doing things that are a little uncomfortable.

My first adventure of the day was with my friend Melissa and her daughters, Megan and Jessica. Melissa, Megan, and I were having piercings, while Jessica was along to photograph the adventure for later documentation. My apprehension was soon put to rest as we were thoroughly briefed on the aftercare, procedure, and what we could expect. While everything was completely explained, and I felt comfortable, I decided that I would go first so I could not chicken out. I had my earlobes pierced twice when I was a teenager, but that was a LONG time ago, and I remember how much that hurt. I had always heard that the further up the ear you pierce, the more painful it was so I was expecting it to be quite painful. I have to admit, while it did hurt having the cartilage pierced, it did not hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would - at least then. The real pain came later that night when I went to bed. In preparation for sleeping, I did take some prescription pain medication. I prefer to sleep on my right side, but since it was the right side that I had pierced, I started the night by lying on my left side; however, multiple times throughout the night I found myself trying to roll over onto my right side and I was abruptly reminded not to do that as the pain was...I am at a loss for words to describe it...intense. Even with the aid of prescription pain medication, I did not get much sleep last night. I am certainly hoping tonight is better. We were told that it would take 6 to 12 months for total healing, and I am hoping that that does not mean 6 to 12 months of not being able to sleep on my right side because I am not sure I have enough drugs to last me that long.

The day was not over though, not even close. Later that night my family got together for a no-host birthday dinner. I have been part of the Foster family for more than 30 years, and I do not remember ever having had a dinner all together, both sides of the family. I was blessed to have Gary, Joshua, Jimmy, Don, Tim, Riley, Aleece, Ryan, Michelle, Sara, Sarah, Natalie, Jennifer, Alma, Judy, Alana, Jim, Daren, and Aunt Nancy there to celebrate. We had a great time eating, having birthday cake, celebrating, and, of course, presents, lots of presents. It truly was a special day!