BANDON AUGUST 2015

THURSDAY, August 6
Baker City to Bandon

          So, I honestly thought my next post here would be the narration of our backpack trip along the Elkhorn Crest Trail on August 6-8.  We were scheduled to leave for Bandon on the 10th, stopping at Liz's for dinner and then spending the night and Tuesday morning with Jed.  However....Mom got sick.  As I made the decision to head to Bandon sooner, I received the text that Jed was sick.  Confirmation we needed to skip the backpack!  I should have taken a picture of my ready backpack before I took everything out and moved it back downstairs. Just a little sad.  But...within 2 1/2 hours of our decision, we were on the road to Bandon! 
          This did not end up being one of our faster drives.  We ran into road construction as early as Phillips Lake - 15 minute delay.  Then again right after Picture Gorge - 10 minute stop.  More construction slowdown between Prineville and Redmond.  But...we made it, pulling into Bandon just before 8pm.  We stopped first at Price and Pride to pick up disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer!
          Entered the house to find both 'sickies' in their respective chairs.  Jed was still running a fever.  Neither had eaten much all day.  I scurried about wiping down surfaces, doorknobs, lightswitches, etc.  Got Mom's bed changed, some spots on the floor cleaned up, etc.  Glad we had come.  

FRIDAY, August 7

Whale 'bones' in entry to
Washed Ashore

           Jed woke up today feeling much better.  Fever broke during night and he ate a little progressively during the day.  Mom is beginning to stabilize, now to get some fluids into her!  Jed and I took a short walk on the beach around noon, but only down around Tunnel Rock as the wind was blowing cold on my ears!  We did head downtown in the afternoon to check out the Farmer's Market and Washed Ashore, the recycled art gallery.  

Recycled starfish sculpture

           Washed Ashore was pretty cool.  Bandon is homebase, but there are now traveling exhibits, currently at the SeaWorld locations.  The non profit is four years old and has created over 40 large scale ocean themed sculptures.  The artist who created the project designed sealife sculptures from natural materials previously before turning to the plastic waste littering our beaches.  I just found it fascinating to see what they were doing, potentially figuring on ways to perhaps bring the concept to a Crossroads class.  

Penguin...toilet seats in front! 

          We picked up some clam chowder for dinner, along with a loaf of 'Tuscan' bread from the Farmer's Market.  Skipped going through the veggies at the time, which we regretted since they weren't back on Saturday!  
          Played a couple of games Friday night - it would have been a shame if everyone was too sick to play at least once!!  Jed pulled out Murder with Crows which Grandma proceeded to win twice without ever figuring out how to play!  Alas!  I was victorious in Quiddler and Spite 'n' Malice, however!  

SATURDAY, August 8

A lake has formed near Face Rock Point!  

Sea gulls

I found a miniature star fish! 

           Lazy morning.  Rick was the go-between with text messages from Katy to arrange a pickup for Eth at Cracker Creek Summit with Bob M and Dale.  Her blisters were too bad for her to continue.   Jed left around noon to head back up to Salem.  He is so excited it is fun to watch!  Walk on beach, going clear down past Coquille Point.  Beautiful afternoon on beach - lots of families out enjoying the sunshine and lack of wind!  
           Stir Fry for dinner - Rick and I went back down to Market.  Bought the windmill for front yard!  

From sand dune right in front of Moms....toward Face Rock and Cat and Kittens

SUNDAY, August 9 

           Church, walk on beach with Rick down to Coquille Point and back, then conversation with Luke after which I got sick!  Rest of evening spent in bed finishing my book.   

MONDAY, August 10

           Feeling better this morning, but a little stiff and sore from my 'bout in the bathroom'!  Lounged around all morning, but went into town in afternoon with Mom to take her to a meeting, during which I went to postoffice, grocery store, and picked up some new playing cards.  Mom and I played SnM after dinner and I got the first of the nativity stables put together.  No walk today.  :(
I went over to Sabra's and asked if she had any sourdough starter.  In luck...she hands me a buttercontainer with some she was given last November.  Hmmm....this could take a few days to 'revive'!  

"Habitat house" near Coquille Point

TUESDAY, August 11

First time to see a hang glider on beach.

           Nothing too exciting!  Ventured into town this morning with Mom to run a few errands while Rick began work to patch the wall in the dining room (water damage).  A beach walk down to Coquille Point and back later, blueberry pancakes for dinner, and then more games!!  

WEDNESDAY, August 12

I found a real size starfish today! 

Walk today clear down to the jetty and back!  Just short of 5 miles. 

Proof I made it! 

THURSDAY, August 13
    
          Wow!  We have honest plans to DO something today!  Heading up to Coos Bay early for Mom's eye doctor appointment.  Then trips to BiMart and Fred Meyers and a visit to the Thai Restaurant in downtown Coos Bay.  Home by 2pm .  I finally decided the sourdough starter was in good enough shape to begin baking!  A batch of bread came out of the oven just after dinner time, but still warm enough to share a loaf with Sabra and family.  
           I finished up the last of the NP construction on the stables today and can now put that project away!  

FRIDAY, August 14 

Sunshine trying to glow through the clouds.

         Up early because the lowest tide is now in the mornings!  I put a batch of bread going and headed down to the beach.  We had rain last night and even a thunderstorm. The beach was quiet and lonely - only one other person encountered.  Dark and dreary.    I made it down near the Sunset Motel on the beach - a good low tide - when the roll of thunder echoed in the clouds.  A good south wind blowing and I didn't want to walk into the wind AND rain, so headed back.  The rain never came.  Made the bread into 12 poorboy rolls I can take to the picnic Sunday at Bullard's Beach (church).  
          Mom and I went to the Farmer's Market, Cranberry shop, grocery store, and fish market.  Whew.  Salmon for dinner with corn on cob and roasted zucchini/onions.  Sourdough bread with watermelon for dessert.  Mom and I played more games.  Mom is on a winning streak in Spite and Malice, but I have won most of the Quiddler games.  Probably because I keep using the Scrabble App on my phone for help!  
          Made two batches of cinnamon rolls this afternoon.  Some for Sabra, Mark, and Strider, some for us, some for Jed, some for Mac and Liz, and some for Mom's freezer!  All packaged in fours. 

Working at Washed Ashore

          Oh!  Highlight of the afternoon.  A 4pm I went downtown to Washed Ashore and participated in one of the workshops to make stuff out of the 'garbage'.  I spent my time at a table assembling 'waves' - wiring strips of blue buckets onto mesh, along with shiny aluminum can tops and blue and white basket parts.  Many parts of the sculptures are assembled in pieces which are then screwed onto a framework.  Visited with a family from Portland while we worked.  It was interesting.   

Another Reclaimed Trash Sculpture

SATURDAY, August 15

          A magical morning down on the beach.  The sky was clear (at the start) and the sun shining.  I went around the end of Coquille Point and out along the rocks to the west.  It was a -.5 tide so pretty good.  
       

  This morning Rick and I went blueberry picking at Twin Creek Ranch.  Young plants, so low to the ground, but abundant berries and big!  We ended up with 18 pounds worth and $37!  Yummy!  Will take some home, some for Jed, some for Mom, some for Liz and Mac!  
          A little yard work, wrote newsletter articles, and enjoyed the beauty of the afternoon while I read the fire reports from Baker City.  I feel so guilty sitting here in clear ocean air while home is struggling with smokey skies and fires within 8 miles of town.  
          We headed out to dinner tonight - a visit to the Italian restaurant down in Old Town.  Enjoyed the musical talents of a violinists and guitar player.  

Mom and I at Italian Restaurant

SUNDAY, August 16
              This morning was a low tide at 8am, and especially with church later I took advantage of another good walk on the beach.  Clear skies meant no reflections in the sand, but it was still gorgeous!  

I loved the face this mussel shell
made with its barnacle eyes.  

          Otherwise not too much exciting today, but we did worship out at Bullard's Beach and then a potluck followed.  It was sunny but cool!  Quick walk on the beach in the afternoon and we finished up jobs for mom!  

MONDAY, August 17
Bandon to Salem

          Away around 7:30 this morning to head north to Salem and a visit with Jed!  Since I got a text response from him indicating he wouldn't be free until noon, Rick and I took the scenic route over Hwy 136 which cut north from Florence (inland a bit) and then up to Junction City.  We went through Triangle Lake!  A great route, and we didn't hit the freeway for one mile of it!  
          Met Jed at his apartment complex shortly after noon, chatted a bit, and then out to grab some dinner/lunch at V.....  An eclectic place that Luke and Jed found on moving day!  Good meal.  
          Then a tour of Willamette!  Jed dropped a few things off at his office in the science building, we saw his classroom, the labs, etc.  And then all over - the botanical gardens, old buildings, new buildings.  We stopped at the bookstore and picked up some Willamette 'stuff' on the sale table!  Gotta support a new D3 school!  Especially one that hired Jed!  
          Games and conversation rounds out the evening.  Rick and I crash on Jed's floor, Rick with the backpacking pad (marginal) and I on the pad from the big round chair.
          

TUESDAY, August 18
Salem to Portland to Baker City
            Up and away from Jed's around 8:15 and found smooth sailing despite morning traffic up to Liz's in West Linn.  We enjoy a two hour visit with Dave and Mac, plus the blackberry pie that Mac had made for us!  (Rick will eat pie ANY time of the day!)  
            Back on the road toward Baker City by 11:30 - have to get home in time for a meeting.  We are greeted the whole way with smokey skies rolling in from Washington and Oregon.  What a mess!  Smooth trip.  

Pictures from last two days will have to come later as they are on the desktop computer at home.  I am finally getting this blogpost finished two weeks later from Montana!  Oops!  

JED'S GRADUATION WEEK IN NEW MEXICO!

FINALLY! A DOCTORAL GRADUATION CEREMONY!

Tuesday, the 5th 

Sunrise leaving Baker City

          We left Baker City a little before 6am bound for Price, UT and a waiting motel room! The trip was uneventful, as we listened to a Robert Parker western.  Weather was clear and sunny, altho a few scattered raindrops in the SLC area.  Ginger drove from Mountain Home to the Switzer  Pass rest area, and then again from Spanish Forks to Price.  We had a nice hotel room at the Legacy Inn off exit 240 on the north side of Price.  Took a walk to stretch the legs and find a possible dinner option.  Rick got on a phone call from Lynn Roehm, though, and we finally ended up in Burger King because I was getting cold standing out in the wind!  A 20 pack of chicken nuggets for dinner along with my salad and fries for Rick.

Wednesday, the 6th: 

Hole in the Wall south of Moab

          We grab breakfast right as the hotel opened it up at 7 and were on the road.  I drove to Moab where we gassed up, Rick then drove clear to Las Lunas!  I finished up the final 50 miles down to Socorro.  We arrived around 5 pm.  We finished our Robert Parker book and started the Clive Cussler one.  Lots of orange mallow around the Shiprock area, also construction north of the border.  We decided to explore an alternate route home that might avoid the construction - and more scenic!
          Dinner with Jed around 6:30 at Socorro Springs - Jed's treat.  That was nice!  Back to just talk a few things over for Thursday.

Thursday the 7th:
   

Haircut from cousin Regan!

    In the morning Rick and I shop at Walmart and Dollar tree, getting the cake and other items lined up for Saturday.  We then grab a quick lunch and  meet Jed at his place to drive up to ABQ.   Since Luke's plane doesn't arrive until later, we take Jed up to Regan for a haircut (she works on the NORTH side of town while the airport is on the south end!), back down to airport for Luke and then to moms (in the middle!) to pick her up for a dinner date at Papa Felipes.  Nice meal together visiting, back to Mom's where we don't leave until a little after 8pm.  A little later than planned!    Back to Socorro by 9:30 and drop boys off before heading back to our room at the Days Inn.  

Friday the 8th: 

We find Jed still using the
towel Cherrie made him for
his high school graduation!

Pictures of our early astronaut!

          We head over to Jed's around 9:30 to work in garage cleaning up and decorating.  Luke and Jed had worked miracles over night!  The garage was

Cleaning up and decorating
the garage!

nearly empty!  We swept, set up ping pong table and sheets for a backdrop hiding all the other junk, left at 11:30 to pick up Subway for lunch and meet Jed at Water Canyon campground for the drive up the mountain.  Jed had a group  of first graders for a tour in the morning and was waiting for his lunch!  We then piled into the MRO rig and Jed drove us up to the top!

Jed outside the MRO at 10,500' 

          What a great tour!  Hubble info, outside with ladder on dome, Jed's weather station - inside to control room, bedrooms, showers, kitchen and lounge.  Eileen has provided a definite touch of classy decor!  NICE!  Then up to the cooler climate controlled dome.  The server room with computer cords everywhere.  Trap door out to roof slope to weather station and access to ladder to top.  Up to mirror floor - control computer.  Jed moved the tele for us - a stealth telescope - so fast and quiet!  Then he rotated the dome.  MUCH noisier and slower!  It was all so exciting to see, and fun to see Jed's confidence in what he was doing.  Writing this up a little 'after the fact' I have forgotten much of the technical information, but one new tidbit of information concerned the MRO's relationship to Hubble.  The mirror for the MRO was originally designed in competition for use in Hubble.  It wasn't selected (their loss, it might have worked better in the long run than the ill-fated first Hubble scope!) so it was revamped from 'space use' to 'land use' and set up on top of Magdalena Ridge!  

Inside the Control Room

This is the little broom Jed used to sweep off the dome last February!

The mirror of the telescope 

Backside of the scope had to be adapted from paper thin gravity free base to one that would work on earth.  

Comfortable living quarters 

Top of the mountain houses an interferonmeter, weather bunker, and other sciency stuff!

          As we drive down off the mountain, Luke napped, and then he drove

Dinner at Twisted Chili

back into town with Jed where they visited Jed's offices, etc.  We went back to the hotel and crashed for hour or so.  We walked down to dinner at Twisted Chili  in Old Town Socorro.  We sat at a fireplace table with a musician singing out on the patio.  Nice.  Windy evening.   Back then to Walmart and Jed's to cut up all the fruit and veggies.

Saturday, Graduation day! 
     

We are up early!  The ceremony started at 9, Rick was going to arrive at 7:30 and secure spots for the chairs, while I went over and decorated the top of the cake, etc.  Ran, Patty, Rach, and Mom R arrived at the school around 8:20.  I walked over with Jed and Luke, Jed prouidly regaled in his robe and hat.

A glance at Rick
as he walks in.

         

Dressed and ready
to roll!

The ceremony lasted about two hours and Jed received his hood and his 15 seconds of fame in the final presentation, final five minutes.  Agh!  I had Sabra live streaming with Mom Mac and told her Jed would be in the first part!  We just said, 'they saved the best for last'.  He looked so good - the only doctorate candidate who had purchased a special robe or wearing the tam hat. No kidding,....he was THE VERY LAST one (partly due to an R name!)
         

Diploma in hand!

A picture with Advisor Eileen

          A mulberry fruit fell on Jed's hood while they were waiting, but the stain was so small and on the hidden underside that Jed probably will not have the school clean it or purchase a new one.  They were VERY apologetic about it and offered to replace.

Eileen hoods Jed....

Happy brothers. 

Family Rembold!

Boys and Grandma R

Dr. J and his ice cream cake!

         Afterwords, Jed and Luke stayed at the reception briefly, I walked back to the house with Rick, and met Rands in car with mom.  I got all the food out, but Eileen showed up BEFORE Jed and Luke got back.  Her husband and son were ill at home, so she came early (and probably stayed longer than planned).  Only other guests were Dave, the faculty advisor who really helped Jed get started on the writing process, Donna, his landlady (that was more by accident), and Rob, his roommate.  A little disappointing, but we realized the circumstances.  I was grateful to get a chance to really visit with Eileen who has been the primary individual influence for Jed's doctorate.

Prof Dave, Jed, and Eileen

          Jed, Rick, and I sat outside visiting after we cleaned up everything around 3:30.  A good opportunity to just relax and talk about future, past, education, goals, etc.  Dinner of ice cream cake!  We said our goodbyes around 9p and back to hotel to prepare for an early departure on Sunday.

Sunday, the 10th:  
          We left Socorro at 6:45am headed for ABQ and a breakfast date with Mom R for Mother's Day.  Hot air balloons were over the city, around 20 probably; they were coming down as we arrived.  We ate at Village Inn, returned the chairs and pan from Scotcheroos, and left about 9:30am.

Mountains west of Durango

           Rick drove to Bernalio, and I drove the 150 miles from there to Bloomfield. Traffic was not bad and I had forgotten how scenic this route is in places.  It plateaus out in the NW corner of the state, but lots of pretty cliffs and draws earlier.  Switched drivers in Bloomfield at a little gas station near Aztec junction that sells refills for 50 cents, any size!  A bargain!  And we had just stopped for potty!
       

South of Moab

 We explored a new route as we cut from Bloomfield up to Durango to miss the road construction on 191 south of Cortez.  The views of mountains were beautiful, but we ran into some storms that blocked the peaks much of the time.  On our second 'new route', cutting through Dolores north of Cortez, the rain was heavy and we didn't see much of what we hoped for!  Ah well.  Another time!  Rick drove to just north of Moab, and I took us the rest of the way into Price.  Same hotel, same room for the night.

Southern Utah vistas

Monday, the 11th:  
        We again grabbed breakfast as the owner was putting it all out, so on the road by 7:10 bound for Baker City.  Rick drove up to Ogden, through our third new road of the return trip - from Provo over to Heber City.  It turned out to be much freer of traffic in Provo than expected on a Monday morning at 8:30am!  Views great of the Watsatch from the east side.  We were in Ogden by 10:15

Heading through Provo toward Wasatch Mts. 

past SLC without entering it!  Gas stop, switch drivers and I took us to Sweetzer Summit north of the Utah border, but was fighting the sleepies. We stopped there for potty and lunch.   Rick drove until east of Boise, and I took us home, arriving just below 4pm PT (we gained an hour), and about 600 miles under our belt for the day! I talked with Liz on phone briefly in the afternoon with instructions to learn how to use Craigslist before we came!  By 7pm Rick had mown the lawn, watered, taken a walk, and started some laundry!  I had unpacked food items, gone to WW, and begun the switchover packing!  Whew!

Going through Provo Canyon

Luke came over at 9 after district tennis to teach me Craigslist.  I wrote my instructions down so I could also give Mac a good set for after we leave (to delete postings especially after they sell!)

Final packing Tuesday am, and by 11am we are ready to roll again..... off to Alaska!  (Next blog!)

Click HERE for all the photos from Jed's Doctoral Graduation