This spring I decided to convert my backyard into a garden area. When I was a kid, we always had a huge garden. So instead of more shrubs I planted sunflowers, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. All the things I like to eat and cook with. Its amazing how good food taste fresh out of the garden. This week the tomatoes are ripening and cooking with fresh garlic is a real treat too.
Okanagan Valley
Work and travel have kept me busy for the past couple of months, but the past week really was the cherry-topper! So what have I been up to?
I just returned from a five-day trip from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. We went up for a wedding that took place right on Lake Okanagan in Lake Country. The next day, I was there to celebrate Canada Day too. Canada Day is July 1, so it was a super long weekend celebration that moved right into the Fourth of July.
The Okanagan really is an amazing place. It is the heart of BC's wine and fruit industry. It is lake and cottage country. Most of BC’s wineries and orchards surround Lake Okanagan, a spectacular 82-mile long lake.
Canadians take great pride in protecting their environment. The small towns we drove through dotted along the lake were pristine. Free of trash and graffiti, with main streets featuring well-kept storefronts, cafés, and long-time businesses. It was really refreshing to see and I am already ready and looking forward to going back for another restful vacation!
All dressed up for Sarah and Jason’s wedding in Lake Country
Property at Lock + Worth Winery and Poplar Grove Cheese overlooking Lake Okanagan
Sunset at Nichol Vineyard on the Naramata Bench
Summertime
I hope everyone is having a great summer and getting a chance to enjoy the great outdoors!
I have been busy working and traveling this summer. Last week I took my bi-monthly trip from Riverside to Las Vegas. Driving across the Mojave Desert made me really wonder how people can live in that kind of heat. When we went through Baker, California; it was an extremely balmy 112 degrees. I know it's a dry heat, but that's still too hot for me!
Last weekend, I hopped on my motorcycle and took a 500-mile roundtrip through Central Oregon. I came across some beautiful country. I hadn't been to the upper part of the John Day River, nor Painted Hills, and the Fossil Beds. It was a super fun trip. I saw lots of other riders traveling on the same roads, where I believe are some of the best parts of our state. I would highly suggest anyone's getting out and about this summer to enjoy some of what Oregon's got to offer. She's a beauty.
#SummertimeandtheRidingIsEasy
La La Land
We've been busy with the end of yet another school year and the start of summer vacation. So far; we already have under our belt a girls' trip to Los Angeles, a couple of rides out to Eastern Oregon, our annual Fourth of July block party and fireworks, Sauvie Island berry-picking, and lots and lots of ice cream cones! I hope that you too, have been enjoying this glorious Portland sunshine!
Here's a video, made by my daughter Jo, of our SoCal trip with her BFF. I think she did a great job. Enjoy!