Thursday, July 15, 2010

FFF

We're back home!  We enjoyed a great vacation, and now it's time to gratefully reflect with Susanne from Living to Tell the Story about the past three weeks.  If you want to join in, click on the link and sign up to share your week's adventures in gratitude.

1.  Visiting Friends and Family in Oregon. I was born in Oregon, as was my father. While I am now a transplanted Southern Californian, I still proudly claim my Oregonian roots.  Our road trip from SoCal to OR reminded me how beautiful my home state is and made me proud again to say, "I'm an Oregon native!"


2. Beautiful Scenery.  Driving either north or south on I-5 through Northern California, you will be awed by the various views of Mt. Shasta.  I never tire of driving this part of the highway from the Oregon border to Redding. (Get out your maps and you'll see that you drive over several mountain passes, past Castle Crags and Lake Shasta.)



3. Home.  I love coming back again and sleeping in my own bed.  Doesn't everyone?

4. Last weekend, the day after we returned from our trip, we joined Chaplain Dan and his wife for a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony, sponsored by the US Army for military personnel and their families. We were presented with solid, helpful information about services available to help soldiers and families during times of deployment and separation.  The whole weekend was beneficial and well organized, and we were able to spend the time with our own soldier.  And the food at the hotel venue was good, too, along with an endless supply of great coffee (and chocolate chip cookies).  Nothing but the best for our heroes!

5. Wildfires have started in Southern California.  On Wednesday afternoon, one broke out in the hills around my town.  Why is this a fave? It's because our fantastic fire departments were rushing to the scene within minutes, and while many many acres burned, NO HOMES or PEOPLE were lost.  Our city and county firefighters are true heroes, too!

This has been Willow's (last three) Week(s).  How have you been?  I missed you all!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, Willow! Nice to see some of the beautiful views along your trip.

Dorothy said...

Yes, Oregon is such a beautiful state!!!

And yes, I certainly love coming home to my own bed after a wonderful trip!

roxie said...

It was such fun to see you, and yes, there's nothing like getting home to your own bed. Ahhhh! HAve a good week getting re-settled.

Caroline said...

I love Oregon too although we haven't gone there nearly as much as you would think we would, considering how much time we spend in Northern California.

No matter what, it is so nice getting home, isn't it.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

Welcome home! Great to hear about (and see) your trip. The Yellow Ribbon weekend sounds so interesting. I do agree with you on heroes.

Oregon is one of the few states we have not visited -- it's on my list!

Jerralea said...

We've missed you, Willow! I'm glad you had a great trip, but I totally agree that coming home to your own bed is the best!

I've always wanted to go to Oregon ... I've read so much about it!

Susanne said...

Welcome home! I would love to vacation in Oregon. It seems like such a lovely state.

TXDidi said...

Mt. Shasta looks so gorgeous. I don't think I've ever driven by it. Glad that you are back and that you had a great trip. Now you can rest up.

msdewberry said...

Glad you had a wonderful trip. I love love Oregon, the coastal areas especially. Glad you had a great holiday!!

Faith said...

I've never been to CA other than San Francisco which i loved (but did NOT like the weather...too dreary and grey). Never been to Oregon but I have a good friend from there and she says how beautiful it is....love the mt. pic!
Great list...enjoy your own bed :)

Unknown said...

All so cantik! Wonder when I can go jalan jalan there :) Happy week ahead Kak Willow.

Tracy said...

Glad to have you back, Willow! So happy you had such a great trip... Thanks for the peek here... LOVING those misty mountain views...*swoon*... Hope you're settling home again sweetly. Happy Summer Days :o) ((HUGS))

Flower said...

Ahh..it is fun to travel Oregon and see so much beauty! The West Coast is a treasure to take in!
Have another good week...rest and relax a little before the next sojourn. I'm sure you are thinking of the wee one that you'll visit! :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Welcome home Willow! What a beautiful mountain view.

I'm glad there was no property damage or loss of life form the fires...hope you get rain soon!

It has been horribly hot and humid here this summer ..I am ready for winter! :)

Norma said...

Just passing by and I think its funny that you were born in Oregon and moved to So California and I...now live in Oregon and am from Carlsbad, CA.

I love Oregon and I love Carlsbad. I miss them both whenever I am away from them.

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Oh, I had forgotten all about that White Stag sign! As a native Californian who went to college in Oregon, I understand your love of both places.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hello Willow, thanks for calling into my blog and leaving a comment, great when you see a new name :-)

Wow the photo of the mountain is amazing, what a grat place :-)

I love going to Oxford, at least once a week. Not far from me at all. Meet my friend for coffee, a chat or a walk too.