In Burns Oregon

We made it to Burns.  Even got an hour back.  It's hot in Eastern Oregon!  We are settled into our room.  Not the Best Western but has the identical name!  But it's nice and pet friendly and wireless actually accepts photos.  We stopped back in Ontario for lunch at a Japanese restaurant.  We had to drive for 15 minutes to find a tree so Hazel would have some shade while we ate!

along I-80 near Evanston Wyoming possibly in Utah

several trains went by while we were driving along

Headed West again

We made it all way to Ogden tonight.  Did a bit of a walk this morning behind the condo.  Yesterday we watched a fire 6 miles south of us in northern Colorado.  Met some interesting neighbors also.  Went into Walden and then out to the dunes.  Dented the Prius there.

Here is the fire.  Old Roach fire.  It looked like it was out by Tuesday.

in Laramie

8/27.  We are back in Laramie.  Mainly to check email and do a few odds and ends.  some shopping for Iris of course.  Had to get some Wyoming things for her.  And Lunch at Sweet Melissa's yummy vegetarian quiche and puff pastry dessert.  Now we are with the students at the UW union.  Soon to head back.

Found a great trail to hike and run on-Medicine Bow.  trailhead is 5.5 miles east of our place.  Rosie saw a moose--she said, but I don't believe her.  I still have yet to see a moose in Wyoming!

 Rosie on the trail

One of the nice mile markers.  The same trail goes by closer to the condo on the other side of the road.

Near where Ro "saw" the moose.  That's not him in the photo though.

Finished reading Angle of Repose which is lovely, highly recommended.  I think I will mention at Good Reads.

Here is a photo from out back from the little bedroom, early morning!  Where are the trees??

and two "pets"

Dave Goodwin left us this guy!

This one came from Bishop Hill.  His siblings are in our Salem living room and one in Peoria!

catching up from Wyoming

8/24 Rock Springs to Laramie to Mountain Home WYO.

 getting closer!

Elk Mountain from I 80

Stayed at the Econo lodge on our second night.  took a while to find it and there were some pretty seedy characters.  The room was nicer than the Ontario Inn but breakfast was no better so we drove for a while and got a delicious apple fritter in Rawlins!
Then to Laramie for the Friday afternoon market and Coal Creek.  Well, not in that order.  Then up to Mountain Home after a Safeway stop for food.

The place looks good except a bit dusty and the floor in the middle bedroom is separating from the rest of the room.  That will need some repair work!

Headed East

 Lounge lizard in the back of the Prius

 weird tree farm

view from the car window near Pendleton on I84

We left around 1from Salem, back up to I84 and then east through the gorge.  made it as far as Ontario Oregon along the eastern side.  Hazel promptly drank water from the toilet bowl and threw up all over the rug in our room at the Ontario Inn.  Now she's begging for food.  We are in the Mountain time zone.  

Stopped in Hood River for lunch at the deli on main street,  then drove on; listened to the audio book for a bit, then music from the trusty iphone--Pat Methany, then emmylou harris, roseanne cash, carole king-james taylor, magnetic fields singing book of love, neil young and harvest moon, loudon wainwright daughter.  

Nice scenery including lots of windfarms, waterfalls, mountains, big sky.  read a story about Obama and Roseland Illinois in the NYTimes Sunday magazine and the book review.  Hannah is in Salem, cleaned the frig out!  Iris saw the pediatrician--weighs 7 pounds.  

back in Oregon vacation day 5

 Before:  Hannah, Jo and Rebecca in July during baby shower weekend

 After visit--all kids except TJ!  and Jo must be the camera person. 

 the star of the show!!

GUARD DOG!

We had a long trip home--delay at midway until 9pm central time.  Manny's, reading, wandering about Midway.  Got back before midnight local time but quite late eastern.  So stopped for the night at the condo.  It's still sun season here so I went for a run with Cutting for Stone, a few runners, Portland bicycle riders, walkers, coffee drinkers, homeless and stoners on the river.  Soon we will be headed back to Salem to get Hazel, change clothes, run a few local errands and head east again.

Imported a bunch of iphone photos so all blogging will be more interesting than just the words.

first visit to see Iris concluding

At DTW after a few days with Iris and her parents.  and Omar also.  Here he is.  He is adjusting quite well to no longer being the youngest.

We are now grandpa Howard, Grandma Rosie, Aunt Hannah, Uncle James, Aunt Sara, almost Aunt Molly, Uncle TJ, Great Grandma Rosemary.  cousin Luc, great auntie Hazel (!).  The cats will remain the cats at a distance.  Just one branch on Iris' family tree.

Iris Ruth Cohen-Russ digesting

The parents are adjust quite well to sleepless nights and frequent feedings, more complicated traveling etc.  We are trying to figure out how to be back soon.

Detroit for first visit to Iris Ruth

That's Iris above.

In Detroit to Iris Ruth Cohen- Russ with everyone.  Boo, Jo of course, Sara, James, Molly and Ro and me.   We arrived on Saturday and went to see the baby and then to see the Tigers lose to the Orioles.  Sara and Jenny and I ran a bit this morning....5k at the park.  Then we went to get coffee and to the Ferndale House and bagels and hanging out all day.

Now back at the motel.  Hampton Inn.  What a fun day.

That's Jenny Johnson LaFleur also and we are at the park.  Omar also walking along.  I didn't get everyone.   

 take us out to the ball game.  Sara is to the left there.  

Orioles prevailed over the sad Tigers.  Great seats!  Great fireworks after and some shopping for guess who.

 me, Boo and Iris...wrapped in the scarf thingy from Jenny

 Sara, Boo and Iris

 Rebecca and Omar

Jo and Iris

back at it

Class is over again.  I'm taking a break now to get ready for the big trip to Ethiopia.  A lot has happened since the last Blog!

The first granddaughter was born!!!  Iris Rose Cohen-Russ on August 3.  We are finally going to see her this weekend.  I will add photos soon.  Right now they are on Facebook and in email attachments.

Finished two or three more classes in the Masters program.

All Salem jobs are in flux and we are likely going to become Portlanders.  That will be ok though the moving will be painful.

Got a new car--a prius partly all electric.  Hannah has the Subaru.  Hannah also has two rats!

James is getting married!! Next June.  Hurrah.  Oh, it's Molly.  Sweet.

I've been on several trips--Chicago/Peoria, Chicago, Detroit.  To Eugene for the Olympic trials.  We are off to Wyoming also after going back to Detroit for a few days.