A weekend in Astoria

A week ago now, I was in my car heading to Des Moines. Early the next morning I flew out of Des Moines International Airport to Portland where Byron met me with great anticipation. I was so excited to see him again! After a quick lunch, we were on the road to Astoria.

We went for coffee at Columbia River Roasters and then birded a wetland near the Astoria Airport. The cold wind drove rain into our faces so we turned back and headed home where it was warm (and dry). We dried off and changed into warm clothes then headed out to Fort George Brewery - the best place in town for homemade sausages. Byron hadn't yet been, so it was nice to share the experience with him. It's one of my favorite places in town for dinner and a cold beer. Then we were off to see Keith Anderson in concert at the newly restored and beautiful Liberty Theater in Downtown Astoria. I got to meet one of Byron's friends, which was awesome! The show was excellent! It was a small crowd which made it intimate. He sang all of our favorites and told some funny stories as well.

Keith Anderson and his mates

After the concert we went to the Voodooroom - my favorite bar in town. There I saw a friend of mine I had met during the summer. It was so great to catch up with him!

Byron cooked me breakfast Sunday morning and I made our coffee. We went hiking at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach. It was cold and snowy but not uncomfortably so. We hiked the trail to Indian Beach but turned back halfway down the trail because it was incredibly muddy and I had left my hiking boots in Missouri since the weather was supposed to be terrible. It was funny anyway...

Looking south from the parking lot - Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock in the misty snow

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Byron on the trail, snow blankets the hillside in the background

Baylee giving me the "c'mon, let's go!" look

I spy...

The cowboy boot and the arch

Finally, back at the truck, I stopped to make a snowbird

Next stop was Cannon Beach for some lunch and a stroll on the beach. The sky was beautiful and as usual, so was Haystack Rock. See?

We met a few of Byron's workmates and their wives at the Columbia Theater on Sunday night to see Zach and Miri Make a Porno. It was silly and yielded all a good time. I wish we had been able to spend more time with his friends. Maybe next time...

We drove back to Portland after the movie. The roads were slick through the passes and we encountered elk in the road, which proved exciting. I said, "Deer, deer, deer..." and as we got closer I was like, "Oooh, elk!" Haha. Good thing we didn't nail one. The weather was awful. It was super windy and freeeezing. We got a hotel at the airport for the night and soaked in the hot tub to warm ourselves.

The next morning we said our farewells and I was off to Des Moines. I watched the sunrise over the clouds and Mt. Hood then passed out.

What a fun, spontaneous trip!

TIHA

Around the bend...

A couple of months ago I wrote about coming to an endless bend in the road. My job was ending sooner than planned and the future seemed grim. I thought I should write a quick update to tidy things up around here and not leave you all thinking that all in my world is hopeless and the sky is falling.

I now have two jobs in my field and when I'm not working (or blogging), I'm packing my worldly possessions. That's right, in two weeks from today, I'm moving. MOVING! Where? East Lansing, Michigan. Why? I'm going to graduate school! Yeehaw!

Michigan State University is just past that bend in the road. Things are quite foggy - I don't yet know exactly how graduate school works. It appears very different from my undergraduate experience. Soon, though, I'll learn the ropes of it and will have it mastered.

Meetings in Michigan - Part Two

Last time I ended with Tuesday, November 18 - Byron, Mini-Mom and I had gone to the Frederik Meijer Garden and to the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. We went to bed early as the next day would be busy and stressful.

We ate a delicious breakfast with Mini-Mom then I got dressed up. This was the day I would meet my potential professor for graduate school. That's right, I had an interview at Michigan State University for a Master of Science project in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. I was so thankful that Mini-Mom could go with - moms have special calming powers. I was also gracious that they could take me an hour and a half over to the university.

We arrived with plenty of time so we stopped at the Dairy Store for lunch and ice cream (which happens to be right across the street from the Natural Resources building). I spent the entire afternoon with the professor and her students - two hours with her and the rest of the evening with her students. I had a wonderful time. Prof took me for a driving tour of the campus facilities that would be pertinent to the project - places like the Michigan State Disease Laboratory. Afterward, we chatted for a bit then I was off with her two graduate students. They took me on a walking tour of campus. My favorite part was finding another ice cream dairy store and the library. The library is huge and awesome with bookshelves that move at the press of a button. I was curious if they (the shelves) were smart enough to know if an aisle was occupied by a human. So, we played with it for a bit - one jumps in the aisle, I press the button and wait. The shelves told me the aisle was occupied. Smart! They took me for ice cream and introduced me to a fun group of other students in Fisheries and Wildlife and then we went for dinner at a Thai restaurant. Yumm! A quick phone call and Byron and his mom picked me up and we were headed home.

Byron and I eased into the following morning. We ate breakfast at the local greasy spoon. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs (or the diner had ridiculously sized portions) - Okay, both. I hadn't seen that much food in a looong time. I was overcome by food coma (and perhaps the seat heater) and passed out in the car on the way to one of Byron's favorite places to explore the outdoors - Pickrell State Park.

Once out of the car in the cold in the wilderness, I woke up. We hiked around the lake and had a wonderful time being silly, horsing around.

Byron on the trail

The view of the lake from atop a hill

Byron climbed downed trees

The trail

We found the handiwork of beavers

Byron, the photographer

Sapsicles!

This is what it looks like when I trip over a root in the trail - graceful!

The trail again

Earlier in the day, I wished for snow and got it! Byron told me to wish for a million bucks, so I did, but didn't get it.

Byron climbed a gnarly tree

The sun broke through the clouds just for this shot.

That night, Byron's parents took us to Graydon's Crossing for a fantastic Indian/English dinner. Everything I tasted was amazing. After dinner we went shopping for spices at a specialty spice shop. Then it was home to watch Kung Fu Panda. I fell asleep at the end.

Friday was the ultimate lazy day. I think I woke up at 10:00. Byron and I ate leftover breakfast from the previous morn then loafed around all day. We watched, rather Byron watched Kung Fu Panda again - I fell asleep, this time at the beginning. I woke up in time to see the part I missed from the previous night. Then Byron's friend picked us up and we three went to the mall. Byron and I got stuck in William Sonoma and decided to leave a 1/4 way through the store before we spent our lives savings (current and future).

That evening, his sister Marya came home from training in Detroit and I got to meet Byron's cousin and his family. Good times!

Saturday, we went shopping with Mini-Mom in downtown Rockford. We walked from their house and back - it was a cold day but still pleasant. Byron made a cheesecake for the next day's dessert.

Chef Byron preparing a cheesecake


The making of a spiced chocolate cheesecake

We went out to dinner with Byron's best friend, Arley, and his lovely and pregnant wife, Melisa. I really enjoyed them and hope to spend more time with them soon.

Sunday, we slept in again. It was a busy day! We prepped food for dinner that night. The previous day Mini-Mom had entered her name in a drawing at one of the stores - she ended up winning, so we went to pick up her prize. We then went to Herman's Boy for more coffee and bagel dogs then came home. Byron made a spiced chocolate cheesecake. We helped his mom put lights on the tree outside. Well, okay, I was the photographer. Inside, Byron's dad prepared dinner - deep fried turkey and a venison roast.

Byron and Mini-Mom stringing lights on the tree

Cute!


The tree lit up! It's Christmas time!

Back inside, we finished preparing food for dinner. Sadie watched all the commotion from the great room.

For dinner we ate deep fried turkey, venison roast, sweet potatos, fresh green beans with almonds, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies and a whole lot of things I'm sure I'm forgetting...

So pretty...

Monday morning we woke up knowing it would be a sad day. It was the day I left for home. It snowed overnight and the birds were perched at the feeders for breakfast. We watched them as we ate ours from the warmth of the nook in the kitchen.

I packed and prepared for my evening flight back to Des Moines. It was a sad day. I think we all cried at the airport when we said good-bye. I absolutely loved every moment of this trip! I am thrilled to have met Byron's wonderful family and can't wait to see them again!