Heading to Eden, where it's wet, very wet

How do I know that our lives are about to change profoundly? I spent an hour tonight spraying waterproofing on all of my jackets and coats.

It was only a couple of months ago when B found out one of his handful of 'just fishing' job applications had hit gold. A job was offered, exactly what he was looking for, in a city- just what he was looking for. And the city was Portland, close to family and friends, close to the beach -- and far away from the place we have known for more than a decade.

Since there was no time to drive to Methow to press cider (and the fire had killed many orchards) but there was an overloaded apple tree in our yard we decided to take the fruit to Mohammed, so to speak. We packed up the press and apples and headed to Portland to make cider with a new set of people.

Our friend Brad (Inconceivable!) allowed us to have the cider gathering there. Kristin and Sarah were there, with Trusten and Sarah's 'niece' Fiona, as was my nephew Reese and his two girls. Then we had a scattering of Portland friends and Leah and Michael came from Federal Way. And to top it off, we attracted the interest of neighbors and passersby!

a little bit of heaven

After leaving Jess at Southern Oregon U we took some time for ourselves, taking the sloooowww way home. We did a bit of shopping and hiking in Ashland...

Stopped for a very short time in historic Jacksonville, Oregon for sightseeing...

Had a quick overnight visit with Ken and Melodie in Shady Cove (love the name...)

and spent a whole afternoon at Crater Lake. It was the first time for both of us in terms of spending much time there (I did a drive-by years before). We meandered along the rim and hiked past the crowds. It was cool and windy but well worth the trip regardless. Then it was back to the real world at home.

Little bird leaves the nest

Well, the time finally came. Last weekend in September, as fall was just being felt in the early mornings, Jessie went off to college. She was a bundle of nerves, excited and scared and practically unable to eat. It was just the three of it, trying to play it cool and make it fun. 

Check in took an absurdly long time but it was OK, gave us a chance to slow down and think about what it all meant. It was an echo of an experience 8 years before, filling the van with stuff for Kristin and taking her to Pacific. Now it was Jess's turn. There was the steady stream of boxes from the car, the unpacking and sorting in the dorm, the last minute stop at Bimart for things forgotten or needed. We ate dinner with her in her food court and set her free.

The next morning we ate breakfast with her (well, we ate and she watched) said goodbyes and launched her into the world. It's only been a few days but she seems thrilled with her new life.