Eugene & Salem, Oregon

We left Florence on Sunday morning and drove over to Eugene to visit our friends Alyse and Neal.  It was great to see them again, the last time was almost three years ago to the week in 2009.  Alyse and I go way back to the mid 80's when we took classes together in the interpreter training program at Hillsborough Community College.  We also worked together over the years.  Alyse is the one who convinced me to continue my education and go on for my BA as well as my MA.  With her support and encouragement as well as Mike's and numerous other friends I acquired a few degrees.

This picture was taken on their new deck, you can see Neal in the reflection taking the picture.  

Thank you, Neal!!  

We had a delicious meal with them, Neal prepared burgers on his new grill and we got caught up on each other's lives.  After lunch Alyse drove us back to the parking lot where we left the motor home and we headed for Salem.

Friends we met in Tucson at Far Horizons (David & Linda Buchanan) had arranged for us to park our motor home in the synagogue parking lot next to their house.  The last time we came through we parked in their driveway but since then they have downsized to a smaller home and their new driveway was downsized as well.  The good thing is they now have a huge parking lot next to their house which is great for RV parking.  When we arrived there was a big yellow extension cord hanging over the fence ready for us to plug in!  Linda prepared a yummy meal for us that evening (do you notice a theme here of us mooching meals?) and then took us on a walk around their new neighborhood.  David is having an issue with his back so was unable to join us.

On Monday Linda took us on another walk (thank you!) and then we went out for lunch to the Orchard Heights Winery.  It was another beautiful day as you can see from the picture of us on the patio at the cafe at the winery.  The view was awesome and we even got to see a red tail hawk hovering above us.

From there we drove over to Willammette Valley Vineyard and as we pulled into the parking lot we were greeted with a hillside full of poppies.

There were several shades of gold and even some striped ones!

We tasted a few more wines then wandered out to the deck to ogle the view.  Wow, what beautiful rolling hills with vines growing everywhere.  Here is a picture of Mike with the valley behind him.  

After dinner that evening other friends we had met in Tucson who also live in Salem came over for dessert.  Again it was such a nice evening to be outside enjoying the deck and sunshine.  Lando & Mary live not far from David & Linda and they also have park models on the same street in Tucson at Far Horizons.  We enjoyed visiting with everyone and are very happy we had the opportunity to see Lando and Mary, too.  

That's Mike, David & Linda on the left and Lando & Mary on the right.

One interesting thing is that people get Linda and Mary confused in Tucson.  They are both tall, dark haired and striking women with very similar glasses.  Here is a pic of the two of them, can you tell which twin has the toni?  (If you don't remember that commercial you are too young!!)  

FYI, Linda on the left and Mary on the right.

Early this morning we were awakened by rain falling on the coach.  Ahh, we are still in Oregon.  We leave this morning to head back to the coast.  We'll miss everyone but will see most of them again in Tucson this winter.  Adios!