Friends for humanity

I'm still basking in the glow of a fabulous trip to Oregon with five of my best friends in this world. As I traveled to see them last Thursday my mantra to myself was that I wanted to be able to fill up their buckets over the weekend. And with any luck, I'd get my pail filled too. You know that deal - each day you start with a pail and some people scoop it out and others scoop stuff into it - filling you up.

I kinda needed some filling. It feels good to help fill others' pails too. This year Sal had invited us to Oregon. Two days at the beach and two days at her place on the Sandy River. Robyn, Paula, Chris, Julia and I were all able to make it. Pam couldn't make it, sadly. We had to make due with - you guessed it (or maybe not) a can of Pam.

I was the last to arrive at the airport. Wouldn't you know it - they had made a new friend, Eddie the bartender. And had a few drinks...

Eddie loves the AHS Class of '76

And we were off! To Rockaway Beach on the Oregon Coast - a nice 3 bedroom little condo. We hung out, talked, walked on the beach and laughed. My ribs got sore. On Friday afternoon we stopped by a little spot and picked up dungeness crab for the evening meal. My good cook friends took care of meal prep. The crab was already steamed. There were yummy red potatoes and a delish peach salad too. A meal fit for the queens that we are. We talked politics, health, family, sports - all of it.

After supper,  Jules broke out her Cards Against Humanity game. It's pretty raunchy but was quite fun - and this from a known game scrooge (me). We howled with laughter at times. Robyn kicked our butts - clever gal that she is. Each night I was first to go to bed. It seems laughing wears me out! But I was up early.

On Saturday we shopped a bit in our little beach burg. I scored some colorful fingerless gloves for work (aka the frozen cubicle). Then we were on our way to wine country via cheese country - Tillamook. It was a fun day with a couple wine tastings and a picnic at a place called White Rose - just like our favorite Atlantic bar. We'd picked up chicken and pork at a roadside grocery store in one of the small towns on the route.  Too bad there was any Armie and Irma.

Wine tasting

Sally and husband Bob's place on the Sandy River is perfect and so was the weather. We arrived there Saturday evening. It was a nice relaxing night sitting on the deck. On Sunday morning we went out to breakfast before saying goodbye before two of our group had to say goodbye - Robyn and Chris.

With our friend the bear

 We went for a hike that afternoon. The Sandy River is low. And it was smoky in the area due to fires in Washington. The drought is taking its toll. Paula, Julia, Sal and I watched a movie that night, and headed to the airport Monday morning.

Sitting on the deck at Sal's solving the world's problems

Julia took off first, but Sal and I got to meet Paula's friend Vic who flew in to meet her. They were going to travel on to Seaside, Seattle, Victoria and finally a cruise in Alaska. That sounded better than going back to work! My flight stretched late into the night, but I wasn't sad or grumpy. I was smiling.

My pail was full from a few days with my besties. Those are some great ladies. They shared their joy, sorrows, aches and pains. And listen to mine. Somehow that helps me feel better. Sharing the one's load always does. They filled me in on life tips and recipes.

Sally thinks we should put together a booklet from the weekend full of all the information passed out through our time together. I don't think Julia has a recipe for that salads she created - she just knows how to throw stuff together and make them fantastic. Rob can do it too. Just like the hair gene...I don't have that food/entertainment gene either. I need an actual recipe. I am able to spout off many insignificant factoids however - a font of knowledge! Too bad that doesn't feed anyone. Paula is also competent in the kitchen. Though she, Chris and I tended to work on the clean up crew. Rob is also an excellent bartender. Great skills that girl.

Good thing I get to see them all again next summer at our 40th Class Reunion in Atlantic (or risk the wrath of Roger Underwood).