Coasting

It's been beastly hot (what does that actually mean??) in Iowa this summer. 2018 lurched drunkenly from winter straight to summer. No polite chill in the morn, warmer by day spring. May sported temps in the 90's and plenty of rain. June seemed to like that and copied.

Then we had wacko 4th of July. You working folk know what I mean. Wednesday on the 4th is the worst! I love Independence Day, but I hate to admit it. This one was a dud. The Des Moines area sites didn't quite know when to hold festivities.

Yankee Doodle Pops, the big event complete with symphony and fireworks in the shadow of Iowa's gorgeous State Capitol, was on Monday night, July 2nd. What? That event ran late. Some of us had to work Tuesday. Paul and I had a quiet good time in Valley Junction Tuesday evening and kayaked on the 4th. Our neighbors entertained with fireworks in a nearby park. I kept thinking that at least this year there was no Odie to be scared. I missed that.

Yeah, I know. I sound a little bitchy. I like to sit on my deck. It's been too hot - even for me. Paul and I were more than ready to fly out July 7th for our bi-annual Bullock Girls family reunion in chilly, refreshing Cannon Beach, Oregon. We love the place our sis Betso and husband Wayne discovered - some five hours away from their home in SE Washington State.

By Saturday evening all the "adults" had arrived. It's hard for me to accept the fact that all of our children (even Baby David) are technically considered adults. So I am using that label for my generation. We sat at Betsy and Wayne's condo, one block from the beach and enjoyed each other's company - catching up! Susi and Jim had driven in from Grand Junction with a night in Idaho. Cindy, Paul and I flew into Portland.

On Sunday morning we started our beach walks. By my calculations, we walked about 27 miles that week - Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, The longest day was Monday, coming in just under 8 miles as we walked in the afternoon too. The weather was fab (around 60 degrees partly sunny) and if you've never experienced the NW beach, consider it. The surf makes a delightful noise and fellow beachgoers bring dogs. I love watching them!

Kohan men minus Eric 

S'mores night

The Kohan clan (we'll call them kids) started arriving Sunday. Baby David will be a junior in college this year. Eldest of the fam (by scant minutes) Alex and wife-to-be Lisa joined us for supper that night. It was our first chance to make an impression on Lisa, and Betsy reports she was not frightened away - even by my off-color stories, which made Susi giggle all night.

I was glad to relieve Susi's stress. She and Jim were awaiting the birth of their 4th grandchild the next day. My niece Leslie was scheduled to be induced Monday morning. We spent Monday getting text updates on progress. Les looked amazingly lovely in labor. They do things prettier than in my day! A healthy baby girl was born by mid-afternoon. Then we were on name watch! Lillian Elise Lopez - the name is just as gorgeous as this little girl, beloved by her brother James, mommy, daddy Jordan and many more. Can't wait to watch her grow.

I stole this pic off Facebook. Aren't they adorable?? 

The rest of the Kohan kids arrived Monday. Paul (the younger twin) with girlfriend Christine, and Sarah - new college grad and soon to be law school student. We missed Eric, studying for the bar exam. I've so enjoyed getting to know these young people during our times together at CB.

When some people go on vacation, they can check off a bunch of activities - places they visited, sites seen. Nope! On Tuesday we (Paul, Cindy, Betsy, son Paul and daughter Sarah and me) did venture south to order Dungeness crab at Jetty Fishery Marina in Rockaway Beach. The shopkeeper was very friendly, helping us decide how many crabs to order (1 per person). We made plans to stop back to pick the crab up after it had been steamed and put on ice.

Then we headed onward, through Tillamook. We did not stop to see the cheese factory but it was tempting. We had wine on our minds. It was about an hour's drive inland to the Risdall Ranch Winery, a beautiful location that boasts a large Christmas store. It was a fun trip. That night, the crab was so very delicious!

On Wednesday, Paul Kohan made us Bloody Marys and we watch the World Cup soccer match. On Thursday, our cousin Leslie Morehead and her husband Bob came in from Portland/Astoria for a visit. Christine cooked up lumpia, a Filipino treat similar to egg rolls. Paul and Wayne grilled salmon. It was another culinary success. Kudos to both Betsy for her superior large-scale meal planning skills when it comes to meals. Raising five children prepped her magnificently!

With our cuz Leslie Morehead

Besides a few trips into Cannon Beach "the city" and stops at Warren House, Bolder's favorite bar, that was about it.

• Coffee, muffin
• Walk on beach
• Rest
• Lunch - sandwiches or at our fave, The Driftwood in Cannon Beach
• Shop a bit
• Rest, read
• Cocktails with conversations - priceless
• Eat
• Early bedtime. It stays light late on the West Coast

Saturday came too quickly once again. The good news was we would see each other again soon in the Tri-Cities, Washington for Alex and Lisa's wedding. Our children will join us nearly a year after Amy and Corey's wedding. It will be fun!

Cindy Paul and I drove back to our fave funky town, Portland for the evening. We had a super early flight, so we kept it simple, hitting Henry's Tavern and Powell's City of Books. I just love the vibe in that city. I'd put Oregon in my top four states:
Iowa
Colorado
Oregon
Florida

Probably because I've spent quite a bit of time in each of them.
Which states do you like?

Time with our family is priceless. When our father passed away after Christmas 2006, we vowed to continue to "group up". At events like weddings, we're always so busy that we don't get to share the details about health, life changes, friends, and jobs. Our bi-annual sister reunion allows time to just be together. That's the best!

Walking together through life

Oregon Cool

It was so cool in Oregon - literally, and the state just oozes groovy. It's cool. Especially when the Bullock girls hang out there. We arrived for a week's vacation earlier this month - our bi-annual family reunion. When we get together we don't plan a lot of activities, we just hang out in the cute little village in a house close to the beach.

My typical vacations aren't kick ass - scheduled with one activity after another. They are mostly relaxing once we do the travel thing. Flying was once an enjoyable endeavor. Not so much anymore. I do like the TSA Precheck authorization though! It's like having a magic ticket to get you through security. We snagged sister Cindo at the Denver stop.

Susi and Jim arrived at our cute little home away from home in Cannon Beach before we did. They'd driven up the coast from their daughter Leslie's - enjoying their visit with her little family, it was their grandson James' third birthday. Betsy and fam arrive about the same time we did. I love welcome hug time! That night we ordered pizzas and caught up with each other. It was a bit misty that night, but Paul and Cindo couldn't resist a short walk on the beach.

Sunday we took our first of many excellent beach walks. It was a bit chilly, but so gorgeous. I love the raw energy of Oregon coast. I heard the starfish are making a comeback, but didn't see any. We took a lot of steps throughout the week - and walked about 7 miles one day. Cindy was a relentless slave driver, but it's so good when you're walking and talking with your sisters.

Paul golfed one day with my brothers-in-law. I hung out with the girls including Betso's daughter Sarah and did lunch "downtown". On Wednesday, Susi, Jim and I trekked to a little town north called Astoria where my cousin Leslie has a condo with her husband Bob. I could sit and watch that view all day. We had a nice lunch and went to the top of the hill where I walked up seven flights of stairs.

cousin picture

Astoria tower

Every night we had great meals over at Betsy and Wayne's house, which was across the tennis court from ours - so convenient! Many nights we took over six champagne glasses so I could whip up lemondrop martinis for the group. Nephew Paul Kohan's girlfriend Christine has a Filipino background. She cooked up (deep fried) a delicacy called Lumpia. It was kind of like egg roll, very hot and yummy. We bonded over watching sports television and trivia. The Kohan kids were out and about more than usual - Pokémon Go will do that.

Spaghetti, burgers and chicken were all delish. One night we did the Smores on the beach thing. Betsy bought giant marshmallows this year - they were harder to get to medium well on the inside, but were gooey great. #stickyfingers . One night we stopped at Bolder's favorite bar in CB - Warren House. We didn't get to sit at the bar like he did, but we thought of him as we sipped our drinks.

Road warriors Susi and Jim took off on Friday to head back home to Colorado a two-day trip through Twin Falls, Idaho. Betsy, Cindy, Paul and I headed south to Jetty Marina at Rockaway Beach to rustle up some Dungeness Crab. Shirley fixed us right up.

They promised to steam 8 crabs for us and put them on ice for our return. From wine country. Yep, Oregon has vino! My trusty iPhone lead us to a winery about an inland hour from the coast. I'd made this trip with my girlfriends last August - they showed me the way. I do believe my sisters and Paul had begun to doubt me and my phone as we turned this way and that in rural hilly Oregon. I felt vindicated when we popped out at the top of a hill and there was a vineyard! Unfortunately a sign on the building said CLOSED. Oops.

iPhone went back to work and ten minutes later we were at the Shafer Winery talking to a nice young man who took over as head grape guy (but the scientific name) Wine Master? Anyway, he studied at U.C. Davis and his dad has just purchased the winery. We did a tasting and checked out the Christmas store - quite complete. Cindy bought a deviled egg ornament and Betso purchased a white wine. It was fun. There were many more wineries we could have visited, but Shirley and our crab awaited.

Cousin Leslie and Bob came down and we made that crab disappear along with the leftovers from previous nights. We nearly got rid of the Citron Vodka that Betsy bought 2 years prior. Something to shoot for in two years! I dislike saying goodbye to people, but I do like hugs - so there's that. And Amy is getting married next summer (August 5) so we should see everyone then if not before.

Cindy, Paul and I spent a night in another cool place Saturday - Portland at the classic Benson Hotel. We checked in and Paul and I dropped the rental car off, riding the rapid transit back. It's a pretty slick system. That night we ate at a Fish House overlooking a plaza with a fountain. I enjoyed watching kids play in the water while the people of Portland hung out. The lobster mashed potatoes I ate that night were to die for.

So long Oregon until next time!

crab

Goodbye CB on to Portland

We had to say goodbye to the Kohans and Cannon Beach Saturday morning, along with our temp home near the beach. Betsy and Wayne plan to rent this place next summer since the house they've been renting is on the market. I hated to say goodbye to Betso - I don't know when I'll see her and the rest of the clan again next.

Then the Lefebvres, Goldsmiths and Kara packed into the Grand Caravan (amazingly we fit!) and headed for Portland. Gar pointed us to the Marriott Courtyard downtown and we dropped off everyone and the luggage. Paul and I had to take the van back to the airport Alamo, which was a drag. We took the Max - light rail back, for $2.40 a piece. Very clean and efficient!

The Max

We hopped off downtown right near a shopping area, and ran into Jud and Kara in an overpriced Nike Store. Paul found something at the Columbia Store. Downtown Portland is an interesting place. There seem to be a lot of homeless people there and we were approached by a number of people for strange purposes - ultimately for money. It was a bit un-nerving for this Midwestern gal. That said we enjoyed the eclectic experience - the shopping, restaurants, bars etc.

 Saturday night we started out at Herman's - a place Bolder had scoped out. It's got a frost bar - a strip of frost where you can set your drink to keep it cold.

Amy takes a photo of our drinks on the frost strip at Herman's

Jud in his "Big Jud's" shirt Bobbie got him in Boise with Cindo at Herman's

We couldn't decide where to eat that night, so we ended up sitting in our motel room. We had pizza delivered by bike. It was delish! Kara, Jud, Amy, Paul and I sat and chatted until 10 or so. Then Kara and Jud went to see the sights. The rest of us hit the hay.

In the morning Jud and Kara took off in a rental car for Seattle. Kara works for Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, providing medical software training. This week she worked in Seattle. How convenient! Jud rode along with her on the drive to Seattle and flew back to KC that afternoon. We were so glad they were able to spend a few days with us. We hugged Jud goodbye about 9 a.m. and off they went.

Amy didn't have to fly out Sunday until later that afternoon. It was misty when we woke up, but we were determined to trek to Voodoo Donuts - a place we'd seen on the Travel Channel, and scoped out online. We were lucky that due to rain, the line of people craving sugar and starch wasn't down the block. Amy had to order the voodoo guy donut but she couldn't eat the lil guy, cuz she can't eat stuff with faces. (I didn't remind her that at one time a hamburger had a real face...). The donuts weren't really anything special but the place was interesting due to the S&M/Voodoo theme.

The voodoo donut in the middle was filled with red jelly that oozes when you poke him with the pretzel sticking in his chest

We did a bit of shopping that day. We found a "dancing girl" theater with the name Stewart above it. That's my Grandma Zora Stewart Bullock's maiden name. So Cindo and I kicked up our heels there.

I can't get my leg up too high...plus no boobs. I'd make a terrible dancing girl

At one point we walked by the Roseland Theater - I saw this:

Rock On - Foghat was in Creston this summer!

We had a nice brunch/lunch and all too soon it was time to walk Amy to the Max light rail and hug her goodbye. It will probably be a fall football game before we see her again. That's what is hard about having kids who live far away.

That night I was crabby. End of vacation, sayin' goodbye crabby. Cindo told me to snap out of it and I did my best. Of course I knew that when I got back I'd have a day of work and then my shoulder manipulation to deal with. And Cindy had her second partial knee replacement in Vail, Colorado. She had the first one in April. What a couple of old has-beens we are! We've been texting each other about Physical Therapy and pain levels...

We wandered around Sunday night trying to figure out what we were hungry for, finally stopping at an Italian joint, in the lounge. The waitress saw us hesitating and did a tremendous sales job. She had us a "best ever lemondrop". Or perhaps that was me...It was really great food and we had a nice time! Our hugs in the elevator that night were teary. We'd had a great week together - love those guys!

Photo from earlier in the week of two of my fave peeps

Paul and I had to get up at 1:45 a.m. and a car was awaiting for a trip to the airport. We needed to be there too early for the cheap light rail. So it was $50, but worth it (the driver had a difficult to understand accent and liked loud country music). Flights went smoothly - through Seattle, with a couple hour layover back to Kansas City. After a frantic night of unpacking and laundry then packing again it was back to DSM early Tuesday.

What a lucky girl I am to have such a fab family! I love each and every one of them and thank my lucky stars and that higher power for all my great fortune. Not stuff, but relationships.

Now on to healing this nasty shoulder. Very painful. No fun - don't ever get one! Thanks to all for texts, cards and encouragement. Mendy even dropped off cookies. The only way they'd be better is if they contained painkilling drugs! 

The Kids are here! Betsy's Surprise 50th!

Wednesday was an exciting one, because the Goldsmith children were flying in that day. Paul played golf in the morning. Then we took off for Portland after lunch. We wanted to pick up a couple things at the shopping area near the airport - thank goodness Garmin showed us the way! Portland traffic is horrendous. As we started out in Cannon Beach it was 58 degrees and by the time we got to Portland it was around 90...but it was a dry heat.

I scored some new sandals at Marshall's - sparkly silver for Keith Peterson's upcoming wedding! Paul and I got to check out the IKEA store - a new experience for us. It's a Swedish discount shopping experience with furniture, other home supplies - even food. I got jube jel fish for Cindo and some gluten free chips for Amy.

Then it was time to head to the airport. Amy's flight was first, followed by Jud and Kara's a half hour later. All were on time, which was a relief! Hugs all around! The day stayed light nearly all the way back to Cannon Beach, even though it was around 10:30 p.m. by the time we got there. Bolder was the only one up - everyone had a beer then it was off to bed.

Paul is choosing

The next day was Cousin Breakfast Day! We had invited all the cousins to our place for a gathering before my Cali Cousins took off for the next leg of their trip. They were camping - I know...brave with triplets, huh!?! Susi and Sher had scored at a Farmer's Market in CB earlier in the week - they'd gotten Marianberries, blueberries and other great fruit. We got rolls at the delectable Cannon Beach Bakery - so hard to choose which thing to take home!

Susi, Andra, Leslie, Karen

In addition to the Cali Cousins, my Portland cuz, Leslie Morehead was there. She's my Mom's brother Herbert Leslie's daughter. I know - weird that my mom named her daughter the same name. And I have a niece Leslie. It's a great name! She's lived in Portland for many years - 40? And she and her hubby Bob bought a condo in Astoria just north of CB a couple years ago. She's really intelligent (must be a fam trait haha, and interesting). Leslie works as a consultant in computer software.

I was glad our children had a chance to talk to my cousins - after all they're the same generation as Andra. It's important to me that they have an idea where they came from. I'm sorry Amy and Jud didn't get to know my Mom much, since she died when they were so young. They have met Leslie M. a few times though, which is cool! We did a cousin photo before they left. Steve and Andra are bloggers too! I'm so glad the cousins made time to see us during our gathering.

Susi, Betsy, me, Cindy, Steve Legarra, Leslie Morehead

Susi overlooks cheese production

Cindy and I crash the cheese van

Then we were off to Tillamook to see the cheese factory and the Cape Meares to see the lighthouse. We've made this trek each time I've been here. It's pretty cheesy (yes that's a pun) but fun. I love factories and these folks do it right. I believe the gummi bear factory in Creston should do this - it would be a gold mine for everyone, especially the town of Creston! We took fam photos out front after chowing down ice cream.

The Kohan clan - Wayne is home with the doggies

The Goldsmiths with Kara

Cape Meares is so beautiful - but some knucklehead vandalized the lens of the lighthouse so we weren't able to go up in it as we had before. Kara, Jud, Paul and I walked up to see the Octopus tree too.

How would you like to see this mob walking towards you? On the way to the lighthouse...

Jud and Kara by flag along fence

Checking out the Octopus Tree

After we got back, we had lunch at Moe's - the restaurant right near our home. The Bloody Marys there were good - lots of olives, beans etc. in them! I had fish tacos, yum! Susi and Sher joined our family. It was fun to talk to Sher about writing - she's into journaling and has written the life story of a man who had a terminal illness. This blog is similar to journaling.

That night was burger night! We grilled at our place (by we I mean Bolder and Pablo). Cousin Leslie came back this time with her spousal unit Bob, who is retired from USDA Forest Service. He traveled all over the world in that position. It was another evening of beverages, food and good company.

Plus it was Betsy's Surprise 50th Birthday! Which is really August 27th (1 day before our 30th Anniversary). I think she would have been surprised had not my sissies been a little loose lipped the night before after champagne when we were in Portland picking up the cherubs. Bolder brought the Pope Hat along, and arranged for Sarah and friend to scatter flower petals. Susi carried an old medallion Mom had either given to her or she inherited - from England dated 1970. I had prepared a slide show, but was sad the music didn't come through (We Are Family!). It was fun. Welcome to 50 sis - it beats the alternative!

It made me very happy to have Amy and Jud there with us.

Shot into a Cannon

Cannon Beach! Ten years ago Betsy suggested our family get together at her family's favorite spot, Cannon Beach, Oregon, just a few hours from their Southeastern Washington home in Kennewick. We took her up on it! The year was 2002.

I was working at the landfill in Creston then. Dad was married to Pat2 - Mom passed away in 1997. We invited cousins and aunts and uncles from both sides of our family - Bullock and Morehead. And they all came! Even Aunt Dorothy, Mom's sister, who almost never traveled from her home in Sacramento due to health problems. That year I took 2 weeks off and we drove out. We went again in 2008. And now in 2012. This year we flew into Portland.

Paul and I had to leave Creston at 2:30 a.m. to get to KC for our flight and Lefebvres had an early wakeup for their Denver trip too. We met Cindy and Bolder in Portland on Sunday July 8, where we had rented a van. We stopped at Super Target for some food and a few bevvies but Betsy had picked up a whole cache of booze from Costco, so we didn't need much. It's about a 1.5 hour drive from there straight west to Cannon Beach.

Does this make us look like alkie cruds?

Susan (AKA Suso/Susi) had arrived the night before with friend Sher and her dog Cowgirl. Susi's husband Jim Alvillar was busy with a trial and couldn't attend. Susi and Sher drove in from Grand Junction, Colorado, a two day trip. Cowgirl was crazy for the bunnies that were all over the area. The house we rented for the week was great - huge open room upstairs. Betsy and Wayne's rental was across the street but they're going to take the one we stayed in next year.

As soon as we arrived we went to Warren House for lunch. A banana and 2 airline cookies doesn't cut it and I was starving! A Bloody Mary and a rockfish po' boy sannie started out my vacation right! 3.5 Moki heads.

Paul, Cindy and I took a beach walk right away. It was quite chilly (60 degrees?) for people used to 90+ degrees. Quite refreshing really. I love that beach. To the right of our beach entrance (our house was just a half block from the beach) is Haystack Rock, and to the left, Frank and Joe. Those are two other rocks that we like just as well at Haystack because they aren't as busy with tourists. Frank and Joe aren't their real names - that's just what my nephew David Kohan called them when he was little, so it stuck.

Bunnies look like they were once pets...

Betsy, Wayne and a few of the kids and friends got there a couple hours after we did. Pizza was the evening meal. We were entertained by Cowgirls bunny antics.

I enjoyed meeting Sher - interesting woman, a writer like me! Cowgirl is on the lookout!

Of course Lemondrop martinis were in order. And I was in luck because Susi is the originator of the fab recipe. So she and I made them together. I love my sisters so much! Even without alcohol. They are smart and caring. Of course they're funny. We have all that history - and we love each other's children and spouses. That's quite a bond when you think about it. To grow up and have these separate lives, but come together seamlessly.

Bullocks rock! Just ask our husbands...
So that was Day 1.