Owen and Grandma on the Willamette

Sunday afternoon Owen and I went on a jet boat ride up the Willamette River from just North of our RV resort to the McKenzie River.  We then traveled on the McKenzie for a short distance then turn around and came back.  It was a two and a half hour trip and was enjoyed by all. 
The boat was a seven passenger jet boat but only two other people and the captain were on board for this trip.  We saw a bald eagle, an osprey nest with bird, several blue heron and miles of beautiful beaches.

The river is rather shallow at this time of the year.  The captain said if we fell out just stand up as the water is only 3-9 feet deep and in most places only 4 feet deep.  At one time, long ago, the river was used as transportation from Eugene to Corvallis but with the additional railroad lines the river was not used.  It is now used for quiet rides in canoes, kayaks, and inter-tubes.

The current is rather swift and Captain Mike said it was running about 5 miles an hour. 
As you can see both Owen and Grandma were having a GREAT time even when Captain Mike made "donuts" with the boat and got us all wet!

Summer in Oregon..FABULOUS!!!

Much to my delight I have been the "official driver" for my grandchildren's Summer activities.  It began early and then began to pile one on top of the other...but this week I got a break and they are just doing their regular camp and their Mother is driving them on her way to work and back.  Being the "official driver" also allowed me the opportunity to be the "official  photographer" too!

The first camp was a week long daily horseback riding camp.  Both Owen and Chiara enjoyed this week!  I would drop off Robbie at his regular Summer camp and then take the other two to horseback riding from 9-3pm. 

The folowing weekwas Karati Camp for Owen!  He really enjoys the sport and does very well.  He also was tested for his blue belt and got it!!!  He is all business when he is in class.

Then on to soccer camp!!  That was also a week long with all three kids involved. The only problem with that was that the youngest child could only camp from 9-noon and the older two until 3.  So I would go to the house at 7 when Mom left for work take kids to camp at 9 and return to camp in Corvallis at noon to pick up one child and then take him somewhere for three hours them back to the soccer field at 3.  Maybe next year he can stay all day!!!!!!!!!!!

In two weeks library camp!!!!!  Whatever that means!!!!!!!!!!!  YEAH!!!

Love this Sign

Every time we go North on 99 from Harrisburg to Albany we see this sign and it makes me smile every time!

Someone had to have a sense of humor to install this road sign!

25 Jars of Jam on the Wall

I have started my annual jam making in Oregon! So far I have 18 jars of Strawberry Jam and 7 jars of blueberry. All adult family and friends get jam for Xmas this year! I plan on picking blueberries Weds. And canning again Thurs. while my travel partner is playing bridge. So far the taste is wonderful! The jam tastes just like fresh picked berries.

Horseback Riding Lesson

Today I had the pleasure of joining my granddaughter at the stable.  I picked her up at her house and off we went!

She ride a big stallion who if very gentle and seems to respond to her voice commands pretty well.  They start out with the horse(Casey) walking around the stable and my granddaughter getting her balance.  She then  beginnings trotting around and then reversing the direction and trotting.  Once she is comfortable on the horse  she will go into a canter.  He rides real easy and she is very good with him.

They then practiced going around the barrels.  She seems to be enjoying herself... I'm not so sure about the horse!

New email address

My new email address is, nwhightsel@gmail.com. Please send me an email so I can add you to my new address book. Sorry for the problems.

I've Been Hacked!!!!

My hotmail account has been HACKED!!  I can't get in my account and now my IPAD is frozen!  I will be seeking help at the Apple store or the nearest communter store today!!  I am NOT in the UK and do not need money to get my passport back!!!!!

Of course if you want to send money send it to ME not the hacker!!!!!!!!!!! LOL