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20212021
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2021

January 2021 - May 2024
An open-ended adventure by Debra Read more
Currently traveling
  • 37footprints
  • 1countries
  • 1,217days
  • 330photos
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  • 2.6kmiles
  • 877miles
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  • Traveler2021
    Day 101

    April 2-11

    April 11, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    It's been a relaxing ten days so far at Rancho California. We've reconnected with many of the pickleball players we met on the courts in April of 2018, they are a fun and welcoming group.
    Friday we took a day trip to Anzo- Borrego Desert State Park.
    We enjoyed beautiful desert vistas and were hoping do do a bit of hiking but 94° is way to hot for us. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 We stopped in Borrago Springs to look at some metal sculptors by Ricardo Breceda.
    Next we traveled into the Cuyamaca mountains to Julian, a charming, historical, but touristy town, where we had a piece of apple boysenberry pie ala mode that was so good we bought a whole pie to take home. We also dined on a delicious bacon, blu cheese, walnut and honey pizza.
    https://visitjulian.com/
    Today Kuma got clipped and bathed. He's one dapper dog!
    It's wonderful to be here in Aguanga where the temperatures are in the mid 70s to 80s rather than Arizona or Palm Springs where it is now in the 90s.    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    2
    Day 109

    April 13-19

    April 19, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Thursday we drove the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway to pick up our friends, Gary and Carrie, from the Palm Springs Airport. We're all fully vaccinated so were able to hug, visit and occupy the same indoor space mask free! 😁 It's the first time we've socialized "normally" in over a year and boy did it feel great.
    Friday we hiked six miles of the Dripping Springs Trail. With a 2000 ft gain in elevation we were treated to some gorgeous views. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recar…
    Saturday morning was spent playing pickleball with the couple who introduced us to the sport 20 years ago, followed by wine tasting at Hawk Watch Winery. https://hawkwatchwinery.com/
    After a morning of pickleball, on Sunday, we toured Ricardo Breceda's outdoor gallery http://ricardobreceda.com/ then hit the De Portola Wine Trail in Temecula with a flight and lunch at Fazeli Cellars https://fazelicellars.com followed by a tasting at Leoness Cellars https://www.leonesscellars.com/mobile/ then stopping for dinner at In-N-Out Burgers on the way home.
    This morning we continued with some fierce competition on the courts after which we enjoyed a leisurely brunch before heading back to Palm Springs to bid our friends a sad farewell.
    What a fantastic five days we had!    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 114

    April 20-24

    April 24, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    I discovered a nice country road to stroll, adjoining RanchoCal, with some pretty views and blooming desert flowers. Tuesday evening we socialized and played pickleball under the lights, a farewell event as some of the "regulars" at the courts are heading back to their "summer" homes.
    Yesterday Randy and I participated in a Round Robin pickleball tournament that included a group from Jojoba RV Resort, followed by a barbecue by the main clubhouse. We came in second!
    Today we shopped the Farmer's Market in Temecula's Old Town where we purchased some organic greens, oranges, bread and honey. Next we dined al fresco at 1909. It was delicious and the first restaurant breakfast we've had in 13 months! https://www.1909temecula.com/
    Before ending our day we stopped at the Temecula Olive Oil Company Ranch for an olive oil and vinegar tasting and to enjoy their lovely gardens. https://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 123

    April 25-May 3

    May 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    It's been a busy nine days. Last Saturday we provisioned, in preparation for our journey north, at Costco before having lunch in Old Town Temecula. Wednesday my cousin Steve & Karlene came up from Palm Desert for lunch. We also found out that my aunt was admitted to the hospital back in Oregon so we decided to forego our visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
    Saturday we departed Rancho California for a night's stay in Patterson, CA, arriving after more than a 2.5 hr delay on the Grapevine due to an accident.
    My aunt took a turn for the worse on Sunday so we planned on driving all the home... unfortunately she passed away yesterday afternoon so we boondocked in Coburg before continuing to our home base in Boring, OR.
    My Auntie Aki was a remarkable woman, a true giver,
    she cared for her husband, mother and older brother after retiring as the manager of alterations at Nordstrom. I have fond memories of the road trip to Massachusetts that her and Uncle Sam took my grandmother and me on when I was seven. She loved word puzzles, reading and baseball.
    Auntie Aki, you will be missed. ❤️ Thank you cousin Sally for being Auntie's advocate during her final days and for keeping the rest of the family in the loop.
    Thank you Randy for putting in 12 and 14 days behind the wheel to get us home. 💕    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 133

    May 4-13

    May 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    We've been enjoying the spring blooms and many shades of green since returning to Oregon.
    My Auntie Toku and cousin Sharon arrived from Texas
    to spend time with family, specifically my Uncle Kay, since Auntie Aki died earlier this month.
    I had a fantastic Mother's Day! Kyle brought over Chinese food, Kelsie and Marcia supplied dessert. So good to see my kids again.❤️
    Randy and I renewed our membership to Hillendale Pickleball Club where we've resumed playing three times a week. Tuesday we assisted our new pickleball friends, Lanny and Ginger, in measuring, taping and painting lines for a pickleball court at Cedar Ridge Middle School in Sandy, OR. Thursday we broke in the new court with 2.5 hrs of spirited play.
    It's been wonderful being able to visit "normally" with our family and friends who've been vaccinated against Covid-19.    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    2
    Day 146

    May 14-26

    May 26, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    We've had a productive 13 days: we've caught up with medical and dental appointments; met friends for lunch; cleaned, purged and organized at Uncle Kay's; smoked a beef brisket and processed the scraps; gathered with family and friends in celebration of Auntie Aki's life; visited the dear departed at area cemeteries; shared meals and played cards with my in-laws.
    It's so nice to resume in person get togethers with vaccinated friends and family. The light at the end of the pandemic tunnel is warm and bright! 😊❤️    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 164

    May 27-June 13

    June 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    June 27th we took Auntie Toku to the airport for her return to Texas. We were so grateful that she flew in to be with family, and for her help after Auntie Aki's passing.
    Our latest job was power washing, stripping and staining my in-laws deck. It took a while but was well worth it as the deck now looks better than new.
    Randy and I, along with her friend Robert, taught my cousin Sally the joys of pickleball. She is a natural athlete and caught on quick. I foresee many games in our future.
    Last Monday we met our friends and pickleball mentors, Jim and Angie, for a game at the courts in Dallas, OR followed by strawberry shortcake at Aspinwall's Produce. http://www.aspinwallsproduce.com/
    Last Wednesday we went to Bushue's Family Farm with Sharon and Larry to pick strawberries. Randy and I froze, ate and made into pie 10 lbs of delicious berries🍓https://bushuefarming.com/
    I inherited two of my late grandmother's aprons. They were probably over 60 years old when I got them and I have worn them daily for the past 6+ years so they're showing a lot of wear and tear. I love them so much that I used one as a pattern and sewed two replicas! 😁❤️
    It was a wet miserable day on Friday so we played pickleball indoors at Grace Baptist Church in Canby. We met some new folks and enjoyed some competitive play.
    Today we met our friends, Gary and Carrie, at their son's and future daughter in law's home. We enjoyed a delicious brunch at Ian and Catherine's and had a wonderful time visiting with the Park family.    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 171

    June 14-20

    June 20, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    The past week has been busy and full of fun.
    Randy had an appointment to pick up a knee brace in West Linn so we had lunch at Nineteen 33 Taproom. It was delicious! Downtown West Linn is charming with many restaurants and shops.
    Thursday we enjoyed wine and appetizers at Carl and Valerie's beautiful new home. Val's cousin Randy and his wife Norma joined us. We had a fantastic evening relaxing on their deck.
    Friday we met Jim & Angie at the Lake Oswego Ice Creamery for an early dinner and milkshake before heading to George Roger's Park for a pickleball pro exhibition match. We had courtside seats watching Tyson Mcguffin, https://www.selkirk.com/blogs/pro-corner/tyson-…
    Wesley Gabrielsen,
    https://www.selkirk.com/blogs/pro-corner/wesley…
    Tony Tollenaar, https://www.selkirk.com/blogs/pro-corner/tony-t…
    and Erik Lange https://www.head.com/en_US/athletes/pickleball/…
    It was an exciting hour and a half of cheering on some of the top professional players of the sport we love.
    We celebrated Father's Day dining on a delicious meal with our family. Kelsie supplied the beef birria tacos with all the fixings, Kyle & Kelly brought dessert. Thanks to the best kids ever for making Randy's day special.
    We've also been busy getting our home washed, packed and ready for our week's stay at Lake Simtustus.    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    2
    Day 179

    June 21-28 Lake Simtustus

    June 28, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 100 °F

    It was wonderful resuming our annual trout fishing trip to Lake Simtustus. We joined our friends, Jim & Kathy (who we met at the lake 7 years ago) and Dick & Judy, for a week of fishing, dining, cocktails and games. As always, many thanks to Jim & Kathy for sharing their boat and fishing expertise
    Earlier in the week Dreena & Mike, who we met on the pickleball courts in Arizona, brought their boat up from La Pine, OR for a day of cruising.
    The weather was warm but enjoyable until a record breaking heat wave hit yesterday. Today it was already 99° at 10:15 am when we arrived at our home base in Boring.🥵 To all of our family and friends on the west coast...stay hydrated and stay cool.    Read more

  • Traveler2021
    Day 191

    June 29-July 10

    July 10, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    I celebrated Randy's June 29th birthday by performing my civic duty and reporting for jury duty... the defendant waived his right to a trial by jury so I was home by 11:30am.
    I did manage to take a nice walk around downtown Oregon City.
    Randy cooked a delicious cedar plank salmon provided by our neighbor Pat.
    Kelsie and I purchased ukuleles and have been diligently practicing. She is way more talented than her mom.
    Randy treated his dad to a round of golf while I took MIL, Sharon, recliner shopping.
    Monday we had a family dinner in celebration of Randy's birthday. Kelsie and I led a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to You on our ukuleles, Marcia provided the desserts. 🎂
    Wednesday was spent at Kustom Coach Works in Junction City having new blinds installed in the motorcoach. https://kustomcoachworksrv.com/ We had lunch at The Junkyard Extreme Burgers and Brats while we waited (coincidentally, as I write this Diners, Drive Ins and Dives is playing the episode that featured the Junkyard).http://extremeburgers.com/ Also stopped at Harry's Berries for some produce.
    Thursday we strolled around downtown Troutdale while I enjoyed a black licorice ice cream cone... delicious but very messy!
    Yesterday we picked about 20 pounds of blueberries. As always, a big thank you to Alison and Tom for opening their field to us. ❤️🫐
    We continue to play pickleball 2-3 times a week.
    Tomorrow we depart for a four night visit with our friends, Gary & Carrie, at their place on Friday Island.    Read more

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