SisBehindSantiago'sWheel!

GoGoo!

"Dirt Bike Darlene"

While in Quartzsite, Metro Millie (our little scooter) transformed into a dangerous character!  Rrrrrr!  Millie's dainty attitude became rough and rugged!  HaHaHa!  Her new persona of "Dirt Bike Darlene" may come in handy!

PeaceOut!

The34thFullMoon

JustAsTheSunWasSetting,ThisBlazingMoonRoseInTheEast.

WhatAnExperience.

I Found A Medicine Wheel!

The sun sets just beyond it ... Sis and I walked through it under a full moon tonight.

In gratitude, Lisa

QuartzsiteAZ

We_quickly_traversed_Caifornia&will_hang_in_this_winterRVhaven_to_catch_some_rays!

Why_are_the_spaces_filled_with_underscores?_Cuz_my_damn_Blackberry's_spacebar_isnt_dry_yet_:)_Maybe_tomorrow.

Peacetoyou.

Mike's favorite coffee place (I'm posting on his behalf)

My personal favorite place to have coffee (especially with beautiful company like Lisa) is on our back patio here in Eugene,OR.

Much love, Mike.

California - here and gone!

We are blazing a fast trail down through California.  I know, I know.  It's crazy not to investigate and observe the millions of people, cities and towns in this massive state.  Did you know - they actually have the largest number of farms than any other state (according to the billboard I saw)? Cool.  It has gorgeous green hills with grape vines, strawberries, and stuff we can see, but haven't verified yet.  Very pretty.

However, since we are still in need of drying out big Santiago and we have seen 90% rain, wind and clouds, we are making a beeline for Phoenix!  We will hit this coast in July when the sunshine rules.

PS - my blackberry landed in my wine glass last night.  good lordy.

We are off to the west coast!

Tomorrow is our departure from Eugene to the coast to restart our journey down Highway 101!  "Santiago" looks forward to drying out the wetness he has absorbed in the last few rainy weeks in Oregon.  I think he took on about 100 lbs!  "Metro Millie" (our scooter) even got a little TLC and is ready to go, too!

This parking lot at Valley Covenent Church was our home for the last 5 weeks ... they have been amazing hosts.  On Christmas Eve I helped them light luminarias around the church before the evening service where I was welcomed with open arms.  The folks at St. Vincent de Paul found the parking spot for us when we felt lost and needed a place to land.  The staff at "First Place" was awesome!

Boy, do I miss the sun on my face.  We will be adding more color to Santiago once we have more than 30 minutes of sunshine.  He is SO ready for more sass!

This is me and Mike.

He has shown me the sights and sounds of Eugene over the last month.  Thanks, Mike!

This is Adam.

I have been working for him for the last several weeks in his home office.  You know how I love to organize!  We have also become very good friends.  Our friendship may even last awhile, IF I don't bonk him over the head first.

There is something about the people in this quirky and diverse cultural climate.  When I first arrived I found myself judging their actions based on what I expected to see here ~ love bugs, peace signs and smiles.  And they may not be friendly at first glance, but what I have observed after letting go of those expectations is compassion, depth of character, and their sense of connectedness with the universe. 

A little word of advise ~ get out there in the world!

Listen to your heart and

acknowledge your dreams.

I did it and look what I have found!  Love, friendship, new adventures ... strength, courage, wisdom ... listening to your heart has its advantages :)

Ciao for now!

Me and Goo at the hot springs

We took a midnight trip to the hills outside of Eugene ... What an amazing experience!
This was a first time for both of us in a natural spring. After I got comfortable that there were no animals lurking under the surface, it was SO perfect!

Got Crab?

Jacob, JJ, Mike, Tyler and I took a little trip to the Oregon Coast for my birthday! 

We even got to go crabbing ... capturing the moment with my kids on the water with a brand new experience for us was priceless.

Oh ~ please take a close look at my infamous pink rain boots ... do you see the white duct tape heart and star?  The are covering up a hole.  I was SO bummed ... this is their last horrah.  RIP, pink boots.

Is life good? Hell yeah!

We caught some crabs, a funny fish, and got a personal tour of The Cannery got to sample freshly smoked ahi!  The kids pose for the camera, above :)

 

What could be better than a pure, wholesome adventure with some Winchester Bay locals and your true loves?

IMG01524.jpg

This is Aaron! The miracle worker who saved us in Portland. In true paying it forward style he devoted his time energy and labor to keeping us safe on the road. His kindness and generosity has touched our hearts. Another wonderful gift on our journey.

Swampy fields of green ~ just outside of Eugene

So ... I'm on my way up to Portland to get JJ from her holiday visits in New Mexico and Colorado. She was able to celebrate with many friends of ours and a ton of family. While she was away from me & Santiago we made ourselves at home in Eugene OR. I worked a couple of jobs to make some cash, hang with Jakie, AND get to know this "hippie town" a little bit more. It is a fascinating here and although a it tempting to get stuck in the well-documented and proven Vortex of Eugene, we will be on our way down the west coast very soon.

I traveled north up I-5 this afternoon during a heavy, constant drizzle of moisture. The rolling hills of grassy fields, dotted with sheep, goats, farmhouses and barns popped with rich colors under the low-hanging grey clouds.

I decided to take a turn to the west and head toward Corvallis to see what this little town has to offer (aside from Beavers) ... well ... once again a universal, syncronistic event occured! I just DIG these things! I'll try to make it brief ...

Traveling to new towns in the northwest I found that I like to follow the "city center" signs to see what makes the heart of the community tick. Today I found OSU Beavers, wide one-way streets, hazelnuts, and old buildings with bright lights. As I looked for a local market I ran out of road, and settled for Safeway and pulled into the lot. Well, as thing are with me (lucky), I saw a little old church that had been turned into a coffeehouse! Perfect!

After shopping I grabbed my computer bag and lugged it across the street to plant myself for a few good hours of online time. The place is called 'Sivetz Coffee ~ Daily Roasting'. When I walked in I discovered a somewhat desolate room full of counters, equipment, shelves, a kitchen/laboratory, and 3 little tables for the guests.  Hmmm ...

A gal stepped out from the back room and I asked if they had wireless ... she said, "uh - no-o". Poop. So not what I was looking for, but I started telling her about my journey. She shared that they only roast the bean and make/sell espresso machines, then handed me an article about the owner that had been published in one of the industry trade magazines recently called "Fresh Cup", and said, "Read this".

The cover of the magazine was very familiar to me ... it is one that an Idaho coffeehouse allowed me to randomly steal from their massive stash of them. It was the SAME GUY, Michael Sivetz! Weird, eh?

But there's more to this little story ... As I read the article I realized that this man's story rings a bell. During WWII he is the man that invented and took instant coffee to the soldiers. Eugene's One Cup Coffeehouse owner, Okon, had told me about him and shared that he is a big part of recent coffee history; and a very difficult man that would probably not grant me any time, should I seek him out. Then I forgot about him, until I read this article IN HIS STORE! How nifty is THAT??

THEN the guy from the back room came out and started talking about Denver ... and mentioned a familiar name ... Kaladi Coffee!!!  WOW!  He knows my friend, Mark Overly! So I called Mark right then and there ~ that is where Mark got his intense training for his passionate start in the industry!

How's THAT for universal syncronicity!

Livin' it and Lovin' it!

Ciao.