Week Two

Week two has ended and we have really started to settle in. We had a bit more of this Northwest rain they speak of. It rains for a while and then the sun breaks out, then it rains again for a couple hours and then the sun comes out for 20 minutes. Really weird... But good for those who like change. This past week was also my first week at work and it went well. I am getting antsy to start the actually routes I will drive, but need to be patient. I might as well enjoy the training period before I start working really hard. Friday evening as the rain dispersed we were left with a beautiful sunset from our balcony. On Saturday after church we were invited over to eat at a member's home. It was a great lunch and I got to share my testimony and we all talked for quite some time. Deep down inside I wanted to go on a hike with Melinda and Maxie, b/c the weather was awesome and you have to take advantage of every opportunity you get up here. So we left their house and went to Battle Ground Lake State park, about 10 miles from our home. It reminded me of a summer camp with the small lake in the center of camp. We hiked around the lake on this mossy trail and would stop from time to time to let Max swim. He had a blast. Then we saw the Wooly Mammoth Tree. Kind of strange looking huh? Well I am off to play some ultimate frisbee with the young adults. Seize the day and all...

The First Visit

These are from when we first came out to the Portland area searching for a place to live and checking out the scenery. We cut it close looking for a new home. We had 3 days out of the 4 we were there to find a place, and we settled on Whipple Creek on Day 3 at 3pm. Yes Whipple Creek, don't ask me what a Whipple is. The top picture was taken from our little balcony at unit S-81. It has plenty of room for Max to run around, and they are very 'dog friendly'. Our relocation agent Kris gave us a list of things to do, but since we only had 29 hours before we were to leave 'item number 8- Sunset at Seaside, OR' was what we decided to try. The sunset picture was actually taken by me. Hard to believe you say? I guess being married to such a talented photographer is rubbing off. (Check out some of her pics on her blog. melindaholland.blogspot.com- website to follow) If you are wondering what melinda is pointing at in the sky it's nothing. Just Superman!!! (He's really way up there, kind of hard to see.) All we had heard regarding Portland was Rain, Rain, Rain. So when we came to visit what did we get? Sun, Sun, Sun. You can see some clouds on the coast, but inland towards Portland was beautiful the whole time we were there. It has rained since we've moved here, but at least it's not Texas. Enjoy with a cup of monkey joe!

Columbia River Gorge

Max and I at the top of Horsetail Falls.

Here is beautiful Multnomah Falls.

Melinda and Max exploring some rock formations.

On the trail to Multnomah Falls and then onto Horsetail Falls...

The Move to Washington- First Entry

So we have been telling everyone that we are moving to Portland, OR, which technically isn't a lie. Ridgefield, WA is just a stone's through away from the Washington-Oregon state line. Now I won't dive into a lesson in geography here, but if you look at a map that puts us just 18 miles north of Portland. My territory for work has me going from Salem, OR up to Tacoma, WA and even East to Bend, OR. We are very excited and have been here at the new place 6 days. Today was the first day it rained. We went on a hike yesterday after Church and saw some spectactular waterfalls. The larger one is Multnomah Falls off the Columbia Gorge in Oregon. The smaller one Max (the dog) and I are standing on is Horsetail Falls. All in all we had a 5-6 mile hike. This area is really green and beautiful. The nights are cool and the days warm, but not excessivley hot like Texas. Enjoy the pics and I will be experimenting with the blog so things may be different next time on here. God Bless