Monday at Hellgate

We had promised ourselves for many years that we would do the Hellgate dinner cruise and Lucy booked us in for Monday. She and Scott had to skip off work a bit early to get there for about 4 pm. The boats that leave Grants Pass and head up to Hellgate Canyon are powerful beasts - 1,100 hp engines pulling about 70 of us along at speeds of 45-50 mph - and they can go much faster, but the water level is so low this year, they have had to throttle back a bit.

Our first soaking didn't take long - just a few minutes up the river and Bo, our driver, slammed on the brakes - Jo demonstrates the result above. After that, there were a few 360 degree turns and general racing round the tight bends of the Rogue river - it was pretty exhilarating. After about an hour, we finally arrived at Hellgate canyon, where many old movies have been shot - John Wayne, Gunsmoke etc. The rocks are high and the river is tight - just enough to get the boats through.

Dinner was on the decking of a huge restaurant run by the organisers up a hill at the side of a bend in the river - pretty spot. The deer are tame here as well and used to tourists - they can even be fed by hand. There were at least 5 boats, so perhaps 350-400 people eating at once. Cade took a couple of photos of Scott, Jo and I and the one above is almost in focus! The service was very slick and organised and it was a full dinner, with starters of olives, nibbles etc, followed by the usual salad, then chicken and ribs with veg and potatoes, and rounded up by berry cobbler again. There was unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks by the pitcher and we were entertained by a singer/guitarist who went through a familier repertoire of old hits - including, surprisingly, some Shadows stuff like Apache - didn't think that stuff was known much here.

It was a short stroll back down the hill to board the boats again and then the fun really began. Our driver and his pal in an adjacent boat started racing each other and creating wakes for the other boat to traverse and give the riders another good soaking or three! They even got so close that the passengers were linking hands across the boats at 35 mph! - doubt if this had been cleared with their insurers!

The trip back was therefore much shorter but pretty exciting and, as the sun was now down behind the hills, each time we got soaked, we stayed pretty cold - Cade and Braeden donned sweaters, which we had brought along for just such an eventuality.

The organisers take photos of each of the boats as they pass under the main bridge at Grants Pass on the way up, and Lucy was the lucky recipient of a free photo.

Sunday

Sunday was a quiet day, with nothing planned. Jo and Lucy got up early to go to mass and we all had blueberry cobbler and cream when they returned - Weightwatchers, here we come!

Scott and I decided to nip down to Dutcher's Creek for 18 holes. It's still not in great condition, but we managed to get round quickly and followed it up with a quick pit stop at the Wild River brewpub, where I tried their seasonal beer, Summer Solstice - very spicy - pity they didn't have any bottled or I would have taken some back for Jo to try.

Jo and Lucy went shopping late afternoon whilst Scott and I had the boys in the pool and hot tub. I also managed to finish off my 3rd book of the holidays - The Innocent Man - John Grisham's first non-fiction - and it was gripping and moving to the end.

Scott barbequed some of the Elk that he had shot last winter and it was really excellent. He also managed somehow to walk in to a door and battered his nose and eye, but you can't quite see this in the photo above.

Friday/Saturday

The start of our 3rd and final week in USA this year. Lucy was off work so we all took a day trip back down to the historic old town of Jacksonville - the first place in the US to be nominated as a historic site of national importance. It's a lovely old town and home of the annual Britt music festival - we had seen Suzanne Vega here a couple of years ago in the lovely outdoor amphitheatre, but our visit this year did not coincide with any artists we were particularly interested in - we had just missed the Four Tops and the Temptations who appeared when we were in Nevada.

We had lunch at the Jacksonville Inn again - and it was lovely. We then took the trolley tour round the town and saw where Dubya stayed on his last election campaign - the Inn is full of photos of famous people who have stayed there or in the separate "honeymoon" cottages where the Bushes were ensconsed.

On Saturday it was another day trip - this time back to Ashland, home of the year round Shakespeare theatre. There was a small market which we browsed before the inevitable lunch back at the Standing Stones brewpub - see above.

We then made the short trip over to Emigrant Lake. We had last been there a few years ago when Kelly was with us. Scott bought unlimited passes for the water slides from 2 pm to 5 pm, but we couldn't believe it when our time had expired - none of us had got anywhere near using our passes to the full.

Of course, Jo just sits out any form of activity and we found a shady spot under a tree where she could read more of her Harry Potter. Lucy brought back a little treat for her - Dibs are little chocolate covered cubes of ice cream - very more-ish.

First week in Grants Pass, Oregon

Didn't realise it had been as much as a week since I last updated the blog - time flies!

On Saturday, Scott and I did play at Salmon Run, but it was wet over near the coast - we were glad to get back to the heat inland. Scott's Mum and Dad had passed us on our way over - they were taking the dogs back to Lucy and looking for a new trailer in Grants Pass.

On Sunday, we all went down to Medford and spent some time at the Family Fun Center (that's how they spell it!) on the go-karts, boats and crazy golf. I wanted to check out the optometrist (optician) where I had seen a nice pair of glasses last year but it was too near the end of our holiday to order them. Unfortunately, they were shut! However, I did go in to another shop and saw a pair of Nike's that I liked - Jo said it looked like I was going ski-ing with them on! I swithered about ordering the charcoal 4111 model, but walked away in the end. We had a very late lunch at Kaleidoscope - Braeden fell asleep - see above.

On Monday, Scott and Lucy were back to work and it was our first official day of baby-sitting. We walked the dogs round to the local Redmond park in the morning, but, after lunch, we went looking for another optician in Grants Pass (unsuccessfully) and made a detour on the way back and stopped at the main park in town for a walk with the boys. We noticed, atop one of the floodlight towers there was a platform and a large nest had been built on it - we think it was a family of bald eagles - but the zoom on my camera wasn't good enough to be sure - see above. We jumped in to the pool when we got back to cool down.

On Tuesday we took the boys to Wal-Mart in the morning (via an accidental slight detour up the Rogue River valley) to pick up the day's shopping. Of course, we had to bribe the boys to be good - particularly after we passed through the toy department!

Lucy was off work on Wednesday, so Jo and I took the car down to Medford. First stop was the optician's that had been closed on Sunday and I managed to order the glasses I wanted for reading. We then headed off to the other optician's where I had seen the Nike frames. Bad news when we got there, as all the charcoal ones had been snapped up. However, the girl took all my measurements for distance glasses and was quite confident she would manage to get new stock in, before we returned to Scotland.

Harry and David's was the next port of call, followed by lunch at the adjacent seafood restaurant. By the time we had done all this, aided and abetted by a couple of wrong turnings, it was almost 4:30 pm when we got back to Grants Pass. Lucy was beginning to panic, not least because it was their anniversary (their 6th) and she and Scott were going out for a meal and a movie.

Thursday was babysitting again but we walked the dogs and the boys down to Schroder park. Cade cycled again and insisted that I did too, but Braeden wouldn't go on the back of the bike, so Jo had the unenviable taks of pushing the pram with Braeden in and keeping the dogs in check at the same time! We all made it to the river and I took the dogs in for a soak, although I wasn't allowed to let them off the leash, as the last time Scott had tried this, Ryan wouldn't come out of the water! I offered to swap roles with Jo, and she did try riding the bike (for the first time in over 40 years!) but had to admit defeat in the end - see evidence above. Anyway, we all got home safely, although Jo, not surprisingly, was a bit hot and bothered by then! Scott came home from work early and we headed off for a brief 9 holes of golf. By the time we dropped off Lucy's car at her work, we decided to try the nearest course - Dutcher Creek - but unfortunately, it was closed for a tournament. I called Grants Pass and managed to persuade the pro to let us play the more interesting back nine. Scott and I had prime rib (preceded by the usual soup and salad) for our "light" evening meal (everyone else at home had had scrambled egg!).

Wed/Thu through to Friday

On Wednesday, Scott and I went up to the nearby Genoa Lakes golf club and we managed to get a game OK. It's a lovely course but it was slow up front and we were eventually invited to join the couple from San Diego in front of us at the 10th. Tom and Trish were staying at the Marriott Timber Lodge at South Lake Tahoe - a timeshare they had recently bought at a place we had tried to get in to, but failed. They were decent company and, although Scott was initially a bit fearful, we were certainly not overwhelmed by their golf - although Tom did hit the ball a long way. Early on in the round, we were a little amazed as a couple of deer, cool as you like, wandered out of the rushes and came up very close to us on the tee - they seemed very tame - Scott said they were mule deer - the name coming from their large, ass-like ears - see above photo. Scott did not have his hunting guns with him and I managed to persuade him to resist the temptation to wrestle them to submission!

On the way back, we popped in to DW's restaurant at our resort and booked a table for dinner. There was a Hawaiian trio playing and we sat on the same level as the band, with Braeden blissfully asleep for virtually the whole meal. As ever, the portions were huge and we all slumped back to our rooms.

Thursday was a bit of a rest day, slumming it by the pools in the morning and afternoon and then heading back to Carson City for a bit of shopping for Lucy, followed by a meal at Chilli's, after which we went back and packed for an early start on Friday morning.

We left the resort just after 7 a.m. and Scott and Lucy dropped us off at Reno airport not long after 8, then drove up to meet us getting off our second flight at Medford just before 3 pm. Flying meant Jo and I could travel light and skate through the airports, whilst at the same time giving Scott, Lucy and the boys more room for their 400 mile drive.

Jo and I had a bit of a wait at San Francisco, but we managed to while the time away in the Anchor Steam bar, with me watching the Open on TV refreshed by a pint of Liberty Ale, with Jo having her second cup of soup of the day (clam chowder this time - cheese and broccoli at Reno airport for breakfast!)

Our pick-up truck arrived at Medford airport not long after we landed and Scott drove us back up to Grants Pass. It was a little cloudy and the temperature was at least 15 degrees lower than normal (only the low 80's!). Scott thinks there may be an overnight storm and certainly the weather forecast for tomorrow is possibly for some rain - a new experience for us - bad timing, as Scott and I are heading to the coast to play at Salmon Run, after which we will go to Crescent City and pick up the dogs from Scott's Mum and Dad's.

Tuesday in South Lake Tahoe

We all travelled over the mountains again down to South Lake Tahoe. We spotted a small fairground and the boys had tremendous fun for an hour or so. Jo played spectator but Scott, Lucy and I all had turns on the various slides and go-karts (see photo above).

Lunch was at the local brewpub that I found out about the night before - Lucy couldn't believe I hadn't arrived in USA, fully researched on all the microbreweries and brewpubs in Northern Nevada! It was pretty good, but our waitress was a bit of a dipstick and needed reminding about a couple of things.

It was a tough call whether to go for a sail on the Tahoe Queen or a ride up the mountain on the Heavenly gondola. In the end we chose the latter, which made Jo a bit nervous, especially on the steep part of the climb. However, it was well worth it - the views from the walkway at the first station were fantastic.

When we came down, it was time to visit the Cold Stone Creamery for ice creams and smoothies - lovely, but we all felt a bit bloated afterwards and nobody was in a hurry to eat anything by the time we got back to the resort.

Genoa, Nevada

On Saturday, Jo and I were up very early and took a dawn stroll round the resort, taking some photos along the way. When we got back the rest were up and after breakfast we crossed over the mountains, past Heavenly ski resort, to South Lake Tahoe for lunch and a stroll along the beach.

On Sunday we took the trip north east to the old western gold mining town of Virginia City. The main street is just the same as it was almost 150 years ago - amazing. We took in a wild west shoot-em-up show and also a ride on the train around the various mines, both current and long closed.

Monday morning, Scott and I went off for a game of golf at Carson Valley - it was good fun and Scott did pretty well considering he hasn't hit a ball since I was last over here - although he travelled home a lot lighter, having dispatched a number of balls in to the boondocks, never to be seen again!

Braeden was sleeping when we got back, but when he did wake up, Lucy put them in the jacuzzi, and topped it up with bubble bath, which produced an eruption of bubbles that threatened to overwhelm the apartment! She even took part herself - see above!

Journey to USA

The flights to USA were good and timely and Jo and I enjoyed the extra leg room in World Traveller Plus for the long flight to SFO. Problems with the entertainment system did not really affect us as I had my Archos with me and watched that for much of the journey.

Being at the front of the plane also has the advantage that you are first in the queue at immigration and baggage claim, so we got through and checked in with United for the short hop to Reno in sufficient time to have a beer. Only problem was that the plane was, as usual, overbooked, but we were first in line and there's always somebody willing to sacrifice the flight for a free trip to Hawaii or wherever.

We arrived at Reno before Scott and Lucy but we eventually met them and drove down to Genoa, stopping to pick up some groceries for supper and breakfast.

The accommodation is good and the resort is very nice, but Jo and I were ready to hit the sack as soon as the boys headed off for a swim.

Slaley Hall and Cornwall to USA

Jo and I left Banchory early on Saturday morning and drove down to Edinburgh airport. We decided to take the route via Stirling to bypass any potential traffic problems at Balado, where T in the Park was on, or on the bridge, where there are weekend roadworks. We made it in good time and I stopped off to have coffee with Jo before heading south to Slaley.

I had borrowed the Tom-Tom sat nav unit from the office and it was very helpful until I got to Slaley, where it insisted on directing me to the back of the complex and I had to figure out where the entrance to the huge estate was.

Anyway, all 12 of us made it and we had a super weekend at a great facility playing 2 lovely courses, albeit very wet underfoot after the recent downpours they had had. It was pleasant enough to play in shorts all 3 rounds.

On Monday, I had to dash off promptly after golf, grabbing a bun to eat in the car, to try to get back to Edinburgh airport to meet Jo coming back from Newquay. I was a little late, but Jo was engrossed in her book anyway and we decided to eat at the airport before heading home.

The rest of a short week was fairly routine, apart from both of us having trips to the dentist, and Friday arrived before we knew it. We were up just after 4, despite Jo only getting to bed at 1, and Ross drove us to the airport.

Late June/early July

Been hectic again - Monday 24th June was a dash up to Fraserburgh in the morning, back to Aberdeen office in the afternoon and the evening was our annual trip to Balmoral, which tends to be a late and boozy night.

Work on Tuesday was followed by an evening meeting with Banchory and District Initiative and members of the King George V development committee - very interesting - possible location for new squash courts.

Thursday was our company's annual golf outing at Cruden Bay, but I got a phone call late on Wednesday night from Barry, telling me Dad had been released from hospital earlier than expected and he wasn't sure if he could cope at home or whether there was sufficient care support for him, so I decided to ditch the golf and head down to see how things were. Had lunch at Dawn's then over to see Dad, with Barry and Helen coming along later. All seemed to be OK and we decided we would at least give him a week to see how he could cope.

Another meeting with BDI/Bandswim on Friday then off to London on Saturday with Dave Williamson. We had a few beers before the concert at Hammersmith Apollo by Lou Reed. We were flanked by outrageous gay men who wouldn't give us peace to watch and listen at the start. A couple more beers and kebab then off to bed.

Sunday after breakfast it was off to Lord's for the one day international against the West Indies - that's me with the steel band behind me above. We were lucky and saw a full day's cricket before heading off for some beer and supper, then off to our hotel at Luton airport for the redeye back to Aberdeen on Monday morning.

Today (Friday) was supposed to be the day that the surveyor came along to do the exact measurements for the new driveway, but he had to cancel due to illness, so it's going to be tight to get this done before we go to USA next Friday - particularly as we are both away this weekend - me to Slaley Hall for golf, and Jo to Cornwall to see Kelly and Craig.