Little smiles....

I was watching a made for TV mini-series the other night....was being shown as a movie on AMC. The name was "Broken Trail" and it was set in 1897 in the states of Oregon and Wyoming. I'm not here to tout the movie, although I thought it was excellent and plan to get the DVD when it's released.

It was the mention of "coming through John Day" that caught my attention and brought a smile to my face. Before my motorcycle trips across the country in 2005, I would have no idea what they were referring to. But I had the good fortune to ride an especially historic route from east to west across Oregon, stopping in John Day and learning a little history about the area.

According to Wikipedia, "The city is named for the nearby John Day River, which had been named for a Virginian member of the 1811 Astor-Hunt party". My day started out in Ontario, OR and I took off to the north on I-84 to Baker City where I would pick up highway 26 and head west across the state. I was having some tire pressure issues and ended up stopping in Baker City to get the pressure checked. After a short but pleasant visit with the local Suzuki/Yamaha dealer, I was back on my way.

The route was beautiful....through scenic National Forests filled with aromatic cedar and other evergreen trees, past the remnants of historic log cabins all accompanied by ever-changing views. I had never thought much about Oregon other than maybe the coast and even that didn't have the draw of California and Washington. No one ever seems to talk much about the state, especially the residents.

Well, I found out why...they don't want to spoil the perfection with tourists or worse, new residents. I fell in love with the state...the beauty, the people, the history. If I could afford a little log cabin in those woods.....

So enjoy the photos and smile the next time you're watching a show and realize you have some special insight that others might not.

[Click any photo to see a larger view]

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Fun, silly and interesting....

Want to have some fun while you waste some time and maybe get some education, too? Then stop by this site started by a friend of mine - WOW, THAT'S..... You'll see sections for the Big, Cool and Tacky as well as unusual motorcycle sightings and interesting roadside eateries (especially those that are Big, Weird, Tacky or otherwise). Hope you enjoy it as much as I do and remember to check back weekly for updates and new submissions.

Quick update on the job, things are going well. I have a lot to learn and that will take time, but at least I remember the 'spiel' for answering the phone now...well, most of the time. Only hung up on one person so far, so that's pretty good. The day goes by quickly and is never the same. I'm learning the tasks but have yet to piece them together into the overall picture. I know that will come....it had better. In two weeks the gal I'm assisting is going on vacation for 2 days and then will be in a class for 2 weeks. GULP!

Still having a heat wave here....I've become a motorcycle weather wimp. Just too hot to ride. I finally gave in and put the battery charger on the bike....just so if I find an hour when it's not too hot and I feel like grabbing a ride, at least the bike will start.

Well, it's past my bedtime so better quickly close...remember to check out Wendy's site above!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

As the Wheels Turn.....new episode

Well, the Lily Pad is definitely stuck in the mud. Today I had a job interview...spent two hours there and walked out with a position...oh, and my first day is TOMORROW. I'm excited, nervous, happy and sad. I wrote to a friend that I had good news and bad news....and they are the same news. LOL!

The job is for a Century 21 office and is clerical. I'll be taking over for the broker's assistant who plans on getting her Realtors license. Everyone that I met was really nice and the atmosphere is casual but professional. Sure am glad I bought some nice business casual clothes last winter when I started looking for a job.

I do believe this was meant to happen...this job was only a "thought" in the broker's mind, it just happened to be mentioned in small talk conversation to a friend of mine while he was working with a Realtor in the office.

So, the full-time RVing is now officially on hold. The house is still for sale, a smaller one with less yard to care for would be better for me long term. I am thinking about picking up an older 20-25' Class C (or possibly B) - something used but not badly abused - something cheap. Then I will use it on weekends to get comfortable with RVing by myself, in preparation for the day I can finally move back into full-timing. And if that day never comes, I will still have been able to RV again.

So, the blog will change flavors....more chronicling of my daily life and thoughts and less on the RVing side, although that will continue to be included. I hope that everyone will still visit.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna