We spent the last 3 days plus on Oahu.The first afternoon we stopped by the Dole Plantation.Took a ride on the Pineapple Express and found this ‘fun’ as we got off the train. After lunch we toured the gardens. I was in Hibiscus Heaven as well as seeing other beautiful flowers/plants.Will post those later. If you ever go to the Dole Plantation you must have their pineapple ice cream/smoothie called “DoleWhip”. It is awesome!
We got in to Portland shortly after midnight Sunday morning. My friend, Debbie, is incredible! Can you believe a friend who is willing to come out all hours?? There was forecast for snow but it held off until Monday. That was good so we could sleep some and get to church in the morning… though Glen realized we wouldn’t be up for him going early for choir. Monday and Tuesday we have had snow, ice, rain with schools closed or delayed. They are cautious as people don’t have the equipment/ability to drive safely here it seems. Last week a bus ended up in the ditch backward. I’m sure that causes even greater caution. For people used to snow this is hard to comprehend. But the ice underneath is to be reckoned with. On the way to work Glen put his 4 wheel drive on going up a hill so he wouldn’t slow down others.
I have come down with either bronchitis or cold/flu. I am drinking lots of fluids, boiling water to humidify the house and for me to inhale, take Vit C, etc. I am glad I wasn’t planning anything these days anyway. Time to do laundry and finally take down the Christmas tree. In packing and prepping the house so it wouldn’t be crummy coming back, I decided the Christmas tree could be last on the agenda. No time, it could wait. Guess it better be down before February. 
(toomanyhats, someone is slower than you.) Glen has a red, swollen area on his back. We think it is probably from an insect bite so doing what the Kaiser care book says. Scrape it in case a stinger is there. Ice and take Benadryl. It improved yesterday and hope it has moreso today. He is at work yet (7:30 p.m.), so I’ll find out fairly soon. Ah, the pricetag of Paradise…..
Month: January 2008
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Dole Plantation fun
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Friday we drove to the Parker Ranch near Waimea/Kamuela. We viewed the museum after a Hawaiian grown lunch. The fish taco I had was wonderful! This historic home was the home of Richard Smart, the last Parker heir. (He had his assets put into a trust at his death and it benefits 4 entities in the town, one being a state of the art hospital.) We toured this home and the ancestral home as well. Very interesting. Outside there are gardens and this view is down by its pond. I love the rolling hills of the area. Before leaving the area we had purchased both beef jerky and steak to grill that was from the Parker Ranch. We learned it is available at Safeway and Kroeger stores under the Angus Pride brand and another name I can’t remember. We grilled it tonite. It was so delicious and almost “melt in your mouth” if meat can ever be that way.
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Multnomah Falls and Lodge at Christmas time. Glen and Andy went for a drive on Sunday afternoon since Andy had not been on the Columbia Scenic Highway. They didn’t go all the way to the Falls on that highway as the roads started getting slippery. I never get over all the beauty in Oregon.
Columbia Gorge in the winter time -
Our ‘kids’ have been with us. Each year we like to go to the German restaurant,The Rheinlander, in NE Portland. It is a tradition for us in celebrating our German heritage. The food is delicious, the music good/fun and the decor is great! This was also a belated celebration of our 35th anniversary. Our waitress sang to us with an accordion accompanist. That was very good since she is a voice performance student in college. She and four of her siblings were working that nite. Four of them sang together – barbershop style with 2 guys and 2 gals. She also brought us a complimentary apple streusel that we all enjoyed together.
Jann and Glen
35 years celebration
Andy displaying his rootbeer mug.
Rachel and Peter cozy for my photo shoot.See my photo blog album for more photos.
