We took a road trip to Oregon last weekend. Lauren and Connor and I took off on Friday after school. We were just going to Red Bluff a quick 3 hour or less. It took us 5 1/2 hours. Ugh. The Best Western we stayed at was quirky. Seriously. The desk clerk gave us directions to our room, and I quote, "Go to the building to the right and down the right side sidewalk past the Koi pond to the doors next to the Aviary. Up the stairs and down the hall past the Chinese lantern vase." Yup.
Saturday we were up fairly early and drove up to Shasta Lakes to go to the caves. We barely made it and even had to run to the pontoon boat for the ride to the bus that took us up 800 feet to the cave entrance. The tour was nice and interesting if a bit muddy. We drove up to Roseburg and met Grandpa and Grandma Hanna at Elmer's. We spent about an hour catching up which was very nice. The Holiday Inn in Eugene was ever so great after a long drive. We were starving so we walked over to Track Town Pizza. Connor had a three cheese pepperoni (no sauce), Lauren had the sausage and pepperoni and I had the chicken garlic. All three were fabulous. Lauren and Connor took a dangerous swim. Yes. They went swimming 10 minutes after eating. Wild kids.
Sunday was great! We went to church in the ward that I grew up in. We ran into the Elkingtons - Brother Elkington was my band, marching band and jazz band teacher. It was great catching up with them. Sister Mitchell was there too. I met Jollys daughter who I used to babysit a million years ago. Keira joined us about half way through Sacrament meeting. After church we drove over to the house I grew up in. It was smaller than I remember and then the elementary school I attended, Elizabeth Page Elementary. The tree I planted in 5th grade was still there. Amazing.
We met Brian and Jody and all at Fred Meyer and had a great time. We drove up to Mom's grave and sat around for several hours just chatting and catching up. The kids walked around and were having fun too. We went to dinner and just continued making up for lost time. Lauren begged me to stay with Brian and all and we found a cheap flight leaving on the 21st. It came together so well I couldn't say no. Lauren was so excited. Before she left we drove to Hayward Field. She wanted to run on it but it was locked up so we took a few good pictures through the fence. She packed lightening fast and off she went.
Monday went by really fast. We walked over to the UofO tour at about 9:30. The walking tour took about 2 hours and was informative and made me want to start all over again. Connor liked it too. We then walked through campus to the edge of campus to have lunch. We had great food, pulled pork sliders for you and seared tuna and fresh pretzels for me, and a great chat. Then we walked over to Autzen Stadium and walked around a bit. Surprisingly I found an Oregon Duck soccer ball for Tylor. We decided to go to the movies, Draft Day (really good), and had a great cheese steak sandwich for dinner. I ate too much and then had popcorn too. We even started eating popcorn before the movie started. Shocking! (Family joke: Jim is a popcorn Nazi and won't let us start eating popcorn until the movie starts.)
Tuesday I got up and ran up to Hendricks Park. It was so beautiful, exactly as I remember it. The rhododendrons were gorgeous. We went to breakfast at this tiny place, Off the Waffle. The made leige waffles which are really sweet and a little fabulous. Really good. Mmmmmm. The drive home was boring and long. We made it home around 6:45 pm and were ever so happy to be there.
I haven't been home in about 20 years and it was really great to go back and visit. I had forgotten all those great things that made Springfield a great place to grow up. Thanks Oregon. I had a great time.
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