Surprise Visits are THE BEST! -Friday, August 24, 2007

We've been talking about how much we love visitors from the east coast...and Friday night we received an unexpected call from Mike DesSurealt who was traveling on business in Portland. We were thrilled that Mike called and even more excited to have dinner and catch up with him for a couple hours.

We have known Mike since he was 3 years old when we bought our first home in Colchester from his parents, Tom and Donna. Mike's sister, Lori, is Stephen's fav "Moongirl." (picture taken before we left for Oregon last January)

Thanks, Mike, for checking in with us- we hope you will return again for a longer visit and maybe even convince your parents and sister to do the same!

A Bonus- "Our" Own Soaking Pool- August 21, 2007

People who know Susan know she loved her nightly jacuzzi bath in our Colchester home...so a hottub was on our list of desired features when we looked at homes in Portland. Unfortunately, we did not get one with our new home... or so we thought. Take a look at our new soaking pool...

Just three blocks from our home, this private bath is available for FREE to all residents of our neighborhood. It is part of McMenamin's Kennedy School, a combination restaurant/ hotel/ bar/ movie theatre and yes...soaking pool that is a pretty remarkable place. McMenamins has a chain of similar venues throughout the Portland area where they have renovated old buildings- schools, chapels, nursing homes- and converted them into hotels et al.

We are now regular "soakers" in our new pool! Another reason to visit!!!

Wedding Weekend in Montana- August 11-12, 2007

Last weekend, we were thrilled to be able to be a part of Jeff and Libby Goldes' daughter Ann's marriage to Brandon Sheahan held in Helena, MT.

The Goldes (Joe and Leila, their children, Carrie and Jeff, and their 7 grandchildren) have been friends of the Tessitores for 50+ years (well...not the grandchildren- they're not that old!) so this was a special treat to be a part of the big celebration with Ann and Brandon and their families.

As Stephen has learned, Affaires de Goldes are never simple ones. They are elegant and leave nothing to the imagination, in short, fun parties that go on and on and on... Over 300 guests came from throughout the U.S. and around the world to join the Goldes' many friends in Helena. Susan got to re-connect with several people whom she had not seen in many years, including Carol Ann Foster...

and Aunt Faith and Uncle Harold and their family.

A weekend with Jeff Goldes wouldn't be complete without a boat trip to Gates of the Gods, a water channel through the montains that Lewis and Clark explored (these guys got around!!!); this time, we went out on Jeff's new wave-runner that creates "surfing" conditions. Jeff, his son Matt, and Carrie's daughter Alisa showed their stuff water-skiing and surfing.

Click on(http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenristau/GoldesSheahanWeddingWeekend) for more pictures on the Goldes- Sheahan wedding weekend.

Our stay was extended (surprise, surprise!!) and we got to meet and stay with the Goldes' neighbors' Ron Lee and Sue Clarke and their dog Mollie in their gorgeous Queen Ann-style home. They were most hospitable and we hope Ron and Sue will visit us one day in Portland.

It's a gorgeous ride by car through western Montana, Idaho, Washington, and eastern Oregon climbing several mountain ranges. This trip was also influenced by nature. Last time on our trip cross-country in January, we battled the snow through the passes; this time heavy smoke from fires in Idaho burned our eyes and left a coating of ash on the car for almost half the trip home.

We took the northern (Washington) route along the Columbia River Gorge for the first time and had some spectacular views like this one...

Aris and Stacie Arrive in Portland- Our Visit to Crater Lake- July 2007

After driving our stuff cross-country in 3.5 days, Aris insisted we unload the truck that afternoon before his lovely Stacie arrived by plane so he could have a vacation. We did the Bloom Tour of Oregon, visiting Multnomah Falls, the Mt. Hood area including a stay at the cabin, a day trip to the coast, and finally two days to beautiful Crater Lake and back through Bend and central Oregon.

Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Formed by the volcanic collapse of 10, 500 foot Mt. Mazama, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and seventh deepest in the world. It's crystal clear blue water is the result of pure rain water and mountain snows melting.

You can only get to Wizard Island by charter boat which is accessed by a single trail from the rim road down to the water'e edge.

The 35 mile rim road provides a variety of views and changing sun angles effect the color and shade of the ridge and lake basin throughout the day. Biking, running, and hiking is prevalent...we'll be back for more.

Click on http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenristau/CraterLakeWithArisAndStacie for more pictures of our Crater Lake experience. You can click on "slideshow" or look at each one by one.

One more thing: Susan and I had another "first." (Get your minds out of the gutter!) We received the "senior discount" for our meals at the Mt. Mazama Lodge restaurant. First you receive your AARP card, then...it's a slippery slope!!