Summer Arrives... Sunny and 85- May 15, 2008
After a gray mostly rainless month of April and early May, summer returned today with cloudless skies and temps in the 80s. The same is predicted for the next few days. We took the opportunity to sneak out to the cabin last night and took a hike along the Ramona Falls Trail with Toni Bloom and her dogs Ben and Radar. Last year, we couldn't access this trail because the Sandy River had washed away the bridge which provides the only entry to the trail. And this time, although a temporary bridge span permitted access to the trail, we couldn't get to the falls because of the snow level is still too high. But Mt. Hood was OUT in all its glory. How great thou art!!! Check out these pics...
http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenristau/RamonaFallsTrail51508.

Tulips and Other News- May 14, 2008

We didn't get to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn this year- check last April's entry on the blog- but some bulbs of Angelica that Susan bought there last year have bloomed in our front yard.

In April, Susan hosted Karl Cyr

and his wife Becky at our home. Karl was interviewing for a job in Portland (which he got!) and then traveled to Belize where they will be volunteering for the next 3 months- and then we hope a return to Portland. It might be the only way we see Karl's parents, Tim and Pam! Check out their blog at karlhassan@blogspot.com.

And earlier this spring, Stephen visited his aunt Wil (and cousin Chris and his family) in Alexandria, VA following a business trip to DC. They say "90 is the new 60" and she is the poster child for that!! As always, they were generous in their hospitality and Stephen came away with a recipe for African Peanut Stew, somethin he has made twice since returning home.

We hit DC during the peak of the cherry blossoms- all the spring visits to DC over the years and I have never seen this most beautiful site!

Mother's Day 2008- A Hike Along the Columbia River Gorge

We thank our mothers and all mothers for their love and nurturance...

Nothing is quite so spectacular as the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River separates Oregon and Washington. We have driven along the Washington side of the river before and had heard of the awesome wildflower display on Dog Mountain. So despite the so-so weather forecast, we ventured out and were not disappointed. The hike up Dog Mountain was vigorous and we had the full span of weather- rain- sleet- sun and cold winds but the wildflowers were as advertised. See more flowers and views http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenristau/WildflowersAtDogMountainColumbiaRiverGorge

Travels to CT: Jenna Weds Russ- April 18, 2008

We traveled back to Connecticut in April for our niece Jenna's marriage to Russ. It was a beautiful wedding and a first on the Ristau side...Jenna is the first grandchild to be married...who will be the next?

It was great to be with family

celebrate Ben's 26th birthday

and see many friends.

Many thanks to our former neighbors, Cheryl and Mike, for letting us stay at their "b-n-b." And special thanks go to Nate, their rather large black 'n tan German Shepard who treated us like family and not strangers!