15 July 2012
Our 23 year old son, had never been to the Oregon Country fair, north of Eugene. He stated my 24 year old son was going to be working a booth. "How about if we all go?" was my son's suggestion.
Naive me, little did I know.....
My husband and 19 year old son, helped the 23 year old gather our things and we headed North.
Finally we had some sun!
We went by my 24 year olds house. His roomate said he was at the fair. ( Guess he had camped over for two of the three days.)
We went by Safeway in Eugene to purchase the tickets. The ONLY place you could Sunday afternoon. Including the 8.50 for parking...I found myself out nearly $100.00!!
And Sunday was 1/3 over. I had been doing a great deal of reading for my Two English classes...and had two projects due for my other two classes.....held locally...so I was hoping for five hours of relaxation.
We travelled North of Eugene and the road became a two lane country road.
Finally we arrived. Hundreds and HUndreds of Cars!
People dressed in strange costume. Silly costumes and funny dress.
We walked through ribbons and crowds of people....
The area was forested and vendors and booths were everywhere.
I remember commenting to my husband that it was a bit like Mardi Gras( I have never been to one of these either) and a bit of what I imagined a Hippie reunion combination would be like.
We walked and walked to different perfomances.
Suddenly a woman in her late 50's was walking towards us!
She was totally nude from the waist up. I did a double take as did my husband and 19 year old!
A few minutes later...a woman with a six month old....turned in the path facing us and She was nude waist up...she flipped the baby over and started feeding him as she was walking.
We saw two men dressed in Loin clothes and not much else.
Security was everywhere, and nothing was being done about it! Little children and teenagers were everywhere. I guess you may say it was a culture shock!
Most everyone was dressed fully.... just a few women here and there.......and a few men....
In the Army, we lose so much of our privacy....and I try to be modest everywhere I go......
I guess people like displaying themselves. Most of them were very overweight, to obese.
There were parades, and outlandish costumes.
We smelled what I understand was pot in the air. We passed many booths with Childrens projects going on. Psychics and Tarot readers were around every corner.
In front of the main stage, we heard some wonderful musicans, but it was distracting to see a young man doing a mediatative marital arts, in the view of everyone who was trying to see the perfomers on stage. Later we saw that he was 'on something.'
The other sounds, sights and things to see were interesting.
We walked around for a little over four hours, finding out that the Orignal "Patch Adams" had spoken on a stage at 1 pm, and we had missed it.
I was so disappointed. I had loved the movie on his life.....and had I known he was there that day.....it would have been my first stop!
I was getting tired of the nudity and the antics that were going along with it....so we decided to leave the Fair an hour before it ended.....and to beat the traffic jam upon its conclusion.
My other son, had gone home earlier in the day....and we had missed him.....so we drove to Springfield to say goodby before we hit the road southbound and back home.
All in all...it was an OK day....loved some of the bands that played and some of the shows....but
I don't think we will return to the Oregon Country Fair again.
Color me a prude, or too modest.....but.......I was very uncomfortable as was my husband and 19 year old.
I am looking forward to the trip back east this week. I will be conducting Army business, Attending a Reunion of very, Very Distant cousins I discovered a few years back......and gathering information for my future Capstone project towards my BS.
I have invited my husband and two sons to go with, to help with the Driving......
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
TDY to Fort Lewis
July 10, 2012
I knew I had a five plus hour drive north to JBLM ( Joint Base Lewis-McCord) in Tacoma WA. I dreaded going through commute traffic, so a waited until later in the day.
I was so exhusted, that I must of pulled over six times, running around my car twice each time....or at the rest stops throwing cold water on my face. Many vehicles were traveling north, many of them late night travelers with household rental trucks....and they appeared to be leaving California.
I arrived after 2am ( July 11) at Rainer Lodging.
July 11. 2012
I went to my dental appointment for the mold to be made for two dental implants. "Sandy" was the gal working at the clinic. She had remembered meeting me over 7 months before. We had discussed previously that we had both gone to Army basic training in June 1974. I had started in one company, but due to unfortunate circumstances, had finished my training and graduated with a later class. I did not remember the company I had been assigned to.
She had only served 3 years to my now, 38 years. She had worked as a GS civilian ever since.
We had figured we had graduated basic training about the same time. I had then gone to Fort Sam Houston for Corpsman training, and she had gone to Dental Hygene school. It turned out we were both on Fort Sam at the same time.
I had then gone to Korea, and she Germany.
This day, I showed up to have her waiting for me. She pulled out a group color picture, and a copy black and white from the clinic copier. She asked if anyone looked familar? There in the top second row, fourth from the left was myself. She was in the row below me, standing in front of me.
We had been co graduates together in Company A.
Who would have ever figured that she, a 1974 highschool graduate from Longview/Kelso Washington; and I a 1974 graduate from Pleasant Hill, California, would meet 38 years later. We would discover we had been basic training recruits sharing the same barracks bay, dinning facilities and having had graduated basic together?
We celebrated having 'found' each other by going out to Chinese Buffett, when she got off work.
While I was waiting for her to get off work, I heard that my Headquarters command was doing a community project, for Habitat for Humanity. I was given an address for them at on S.Ainsworth in Northern Tacoma. I headed out. I thought I knew where I was going. My great Grandmother on my mothers side was a "Benson." A noticed a Sharon Benson was running for a Pierce county office. I wondered if we were related. I stopped by at the house my Great Great Grandfather had built. They were the third owners ever of this large victorian. They already knew me by now and were most gracious in giving me directions. Their home still has the orginal ( and First in Tacoma) phone that my Great Great Grandfather Gottliab had installed. I never found the building project, as the street ended at the freeway and must of picked up way on the other side of town.... After getting very lost, I got my bearings again, and headed back to have dinner with my new gal friend Sandy.
The next day, I went on a short trip around the back end of the base. Two "Mute" Swans are part of the Madigan hospital grounds. Brought there to 'scare' away the Canadian geese. It doesn't always work.
I decided to be 'naughty,' and bought the largest, gooest ( Carmal and icing, Loaded with pecans) Cinnabon!
July 12, 2012
Heading home the next day, I stopped along the way, stopping at rest stops watching kids play with their parents and traveling dog campanions. More and more Anxious,was I to get home to my own bed and personal space.
Besides, I need to be well rested for my trip to Kentucky in one week.
I knew I had a five plus hour drive north to JBLM ( Joint Base Lewis-McCord) in Tacoma WA. I dreaded going through commute traffic, so a waited until later in the day.
I was so exhusted, that I must of pulled over six times, running around my car twice each time....or at the rest stops throwing cold water on my face. Many vehicles were traveling north, many of them late night travelers with household rental trucks....and they appeared to be leaving California.
I arrived after 2am ( July 11) at Rainer Lodging.
July 11. 2012
I went to my dental appointment for the mold to be made for two dental implants. "Sandy" was the gal working at the clinic. She had remembered meeting me over 7 months before. We had discussed previously that we had both gone to Army basic training in June 1974. I had started in one company, but due to unfortunate circumstances, had finished my training and graduated with a later class. I did not remember the company I had been assigned to.
She had only served 3 years to my now, 38 years. She had worked as a GS civilian ever since.
We had figured we had graduated basic training about the same time. I had then gone to Fort Sam Houston for Corpsman training, and she had gone to Dental Hygene school. It turned out we were both on Fort Sam at the same time.
I had then gone to Korea, and she Germany.
This day, I showed up to have her waiting for me. She pulled out a group color picture, and a copy black and white from the clinic copier. She asked if anyone looked familar? There in the top second row, fourth from the left was myself. She was in the row below me, standing in front of me.
We had been co graduates together in Company A.
Who would have ever figured that she, a 1974 highschool graduate from Longview/Kelso Washington; and I a 1974 graduate from Pleasant Hill, California, would meet 38 years later. We would discover we had been basic training recruits sharing the same barracks bay, dinning facilities and having had graduated basic together?
We celebrated having 'found' each other by going out to Chinese Buffett, when she got off work.
While I was waiting for her to get off work, I heard that my Headquarters command was doing a community project, for Habitat for Humanity. I was given an address for them at on S.Ainsworth in Northern Tacoma. I headed out. I thought I knew where I was going. My great Grandmother on my mothers side was a "Benson." A noticed a Sharon Benson was running for a Pierce county office. I wondered if we were related. I stopped by at the house my Great Great Grandfather had built. They were the third owners ever of this large victorian. They already knew me by now and were most gracious in giving me directions. Their home still has the orginal ( and First in Tacoma) phone that my Great Great Grandfather Gottliab had installed. I never found the building project, as the street ended at the freeway and must of picked up way on the other side of town.... After getting very lost, I got my bearings again, and headed back to have dinner with my new gal friend Sandy.
The next day, I went on a short trip around the back end of the base. Two "Mute" Swans are part of the Madigan hospital grounds. Brought there to 'scare' away the Canadian geese. It doesn't always work.
I decided to be 'naughty,' and bought the largest, gooest ( Carmal and icing, Loaded with pecans) Cinnabon!
July 12, 2012
Heading home the next day, I stopped along the way, stopping at rest stops watching kids play with their parents and traveling dog campanions. More and more Anxious,was I to get home to my own bed and personal space.
Besides, I need to be well rested for my trip to Kentucky in one week.
Our Canadian Neighbors
It was a nice day, and finally we had a break in the rain. Driving along I-5 I noticed up ahead a minnie motor home pulled off the road. An older couple were walking along picking up items that were scattered all along the freeway in the emergancy lane. I pulled off the highway, and jumped out to assist them.
They informed me that they were traveling south to Palm Springs area. They were from British Columbia.
One of the back tires had blown, and before they could pull off the road, it had shredded the tire beside it, shredded the underneath storage bin with all their shoes, and her personal items, and also had torn a hole in the side of the Minnie Winabego. Also the water storage holding compartment had been ripped and torn, spilling all their water for cooking, drinking and showering out on to the roadway.
The wife was devestated. They had called for roadside assistance, but no one had arrived yet. I offered to help pick up their belongings, but they had already gathered what could be saved.
The husband, stated that no one had come along or even cared to pull over, or stop to see if they needed help. We exchanged numbers, and I told them if they needed a place for the night, our home was always open. I gave them some numbers for RV repair and headed out.
Later, on the way to Fort Lewis for three days, I noticed many people broken down. It was over 5 hours of traveling, and many people had young children. At one point, I pulled over to answer my phone. I watched a young couple with children, in the sweltering heat, unsuccessfully try to change a tire. Noone pulled over to help. In fact, a State Highway trooper, drove by, slowed down slightly and then kept going.
Later, my husband informed me that the wife of the minnie home, had phoned from further south. She thanked me for stopping; and that "No one had cared about our predicament, slowed down or stopped, other then your wife. We were so grateful that someone Cared!"
They informed me that they were traveling south to Palm Springs area. They were from British Columbia.
One of the back tires had blown, and before they could pull off the road, it had shredded the tire beside it, shredded the underneath storage bin with all their shoes, and her personal items, and also had torn a hole in the side of the Minnie Winabego. Also the water storage holding compartment had been ripped and torn, spilling all their water for cooking, drinking and showering out on to the roadway.
The wife was devestated. They had called for roadside assistance, but no one had arrived yet. I offered to help pick up their belongings, but they had already gathered what could be saved.
The husband, stated that no one had come along or even cared to pull over, or stop to see if they needed help. We exchanged numbers, and I told them if they needed a place for the night, our home was always open. I gave them some numbers for RV repair and headed out.
Later, on the way to Fort Lewis for three days, I noticed many people broken down. It was over 5 hours of traveling, and many people had young children. At one point, I pulled over to answer my phone. I watched a young couple with children, in the sweltering heat, unsuccessfully try to change a tire. Noone pulled over to help. In fact, a State Highway trooper, drove by, slowed down slightly and then kept going.
Later, my husband informed me that the wife of the minnie home, had phoned from further south. She thanked me for stopping; and that "No one had cared about our predicament, slowed down or stopped, other then your wife. We were so grateful that someone Cared!"
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