Soft retreat, Oregon 2012

This post is about what I have been up to for the past week. I scheduled my trip to have a week of down time in quiet Pendleton Oregon. I did this for two reasons – one, to save money by avoiding a hostel or hotel somewhere else; and two, because I knew I wouldContinue reading “Soft retreat, Oregon 2012”

Pendleton Oregon, Day One

I woke up very early in California to get to the airport by 6 am. Then the puddle jumper plane took 90 minutes to get to Pasco Washington. From there it was another two hours to Pendleton. Therefore I arrived a little shell shocked and needed a rest. Driving into town though, I saw boothsContinue reading “Pendleton Oregon, Day One”

Water quality on my trip

This is a frivolous post, but I’ve been considering its subject matter for a couple weeks now. On the subject of tap water, I have been hearing some disturbing news that most filtration and cleaning processes do not get pharmaceutical chemicals, psychotropics, illegal drugs or added vitamins and minerals out before it comes out ofContinue reading “Water quality on my trip”

California Day Seven, Mt. Diablo

My last full day in California, on this trip. I still had my rental car, so I decided on an easy seeming day trip to Mt Diablo, which was close by Concord. After having spent twelve days in Hawaii, and then having visited the Muir Woods the day before, I was not expecting to beContinue reading “California Day Seven, Mt. Diablo”

California, Muir Woods

Day six in California. I chose to rent a car because, while the BART is a great form of public transportation, it is limited in destinations. I wanted to have options. And actually once I started driving around the Bay Area, I was much more comfortable. On this day I opted to go visit theContinue reading “California, Muir Woods”

California Day Five, a fine school

Monday rolled around and it was time to visit JFK University in the small suburb town of Pleasant Hill. If you have not read my earlier post about my California leg of this trip, go back and do so. With that as context, I continue. I was not expecting anything spectacular considering my top choiceContinue reading “California Day Five, a fine school”

California Day Four

As I mentioned, day two and three were restful days. My big events on those days included laundry and going for a few mile stroll through Concord Ca. So yeah, I will resume this narrative with day four. Oh, by the way, I should mention this for any readers from conservative areas: personally I haveContinue reading “California Day Four”

California sputters to start

Having a vacation be idyllic every day would be expecting too much. Especially if that vacation spans several weeks. My first morning in Ca, I had planned to visit one potential graduate school. In retrospect, I should have scheduled a day to acclimated. Heading into town, I started to feel a touch anxious, which isContinue reading “California sputters to start”

Oahu, second leg

After several fun filled and packed days on the Big Island, I had two days on Oahu, to catch my breath before flying back to California. Considering my intention of this overall retreat / vacation is to rest down and relax, I really needed some down time. I told my Dad this fact, and heContinue reading “Oahu, second leg”