Good bye California, hello Oregon

For our last dinner in San Marcos - fish/shrimp/scallop tacos!

Isaac cut his hand when a glass broke in the sink - ew.
After dinner we sat and talked and talked about family adventures and favorite books we shared when the kids were growing up. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl was a universal favorite so we ordered used copies online to be sent to each of the grandpas.

Here are 2 random photos I wanted to include. Mariah and Greg have lots of cool artwork in their home, some of which you've seen in the backgrounds of other photos. The set of paintings below (maybe 8 feet across?) was created by Mariah for the large wall above the kitchen counter; the canvases are different depths and each would be an interesting stand alone painting. I'm happy that despite a busy work schedule she still has time to create.
This morning we packed up and then relaxed on the back patio before heading to the airport. Seems to me we often have interesting animal sightings at the end of a vacation; here's a beautiful beetle that landed on the outdoor carpet at our feet.
Mariah says goodbye to the grandpas at the airport.
Last view of Southern California...
...and 1st view of Portland with the Columbia River and Mt. Adams in the background.
At PDX I saw Mike and Emile off on a shuttle to our car at the Embassy Suites and my dad onto a Hut shuttle heading toward home before hopping aboard my shuttle to the vehicle Isaac left at the Park n Fly before his flight - last details falling into place.

As I type, Carlos is boarding his last flight - San Francisco to PDX. Isaac will stay in San Marcos for another week before heading to Nairobi, Kenya.

This vacation was pretty much perfect - great company, great weather, comfortable digs, terrific food, and just the right balance of trips afield and time to relax and converse with best beloveds. I am deeply grateful to Mariah and Greg for hosting us and to our dads and our sons for joining us. HAPPY TRAILS!