Forest Walk to Old Stubby

One of the best things I have done in Corvallis is go on a hike in McDonald Dunn OSU College Forests which is minutes from Gary's property.  Neighbor Kelly loves a particular hike, which passes by a particular tree, which he has named Old Stubby.  Isn't isn't exactly "stubby" in the sense it is not short.  But it is very wide, indicating it is very old.  It really stands out, so much wider than any other tree around it.  It has become something of a touchstone for Kelly.  He took me on this hike and I am so grateful.  I took photos.  These are really just a small sample of all there is to see - trees, creek, wild flowers, even a herd of OSU cattle.  It is fabulous.  The last photo here is a tree with mistletoe growing in it.

The Recumbent and the Upright

I am behind on my blog, so today is the day to being trying to get up to date.  I want to be sure to mention having a couple for dinner that are friends of my sister Debbie.  Their names are Sheryl and Bryon Van Fleet.  Debbie met Sheryl while working at the Oregon Caves in college. Sheryl and Bryon went to OSU, lived in Klamath Falls for a number of years while Bryon taught school, and they owned a used book store.  For me, that would be a dream, to own a used book store.

Anyway, they had a huge adventure with bicycling across the United States, as older non-athletes.  Sheryl wrote a book about it, including some of Bryon's hilarious narratives as well, and it is called "The Recumbent and the Upright: A Bicycle Adventure by Two Retired and Unfit Cycle Enthusiasts, That Grew into a Ride Across the Continent".  It is an amazing story, and really made me laugh in parts.

They have moved to Corvallis, so Debbie made an effort to get me in touch with them.  We had them here for dinner, and it was great to be able to talk with them in person.  I hope we get to see more of them.