Our first vacation since moving to SB. I guess I need to start claiming Carpinteria as our new hometown.
We are on our way to Black Butte, OR, where we will meet up with Tarah’s parents for a five day stay at the resort. This is truly a great getaway and I really enjoy the opportunity that Bob and Raylene create for us to reunite and enjoy oneanother. This will be the first chance I get to see my second niece, baby Kinsley. And of course, I’m anxious to play uncle for a week with Leila. She has to be so big now.
We just flew into SeaTac which brought a flood of emotions. Primarily because it was so perfect out. Sun was shining, green, blue and I admit I miss the Puget Sound. The Puget Sound feels so rustic and rugged compared to California. The waters have a mystifying old sailor feel to them with a much more active power boating community. I’m surprised that you don’t see more old power boats in the harbor of Santa Barbara, mostly sailboats. I’m sure its an enviromental thing.
Speaking of “enviromental…” Washington’s reforestation is amazing. From 30k feet the hillsides are spattered with patterns of new and old clearcuts. Proving to me that tree farming is a true comodity to appreciate and accept. One of my board members from Carp recently returned from a trip to the Olympics and remarked how ugly and disappointing the clearcutting was. I immediately found myself explaining the harvesting process and the relatively quick regeneration of trees after a clearcut. Which reminds me of a favorite bumper sticker, which simply states, “EARTH FIRST. We’ll log the rest of planets later!” You’ve got to love the attitude behind that.
Okay, well we are landing in Portland now so I should probably sign off. I’ll be sure to post pictures of the trip too. 
