Northwest Adventure 2012 - Part 2

While at the beach, a stranger in conversation with B said (out of the blue), “If you are interested in aircraft…”

B responded, “I AM interested in aircraft.”

This exchange prompted our beach exodus. We headed to great-G&G’s house for a day and night, so B could visit the fabled aircraft museum in McMinnville. Two words: Spruce Goose. If you are in to this stuff, then you understand. For the rest of us, the day was spent walking country roads, picking blackberries with farmdogs, riding tractors and scooters, and playing instruments. Top it off with a Mexican restaurant and homemade blackberry cobbler. Win-win-win.

Northwest Adventure 2012 - Part 1

I’ve always wanted to do a big northwest vacation. The vacation I have in mind would take at least three months, and until we are unemployed (maybe soon) or independently wealthy (definitely not soon) we will not be able to take this trip. So, I hoped to travel NW during the one time of the year when I could see the most family. Sadly, we were not available at that time this year, and I wondered whether we should hold off on a NW vacation till next year. But as something will likely come up, I decided to take what I could get out of a NW vacation. This may seem like a no-brainer to you, but you must know that 2011’s vacation taught me that when facing a “now or never” opportunity, “never” may be the better option. So, don’t try “now or never” with me. Never.

Here is part one of the trip: The beach.

Several days at the coast with G&G. We stayed at my aunt and uncle’s beach house. House, beach, and three short visits from aunts, uncles, and great-grandparents made up our lazy days.

While I was trying to sleep...

B says to me, “I got some kind of bad news at work today.”

L thinks, “The imminent layoffs due to the sequestration, no doubt. Or maybe they are upset that B hasn’t worked 40 hours since June, due to house-hunt, move, vacation, & illness. Could it possibly be that they don’t like his work wardrobe made up primarily of solid colored shirts a la Seven-Brides-for Seven-Brothers? That would be good—I mean, ‘kind of bad news’…for Brett…in a way…”

“I’m on a list of people who need to be ready to travel for 3 weeks sometime in September or October.”

L is relieved. So relieved, in fact, that she says, “Oh, well, that’s fine.”

B is not convinced. “Three weeks is a long time.”

L is still relieved that we are employed.

“And I don’t think I’ll have cell phone/phone access.”

“Why not?”

“It’s international.”

“Are you going to Afghanistan?”

“No. No combat zones.”

“So, where?”

“Australia.”

Now L is upset. “You’re going to Australia for three weeks?!?”

“There won’t be anything to do. I’ll just be on a base where you just work and drink.”

L, “Sounds great!”

Now, come to think of it, Afghanistan would still be a vacation. Yes, you would work, and there would be nothing to do in the evenings, or in the night, or on the weekend, but THAT’S the vacation part of it. A “work trip” is still a vacation during those times. Nothing to do!

B may be the luckiest guy I know. Off to Australia for a work vacation. He’s also getting some new shirts whether he likes it or not (Sorry Adam, Benjamin, Daniel, Frankincense, & Gideon, you’re out. [He never had Caleb & Ephraim.] Auf wiedersehen.).

Update: The three week vacation has been extended to four weeks and will include Thanksgiving. To the two people who read this blog, this news couldn't be worse.