Energy and It's Visual Cost

This past weekend we drove over to Central and Eastern Oregon.

Every year we go to the BMW John Day Rally.

I love the drive going up the Columbia Gorge

and then over to John Day via Biggs Junction.

I love winding through this gorgeous part of the world

and until this year I have even enjoyed seeing the windmills.

Slightly reminiscent of surreal art they added an interesting

dimension to the landscape in their own quirky way.

However, this year I wasn't so entertained and was actually

rather taken aback at how many windmills now fill the sky

and cover the land. I am not so sure how

I feel about these windmills and this approach to

alternative energy sources. What do you think? Take a look:

Photo taken at Service Creek Restaurant near Fossil, Oregon.

No windmills here....

On highway 7 going from John Day, Oregon to Baker City, Oregon.
We drove over one day to visit friends while staying in John Day.
No windmills here.

Returning to Lake Oswego we drove back up highway 19 to Biggs Junction.
This is Cathedral Rock, part of the John Day Fossil Beds.
http://johndayfossilbeds.areaparks.com/

Still on Highway 19-lovely curvy road

OOPS.... Approaching Condon Oregon
the plethora of windmaills begins

I do understand the need for alternative energy

plus the boost to this areas economy.

However, I am dismayed by the visual blight.

And this is just the beginning of the hundreds we saw on our way home.

I'd rather see this panorama ...............

Quilts, Birthdays and Other October Events!!!

It's been awhile (!!!) since I last posted-

so here's what we have been doing...

or at least the more important things...

Russell finished the painting for next years

BMWRO John Day Rally T-shirt

and it's caused a bit of a stir because he has

no motorcycle on it......we'll see what happens..

Frankly, I think it's a refreshing change.

From scraps-come quilts.....

In my little sewing room,

I have made 6 baby quilts. Three are completed-

three more have to be finished with the binding.

The two above were made for the twins..

a boy and girl plus I made the little

creature in the middle for the "big" sister...

We spotted these two deer-plus another

grazing on a neighbors side lawn.

The house is vacant-so they have moved

right in....

Our good friends Bill and Ewana from

Weed CA came and spent a few days

with us- so we took them to McMenamins Edgefield

for a few beers and lunch....this shot is of an archway

made of old pipes-so clever!

www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3

Another Edgefield photo...
Bill bought a small book of Edgefield's history

It is a fascinating place....
We also went to Amnesia Brewery on N Mississippi
Besides having tasty brews and yummy food-
dogs are allowed so Tuffy could join us!
We fit in occasional trips to breweries
between lengthy and a bit competitive Trionimoe games
www.pressmantoy.com

It was Zan's 30th Birthday October 24th
so I made 31 Chocolate Cupcakes
for her party.....

and here's one of the 6 quilts I made.
I never made a quilt for Zan when
she was a baby-so no time like now....
Happy Birthday Zan!

Zan and her #30 cupcake!

Last shot- Ewana made a "Thank you "

out of fallen rose petals on the bathroom counter.....

she's very clever-!!

Thanks BIll and Ewana for coming and visiting us!!!