Sunriver, Oregon

Sunriver is a 3,300 acre resort development about 15 miles south of Bend, Oregon on the Deschutes River. This is not a painting, it really is this beautiful here. In the summer the quiet river meanders through pine forests and meadows with views of the volcanic peaks.  In the winter, there's miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.

Honestly, it's like we've been plunked down in another world, after that long drive from the big city on fierce highways. Everyone arrived safely yesterday afternoon, and we shared a fabulous Mexican feast prepared by April and Jordan. I don't have pictures of the kids yet (fast moving targets!) but hope to catch up with them today.

We are staying in this mansion on the river...what an amazing thing having the young families together for the first time.  Four boys and two girls.

Look at this kitchen!  John and I sat in the "breakfast nook" this morning and decided it was almost as big as our kitchen and dining room combined.  Oh, I could get used to this life. 

We stayed in Sunriver once long ago when we came here for the cross-county skiing.  It must have been in the early 1980's because Amanda was just a little kid. Sunriver was founded in 1968, and for years it was a quiet backwater not many people knew about. The small town of Bend was just a crossroads with a gas station and a few motels. Now it's a rich city of 80,000. Buying property in Sunriver would have been a very good investment in 1980.  Too bad we were poor back then.

Sunriver resort is bordered by national forest so the resort can't expand.  Of course that makes it even more exclusive. About 80 percent of the homes are "just" vacation or second homes.  If you're interested, bring plenty of money. There are still a "limited number" of small lots that sell in the $400-$800 thousand range.  But who cares?  We'll be living here like rented royalty all weekend long.

Hello summer

Temperatures are way above normal so far this month.  And oh, it is dry for June, a month when we usually take rain for granted. The grass is already turning August brown and the pots and flower beds need daily watering-- a big chore dragging around hoses.

If this is the new normal, I really need to find ways to better drought-proof this yard. Or just give upon some of these fancy flowers. On the bright side, the bamboo finally stopped sprouting.  In order to go crazy, bamboo needs heat+water so I make sure it stays thirsty.

But I'm not really complaining. Instead of "June gloom" these bright sunny mornings are absolutely beautiful.  And we have perfect weather for an upcoming family get-together in Oregon.  Six cousins (ages 2-14) will meet each other for the first time.  Safe travels to everyone on the road today and tomorrow. Vaya con Dios.

I'll try to check in with some photos over the weekend.   Fun times ahead.

Fake Willy update

Terry Buzzard, the owner of Fake Willy, hauled his fiberglass orca back home to Bellingham to assess the damage. He plans to have it ready for another try in August.

On Friday, the day after the killer whale's failed swim, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the number of sea lions on the docks in Astoria dropped from roughly 1,200 to 200.  Did it work? Too soon to tell, but the situation is being closely monitored. 

I will continue to keep you updated on this riveting story.

But just a word to the wise, if you do some internet research:  Google "fake willy images" with extreme caution.
:-)

Just add water

I don't use that many baking mixes, but I like our local Krusteaz brand.  This new flat-bread mix made four quick and easy pizza crusts on a cookie sheet.  I just mail-ordered my first pizza stone (everyone swears by them) so I'm looking forward to trying pizza outside on the grill.

John liked the Krusteaz flat-bread, but said it wasn't as good as my homemade yeast crust. Hey-- we can't always get what we want. Sometimes easy wins out.  Then I went back to Safeway to buy more and couldn't find it on the shelf.  Darn.

Krusteaz is a local company, and I'm not sure if you can buy their products in other parts of the country.  The company began in 1932, when the women of a Seattle bridge club came up with an idea for an easy-to-make pie crust.  The name Krusteaz is a clever combination of "crust" and "ease."

In the 1940's their "just add water" Pancake Mix was a unique invention. In the 60's, the company ran the "Krusteaz Kurtesy Kitchen" to promote the concept. It operated from this sweet VW van.

It contained a fully-equipped "traveling diner" that served free pancake breakfasts throughout the Northwest.  I can imagine hippies lining up for a free stack!

Krusteaz still has a loyal following and a large product line of biscuits, muffins, brownies, breads, cookies and desserts.  (Including some new gluten-free mixes.)

If you can find their flat-bread mix, give it a try.  It makes a dandy pizza Margherita in the oven. I'll let you know how the new stone works out on the grill.

News from the hot Northwest

The sea lion population has grown dramatically on the west coast since 1972, when the animals became a protected species under federal law.  As water temperatures increase off the coast of California, sea lions are spreading north into Oregon and Washington. The fishing is better here.

At the Port of Astoria, over 2,000 sea lions have taken over the docks. They laze around without a care in the world, digesting the expensive salmon they catch nearby at the mouth of the Columbia River. The tourists might find the sea lions amusing but the locals see them as a nuisance.  They smell bad, poop everywhere, and block access to boats.

They've tried all sorts of creative and mildly sadistic ways to chase them off, like electrified pads on the docks. It didn't work.  But now, there's a dummy killer whale named "Fake Willy."

This fiberglass orca belongs to Terry Buzzard of Island Mariner Cruises. He uses it to promote his business during parades and events. When he heard about Astoria's problems, he called the port officials and offered his big marketing prop to scare the animals away.  They said, why not?  Give it a try.

So the whale was hauled down on a trailer from Bellingham, and it took to the water on Thursday night before the news cameras and a large crowd.

Jim Knight, the executive director of the Port of Astoria, said the sea lions that were crowded on the dock became "deathly silent" when they first saw Fake Willy.  Then they started making a racket. No one knows if it was fear, or "har har har."

The fake orca was outfitted with recordings of real killer whale sounds, including the "call to dinner" they make in the wild after they kill a sea lion or seal.

But then... a cargo ship passed by and the phony orca started to list from the vessel's wake.

Ops. The bogus Willy capsized before the recording could be tried out.  There were some tense moments.

"Our crew from the port had to go rescue the operator so he didn't drown," Jim Knight said.

Doh! Back to the drawing board.

Heat islands

The Sensitive Plant

Frank Dicksee

Big cities are generally warmer than rural areas, especially at night.  Asphalt and concrete absorb and retain the heat better than trees and vegetation.  Not to mention, all those hot humans running around.

This is called "urban heating." It was first described in the early 1800's by Luke Howard, an amateur British meteorologist.  

Just look at this lovely summery forecast. Despite being a very big city, Seattle is seldom hot at night.  We have cold Puget Sound to thank for that. Of course the Seattle natives (and ladies of a certain age) will complain about the heat this week.

And I'll be busy with the garden hoses.  Have a good one, wherever you are!