Califoregon Living

Summer 2022 was nearing to and end. The boys had to head back to school. David took the boys home, and I stayed over one more weekend to get some time in with girlfriends. Some of my Cali friends flew in to Portland and we walked the beach, did Short Sands beach/hike, boardwalk walk to the big tree in Rockaway Beach, a little thrift shopping, games, and seafood! A weekend packed of precious memories and moments AND my friend Jodi even met her new love while in Manzanita! (They did not meet in person until later, but their first communication was that weekend, so it was an extra special weekend for sure!)

My new friend, Cami, leads a women’s adventure group in Tillamook. Once a month, she organizes some type of outing…a hike, a walk, a kayak, etc. I have been kayaking with her twice and really enjoy it. It’s a real treat and I’m grateful for the time in nature and on the water.

On my last day, I had a few hours in the morning before I had to get to the airport. Kathleen wanted to take me to see the McMichael Canadian Collection of Art. This is a beautiful gallery and grounds that have a large exhibit featuring the masterpieces of artists known as the Group of Seven. These pieces are always here, and then they have about four or five other exhibitions. It was a lovely way to complete a lovely trip.

I spent a few nights as Kathleen’s house and she took me around Picton. We did some cider tasting and I got to eat my first butter tart. Yum! We took a little (and free!) ferry across a part of the lake and drove to Kingston one night, to dance Irish reels outdoors under a pavilion! Near her house is ‘Birdhouse City’, a field with a bunch of birdhouses. Very charming.

Kathleen had to work so I took the subway and walked to Casa Loma. It was a terrific property and grounds to walk through. After that, I took the subway and walked to St. Lawrence Market. I had lunch here, then took the subway back and rested at the room I had rented in the Air BnB for a bit. After work, Kathleen and I went to The Real Jerk for some Jamaican food before driving to her house a few hours away in Picton.

After my weekend with my MH friends, I met up with my Irish language friend Kathleen. We had yet to meet in person, but have spent many hours on Zoom, practicing Irish together. We drove to her friend, Jackie’s, house and then set out to explore Toronto. We walked the waterfront, then a neighborhood called Cabbagetown. We then went to the Distillery District and walked around there. Dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant. It was lovely. It was a Sunday and many of the local families were coming in from church. They were all dressed so nice.

The next day, Kathleen and I met up with Robin and we went out to Niagara Falls! We rode one of those big wheels for some terrific views. Then we walked the quaint and charming town of Niagara on the Lake.

Beck in downtown Toronto, I kept noticing a single neon heart in in the window of residences and businesses. Jackie had one as well. When I saw hers, I just saw it as a charming piece of decor, but after seeing many throughout the city, I asked if there was a reason for it. She said that it was to acknowledge all the first responders of the city who are out there taking care of everyone during the pandemic.

I have belonged to an online mom’s group since I was pregnant with Alex. What began as a huge online public bulletin board that crossed the world, with women due to have a child January 2003, has morphed into a precious group of 61 women on a secret Facebook page. We connect regularly via social media, and some have connected in real life over the years. We never have all connected in real life at the same time, but multiple small gatherings have happened regionally. This was one gathering that happed this summer near Toronto. Karen hosted on her amazing equestrian property. It was a small gathering with Karen, me, Jen, and Amy, but we all agree, it was a very special time with just us, Karen’s family and her menagerie of animals. We had a bit of drama, with me dislocating my finger while horseback riding, and then Jen’s son had a medical emergency that required her leaving early. Still there were a bunch of laughs, a few tears, and some great memories formed.

It was a super long day but we packed it in! Id rove from Manzanita to Portland and picked up Lola. We drove out to Dayton and toured the Durant Olive Mill. We walked their grounds and had an olive oil tasting, then walked a trail that went around their whole property. After that, we went to the town of Carlton and had lunch at The Horse Radish. After that, we went to the town of McMinnville and walked around. We weren’t hungry for dinner, but we did stop for iced tea at The Velvet Monkey. We also took some time to Facetime with our mutual friend, Kim! Heading back to Portland, we stopped in Lake Oswego and had dinner at La Provence. I dropped Lola off and headed home. Got home just before midnight. Great, full day!