Andrea leaves in the morning. It has been great having someone to go to movies and to site-see with. I have enjoyed our time. During the week I went to work and left Andrea home to sweat in my non-air conditioned apartment on the third floor. It was sweltering. It was 100 degrees outside and 92 inside. I had purchased a small room air conditioner for my bedroom. I tried to install it. I failed the first night. I was so hot. I was sweating and hot and irritated. So I went for a drive and cranked the music and air conditioning in my truck as high as it could go. The next day I came home from work and was able to think clearly and install it. I even cut the plexi-glass myself and placed it in my window with Andrea's help. This little box can kick out the cool air. But only for my bedroom. It does not have enough power in it's little frame to cool the entire house but I can handle it. I will live in my room and be happy. I am quite proud of myself that I was able to figure it out. I have never been a handy person. To me it was a great accomplishment.
My friend Andrea came to visit me. She came on July 1st. It was raining. I took her up to Rocky Butte in Portland during the rain. I looked stoned but trust me I was not. Rocky Butte was dark and rainy and the pictures did not turn out well. But trust me it is a wonderful place to view the city. 
The next day we went to Yakima Washington to visit Emily. We celebrated July 3-4 with her. It was a cultural experience. So many toothless wonders. So many hillbillies. We enjoyed the races at the Speedway and Church. Emily drove up to this building and I asked where we were-Hawaii? she laughed and said she thought the same thing when she saw the church for the first time. I promised not to make fun of a House of God so that is all I will say on this amazing structure. 
Sunday Andrea and I went to the coast. We stopped at Rockaway Beach and saw this jellyfish. He looked dead so we left him alone just to make sure.
Andrea was surprised at the cold temperature of the water of the Oregon Coast. It is chilly that is for sure.
This morning we went across this amazingly fun bridge that separates Oregon from Washington. It spans the Columbia River. This is where the Columbia River empties into the ocean. It was such a wonderful sight to me. I was fascinated. 
The bridge was so fun and worth the drive over and back
Today we were at the beach in Seaside. It is my favorite beach just because I can drive on it. I sit in my truck until I see the spot I want and then get out and play. It is so lazy and wonderful! So Seaside beach was experiencing a frenzy today. 
These little herring fishes were swarming onto the shore. It was making the birds crazy! One of the locals drove up and explained the situation to us.
He said the herring swim in and the birds go nuts. Then if you are lucky you can see some whales. We did not see any whales. 
But it sure was fun to see all the birds and to see the fish. 
I personally loved the pelicans. They were beautiful to me. They would stand in the fore front of the bird brigade. 
Then they would swoop off and scoop up water and fish. It was a spectacular sight. I loved it.
So the pelicans are the larger darker birds seen here with the sea gulls.
The pelicans flying off reminded me of the end of Jurassic Park. With the music and the success of escaping from the deadly dinosaurs.
I also realized that once again the coast was cloudy and dark and dismal but still wonderful.
Every time I go to the coast I realize how much I miss it and how much I love it.
Oh Utah Truffle how I love you.
Kymberly and I went to The Lion King in Portland last night. It was beautiful and wonderful. It was so good to see live theater again. I have missed it very much since leaving Cedar City. Kym and I had a great dinner before the show. We went to Mortons The Steakhouse. It was such an experience. The menu was a visual menu. They showed us the steaks and lobster that were the largest I have ever seen in my life. So Kym and I decided to share a steak. It was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. We also had steamed asparagus. It was perfect. After the play we went back to Mortons and had a creme brule. It too was perfect.It was a great night full of conversation and talent. 
This is Leavenworth Washington. It is a little German tourist trap. I loved every minute of my visit here! I drove up to Yakima WA Friday afternoon to visit my friend Emily. She graduated from hygiene school a year after I did. She has been and always will be a good friend. She has been working as a commissioned officer for the Indian Health Services. Her job is a tough one. She does SRP more often than a regular prophy. This means she cleans really really dirty mouths. Most of her patients are diabetic, asthmatic, overweight possibly alcoholic and drug dependant. She takes each patient and does her best to give them the care they receive free due to being Native Americans. Imagine the attitude of the patients who do not have to pay or care about their teeth. The white guys will take care and fix it....What a hard job. It is very difficult to get her patients to even brush their teeth so forget about a proxy brush or floss. . . 
These little shops were filled with Bavarian Chocolate, Danish pastry, German beer. 
Just a view of the mountains and the trees
I thought that this view was amazing.there is a peak behind the clouds that was beautiful covered in snow.
Leavenworth is nestled in between some grand and beautiful mountain peaks. I can only imagine the winter wonderland this creates.
The scenery was just so romantic and Sound of Music-y. 
Emily and I stopped for lunch at Cafe Chrisa. It was absolutely wonderful. I had spatzel and schnitzel. Emily had a Ruben with German potato salad. I tried her selections and loved them. . . even the potato salad. It was full of vinegar and yumminess. I caved and bought a cinnamon roll loaf. It is amazing and gooey and I have a feeling it will make delish french toast tomorrow. 
Speaking of rain. Saturday night Emily and I planned on attending the Speedway to watch speed races. But rain cancelled the races. So we went to the raceway--dirt track. We waited 90 minutes and they cancelled it also. But those 90 minutes were great fun. The cars were trying to get around the track for warm up and no one could make it without getting stuck. Even the big CAT got stuck on every turn. There was mud flying everywhere. It was pretty entertaining. They would not give us a refund only a rain check for next weekend. Weird policy.
This is a picture of hop plants. Hops is used to make beer. I am not a drinker but I find these plants fascinating. Look how they grow up the strings. That has to be labor intensive for the farmer.
Then there are wires on top of the strings and the hops grow over then down. When they grow down they are ripe and ready for harvest. This spring has been unusually cool and wet so the hops have not had much of a chance to grow. I love how these fields look. Emily told me that they smell pretty bad when they are more mature. I can only imagine. I will have to venture up this fall to experience it myself.
Introducing the Marquis probe. This is my probe of choice. The probe is a very important instrument for dental hygienists. I use mine every patient every time. I never knew there was a difference in probing devices. One of my first weeks at Dr M office he asked me if I liked the Marquis probe. I told him honestly that I did not have an opinion. Well February 2010 I developed an opinion. I love the Marquis probe. Since discovering my stance on the subject my co-workers have teased me and teased me for taking my sweet time forming an opinion on this subject. I took over a year to decide. 