Note: I’m writing this in downtown Salem in a little hip coffee shop called the BluePepper, with the rain pattering outside.

So far this is probably one of the best vacations i’ve taken. The drive up was just a absolute joy.I didn’t think about making time at all, well almost none at all. I blame that part on my dad. WHo always made time and instilled bad habits, such as never stopping except for gas, which ended up the stretch points as well. I’ve enjoyed Salem a bunch and will seriously be considering a move up to this general area. Portland on the other hand, I managed to get lost, not once but twice. That takes talent and goes to show that I should not live in a big city. I did however find a outdoor sidewalk hip section of town. Nothing for me but still a neat little part of town.

Went to a interview with the BLM up here, and it seemed to go fairly well. Cross your fingers for me that the person who is doing the interview thought so as well. I do want to thank Joe for meeting me on a Saturday, since I was only coming up for the weekend.

I didn’t realize it til I got up here how much I missed the tree’s and just seeing green. I think this trip has been a blessing in the fact that I’ve forgotten any and all ill’s i’ve had, and add in the fact that I really do like this part of Oregon and its just wow.

Some interesting things that you might not know about Oregon:
1. You don’t fill up your own gas in the state. Its the only state in the US that isn’t self service. I had that explained to me by the gas attendant, as he saw I was going to pump it myself. Luckily, he saw I was from out of state and explained to me the process.
2. Vast stretches of highway are still 55, for anyone old enough to know the significance of that you don’t need further explanation. For those who are younger let me explain, the old national speed limit was 55 miles a hour everywhere, til it became state issued instead of federal. So you will notice on a lot of 80’s or older car’s that 55 is a different color on the speedometer, that is why.
3. The third one I’ll mention now is the fact that the off ramp signs are 1 mile before the exit, and the exit is seldom more then just a dive off the road instead of like most other places I’ve visited a lane that goes off.