Oregon Trail

Last weekend we traveled to visit my aunt and uncle just outside of Baker, Oregon. It was nice to get away and enjoy another part of the country DeeAnn had not seen before. The area is rich in both mining history and as part of the Oregon Trail.



As you can see, there are some very beautiful views of the mountains, some of the critters that congregate just outside of the yard, some of the old mining-era buildings (a schoolhouse, for some reason drew our interest), and the changing colors in the hills. There are actually some pine trees whose leaves turn yellow then fall off in the fall only to grow back in the spring.



The day after we arrived, we took a nice drive up into the mountains to see where Jerry & Chris mine and to take in some forest therapy. The next day was a very nice visit to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, a museum dedicated to the pioneers who traveled the trail.



DeeAnn found a new friend and followed the long tradition of kissing the buffalo. We also enjoyed the beauty of the area. On the morning of the day we left, there was a nice sunrise.



Harvey seemed to enjoy the trip and the stay, especially since Jerry had all the hookups we needed. The day we left there was a little ground mist on the way back to Baker. We stopped for Lunch in Twin Falls and saw the beautiful gorge. Then it was back to work, culminating in the library open house and Kent hard at work.

Review - Damage Control

This morning I finished reading Damage Control by J.A. Jance. this is her latest in the Joanna Brady series. Brady is fully ensconced as Sheriff and now has to deal with more murders, a difficult mother, a teenage daughter, and a new baby.

Brady is involved in several murders which stretch the imagination a little. One wonders if there are any other crimes being committed as she is always dealing with multiple murders in each book. Hey how about a little variety once in a while.

Nevertheless, the book was interesting and it held my attention throughout. Jance books always seem to read fast as there is considerable dialogue but character development as well. There were some interesting plot developments in the last few pages that certainly set up the next book. But this book is pretty much the same as her last several, only the characters have been changed.

Now I need to go look for something else to read!

Review - The Peoples Tycoon

I just finished listening to The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century by Steven Watts. This biography of one of America's most fascinating individuals, was very enlightening. I never knew he had a rocky relationship with his son, Edsel, or his anti-Semantic views. I never knew he had espoused social causes, even developing a sociology department within his company in the early years. I was interested to learn his close relationship with Thomas Edison and was surprised about his friendship with George Washington Carver.

I enjoy an occasional biography. I wish the author had spent less time on Ford's social causes and more time on the development of the automobile. I was disappointed the book didn't cover more about the Edsel brand but later learned the car did not make it's debut until the 1950's.

The CD was 29 hours and 34 minutes long and read by John H. Mayer. It would receive an endorsement but not a ringing one. Read it (or listen to it) if you want, but there must be more interesting biographies of Ford out there.