Oregon

A brilliant 10 days with D, K and O in Oregon. An interesting scenario on flight out there from Aspen to Eugene via DIA. Noticing the day before flying that we had under 50 minutes in Denver to make our connection,  Mary smartly succeeded in getting seats on the early, and first, flight of the day to Denver - 8 am as opposed to the 9.30 flight we were booked on. We turned up at Aspen airport ( usual form of getting free RFTA bus from end of the road and therefore a 7 min walk to bus stop from house - superb ! ) and found they were offering $500 per person to postpone travel to the later flight to Denver. As 8am approached they increased to $1,000. Since the later flight was the one we were booked on anyway and in theory should have given us enough time to get connecting flight to Eugene, we were sorely tempted. In fact no one came forward and they had to "bump" the last 2 passengers in the line ! The twist to all this is that the 9.30 flight was cancelled due to weather and we had time for excellent breakfast in DIA and an easy flight to Eugene ( next one at 10pm at night! ).  2 morals to this story.  One : when flying out of Aspen in winter , get the first flight of the day ( the plane sits there overnight and doesn't rely on incoming plane to get in, and Two : build in sufficient time in traveling schedule to take up option of later flight ( from anywhere ) and cash in on the incentive, holding your nerve ( with a keen eye on other potential bargain seekers among your fellow passengers ) till the offer increases to the 1,000 level or higher ! Exactly the same thing happened on reverse journey when awaiting departure of the return flight from Eugene !

The cute little house Katy arranged for our weekend trip to Bend OR - 3 hour drive west of Corvallis

Didn't take long to sniff out this park a few minutes walk away

..but not so easy to leave it !

D in action in the cyclocross event in Bend that weekend

Go Duncs

Due recognition from his fan club

Elmo tricking ( or more accurately treating ) the Bend community

"scary pumpkins"

Phew !

The following day -  a visit to the remarkable Smiths Rock and a 2 hour hike

A world recognised climbers' playground

Planning the route

He's heavy !

Shortly after this the little feller was on his own feet and made it back thanks to the ceaselessly enjoyable ' splashing game "

Back in Corvallis and setting off for the daily afternoon pilgimgrage

... and exhausting his grandparents

Setting off for the renowned, and favourite,  Gathering Place - a farm 5 miles from Corvallis

Working off breakfast

A big project made bigger by an exceptionally wet day - will keep the ' critters'  out with luck. Foxes particularly.

Back now in Snowmass and preparing for another ( the tenth ) season of work/play. Snow has arrived early and Ajax opening today ( 11/14 ) 12 days ahead of schedule. Snowmass on Mon 23rd. Work starts on 28 and 29 for us both respectively. Wed, Thurs and Fri ( and for M Sat ) off each week.