Jan. 3, 2016---time to leave:

Between the colder then normal valley weather, the police pulling us over, and now this------------

 It's time to head back to South Florida!  But our flight isn't until 11pm, so we drove around Dallas a bit taking in the rare snowfall for them.  Back to the park we went for a few pictures.

 someone's roof Christmas decor.

Then into the big city of Dallas to Ugo's for our pizza before heading to the airport.

 main street---on our way to Ugo's for our last dinner this trip.

 painted store front along main street.

 by the Polk County Courthouse on Main.

 ????

 the painting on the side of Ugo's at the end of Main Street.

We stayed there visiting until about 5.  By then Ken was raring to get going on our 65 mile trek up to PDX.  In St. Louis we live about 5 miles from the airport and still leave about 2 hours before flights, so this 6 hour lead didn't surprise me.  Turned out to be a good thing we left that early.  The snow froze over and sleet began about half way to PDX.  The last 30 or 40 miles were really treacherous.  I've never seen that many cars spun out, especially on the ramps in Portland.  Oregon doesn't believe in salt on their roads, just chains and 4 wheel drive.  We actually had 4 wheel drive, but Ken didn't turn it on.  After many miles of 10 m/h, we made it to the airport safe and sound (and about 2 1/2 hours after we left DAllas).  Turned the car back into them--almost as good as when we got it (the handle to fold the middle seat down broke when we were having to use it for carting 6 people around---but with 40,000+ miles on it, they weren't concerned).
We boarded our flight on time, then sat on the tarmac over an hour to be deiced.  Then when we got to Charlotte, they had trouble connecting the Jetway.  By the time we got off our flight, we had about 10 minutes to get to the next terminal for our connection.  We actually made it, but they said they just closed the gate and wouldn't let us on.  I was a little more then pissed.  Anytime we're on time, they always wait for connecting flights --- at least ones that have landed.  So we had to wait another 2 1/2 hours for the next flight.  Finally made it back to FLL about noon on the 4th.  I always hate travel days.  You never know what stupid stuff is going to happen that you have no control over!  Not a great way to end a great vacation, but at least it was a great vacation!

Jan. 2, 2016---Senior pictures of my great nephew:

My niece asked me if I'd take her son's senior pictures while I was there.  I was more then happy to.  Too bad we waited until the coldest day (about 29 degrees) and it was so bright, but I think I got some good ones.  She even had her other kids come and my nephew join us so I could take a group picture of them. 

 My favorite

 Even took a few of him with his girlfriend.  Hard to believe he's gotten so old!

For my services, they wanted to take us out to dinner before we leave on the 3rd.  So I said how about another pizza from Ugo's (their restaurant).  Can't find pizza like anywhere around St. Louis or South Florida!  Love it!!!  We use to freeze it and bring some home with us when my brother owned it.

Jan. 1, 2016---hanging around:

Didn't do much today.  Rode around the town a bit.  Checked out Mom and Dad's house that I lived in back in the 60's.  Sure not use to seeing it like this!---Just in the front were 1 boats on trailers, a dump truck, a pick up truck, a car, a trailer full of wood,

 and on the side was parked another truck.  Wonder what the back yard looks like!

 Sunset snuck up on us.  I suggested we head back up to the slough and see what kind of sunset we get.

 Not bad for looking East.

Almost time to go home.  Time to do laundry and start packing.

Dec. 31, 2015---Rogue Farms and into the coastal range by Falls City:

The last couple days have been dry and beautifully sunny.  Of course the lack of clouds also meant the air temps dropped to highs in the upper 20's.  I'm not liking the cold, but it is nice to see a sunny Oregon in the winter!
I don't remember ever going to the slough before last night!  I could hear the birds even at 1am so decided we should head back there with my new 150-600mm lens in the daylight.  I was still far from the birds, but the lens made taking pictures there a lot more interesting.

 Love the views of the mountains!

 a hawk in the distance.

 Note the bigger bird in the lower right of the picture, it is a bald eagle.  It was interesting how flocks of birds took off in the opposite direction when this guy came in.

 This is when I noticed it was a bald eagle.

 gonna have to do some practicing to be able to follow a bird in flight with this lens!

 By the time this guy flew in I was almost back to the parking lot.  It was quite cold and my hands were freezing.  Wish I had stayed down by the water a little longer! 

 A more broad view of the slough.

One of the places Tim and FAith had researched and hoped to go to was Rogue Farms in the Willamette Valley not far from Independence.  They didn't make it because the farm was closed due to all the flooding while they were here, but Ken and I decided to ride out there and see if it was open now that it had stopped raining.  It was and it was another extraordinarily beautiful ride!
On our way we passed a Lavendar farm near Independence.

 and more beautiful countryside.

 More farms and views of the mountains again.

 more interesting old barns.

 snow in the coastal range.

 even some alpacas.

nicer barns with Hex signs to ward off evil.

 After about 35 minutes we came to Rogue Farms.  It was still pretty wet.

  They have acres and acres of several different kinds of hops, plus barley, malts and even  specialty ingredients, like pumpkins and hazelnuts.  I believe all the ingredients they use for their beers are grown here.  The farm is humongous!

 I believe these were some of their hazelnut trees.

 There happened to be another Rogue garage sale going on so we went and checked it out.  We ended up buying a couple things. 

 There's even a little restaurant here.  Too bad we just had breakfast!

 I bet this place is packed in the summer.

 I'd love to come back when the hops are growing.  They grow from a rhizome so I don't think the flooding or freezing that came later is harmful to them.

 They give tours of the farm, but we didn't stay for that.  Not sure if the tours are given in the off season.

 Driving back through the countryside towards Independence was this stately barn.

 The rolling Willamette Valley.

 more from the valley.

 We rode through the valley and up into the coastal range to Falls City to check out the falls there after all the rain lately.  No kids jumping in the pool below today!

 The river above the falls.

 We continued on into the mountains to Black Rock.  Years ago Ken use to come up here to fish. 

 It was a bit frosty.

 Love how all kinds of stuff grows all over the trees.

 the frost and snow made for some pretty views.  Pretty to look at, but I like that we were able to leave it behind and go back into the valley.

 heading back down into the valley.

 another overflow stream.

 I believe this is the river Ken use to fish in.

 Back in the valley.

 We met up with my sister and her boyfriend and went to Chen's in Dallas for New Year's Eve dinner.  I don't often get chinese food so it was a nice change of pace.  Not only that, but my General Tso chicken was very good.  Then back to her house to visit until the wee hours of the morning.  Another very nice evening and end to a pretty good year!