Day 8 Monday

Today we have driven west from Bend Or. to Tillamook on the coast. What a changing scene we had, starting with twisty forest-edged roads along river banks, through moss bedecked trees and then onto open fields.

Kevin will have Abs of steel by the time he returns to Vancouver.

We visited two covered bridges today. What a contrast they were to each other. The Weddle Bridge over the Thomas River is a traditional one for Linn County - white and with open sides - while the Shimanek Bridge over Thomas Creek was a red portal design bridge with louvres.

You can read more about these amazing structures on the Internet - just Google them. Pictures will follow if the connection holds!

After a brief stop for lunch we headed west again, this time to Salem and to the home on Karla Alexander - quilt designer and author. What a fabulous lady! Karla's home is set in a contoured section with lovely trees and lots of privacy.

We were allowed into her design studio - attached to the house by a covered verandah. There was a lovely smell of cedar, as a new lower area has just been constructed.

I'm going for dinner now, so more later.