Lost...in Translation

So getting lost in the middle of an Oregon forest this summer wasn't enough, so I had to renew my fading reputation by getting lost yet again; this time, on the streets of Florida. I took Adam's mum's dog for a run this evening, on a route I've done twice before, but somehow took a wrong turn that set us back by about an hour. The street names here are a confusing mix of numbered avenues, roads, ways, drives and terraces. Just when I thought I'd made my way back in the vicinity of the house, I found myself numerically quite a distance away. Luckily, I had a spry little puppy with me who was more than game for an adventure (although her idea of fun was stopping every few seconds to pee on lawns), so we trudged on. I had to ask two separate people for directions, and just when pups and I were a mere 3 minutes away from the house, who should come driving up but Adam and his mum, very worried, but quite happy to see pups and me alive and well. So it's been an evening of physical exertion, disorientation and frustration, and finally (the goody) pure embarassment.
The upside of this evening, however, was that I got a chance to see TWO burrowing owls up close. They are listed under the Endangered Species Act as "species of special concern", so I'm really psyched that I got a chance to see them. Tomorrow night, I'm going running in hand with a cell phone...and a digital camera.

Happy Channukah

Tonight is the first night of (C)hannuka(h), and we brought our menorah from Michigan so we could light it with Adam's mum here in Florida. I'll miss having latkes with our friends Mara and Andrew, but we three will do up the holiday here with swimming, kayaking and shopping. Ahhhhh....what better ways to celebrate?
Happy festival of lights to you all!

Stealing Service

So we are at the end of Day 3 in Florida, visiting Adam's parents, and only tonight did I realize that his mum has a wireless connection from the house. Someone nearby is paying a pretty penny for me to use their wireless service...I offer my thanks...
Kika is doing "okay", but has had a tense few days with her new "cousin", Adam's mum's new puppy. That puppy is all over the place and Kiks, at 12 1/2 years old, just isn't having it. They came to blows--or should I say paws??--earlier this evening, and we had to physically separate them. Hoping they learn to love each other--or at least tolerate each other--before this trip is over.
Adam and I look forward to several more days here in the fun and sun before we head northward to cooler temps again. Promise to post pics from the last week as soon as Ads gets them off the camera.

Just Can't Get Enough...

...of friends, food and travelling. We spent yesterday and this morning in Lawrenceburg, KY, visiting our friend Keith. He took us on a private tour of the Wild Turkey whiskey distillery and I got loads of pics of the distillery process. Pretty cool. Keith is a really good cook, too, so Ads and I have eaten well these last few hours!
Kika is doing well, although she is not very happy with her new "berthing" arrangement. I got a collapsible nylon pet kennel several months ago, thinking it would be suitable for Shabbi, but never ended up using it. It has come in quite handy for Kika as we've been staying at our friends' homes. However, not only does she hate it, and try to get out, but she has actually mastered her escape plan several times now. I've had to lock the two zippers in place so she can't unzip the kennel and climb out. She has NOT been happy about this.
We are now about to get on the road to Nashville, TN to see our good friend Michelle and her family. I'm super excited about seeing them all, as it's been awhile since the last time they were in Michigan for a visit. I'll be sure to post pics of our visit, as I'm sure the camera will be flashing away in the next 24 hours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky. Adam, Kika and I are here for the weekend visiting our good friend Steve and his family. From here, we head to Lexington to see yet another friend before we really hit the road toward Florida!
My very talented sister and brother-in-law were in the Macy's Day Parade today carrying the Hello Kitty float, in case you were watching. I'm sure they were great!
Hope everyone is filled to the bursting point and look forward to catching up with you all soon.
Much love,
Lauren, Ads and Kiks

more pics

just a few more for your viewing pleasure...


We made it to Yellowstone! Adam couldn't wait to see Yogi, but alas! the bear populations (both black and grizzly) had already entered hibernation, so we didn't see Yogi or any of his relatives this trip...:-( We did see tons of elk and were stopped for about an hour at the park's exit by a herd of bison that wouldn't let us pass!


The magpies were intent on tormenting poor Kiks...park regulations won't let you take your dog out on most trails for fear of wildlife encounters (Kika would definitely be a "prey" item), so we had to keep her in the car for most of the visit.


Adam in the mist...here, we were visiting one of the many thermal pools that were fantastically active during our visit. You have to be VERY careful around them, though. Loads of people have fallen in only to have their skin melt off them in a matter of seconds, and then die quickly thereafter.


Good Ole Faithful...we got to see her erupt twice. We have a great video from our first visit.

some pics...

Here are some of the places we visited on our cross-country venture. I know pictures are much more fun to see than having to read the blah-blahs of what's going on with us, so here ya go!


Adam with his hot new girlfriend in Malibu...actually, his hot and incredibly sweet cousin


Adam with his hot new boyfriend at the Getty museum...he and Leroy got to be great pals over in Iraq and we got a chance to hang out with him on several occasions once the guys were back stateside


Lover's spat


Ads in San Fran with the (Golden Gate? Bay?) bridge behind him


Whoever said 6'3" is tall?


Once we made it back up to Roseburg, we did a lot of hanging out with two of my favorite people, Janice and Art


We went into Portland with our friend Eva-Maria for a Halloween club event. Can you guess who this character is?


Bride of Frankenstein...


Alexandra and I lazing away the day in Portland, outside my new-favorite bookstore, Powell's


It's not really fall without a good leaf fight!


Catching up with an old Navy friend in Seattle


Downtown Seattle at night


Kika vs. the dinosaur at the petrified gingko forest


Kiks and Mum at Couer d'Alene Lake in Idaho


The princess and the pea...