I just got home last night from my trip to Oregon and California. It was an amazing 16 days. We started off with a week on the Oregon coast, which is so green, lush and beautiful it took my breath away. Unfortunately, it was also very foggy. Ick! At the end of the first week we drove down the coast to California, visited the Redwood National Park then continued on to Tahoe City. I tried to capture the majesty of the redwood in pictures but found it to be impossible. They are something you have to experience in person to appreciate! And Lake Tahoe is amazing. The water is very pure and ranges from shades of green to turquoise and deep blue at its deepest points.

I’ve uploaded my pictures to Picasa. If you’re interested, feel free to peruse the albums below.

Oregon

California

Candyman was given an awesome review from Bitten by Books. Woot!

“Candyman may be short, but don’t for a second let that fool you into believing that it is insignificant. It starts off intensely and continues to enthrall you until the very end. I loved Michael, his strength, his love, and his very weakness for the woman he loved. He is what we all wish for in a man, and only the lucky few are able to find. Elisa has a strength and a curiosity that we can all relate to. This short tale is one that I thoroughly enjoyed. And as with many of the short stories that draw you in, and end too soon, I wish that it had been a full length novel! Looking for a quick read that you can take for lunch? Check out Nicole Austin’s “Candyman”! It will enthrall you and stay in your mind long after you finish it, sighing with satisfaction.”

Its that time again. Time for a vacation. Every three or four months, I need some time off from the stresses of my job working in pediatric health care. I love my job but it can be heartbreaking.

This one is a big trip that has been in the planning for a long time. My oldest brother lives in Oregon. We fly out on Tuesday the 14th and meet him in Portland. Then we are headed to the coast (Depoe Bay) for a week in this beautiful house with its amazing gardens.

 

After that we’re making a stop at the Redwood National Park before heading to Tahoe City California for a week at the home below. We are also planning a visit to Yosemite National Park.

 

Before heading home we’ll spend one day/night in Reno Nevada at the Atlantis Casino. We fly home on the 30th.

It will be great to see my brother and spend some time relaxing with my family. I’m sure there will be tons of pictures to share when I get back home. I guess I really do need to start thinking about packing since I leave in 4 days. Ack! 

Whoo-damn! I love a parade! Especially a patriotic one…