Thanks to Marla,Ron and Phil for making this trip possible
 
 
Wednesday 6th January.
 
Snow very nearly stopped me making it to Seattle.  With so much snow overnight, Frances and I were not happy about Alan taking me to Heathrow, .
 
I must say A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALAN. He had volunteered to take me to the airport and had got up and dug his car out of the snow before ringing me  (as we had planned the night before). But we could not let him drive in that much snow, Thank you Alan, you are the BEST of friends.
 It made much more sense to use our 4x4 pickup to get through the snow and Frances said she would take me to Heathrow, A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO FRANCES. Where would I be without you ? 
Our journey started at 5.40am, in a bid to beat the traffic. On our journey, we heard that Gatwick was closed along with other Airports around the country, but no mention of Heathrow. It took less than an hour to get there; most major roads were drivable with care.
 
Arriving at Heathrow about 6.30, straight through Check In, had to check all my bags. SECURITY, (thanks Pants Bomber!). 15 minute through security checks, leaving me with a 5 hour wait for my flight. Boy, did I have a numb bum by the time I got to the Oregon Kite Retreat !  5 hours at Heathrow, nearly 16 hours flying followed by a 4 1/2 hour Pick up drive to Rock Away Bay.It was all worth it though. 
Arrivined at Tacoma Airport, feeling like I had been run over. It was fantastic to be greeted by Marla, (complete with scooter, after operation on foot - easier than crutches) Phil, and then Ron in the car.
 
My Washington / Oregon experience had started.
 
Thank you Marla and Ron for looking after me.
 

 

My 1st Mac & Jacks followed by a superb BLT.

Ron looks sleepier than me.

In the foreground you can see Marla's scooter. 

Thank you Phil  for inviting me.(looking larger than life)

 

Then, a good night's sleep was certainly welcome.

 

Thursday 7th January

 

After eggs, toast and a lot of coffee we left for Rob Pratt's house where we met Bary Crites who was to drive us to Twin Rocks Friend Camp, the venue for the Oregon Kite Retreat.

 

http://www.twinrocks.org/index.asp

 

What a great place to make kites and meet lots of new friends.

 

I said earlier that my journey had left me feeling like I had been run over. Even after one nights sleep, nothing was going to prepare me for the reception I received at OKR. It was like a roller coaster ride of emotions - joy, happiness, excitement and a little nervousness, which was soon dispelled by the warm welcome that greeted me from meeting so many fantastic people, who made me feel right at home. Thank you one and all for something very very special, that I will never forget.