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Flight to Madras, Oregon 2003 Sister's House

	Flying into Lakeview Oregon is a very fast descent once you come over the mountain. The town is right there and so is the airport. Start popping the ears as soon as you start the descent. Beautiful view from the air.
	Hey, here is Uncle Lamar and Auntie Olga. They live on the coast in Oregon. It was great seeing them again. We hope to fly over to the coast to visit when we finish building our plane. Our plan is to have the plane finished by spring 2004. Uncle Lamar is Dad's brother. They were visiting Dad when we flew in.
	And here is Dad and Norma. Always fun to visit with Dad and Norma in Lakeview, Oregon, Rick's hometown. They must love to cook, because they always feed us well when we visit. We also went on an overnight with them to the Steens mountains near French Glynn Oregon. They brought lots of food. Next time, we bring the food. Beautiful country. Check out the link to that site.
	In the distance are mountains called The Three Sisters. Flying gives you a view that you have to experience. Once you've flown, it seems to be the only way to travel. I guess that is why my husband and I are building an airplane. Can't afford to buy one, but we can afford to build one. It is amazing how affordable building one can be. Okay, Rick is building most of it, I am a gopher and extra hands when needed. That is fine with me, because after looking at the drawings, let's just say it isn't a project I could take the lead on. Confuses the heck out of me.
	Part of Trout Creek Ranch where Rick's sister Mary and brother-in-law Mike work. Some real beautiful country that we are fortunate enough to get to spend some time on. Always fun visiting here. Never a dull moment with four dogs, two cats, lots of chickens, rattle snakes, bull snakes and a teenager of driving age.
	More of beautiful Trout Creek Ranch. Lori seemed to have an allergy to something around here. There is so much vegetation, it was really hard trying to weed out (no pun intended) what to keep her away from. I guess that's why there is allergy medication. If only it was a little stronger. This area is one of many that got planted with trees. It is a conservation project to save the vegetation on the creek of the property. The cattle wandered through some fences and we went with Mike and Mary to check the trees to see if they were still standing and then to find the fences that the cattle went through to fix those. Only a few trees were damaged or missing. Considering there were about one thousand planted, a few is not many.
	Ah, here they are now, our host and hostess, Mike and Mary. Hey wait a minute, how come they get the luxury model with a bench seat and shade and we got the standard ATV. Oh well, at least we rode a four wheel drive. Just kidding, we had a blast riding around with them. Sometimes their dogs rode in the back of their rig and sometimes they ran. All four of them.
	This is how Rick spent his vacation - fixing fences. If you look real close, Rick is holding up the tree while Mike is fixing the fence. Ha Ha. Honestly Rick really worked hard with Mike fixing the fences that the determined cattle wandered through.
	Water Falls at Trout Creek Ranch in Oregon. We sat on the rocks to the left and the Bull Head Snakes would cling to the rocks under the falls and the sides waiting for the fish to jump upstream and then catch them. It was fascinating to watch. They would also crawl behind us and under us without us knowing it. Lori just happen to look behind her once, while a snake was sneaking by. There are so many of them, you cannot be phobic. We also got to watch them at a dam, laying on a concrete platform at water level waiting for the fish to jump on the platform. They definitely had plenty to eat.
	Water Falls inhabited with Bull Head snakes at Trout Creek Ranch. They are harmless, unless you harass them too much, and fun to watch. Here is a semi-close up of a couple snakes.
	After a little rock-hounding (just looking) it ended with a beautiful sunset at Trout Creek Ranch. It was a wonderful trip and we are looking forward to doing it again. Our thanks to Mike, Mary and Mikey
	Also, in 2003, we visited a place in the Nevada desert, called Virgin Valley. This hot springs is not the hottest around, but it makes for a great springtime place to camp and do a little 'soaking' in the tub. For the rock-hound enthusiast there are various Opal mines (Royal Peacock; for one) that a person can pay a sum of money to dig. I have heard stories on both sides of the spectrum; some have found beautiful rocks, and others have found nothing. So be careful not to get your hopes too high.