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In some ways going on this trip has been an experiment.  KK and I have traveled together a few times and know each others quirks and pressure points and how to avoid them, but adding Joanie and Nathan to the mix of traveling together was new for us and we didn’t quite know how the four of us being ALONE together would get along.  I mean, I forced them to listen to my Ipod in the car, which, Nathan and Joanie pointed out, has an inordinate amount of show tunes (I thought they would be annoyed by all the bluegrass songs), and still we managed to spend hours in the car navigating the 5 fwy and wending our way through Southern Oregon and pretty much the entire state of California.  For the next few days we have gone our separate ways – Nathan and Joanie are staying with Nate’s brother, Jan, while KK spends time with her middle son George, and I head over to Calistoga for a mud bath and to visit my great friend Sharon Cole.  After meeting Jan yesterday I was struck by the potential of just this blog and the number of people who have connections to our various families – as Jan and his daughter Sascha were standing in the parking lot of Safeway at Corte Madeira my mind created the following blog tree:  Me to KK and Joanie, Joanie to Nathan, Nathan to Jan and Sascha.  That’s a lot of people who can check in and see what is going on.  For me, the idea of blogging like this takes on a whole new aspect at the idea that there are hundreds of people who might come to the site to see what is happening.  Spread the word!

KK, Sam, and Joanie in front of the chalet in Ashland

It hasta be Shasta

George Uberti, KK’s middle son with the incredible red hair, refuses to ever let anyone take a normal picture of him.  Here he is meeting us before taking us on atour of downtown Santa Rosa. 

KK and George Uberti

Just like Jack Kerouac, we are on the road this week, for anyone who is paying attention out there!  KK Sam Joanie and Nathan are on a road trip – first stop Ashland OR for some Shakespeare, river rafting and fishing.  We spent 11 hours in the car together on Saturday and survived, although we were exhausted.  We have a fantastic chalet on Mt. Ashland which has a view of the lower Cascades.  Sunday I went to go see “Servant of Two Masters” at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, while KK, Joanie and Nathan wandered around downtown Ashland, stopping in at fly fishing shops and the other quaint shoppes.  I am glad a saw a show! When we finally came home KK and Joanie took a jacuzzi together.

Monday we drove south back into California to the Lake Shasta region to see the Castle Crags.  The nice people in Weed suggested we go to Castle Lake, so we took them up on it and it was FANTASTIC.  The weather was perfect, the scenery incredible, and Nathan got to fish!

Mt. Shasta from a different perspective

Yes!  Mt. Shasta really looks like this!

Nate at Castle Lake

Tuesday we all went white water rafting on the Rogue River.  We were the only people on the trip, so it was the 4 of us plus our guide, Steve.  We spent the first part of the day in a raft experiencing class II, III and a couple of class IV rapids.  We stopped and had lunch and were able to pick fresh blackberries off the vine.  When we started up for the second part of the trip, we all had our own kayaks.  Steve followed us in the raft as we floated down the river.  KK was the speed demon – she beat us all.  Again, we kayaked through some class II rapids.  My experience with Erich Hamm 2 summers ago on the Salmon really came in handy. The sun was HOT, the temperature around 100 degrees, but the water was cool and whenever we got a little wet the cold water soothed the flame.  We all wore tons of sun block so none of us got burned, even though we were pretty much at the mercy of the sun. 

Wednesday Nate went fishing again and the three Kuglens stayed at the chalet and caught up on rest.  KK and I are seeing “King Henry VIII” tonight, outdoors at the Shakespeare Festival.   Thursday morning we head to the Bay area to visit George and other family; before we go, we’re hoping for more fantastic views from a different angle at Castle Crags. 

Outside our chalet door

So far we have had a fantastic time – we have seen lots of wildlife – deer, osprey, hawks, Canadian geese, river turtles, runty ground squirrels, feral dogs, and the coolest sighting, a bobcat.  The company has been fantastic and the sir conditioning in the car works.  All is well!