Kirsten and Krew

First thing this morning we moved the bikes from the rig to the truck and headed towards Chris's house. Of course we had to stop at the Troutdale Farmers Market to pick up peaches and green beans and zucchini. The owner of the booth and I chatted a bit while the credit card was processing. He's worried that the forest fire burning in the Columbia Gorge might burn his peach orchard. I sure hope it doesn't; his peaches are delicious.

At Chris's we unloaded the bikes and stuff and headed downtown to REI to pick up the materials for the Providence Bridge Ride tomorrow morning. Meanwhile we dropped Chris off at Powell's to buy presents for a birthday party he's attending tomorrow afternoon. It's a unique party honoring one toddler's birthday and the impending birth of another child.

At REI an open air Providence Health and Wellness Expo was underway. We all got free skin cancer checks. Ken and Chris got recommendations to follow up with a dermatologist. We picked up some sunscreen samples and bags of goodies, like simple pedometers, apples, and baby carrot snacks.

Then we headed back to Chris's where Kirsten, Constance, and the four kids were waiting for us. The oldest is ten. He was a baby when we last saw Kirsten at Ed and Julie's, shortly after Cate was born. We had a great time. After lunch we went for a walk to the Tardis Free Library. The kids are fans of Dr. Who, so they really appreciated it, and they even found a couple of books to take. Then we went on to the playground for a while. Back at the house, Chris brought out the rats, Pepper and Cammy, to the delight of the kids, most of all Molly, who is a big animal lover.

After some goodbye hugs, the group headed south to Eugene for dinner with one of Constance's friends. They're on their way to Monterey to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

In the afternoon we went to the Goodwill Boutique Store. We all found some treasures. Ken got a really nice pool cue. Now he won't have any excuses when we find our next billiard table. Chris found a couple of nice shirts. I go a neat Columbia light jacket and a pair of jeans.

After dinner Chris and I went to feed the cats, Fibi and Violet, and then on to the grocery store. Then we took a walk through the neighborhood. Chris took us to an amazing video store, the Movie Madness Video and More. This place has to be seen to be believed. It's two parts video store and one part museum of video memorabilia, like a prop knife used in the filming of the shower scene in Psycho--and lots more.

Somehow it managed to get dark and chilly along the way home. I was glad to get back to make some hot tea and settle in for the night.