Trippin' down memory lane...

The dude in Oregon (circa 1977) and the 'Camaro Z28
fresh off the showroom floor

After burning out as an art director in Miami in 1973 I visited my aunt in Klamath Falls, Oregon. I had never been to the northwest and figured that it would be about as far as I could get from Miami and still be in the US (short of going to Alaska).

Oregon was a jolt to my system... the air was cleaner, no Miami heat and humidity, and I finally understood the John Denver song "Rocky Mountain High" even though I was seeing the Cascades instead of the rockies. In a word, I was hooked.

I moved to Eugene in the fall of 1974, and discovered that Eugene was a magnet for creative folks, authors, photographers and artists. I never met so many nationally known creative people. National publishers were coming to the area as well, and within a year or so I was doing paperback covers and posters that were selling all over the country.

So... what else could happen?

One day this sweet lady (I learned later that she attended the same church I was going to) came in to the company where I was the art director asking for a job. We were married about a year later.

Carol Bouler, originally of Alabama, was and still is my sweetheart and loving wife. (She's a darn great cook and loves puppy dogs too.... another story for another time).

OREGON!!!

Oregon - Magnificient - Beautiful - Wonderful

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork
Check out my Oregon photo album

I lived in Eugene during the late 70s and early 80s.

My favorite place on planet Earth has to be Sisters. About an hour and a half drive up the McKenzie overpass (that drive is breath-taking) from Eugene. The Sisters are 3 mountains near the little community of Sisters as you are on the way to Bend. The photo above was taken from the highway that goes from Redmond to Sisters.
As you drive up the McKenzie you pass white water rapids and waterfalls. Be sure to stop at Sahallie Falls (photo below)... an unforgettable experience.
The pictures here were taken on my most recent trip in the spring of 2006.

My cousin who lives in Boise, Idaho (just across the state line from Oregon) bought a heavy duty diesel pickup to pull his racing airplane. (He does air races in the west). He found the truck he wanted at a dealer in Augusta, Georgia - not far from my home, and asked if I would drive it out - he'd foot the bill. Of course I jumped at the opportunity, delivered his truck and spent a week crusing around in Oregon before flying home.


I'm convinced that it would take several life-times to drink in all the wonders of Oregon.

Pardon me for gushing, but it's how I feel about the place. Several times when entering the state after being gone for a while, I have actually stopped after crossing the state line and kissed the ground. This last trip I crossed over the rough and rowdy white-water of the Snake (River)... had to pass up on that tradition this time.