Summary of An Interesting Year Or So: Runrig, Oregon Coast, Tucson, Hawaii, Montana

Well...It has been some time since I've written a blog post. A great deal has happened since I retired from teaching.

Probably the most significant was our August trip to Scotland to see Runrig for their 40th anniversary celebration at the "Party On The Moor", held near Inverness. We stayed in Edinburgh for a few days, taking a day-trip to Sterling Castle and the Glen Goyne Distillery, going on a tour of the Scottish Parliament (Parlamaid na h-Alba), and mingling with the Fringe crowd before taking the train north to Inverness for another few days and the concert.

The performance was amazing and I still can't believe we were there. What a special, awesome night! Julie Fowlis was MC (and she sang a number with the band too), Mànran provided a fantastic performance, along with a few other topnotch groups, and then the lads were on. Arthur Cormack was standing about two yards behind me throughout the concert, and James Graham was on our train. (Of course they didn't have a clue who I was, and I managed not to accost them.)

The "lads"

 

 

We then visited Oban for a few days, took a tour to Mull and Iona, walked all over, took thousands of photos, and carried home the best of memories.

 

 

 

It was the Oregon Coast during the holidays--that quiet week between Christmas and New Year. Relaxing and beautiful, there were people surfing in the glorious weather. Tides were extreme that week.

 

The spiral stairs at Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Lace falling water

 

 

 

In February we traveled to Tucson for the gem and mineral show, (where I spent too much money). We got to visit the Sonora Desert Museum and the mission of San Xavier del Bac--both moving places. The sky is so incredibly blue.

Negative space

Edificio

Sonoran Desert

Cactus

 

 

 

In April, just after we started a kitchen remodel and had a flood downstairs, we flew to Maui. I didn't think I'd love as much as I did--and do. What a beautiful island.

 

P.T. Fleming Beach

Island Light

Moving Water

 

 

 

 

This last Sunday we got back from a week in Montana. It was good to be home, and we got a chance to visit with family.

Lake McDonald

Colorful rocks and clear water

Rain on water

 

 

It's been a good year in other ways too: I got my braces off and survived oral surgery (lots of blood and bruising), and the kitchen is done. Now to get the house back together.