Bight Sunshine and Flowers

Dear One and all,

Well, temperatures are beginning to warm up as we move further and further out of winter toward spring and summer. It has become most notable at night as sleeping has been a bit more of a challenge. Getting the perfect balance between sheet and blanket has become a bit trickier. At 5:30 this morning, it was 73 degrees. Very different than even a month ago when it could be as cool as 59. You can see the effect of the warming trend especially in the colors of the flowers

This little guy sprang out at us as we were making the trek up to our apartment. And last night, coming back from a trip up river, we stopped in at El Patio. Usually, El Patio is the last stop of an evening, but last night the sun had not yet set and we found ourselves enjoying a glass of wine and the fading light. I was able to get a photo of this lovely "Poor Man's Orchid"

It is hard to believe that this plant was near death a couple of years ago. The owner of El Patio, Heidi, has done a great job of saving it. I caught Polley, naturally, admiring the color

Because we are generally there at night, I don't have many good pictures. Last night, with light still in the sky, I caught a couple of pictures that give you a sense of a very special place

While some of it is closed, where we always sit is just open to the sky. On a still night like last night, it really is breathtaking.

Heidi told me that it was once a kind of carriage yard for wagons and some animals. The covered area, now the bar, is where the carriages, harnesses, etc were stored

It is our favorite late night hang out and we strong recommend it to anyone visiting PV. Still one of the town's best kept secrets.

Yesterday, we got together with my brother, Dave, and his wife, Katie, for a trip up river to El Rio BBQ for some refreshment and good music. We joined out Canadian friend Reg, who, sadly, is leaving on Monday

Actually Reg returns to Winnipeg, only to immediately head for 2 21/2 weeks in Australia! Dave and Katie seeemed to enjoy the rural setting

and we all enjoyed the Baby-Boomer tunes with Gilberto and our friend Bobby

Friday afternoons are always a good time at El Rio

Besides Friday afternoon, we tried to rest up after the birthday celebration. We got down to Langosta for a sunset one night. Clouds had moved in, as they did yesterday as well, but it made for some dramatic effects

There seem to be many more sailboats this year. They keep appearing in nearly every sunset shot, including this one that captured by sneaking up on this unsuspecting Niño, fascinated by the sky and the boat

Good times in PV continue, but I am aware that we are just 3 1/2 weeks from coming home. Does one rush to take it all in, or just sit back, do little and and absorb as much as you can, trying desperately to hold on what you can, to get you through Oregon April and May. The rest of the summer will take care of itself. More soon

 

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