There's a New Sheriff in Joseph, OR

Momma Post: We've just returned from Wallowa Lake in Eastern Oregon, a six and a half hour drive to the far corner of our state. The route took us along the Columbia Gorge and then south to La Grande and the towns beyond. We were impressed how well kept the small communities of Elgin, Lostine and Enterprise were. Occasionally the smell of warmed spearmint identified one of Oregon's largest agricultural crop.

We shared a contemporary house with a lovely view of the Wallowas with our friends the Alvarez' and Fitzpatricks and their girls, Stella, Izzy and Amelia (Melia). Ruby enjoyed bubbles and coloring with Stella and was in awe of the "big girl" 3-year old Izzy. Melia was simply referred to as the "baby". Amazing how different things will be in a year.

Along with several other close family friends, we enjoyed boating and Matt was able to wakeboard. Friday evening we held a bon fire with smores (see picture of Ruby below with extra marshmallow padding), which included a few too close encounters with deer. Matt, Ruby and I enjoyed the Joseph Days' parade with all the area's rodeo queens, tractors, church bands, fire trucks, and Smokey Bear representing the Forest Service. Later we attended the Nez Perce Pow Wow. My highlights were the simple pleasures of relaxing in a beautiful setting and reading a good book.

Ruby's new words to share: boat, tiger, deer, help, mine and Elmo.