ORCA (or Calgon?)

I just realized another thing I like about Oregon, so I've decided to post a list - what blog is complete without a list?

Top 10 things I like about living in Oregon

1) Me in California, wife in Oregon = bad. Together in Oregon = good.

2) Greenery. Yes, it rains as much as they tell you it will, but plants like water.

3) Dairy products. Milk for $2.00 a gallon, eggs for 60 cents a dozen - both from farms right here in Salem.

4) Eye contact. Salespeople, bank tellers, gas station attendants, waitresses - they all look at you when they speak to you, and then stick around to listen.

5) Speed limits. I have an old truck. In California, it was a hazard on the freeway - even when going 70 in the slow lane. Here, a sign that reads 30 or 35 actually holds traffic to within 5 miles of that limit. Old trucks like 35.

6) Water. I like backpacking, and in Southern California, that means you carry a lot of water. Here, it seems every trail follows, crosses or leads to water. I live right next to a creek.

7) I know, I'm a kid at heart, but a fireworks aisle in the grocery store? Too cool.

8) The Willamette River. I cross the Willamette at least twice a day, and every time I see it, I want to build a raft and just float, Huck Finn style.

9) Mayberryness. There is a certain appeal to the slow pace, the old storefronts, the kids playing at the park - not AYSO, or Pop-Warner, or Little League - just kids playing.

and, my most recent realization:

10) a truckload of firewood, well-seasoned, for $31.

(This winter I'll probably post a 'ten worst things' list, but so far so good.)