On Saturday, I woke up to a surprise. An amazing surprise. An offer of travel, to a place I've never been, and don't know when I'll be able to visit again. On Monday, I zipped up to Seattle (photo on the left) to renew my passport...as soon as I stepped out of the car, I got a whiff

 Oregonians are a proud bunch. We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with climates ranging from temperate rainforest to desert. In every direction you look, there are trees, water, and mountains in various formations. Oregon has taught me to appreciate nature, to respect its highest peaks and deepest lakes. Oregon has taught me to