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My 2015 Trip to the U.S. I'll wrap up this page by posting some pictures of my annual, month-long trip back to America last August. From Doha I flew to JFK Airport in New York City, then I spent several days visiting my brother Don and his wife Debbie at their home in Connecticut. From there I flew west to Minneapolis, where I visited my old friend, Mark. Then I continued onto the west coast and spent about a week driving up and down the Oregon coast, then up to Bellingham, Washington to see my sister, Doti.
It was a great trip, the weather was perfect and, as always, I enjoyed being back home in America. Here are some photos:
Above left: Packing for my trip. Above center: At midnight on the way to Doha International Airport. Above right: Flying somewhere over the Mediterranean.
Above left: The first stop was at my brother Don's house in Connecticut. Above right: Kayaking in Long Island Sound.
Above left: Then I flew to Minneapolis, where I visited my old friends, Mark and Jayne. Boy, that steak dinner was good! Above right: Mark having fun with Santa (in August?)
Above left: From there I flew on to Seattle, and another plane later I was back home in Portland. Above center: This was the final appearance of Garrison Keillor, during his Farewell Tour around America of "A Prairie Home Companion." This is at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. Above right: The next night I watched the minor league Hillsboro Hops, the only professional baseball team in Portland.
Above left: I took my laptop with me everywhere. Above right: Having lunch in downtown Portland with Martin, my Dutch friend. He and I traveled to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. in 2010, which I described in an earlier update. Martin apparently liked the souvenir keffiyah (headdress) I'd brought him from Qatar.
Above left: I had a great time watching the Portland Thorns play soccer. Based on attendance, the Thorns are the most popular women's team in any sport, anywhere in the world. Above center: You would think they won, wouldn't you? Actually it was a tie. Cough, cough. Above right: I watched the other kind of "football," too. This is at Lewis and Clark College. Living in Qatar I really miss American college sports, so I had to get my fill while I was back in America.
Above left: Then I spent three days camping on the Oregon coast. This is at Honeyman State Park near Florence. Above right: Cleawox Lake, nestled amidst the never-ending Oregon sand dunes.
Above left: Cape Blanco lighthouse, one of many that dot the Oregon coast. Above center: And here's what it looks like inside. Above right: A "Three Dog Night"? These are some well-trained puppies in Bandon, Oregon.
Above left: The beautiful Siuslaw River bridge in Florence, one of many wonderful bridges built on the Oregon coast during the 1930s. Above right: Back in Portland, I enjoyed a yummy Mexican dinner with my neighbors, Patty and Rick. Mexican food is one of the things I miss most about living in Qatar.
Above left: And I miss watching college volleyball, too. These are my hometown favorites, the Portland Pilots. Above right: Having dinner with my friends, Carl, Lisa and Mark. Lisa is taking care of my incoming mail while I'm in Qatar. Thanks Lisa!
Above left: My Portland friends, Ron and Heather, enjoying the Qatar Cup that I brought them from Doha. Above center: Then I drove up to Bellingham to visit my sister, who's living at my parents' old house. How I love this house and its wonderful view of Lake Whatcom. Above right: My sister Doti enjoyed the many gifts I brought her. At least I think she did!
Above left: Camping at mossy Sol Duc campground in Olympic National Park in Washington, one of my favorite campgrounds. But then, I have lots of favorite campgrounds. Above right: Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park, one of my favorite waterfalls. But then, I have lots of favorite waterfalls.
Above left: Enjoying a lunch of smoked salmon and Tillamook cheese from Oregon. This is at Hoh campground in Olympic National Park. It's also one of my favorite campgrounds. Above right: And here's one of my favorite hikes. This is the flat and scenic Hoh River Trail. I only had time to hike a few miles, though.
Above left: After I spent a month in America it was time time to fly back to Doha. This is changing planes at Heathrow Airport in London. Above right: After a 25 hour flight, I returned to Doha. My apartment felt like Home Sweet Home!
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