Salem, Oregon…

Waller Hall is the oldest building on the Willamette University campus. It’s the oldest university in the United States!

WE MADE IT.  Salem has been our destination for a long time and we’re finally here. Over the years, with three separate motor homes, we’ve spent a good deal of time vacationing in Oregon and always enjoyed ourselves when we’ve been here. Maybe it’s the fact that lots fewer people live here than in California and there seems as if there’s “breathing room,” something we’ve not had in San Diego for a very long time. In fact there are more folks residing in San Diego County, California than in the entire state of Oregon. Or maybe it’s the abundance of streams, rivers and lakes along with the most spectacular coastline we’ve seen in all of our journeys. In any event, we’re glad to be here as we wind down our Great American Adventure. I told Florence this morning that I’m as happy as a seagull with a french fry!

CITY OF SALEM, OREGON. The city is located in the center of the Willamette Valley, alongside the Willamette River and directly across the street from the State Capitol. It’s home to Willamette University, a small private school on one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen. It is the oldest university in the United States, and in addition to

Silver Falls State Park near Salem. There are ten separate waterfalls in the park.

the undergraduate college of liberal arts, the university has both a business school and a law school. The school’s enrollment is less than 3,000 and the student-faculty ration is about 10 to one. Who knows, maybe I’ll become an adjunct professor of law. I did some of that work years ago in San Diego and really enjoyed it. I think that “hanging out” with smart, motivated young people is probably a pretty good way to stay young.

The Oregon Garden in Salem is a stunning, 80-acre botanical garden, featuring more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the diverse botanical beauty of the Willamette Valley and the Pacific Northwest. The garden holds an annual festival each autumn. Also on the grounds is an Amphitheater which hosts concerts and other events throughout the year.

Oregon Garden near Salem and the waterfalls.

Oregon State Capitol building in Salem.

Willamette River in Salem, Oregon.

A BIG CHANGE FOR US.  Everything about Oregon represents a pretty big change for us. Experiencing the seasons will be a treat and just immersing ourselves in a new and different environment will be exciting.

I’ll continue my story next time.