The Baalands: Oregon Seaside

01 October 2009

Oregon Seaside

September 2009 -- In 2009, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) held their annual meeting and professional improvement conference in Portland, Oregon. I was the recipient of MACAA's Distinguished Service (DSA) Award, so I went. I always favored meetings that were in places I wanted to visit.

End of the trail for Lewis & Clark

Me, Willie, Arlene, Stan, John, and Jeff

Before the meeting, I traveled about with several other county agents including Jeff S., Willie L. (and his wife), John H., and Stan F. (who was currently working in Oregon). We explored the Northwest Coastline, went to Mt. St. Helens, and visited a cheese factory and air museum in Tillamook.

Oregon coast

The needles

Haystack Rock

Funny story. Maybe more memorable than funny. I went out into the water to take pictures. I fell. My camera (expensive SLR) fell into the ocean. Then I dropped it a second time. My colleagues came to my rescue after they got a picture of me. The sea water ruined the camera. Not the first or last time I pitched a camera into the water.