OK. I'm sitting on the bed and feeling a bit down. I got some news today that the school Im attending to get my nursing degree totally screwed me over. I am now getting word that I have ONE MORE CLASS to take. Guess what it is....

OLD/NEW TESTAMENT

EWWW! I talked to three people over at the U of P and they all told me I only had one class to worry about to satisfy the religion requirement but they didn't know what they were talking about. Atleast I am IN the program. All I have to worry about now is getting the class taken care of while I am in the nursing program. Holy poo that sucks.

Whatever, I will get things figured out. Just ranting a bit here. I guess it goes to show you that sometimes, no matter how many people you talk to, you can still get poor info.

BUMMER.

Just a Little Update----------------------------------------------------------------------

So what's been going on lately? Well, not as much work as I had hoped but I've been using my time well. I've been slowly getting back in shape and even started running again. Both Josh and I could tell we hadn't run in a while but hey, we're getting in shape again. Been out paddling almost everyday on "mellow" camp , AKA Meadowcamp which has been great. With the heat, it sure has been refreshing to get out on the river! The Biscuit has been soooo fun to paddle! I can feel my legs while I paddle! such a new concept but I have to say, I like it. :)

I've started painting again, too. I was on a painting hiatus earlier this year as I had one serious artist's block but now I'm inspired and painting up a storm.

Everyone has been very supportive of the wet paint lying around and I sure do appreciate it. Once one has experienced oil paints on their clothing, they know to be careful with it (my Carhartts are proof of that!). Anyways, check out my art blog site whenever you feel like it to see what I've been up to with the paints. Things are slowly progressing but you konw oil paints...they are quick to put on a canvas but long to dry! Sometimes it sure is tough staring, thinking, and waiting until things dry out a bit, but it allows me time to process ideas.

Mom and dad have been working on modifying the "Daff". They are so excited and it sure is inspiring to see them working at it. They are even going to be getting their motorcycle endorsments ! Go mom and dad! :) Check out their blog site soon for pictures of their project...

http://www.nearfarandinbetween.blogspot.com

On another note, I've been thinking about places to travel/move to and I think one place that is at the top of my list is Japan. It will take years to save up enough to visit, let alone move there but it will be worth it. I watched this movie called Ramen Girl that (sorry Todd) is NOT a chick flick. I would call it a dramatic comedy. Very inspirational. I can't wait to see the world!!!! So much to see, why would I stay in a place I am comfortable with?!

OH! Almost forgot, Josh and I went hiking up on the Upper North Fork of Tumalo Creek...only to find very unrunnable drops. Not to mention that the creek was still flowing UNDER a very solid layer of snow. bummer.

Welp, I sure am sleepy and I still have to bowflex so I had better sign off.

Hasta Pasta!

-Christina :)

Day 4 on the River

We woke up the next morning to clear skys and a light breeze. There were NO, I repeat, NO mosquitos yet and we sure enjoyed it. I got up early and had a cup of coffee with Debbie. Nothing beats hot coffee on the river. Slowly but surely, everyone crawled out of their tombs from the previous night and got things packed up for a full day on the river. we planned to do roughly 8 miles and just take the first good sight we could find.

After about an hour on the river, the wind really got going. It was blowing us upstream quickly if we didn't paddle. On the way down the river, we stopped at one of the famous jump rocks that Josh and his friends used to play at. Unfortunatley , it wasnt as warm as it usually is on the Rogue. BRRR! We will return when it's warmer! YES!

(beow) Our bug tent ...can you say PERFECT site?

(Below) Me enjoying some of the flatwater....

(Below) Kellie and Tyler in their cute, but masculine, raft ;)

(Below) eh he he he

(Below) our picturesque lunch break spot

(Below) the jump rock- twas cold water!

(Below) we were one awesome "herd" :)

After about six hours on the river, we found a great campsite on river left. Josh isnt sure what the name of the campsite is but it was a pretty sweet one. However, Josh and Kellie couldn't figure out why they hadnt camp there previously. We quickly learned why. The sun didn't set until 9:30 ish and until then, we were baking on sand. Ugh.

Josh found a shaded spot up in the trees where we enjoyed our dinner and gradually migrated back down to chill on the cool sand. Thanks to Tyler, we even had a fire.

check back soon for the final update...

4th of July BBQ-

This 4th of July, Josh and I were invited to Kellie and Tyler's BBQ for some good food and a great view of the fireworks. Here are some pics from the evening....especially those of oggie being himself and trying to eat fireworks! Thanks to Josh for taking all the photos!

Day 2 and 3 of our Rogue River Trip

Leinman/Grandma's and our first day on the Rogue---------------------------------


The next morning we woke up early and headed into Medford for a bit of a search. We needed some sponges and duct tape. A quick visit to Lowes solved that issue and we headed back to Leinman for a few hours of playtime.

Pretty awesome spot

The always graceful...getting in

Josh playing around...

Me establishing that my body is out of shape...darn that sick month I had.

After thoroughly wearing ourselves out on the water, we drove to Eagle Point where Josh's grandmother lives. She is such a sweet person and we wasted no time in getting caught up. She has a nice chunk of property with a GREAT pool...he he he this meant lots of cannonballing off the diving board later on. While Josh explained how the kayaking has been for us, I set out our gear to dry and smelled all the roses. Talk about bringing back memories of Texas! We used to have about 30 rose bushes next to our old house too. Anyways between the paddling, the diving board, the visiting, and pizza; we had an awesome afternoon in Eagle Point.

The rest of the family arrived at 9 ish in the evening after a full day's work in Bend. They were pooped from the long drive. Some discussion later, we headed off to bed and tried to catch some zzz's. This wasn't tough and I settled in to my bed snug as a bug in a rug.

_________________________________________________________________

Our trip leader, Josh, requested that everyone be up around 7:30 to get the day going early. A few coffee pots later, we were on the road with a 1.5 hour drive to get to the put-in. We arrived around ten at the Galice Ranger station where we picked up permits and organized our shuttle service.

We unloaded all of our gear from our truck and Tyler's and proceeded to pack our paraphanalia. Steve used an inflatable kayak while Josh and I paddled in our spud boats. Our gear boat was captained by Josh's mom, Debbie. She was actually one of the first women to row rafts on the grand canyon. She's a pretty impressive river rat! :) Tyler and Kellie captained what I would like to call the "Green Bean Machine". As Tyler would say, "It's cute in a masculine sort of way". Ha ha ha!!!

(Below) Our multiday crew... L to R: Tyler, Kellie, Steve, Josh, Debbie

Our trusty gear boat captain- Debbie Mckeown

Josh and I in awe of Josh's personal "table"... AKA Overthruster

The famous Rainee Falls-twas a fine line at this flow...no thank you

Behold! Our first campsite!

We all arrived at our first available campsite around 3 ish and we took it! There are a few primo sites on day 1 and we got one. It had a nice open beach area with flat camping available. This site just happened to be just across the river from Whiskey Creek cabin so that night Josh and I took a quick hike up to see it. Pretty cool! Those first settlers of the area were nuts. Talk about in the middle of no-where. wow.

Back on track, Josh and I were on cook duty for the night and boy did we cook up one mean meal! Spaghetti with marinara sauce and basil....WITH garlic bread! It pretty much kicked butt. Our only mistake was that we cooked TOO MUCH. Can you believe that? I think I ate the most out of everyone. How wrong is that?! Sun set around nine but I didnt go to sleep until I had spent a sufficient amount of time enjoying the stars. Beautiful! If only I had my telescope...

Check back soon for more pictures of the camp and our second day on the river....

This is Christina, over and out....

Rogue River Trip- Day 1

Leinman Playspot---------------------------------------------------------------------


This year, instead of our annual Wenatchee trip, we decided to take a multiday raft trip down the wild and scenic Rogue River. Everything just came together perfectly: good group, good weather, and available permits! wow. Josh was declared trip leader and he promptly organized everything. Having finished the trip, I can say that he impressively didn't forget anything!

Here are pics from the first day of our mini vacation :D. We drove to Leinman playspot near Gold Hill- Where Josh went whitewater kayaking for the first time as a kid. Pretty cool to go back there with him. It's about an hour from Galice where we would put on the river for our multi-day. Anyways, enjoy the pics and stay tuned for pics from our grand adventure on the Rogue River!

Below- Me likey the Biscuit :D


Below- Trying to stay in the hole...twas very flushy


Below- Holy poo!


Below- out humble abode...it's a bit cozy but it's home


I think Josh is happy!


Josh enjoying Leinman and not being a gaper like me


Did I mention that Annies Mac n' Cheese tastes amazing while camping? U should try it!


Hope everyone is getting on the rivers and remembering why they paddle- because it's FUN!!! :) Don't let that fact get away! Stay humble and paddle for yourself!

Hasta Pasta,

Christina Russell
Bend,OR

Out of the Oven and on the River- Biscuit 45

I just took my brand new Biscuit 45 out for its first trip down the river....holy poo I love it! It's going to take some getting used to for sure but I will get there. I was able to throw in flatwater and it seems really fast on a wave. Halleluyah for volume!!!!

Anyways, Josh and I have planned a five day Rogue river trip starting on the 15th and I am super happy to have the new boat to use. Ill post pics and video from out trip after I get back :)