It was a milestone month in 2023. Paul and I turned the big five-oh. I honestly don’t really feel like I am fifty, or “old” for that matter. I can remember thinking that fifty was positively ancient in my younger years.

I was joking last week with a coworker that while I may be “old” I still act like I am in my twenties at times. Life shouldn’t be taken too seriously. We all end up dead, so enjoy this journey while you can. Eventually it is going to end.

Mia, Codi and I headed off to Sisters, OR to celebrate my birthday weekend. I’ll say it again…..Sisters is probably my favorite city in all of Oregon. The access to outdoor activities is fantastic and it is small and quaint. Bend is too big as far as I am concerned.

It was joyous to spend time on the “dry side” of the cascades. November is typically the Portland metro area 2nd wettest month of the year. If I can get away for a short break, I am not going to complain.

Thanksgiving

Unlike last year, Mia and I opted to stay home for Turkey Day. It was quiet, I rode my bike, and we watched football. I can probably speak for us both when we say that we both miss our NH families. However, I can also speak frankly that the stress of the holidays is greatly diminished when you don’t have to plan to be fifty-seven different places in a four-week period.

Another annual tradition this time of year is to completely avoid any Black Friday B.S. and instead head out into the woods for a hike. We were blessed with stellar weather this year. Temps were chilly but the sky was blue, and the ground was relatively dry. No rain for the long weekend forecast was just what we needed.

Less than a month now until the shortest daylight day of the year. After that we’re on the upswing. I am curious as to what this winter will bring in terms of weather. Snow? Rain? Drier than normal is the meteorological prediction.

Thanks for reading,

-Pete