From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com
Tim and Linda Bunyan
Tim likes Rod's wood laser machine and artwork. There is also a shipping department all set up with packaging materials. Here is Rod mailing one of his artwork pieces at his favorite quick stop post office. Old Charlie, the whitish horse that pulled a streetcar for years was quite the town fixture. Old Charlie was so dependable he pulled a mail truck from the depot to the post office.
They have a huge garage (I call it a Toy Box) that nicely fits their pontoon boat (they met us a couple of years ago in Sweethome) and took us for a boat ride on Frasier Lake. It was so fun and warm enough to really appreciate the ride up the fork of the river and revel in the music on the boat. Here it is in Albany ready to be launched this next week as June is the starting mark for Summer fun. Rod and Audrey keep their boat at the marina for 3-4 months for ease of use for their entire family.
We went to lunch at The Lounge.
A perfect bar and sandwich place that states it is a grown man's babysitter!!!
After lunch, we went across the street to the well preserved and local citizen-financed Carousel.
We have come inland from our Oregon Coastal Trail to visit with our fine friends: Rod and Audrey. We met them in Mazatlán as they purchased Jim and Linda Drinkard's condo in Quintas. We've spent several years together for a few weeks in Mazatlán, so this 2019 Travel Tour gains some time at the home in Albany, Oregon.
Albany Railway celebrates the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Note: A year after the driving of the ceremonial golden spike, at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory, the first train arrived in Albany: the Oregon and California Railroad. With the arrival of the railroad, Albany grew and developed into the Hub of the Willamette Valley.
Audrey continues to work in Salem for the great State of Oregon. She holds many distinctive years of training and working for the latest/greatest Director of Employment for Oregon. She is counting the couple years till her Retirement so they can spend more Winter months in Mazatlán.
This alcove in their house is decorated with all collectibles from Mazatlan. This is their Beach Homeplace. There is a large canvas on the wall behind Rod and Audrey. It is a photo blowup of Quintas ...and the beach! 
Albany Railway celebrates the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Note: A year after the driving of the ceremonial golden spike, at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory, the first train arrived in Albany: the Oregon and California Railroad. With the arrival of the railroad, Albany grew and developed into the Hub of the Willamette Valley.
Audrey continues to work in Salem for the great State of Oregon. She holds many distinctive years of training and working for the latest/greatest Director of Employment for Oregon. She is counting the couple years till her Retirement so they can spend more Winter months in Mazatlán.
Their home is on a couple of acres in the pastoral area of Albany. Mostly various lawn grasses are grown in these expansive fields. There is a Heat Wave for these days during our visit. (We are from Sacramento and very much used to 80-85 degrees). We visit inside with the house air conditioning and catch up on their work, house chores, and Rod's Etsy business he does as a hobby.
Talking Waters Gardens
Audry goes to work (early). We did not hear her leave; well, she does have an electric car so perhaps that is the reason. Rod and Tim and I got going touring around town before noon!
We walked the Talking Water Gardens, a water cooling designed wildlife area for the city's water treatment plant. We walked a couple of miles around the wetlands.
The Water Treatment Plant filters the water to cool down the temperature before it returns to the Treatment Plant.
We then went to the Albany Regional Museum to find a speaker there explaining the active role of the Talking Water Gardens and the animal and flora life existing there. The focus is to keep and grow native plants. The ducks and birds find refuge there.
The Lounge, for lunch. The sign says: "Husband Day Care Center" !!! Located at First & Washington Street
The Water Treatment Plant filters the water to cool down the temperature before it returns to the Treatment Plant.
We then went to the Albany Regional Museum to find a speaker there explaining the active role of the Talking Water Gardens and the animal and flora life existing there. The focus is to keep and grow native plants. The ducks and birds find refuge there. The Lounge, for lunch. The sign says: "Husband Day Care Center" !!! Located at First & Washington Street
The bar has chandeliers I love!
A perfect bar and sandwich place that states it is a grown man's babysitter!!!
After lunch, we went across the street to the well preserved and local citizen-financed Carousel.
We visited the woodcarvers artists workshop.
Carousel
With Audrey home after her work day, we prepared dinner for Rod and Audrey and ate in their house with the air conditioner which was very comfortable. (The CA weather came with us...a hot spell of up to 90 degrees! They had a cold drinks refrigerator in the garage with many fun selections. I chose a cider and Tim had a cola.
Rod showed us around the area in this lush, pastoral land they call home. Albany is where Rod relocated from San Jose to continue his job at the Hewlett Packard Company which is still employing Albany residents. This is where the green grass grows and goes to market. A very blessed place.
Rod showed us around the area in this lush, pastoral land they call home. Albany is where Rod relocated from San Jose to continue his job at the Hewlett Packard Company which is still employing Albany residents. This is where the green grass grows and goes to market. A very blessed place.
Rod demonstrated his woodworking shop attached to the house. It is equipped with a laser machine which he commands from his computer. He creates the design on the particular item the customer requests. This is all done virtually. Rod even has a shipping department area where he wraps each item and prepares for mailing. We even went to his favorite post office so conveniently located.
This is an example of Rod's creative work. He inscribed our names and wine design onto this leather wine bottle carrier. He gifted it to us upon our departure!!
We said our goodbyes. Audrey is still at work and we are departing before noon. As we were leaving (parked in his front driveway) Rod gave us a gift he created. It is an engraved leather wine bottle carrier. He designed it and engraved it to give to us this morning. We're all 'dressed up' now with our wine carrier here at The Hub of the Willamette Valley.
We are going to meet up with Doug and Deb McPherson in McMinnville, Oregon. We are going together to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to view the Spruce Goose!
This is an example of Rod's creative work. He inscribed our names and wine design onto this leather wine bottle carrier. He gifted it to us upon our departure!!
We said our goodbyes. Audrey is still at work and we are departing before noon. As we were leaving (parked in his front driveway) Rod gave us a gift he created. It is an engraved leather wine bottle carrier. He designed it and engraved it to give to us this morning. We're all 'dressed up' now with our wine carrier here at The Hub of the Willamette Valley.
We are going to meet up with Doug and Deb McPherson in McMinnville, Oregon. We are going together to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to view the Spruce Goose!
