Author: leh

A Word To (Both Of) Our Subscribers

From time to time, you may receive notice of the posting of a piece that may or may not seem somewhat familiar, and seems to represent an event in the distant past.  Here’s the story:  A few months ago, we had to move to a new server and change software platforms.  That meant migrating several years of blog content from one system to another.  That turned out to be a rather onerous task; so far we have managed to pull over only about a year’s worth while still staying more or less current.  As time allows, we are gradually backfilling with old content, just to keep the historical record intact.  Several more years to go.  Empty-nesting may speed the process a bit.  So, expect to see more old stuff pop up that may or may not continue to be of interest.

Summer Trip – Day Five, Crater Lake

August 4, 2011 – Overnighting in Klamath Falls, we drive up the road and greet the Vanished Volcano valley as we approach Crater Lake and its surrounding mountainous terrain. Crater Lake was cool with plenty of snow patches. It is one of those places that is nearly impossible to see, let alone photograph, without spending days or weeks or months. Everything looks like a picture postcard, and everything can start looking the same. I think I would need to live with that subject matter for a prolonged period to really see it. Probably is one of those subjects that Ansel Adams had in mind when he told me in 1972 that he was happy if he could produce one worthwhile image each month, after working every day, all day long.

Summer Trip – Day Four, Klamath Falls/OIT

August 3, 2011 – Departing early morning from Ashland, we drive through splendid and occasionally startling mountain territory to Klamath Falls, to begin discussions with academic advisers and tours at the Oregon Institute of Technology campus.

Our tour happened to be led by a graduating senior in computer science, so we gained insights into the CSET (computer science, engineering, technology) program as well from a student perspective.  The school seems to be very focused and rigorous but is so small that students and instructors alike are all on a first name basis, with the largest classes often approaching the size of the smallest at OSU.

Klamath Falls itself is a rather small town, perhaps most distinguished for its access to and exploitation of geothermal resources (powering 85% of the campus).  OIT is also a national leader in green technology and renewable systems engineering programs.

Score Klamath Falls for the friendliest waitress of the trip so far.

 

Summer Trip – Day Three, Ashland

August 2, 2011 – The sign of The Bard is everywhere.  We were utterly charmed by this little town, despite how quickly you can spend your money there.  We left our freeway-close motel early in the morning and sought out the downtown area and the OSF (Oregon Shakespeare Festival) grounds.  First stop was a tour, starting at the New Theatre.  Later, we explored downtown.  While the women went their way, Nik and I stopped in at the “To CD or Not to CD” record shop.  Discovered a treasure trove of vintage vinyl LPs as well as a good selection of recent audiophile 180g vinyl pressings, all of which inspired stories of music and adventures past.  Nik humored me quite nicely.  We barely escaped before a spending frenzy set in.  Lunch, more exploration on foot, finally returning to the motel for a bit of rest before returning to OSF for a pre-performance (preface, they called it) talk and powerpoint on our later-scheduled target, “Love’s Labor’s Lost”.  Next was a retreat to the Green where we found a picnic spot while we experienced the Green Show, tonight featuring Kites & Crows, a very decent indie banjo-cello-guitar trio.

At 8pm we assembled in the outdoor main theatre, the Elizabethan Stage, for a terrific and somewhat silly production of “Love’s Labor’s Lost” (see The Oregonian’s review).  We were thoroughly entertained for the next three hours.  Sorry, no cameras allowed.