Mark and I did some exploring in
Oroville. We finally made it to the Chinese Temple. Amazing.
We were told believers wrote wishes on pieces of paper and burned them in this vessel so their wishes would go to Heaven as the smoke carried them up and up.
A bit of information.
This fruit was a big as our heads! We forgot to ask what type of fruit this is.
The temple was bigger than we ever imagined, with beautiful items everywhere.
And some not so beautiful items. The 'dwelling' was basically a wooden bench for a bed, and a sink. Basics. I can't imagine living like that.
These
deities were there to guard the hall. The note on them said that this type of art was usually put on every door as protection.
Mark gets some learning.
These Gods are on an altar that is still in use today. This part of the temple is original (much of the temple was destroyed in a flood and they've restored it, but they're not going to restore this part of the temple). This part of the temple was my favorite.
We then drove on to Oroville Dam. My family went there several time while it was being built. I think I'm very lucky my parents gave me the opportunity to be a part of that. I remember these trips as some of our funnest trips.
This is at the fish hatchery, below the dam.
Man! What this? Friggin RATTLESNAKES? Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I liked my shadow. Heck, I'm from Oregon. We don't get to see our shadows all that much...
Mark is unafraid of the rattlesnakes. That's why I love him.
Okay, NOW we're on our way to the dam. Here we are driving on the dam itself. Mark will not look down. Rattlesnakes do not faze him. Heights do.
Remember this place Cari?
Can you tell which way the wind is blowing?
We went into the visitor's center. Lots of info about the building of the dam, and about the local Indians.
This is showing a woman drying fish, and trying to chase a bird away from the fish.
Ishi was an Indian that wandered into Oroville one day. He was the last of his kind, and he shared his upbringing with the folks who took him in. I read the book in school and I was fasinated with the story. I'm going to check it out of the library and read it again.
This was a nice presentation of a small portion of Ishi's life. They did a wonderful job.
Mark checks out the general store.
They even had a mountain man at the store. Man, they had everything!
Cari, remember this rock? You and the boys all fit on it for a picture last time. I don't think you all would fit now. And my hair is still blowing everywhere.
More RATTLESNAKES???
And there was notice that ticks could be encountered as well. Time to go folks. Later!
I grew up with this picture in the house. I've always loved it. Mom and Dad, if you ever find it missing, it wasn't me. Really. Probably was Linda. Yep, bet ya that's it.
And these plates. I really like them.
We took off for home. Here we are: road trip! Isn't this a pretty country road? What a nice way to start a trip.
We stopped to say goodbye to the cows. 
We stopped and got some Starbucks. I LOVE doing that on a roadtrip.
A certain someone in the truck next to us had an opinion about Starbucks and roadtrips.
There's some beautiful scenery along the way.
Cold weather along the way. Snow!
Snow.
Rain.
Almost to Salem and we saw this. It was impressive!
Wow. Not only is Starbucks a cool part of road trips. Seeing stuff like this rocks as well.
