First morning first day St Paul and Lee ( AM post )

Its early morning here in Oregon . The plane arrived safely and a few minutes early at the Portland Airport . Our bags were literally waiting for us as we arrived . PDX is very efficient, and its very spacious and very cool. If you have a layover in Portland of any time ..you can " visit " Oregon by just exploring all the shops and restaurants in the Airport.
My long time friend , Lee and his wonderful wife , picked us up at the airport. I have know lee since 2nd grade ..our friendship has endured a lot ..the endurance has made it stronger .
We stopped for a quick meal at Burgerville ( burgerville.com ) . This Northwest only hamburger chain was opened in 1961. It is a Portland institution that is recognized world wide for the quality of its food . It is well know for only using the freshest local ingredients in its menu , including local cheese ( Tilllamook ) Beef , vegetables, berries and fruits. During season their Milk shakes are world class , out of season they are not offered , no frozen strawberries here. You can goggle them and they have a what's fresh section on their website.
Lee and Corrine live in St Paul. St Paul is a small farming community about 45 miles south of Portland. Every Year ( July 4th ) St Paul hosts one of the best Rodeo's in the State , aptly named the St Paul Rodeo .
This is the Northern tip of the Willamette Valley , The most noticeable farms in the area are those growing hops . but there is wheat , corn , garlic , miniature trees , nurseries , tomatoes , cucumbers ...well just about everything you can imagine being grown here. Its good soil and plenty of Sun and rain .
This year there has been too much rain, the state is flooded The worst floods in several decades. Heavy rain melted early snow , with predicable consequences . As we drove into St Paul i could see fields covered in water ....the poles that support the Hops looking like Piers at the beach.
Hops are a main ingredient in beer . They have a very distinct taste a bitter tangy taste ...the hop or Hopp crop here is huge , in fact it accounts for about 80% of the national crop .

I find it interesting how the Lord has divided the Earths resources for His people . There is no underground deposit of oil in Oregon , no coal , or natural gas . but here in the Willamette valley there is a great wealth of food crops some very essential for the needs of the people . An entire and successful restaurant chain can survive here with out having food trucked more than a hundred miles or so ....and the area still has enough room left over to provide with pubs and taverns and even your local refrigerator with tangy bitter , brews.
I do find myself wondering if perhaps God is trying to strongly suggest to us as citizens of the world , that as Citizens of Heaven we are going to be living with out borders , with out territorial conflict. Or perhaps He is saying something quite basic ..and quite true Trust me ...I will provide for you.

Just musing at 6 am in St Paul Oregon , I have my camera ready. I am waiting for the first sigh of the Sun , but it looks like it is going to have to pierce the clouds ..Today may not burst alive with the stabbinbg light of the Sun ..instead it may simply start to glow as the clouds reluctantly let some light in.

Either way , soon Lee and Corrine will be up . Lori will probably sleep a little longer. It was a hard travel day for her . Today we celebrate Lees 65th Birthday. Hard to believe the boy I used to visit and lay ball with is turning 65 ...we have made this journey together ..in a few months His party will be my party . Sunrise , Sunsets , wars , and warm summer nights , double dates , and clam digging , nights of too much beer , and days of too little sun ...its been quite a journey , quite an adventure . Happy ( belated ) Birthday Lee !!!