30 years ago my wife, Carol, and I lived in Depoe Bay, Oregon---(owned the FOLK ART SHOP there)---went broke (but had a ball doing that)! Loved the coast---low tides exposing wondrous creatures and sights!! Loved the rain and the fog and walking the tide pools below Cape Foulweather in the rain (and on the one or two sunny days when everybody brought out their cameras).

Now, with health gone south, I know I did it right! Climbed the mountains and the Oregon bluffs when I had the strength to do that! We traveled the first 3 years we were married on very little cash. Knew, despite family freaking out, it was the way to go. I've never been sorry!

Today I can get nostalgic for Oregon whenever we have a foggy and wet time like we're having in Illinois now; a true benefit from those other times which are preserved in my memory better than the finest laser photo!

Folks, youth is the time to DO IT! As Joe Campbell said, "Follow Your Bliss"; never put it off! Your own OREGON TRAIL IS WAITING for your footfall. No matter that your Grail be somewhere else---get there! (That's why I became a folksinger.)

Black Elk said that Harney Peak was the center of the world but that EVERYWHERE could be that also!

Go for it!

Art Thieme

I pray that they'll never Californicate Oregon!!!