Hi Jen. Yes, it would be nice to meet with all the HACs sometime. You guys seem to have a lot of fun, and nobody has as much fun having fun as I do. Don't let that fool you though. I can also engage in "hostile activities" if necessary.

You're right about The Feeshko not being my wife's real name. I could write a 10,000-word essay about The Feeshko's name, but I'll spare you and provide the condensed version:

When we met in college, she told me her name was Alice, so I called her "Alice" for a couple of months. After dating and becoming more comfortable with her, I started calling her "Alicia." She seemed to like that, so a while later, I re-named her "Alficia"--you know, just to keep things fresh. Over the next year or so, the name evolved from "Alficia" to "Feeshia" to "Feesher" to "Feesh." Incredibly, despite all the names, she agreed to marry me. Shortly thereafter, it became "Feeshko," which stuck for the next thirty years. Only after I started writing on-line bike touring journals did I add the "The" to "Feeshko." I thought it would be a clever gimmick to keep people wondering, "is that her real name?" It would be my little secret.

For years, I've been surprised that only one or two people have asked that question. I figure it's okay to tell you the secret story since Scott & Rocky have hardly any followers, nobody is inspired by their routes, and nobody reads their journals. (LOL!)

One more story I can't resist telling: Back in the 1990's, I had an employee who had been working for me for about three years. During that time, he had met my wife many times, but everybody in the store always called her "Feeshko." One day, an old friend stopped by and asked how Alice was doing. I started telling him about my wife's activities and, after a couple minutes, the aforementioned employee spoke up. "Wait! Who's Alice?" After three years, the poor guy only knew her as "Feeshko."

Dreamy show Rachel. Eva Cassidy's Autumn Leaves is the perfect soundtrack for it.

True. You should come back. You can ask Bruce about his tooth collection while you’re here.

So many riches on Sauvie Island

Scott, I so appreciate your documentation of this rare example of affable friendship. I really like the friends I have where we just pick up where we left off. As an "introvert that likes people" it's super affirming and refreshing. Seeing our group over the years (with baby J in Kristen's arms!!! And Tiva the pupdog!!!) is just delightful.

I hope you told her they were dried ears of a capybara or something (they are plums from Bruce's tree, dried in the summer furnace that is his 1985 Toyota Tercel wagon).

Too late, it's in the box! Whew.

I’m glad you liked the slideshow! It was an amazing walk for beautiful fall colors.

I’m glad you liked it! Scott does a wonderful job at finding great walking routes and the fall colors are amazing now.

Love the slideshow, Rachael.

And your walking route! One of Portland's so many beautiful areas.

Wow! again.

Makes my morning to see this shot.

Wow! This is a fabulous tree.

I can't imagine a tooth-themed gathering with better decorations.

Those really set the tone for this Time of Hilarity and Merriment!!

That was such a treat to arrive to your recovered smile!

And I love the happy colors of your house as the background for this photo.

Greg!

Scott and Rachael shared some stories about meeting up with you and The Feeshko. Did I get that right? I think that is not your wife's name .. and I don't remember the story.

Anyhow, it was great to hear about the fun the Andersons have had getting together with you two and I hope we'll get to meet you, too!