It’s the Summer of the Road Trip (it’s also the Summer of Cantaloupe, but that’s a different story). We found ourselves this past weekend driving yet again (which doesn’t bother me so much, but Xavier hit the limit of road tripping) to Lake Siskiyou to camp with Eddie’s extended family. It was a lovely time full of lots of family time, lake swimming for those who chose to (I didn't) and good food.

The boys headed down to spend some time with the California relations, and Eddie and I drove to Ashland where we stayed in a lovely European Style hotel right downtown within easy walking distance of the shops, restaurants, and the Shakespeare Festival.

We took in Romeo and Juliet which I’d never seen live before. They did a neat version where they highlighted the generation gap by clothing the parents in traditional Elizabethan garb, and the younger ones in modern clothing. The music was traditional with a techno beat (it worked, trust me). Perhaps it is my Post-Potter Syndrome speaking, but I was really struck this viewing of the play by the fact that Romeo had committed murder, and the damage that does to one’s soul.



The next morning, I was blessed to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration
at St. Gabriel’s Mission (it started at 8am, thank you Father Isaac!), concelebrated by a ROCOR priest, Father Seraphim,
who talked about his visit to Moscow for the reunification, and of the two parishes getting together for an afternoon – what a blessing for the Southern Oregon Orthodox. I’ve never been to the Rogue River church, but you can see it from the freeway, so I always crane my neck and stare as we pass it!

A good time had by all, and I made it home in time for Book Club