Dreary day, basically. Cold. We hear it’s supposed to snow in Seattle tomorrow – looks like we got out of there just in time. Back on I-5. Bob’s wife Carrie joined us here through SF: an excellent addition to a well-balanced touring van. At the gas station, Pete caught me staring into space. I tried to explain it was the scenery, but then I noted where I was looking…..

In the car played a “White” compilation CD a friend of mine gave me: they are a Chinese underground “rock” band. Sometimes industrial, sometimes drummish, sometimes melodic almost like a simpler Steve Reich. Consensus in the van: very curious stuff.

Hit our favorite hotel in Ashland, OR: the Bard. This is a shakespeare festival town, and it’s got everything we need. Bob and Carrie, Clint and I hit the thermal hot spa. Sulphuric waftings toasted us out, while alternating between the steam sauna, the cold water near-olympic length pool, then back into the smaller hot pool. Quite fun and gonkily relaxing. Then Pete and Jimmy joined me ‘n’ Clint for thai food at the Thai Pepper. Excellent food, and general excessive relaxation. That’ll wind up a day off, much needed.