WASHINGTON DC FEBRUARY 23 - 26

Greetings from the nation's capitol. Meetings, meetings and more meetings. Once I arrived I have been meeting with almost every state president that produces apples within the U.S. Today was the first day that I was let out of my hotel cage. It has been a very productive trip, but one does get tired of staying inside...espically when it is nice outside.

After breaking free and having an opportunity to meet up for dinner (outside the hotel), I walked past the Library of Congress, National Archeives, the Supreme Court and the Capitol buildings. The Capitol building has a dome and this was the place that President Obama gave his speech last night to congress.

We have a breakfast meeting tomorrow morning and will begin to pack up our things and to the airport we go. It appears that we will be returing to DC in four weeks to meet with several of our congressional leaders and prepare for the new budget and list of priorities that congress is preparing.

Can't wait to see you tomorrow! Give mom and Moose a big hug...

God Bless,

Ottster!

(The top picture is of the capitol dome, the second is a picture of the Library of Congress, the building in the National Treasure 2).

GERMANY - February 2 - 8

GUTEN TAG VON DEUTCHLAND!

Germany has been a blast. The trip started with a delayed air flight on Monday from San Francisco to Frankfurt. Due to the delay, I missed the connection and had to take a five hour train to Berlin. It was a great delay! I was able to see the country side!

After arriving late Tuesday evening, I prepared for our Fruit Logestica Conference. During the three day trade show, I was able to discuss several issues with several countries including friends from: Russia, Mexico, Central America, UK and the U.S. I also met some new friends from England, Canada and Austrlia.

By Friday, Lisa arrived and we were able to start some sight seeing. We saw pieces of the Berlin Wall, Check Point Charlie, the Brandenburger Gate, the Reichstag, Jewish Museum and the Church of Remberance to name a few.

We leave tomorrow and will arrive in the U.S. by the evening.

These pictures include:

The Branderburger Grate, The Reichstag, Check Point Charlie and the Reichstag made out of German Chocolate.

Until then, GOD BLESS,

Ottster

QUICK TRIP TO NC

I arrived late last night in North Carolina. WOW it is cold. Highs are in the 40's and the lows are in the 20's. While getting ready to fly from Charlotte to Greensboro I caught a glimpse of an awesome sight. Low and behold, the airport had Jeff Gordon's #24 DuPont, Pepsi Chevrolet car! Awesome. After paying homage to my hero in NASCAR, off to the plane I went.

Tomorrow will be meetings and meetings and then back on the plane I go. See you late tomorrow.

Tell mom hi and give Jordan a hug. I will keep an eye out for a snow globe.

God Bless,

Ottster

FAMILY VACATION '08 - LAST NIGHT

Last night in OR. Tomorrow, we leave for Fresno! Today, we crossed the state line into Washington State to see Mt. St. Helans. After stopping at every gas station on the way up the 47 mile journey, we finally arrived at the volcano. Unlike Mt. Hood, we found this mountain dodging the clouds and playing peek-a-boo with the family. The power of the 1980 eruption was awesome! Trees still lay on their side pointing the direction of the blast.

A quick stop at the top of the viewing area and a couple of snow balls (thrown at dad), we went back down the hill and stopped at the Mt. St. Helens Gift Shop and wouldn't you know it...they had souvenirs filled with ash. Regan, of course had to get her fifth snow globe of the trip coupled with Jordan getting a compass so he could continue to tell us where all the gas stations and bathrooms were on the way back to the hotel.

After dinner, we began to unwind. Tomorrow, we get to sleep in, pack, and then off to the airport. Next stop...home!

Until next trip,

God Bless,

Ottster

FAMILY '08 VACATION - HAPPY T-DAY

Happy Turkey Day! We left the coast and were off to see Multnohma Falls. This is the second largest year-round water fall in the U.S. You will have to look up number one! The hike to the top of the falls was one mile...yes we did it! Both kids made it to the top.

After the two mile round trip hike, we left to find Mt. Hood and I mean find Mt. Hood. Clearly, the powers that be moved this giant mountain because after two hours treking up and down the highway the clouds covered this big hill or it simply vanished. I believe it was moved.

After making our way to Portland and enjoyed a all you can eat Thanksgiving feast at our hotel, the kids decided to go outside and swim in the 36 degree weather. The good news, they got to swim in a heated spa...the bad news, the Mrs. and I got to sit, not move and watch the HEATED spa.

Tomorrow, it is suppose to be sunny...which I am still waiting for, and take a trip across the boarder to see another mountain/volcano that could also be invisible...Mt St. Helens.

Until tomorrow...God Bless,

Ottster

OTT FAMILY '08 VACATION - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Wednesday, Day 2 in OR. Started the day with a trip to the state capitol building. After visiting the Senate and House state chambers, we traveled to the downtown carousel for a couple of pony rides. The carousel was build in 1991 but it took over 80,000 man hours to hand carve the horses used for the ride.

From the carousel and a quick recess at the park, we drove to the coast. The drive was incredible with moss covered trees and a landscape covered with resources waiting to assist the next generation of home owners. Once we arrived in Tillamook we went to the beach where a dazzling sunset and a lesson in nature (aka a lucky seagull snacking on the local crab) finished off a packed day.

On the way home, we stopped off at a local cheese factory where hundreds of pounds of cheese were being packed. Once we downed our creamery ice cream, we went back to the hotel room where the kids finished the evening with a quick indoor swim (only 47 degrees outside).

Until tomorrow,

God Bless,

Ottster

FAMILY '08 VACATION

On Saturday night, we arrived in left to San Diego to kick off our annual November family Vacation. Sunday kick-off the event with a visit to Legoland. WOW! The kids enjoyed looking at everything made by legos...not to mention the roller coasters.

After the Legoland adventure, we dropped the kids off at their cousins and went to the Sunday Night Football game between the Colts and Chargers. What a game, Manning pulled it out with a fourth and a chain link pass to get the first down and then a 51-yard game winning field goal with two seconds left in the game.

Monday morning, we boarded the plane to fly back to Fresno, grab a new set of suitcases and then off to the Amtrack train station. We boarded Amtrack in Fresno and arrived in Salem, OR Tuesday afternoon. In a 48 hours, we visited AZ, NV, CA and OR. Tomorrow, we will be visiting the OR capital and then will drive to the OR coast.

Until tomorrow...

God Bless,

Ottster