VitaTour 2009 comes to its end

Huntington to Portland brought us past Pendleton, The Dalles, the dams on the Columbia River and on into Portland. All beautiful sights that we have shared on previous trips. The Multnomah Falls are incredible. Rather than bore you with the same pictures, take a look at the VitaTour 2005 blog.

When we got here it was overcast (typical of the northwest). Gosh, it’s good to be back in the part of the country that doesn’t boil you from the inside out.


We were invited to a BBQ at Dina and John M’s home. We had the chance to meet a nice bunch of gals that Dina is leading to health and a new life. Most have DS or Sleeves. It was fun and, of course, great food. Dina, thank you ever so much for inviting us to your gathering. It was good seeing you and John again.

Tomorrow we head home, the last couple of hundred miles. We would much rather turn west and spend some time on the coast, but that will have to be left for another time. We do have to be home when the Gra’s come into town. If you don’t know, we have had the pleasure of hosting “Grad Weekend”. For us, this has become a tradition and has been the real end of our VitaTours.

This all started when some of the gals on the OSSG Graduate board decided on making Puyallup a meeting place to have an annual get together. Even though a few guys have come, it has been pretty much a weekend slumber party. It is a great time of friendship and encouragement.

Next year, VitaTour 2010 will be to Las Vegas. Michelle is already planning the route. One place I know we are going to for sure is the Grand Canyon. Hopefully it will all be west of the Mississippi River.

2011 the conference is to be in Florida so we will have a chance to meet up with many more folks. I am hoping to take her into New England then, but who knows……

Let me wrap up VitaTour 2009 with expressing our thanks to our sponsor Bio Tech Pharmacal for allowing us to join them in their booth this year. We also appreciate the samples we shared on the trip, provided by Allmax, Bariatric Advantage, Country Life, Continental Vitamin Co, Syntrax, Wellements, Colorado Biolabs, Pharmics and IDS.

Most importantly, Michelle and I want to thank every person and group that came out, and for the prayers that made this trip a success. Please know that these trips have been an incredible source of inspiration that carries us through the year. Every one that took the time out of their busy life to come out and let us meet them is special and is much appreciated. We wish each and every one of you health in your journey and long term weight loss success.

And of course, see ya next year.