Hi,

I want to thank all who answered my RFI on the logistics of driving from
Portland to Olympia. Fortunately, our schedule was to chase the Redwing as soon
as we arrived in the area on the 10th and not this past weekend when the ice
storm hit the area around Portland.

We arrived a half-hour after the Redwing was last seen on Monday, 10th. The
good news was the bird was still in the area: The bad we missed the chance on
Monday. We showed up at 7:30 to be sure that we did not miss the bird on
Tuesday. The Am. Robins began to show up around 8:00 and we had the bird around
8:32 AM, for about five plus minutes on Thomas Street. After hanging around
for a little while longer in the hope to get a second look, we took off for
Kent Ponds and the Baikal Teal. As reported, already, the bird was not seen
Tuesday, even with one local birder putting in six hours on the tower. After
finding the Common Teal, we left, heading back to Portland, since my wife hoped to
see some of the US Ice Skating Championships that we had come to see, that
night.

We stayed at the Best Western in Olympia, as recommended in one of the
responses to our RFI, having dinner at a seafood restaurant called Anthony's. The
food was good and since we were there before 6:00 PM, we had the early bird
special, which was a four course meal for about $17. Not a bad price for what
one received. It is located at the end of Capitol Way near the water.

On Wednesday morning, the 11th, we headed down to Coburg for the Falcated
Duck, seeing it easily upon our arrival.

Again, I want to thank everybody that helped. And to the people of Portland,
I want to say that you have a great city, with a wonderful public transit
system, that is free in the city center, which meant we could travel between
where we were staying the ice skating events. Even during the ice storm!

Great Birding and Find that Next Lifer,

John C. LeVine
Birders2
Los Angeles, CA