First Oregon friend

[blackerinm]

I first moved to Oregon in early winter of ’97, and besides my parents, I didn’t know anyone. I remember I was sitting outside at Chemeketa one day and this guy with long blond hair starting talking to me. It was Lars, and he learned I was new to the area and soon introduced me to his brother Leif. They were the first friends I had in the state and they went out of their way to include me in activities. I remember hanging out in their apartment listening to Sublime who I had never heard of but they loved, to this day when I hear that band I think of them. They once threw a party at a house they were renting behind Wal-Mart over on Lancaster and I remember meeting this guy Nathaniel, he is now my brother-in-law. Lars and Leif are responsible for me knowing the majority of the people I know in Salem. I haven’t seen either in years, but I was heartbroken when I heard about Leif. My thoughts go out to his entire family.

Erin Black-Mitchell (Erin Black)

[JennyBlack79]

I moved to Oregon during the Summer of '97....Luckily, my sister Erin moved here before me, so I had a built in set of friends by the time I arrived! Lars and Leif were among that group, and we quickly became fast friend . As a 17 year old from small a small town Wisconsin, moving across the country to a place like Oregon is something of a shell shock....like a different world really. I had never known anyone like Lars and Leif, thats for sure! They were the perfect introduction to my new life in Oregon, though....Like my sister, I will forever think associate Sublime with those 2...Although every time I hear the Cranberries I think of Leif too. He would listen to that CD over and over! At that time we were both suffering some distress in our personal lives and it was comforting that we could very much relate to how the other one felt...We didn't waste all our time moping around, though! We were always camping in Detroit, or North Fork, and I really think those were some of the best times of my life....I haven't seen Lars or Leif in years, and I miss them both. I'm absolutely devastated to find out this happened. I'm hoping for a miracle same as everyone else....These things happen, and if anyone is able to facilitate a miracle right now, it would be Lars and Leif's family.

Jenny Black

[JennyBlack79]

This is a picture I took of Leif in '97...We were camping at Detroit. I've always loved this picture, and I've had it displayed in every home I've lived in for the past 15 years....

[blackerinm]

I was wondering if you had any pictures from our camping trips. That is a great picture.