Florence on the 4th

Last weekend I headed down to Florence, OR to spend the 4th with my aunt and uncle. Jake was out of town and sitting at home on a holiday did not sound like fun. Since I had Friday off work I packed up and made it to Florence by about 2. We had some lunch and it was time for Uncle Larry's nap. So Nana took me on a tour of town, down to the beach and to Old Town to see many of her favorite shops. It was a cute little coast town with all the mom and pop shops along the river. We went back home just in time for cocktail hour. Their friend Rick came over and had a drink with us. At this point I noticed that my aunt and uncle are officially more "with it" than I am. Indeed they own a Wii, and I was one of the few people in the world that had not yet played. So we decided that it was time for me to give it a shot. As it turns out, the Wii is quite fun!! This was only the first of many times that we played. After a couple drinks and a bit of bowling action, it was time to go to dinner. We went to Waterfront Depot down on the river. It was delicious!

We were beyond full and it was almost bed time, but not before a little more Wii. Seriously, I think I might need to purchase one now!

The morning of the 4th was quiet, just breakfast and Uncle Larry washing the cars. We went down to the river to watch the duck race and check out the street fair. We enjoyed some lunch and it was back to home before the rest of the excitement. In the afternoon the Elk's Club was having a car show and dinner. There were a bunch of really neat old cars. After checking out the cars we headed in to the bar for a couple drinks. Sadly, we lounged around too long and they sold out of the dinners. So it was on to plan B, the restaraunt/bar in the same parking lot. Turns out they were closed for the holiday. Plan C was finally the winner - Jerry's Place. This place did not see us coming! Little did they know that Nana and Larry (in their 60's/70's) could be such a wild bunch. A few drinks later it was Keno time, and Larry won big, so he had to ring the bell and buy a round for the bar!

We met quite a few friends that night. There was Jimbo the Chef and former mayor of Cold Bay, AK. Kimmy, who told Rick he was not her type, but who took quite a liking to Nana, and a couple fishermen who enjoyed a shot that was on fire! Needless to say we had a good time. After all the fun could be had at the bar, we headed home. Even though it was getting late, we decided to bust out the dominoes. Turns out that I also quite enjoy dominoes!

We did not bother trying to see the fireworks that night because it was going to be very crowded and the fog had rolled in so you would not be able to see much anyway. Overall it was a great 4th.

Sunday it was time to go back to the real world. I hit the road around noon and was taking the coast highway home to see the sights. I stopped a few times to take some pics of the view, and then was on the road. Unfortunately, everyone else and their brother were also heading home and had decided to take the coast highway. It was stop and go through all of the little towns, but I figured it would pick up when we turned inland. Wrong. It slowed all the way to a stop instead. This provided a lot of time to take pics of the mountain we were driving up. It also settled it that my next car would be an automatic. Stop and go traffic all the way up and then back down a mountain sure does wear out your leg! What was supposed to be a 3.5 hour drive turned into a 5.5 hour trek! But I made it.

It was a great weekend and I enjoyed spending time with Nana and Uncle Larry. From now on I will take I-5!

Here are more pictures from the weekend.

More Pictures

Nothing too exciting, but I finally posted more pictures from our trip.

I also added a few from our camping trip a few weekends ago.

Enjoy!

A Year Already!?

Hard to believe that it has been a year since we were in Tahoe for this. It has been a great year full of changes. To celebrate, my wonderful husband planned an Oregon coast get-a-way for us. We left Friday and headed west, stopping in Cannon Beach for lunch. It was such a cute little town with lots of shops and eateries along the main road. It was just a pit stop though as we had to get to Manzanita before 4 to check-in. This was an even cuter and smaller town (actually called a village). We checked-in and headed to our rental house. Isn't it so cute!!


It was a two bedroom with a great kitchen and a hot tub! A wonderful place to get away from everything and not worry about kids being loud in hotel halls or splashing in the pool. We got unpacked and headed to the beach. It was definitely not laying out weather, but it was still the beach.The next day we headed out to Nehalem Bay State Park, just south of Manzanita. It was a very cool park. Not every day you can see the ocean, a river, beach grass and a forest all in one place. We had fun walking around on the ocean side and then decided to head to the bay side of the park. Wandering down the beach on the bay we saw a bunch of elk, deer and racoon tracks but sadly no animals. We thought we would walk all the way around the bay and get back to the ocean. But after quite a while walking we decided it was farther than anticipated and turned around. After a quick picture by the bay we got back in the car and headed to another state park nearby.
Oswald West State Park was another great adventure. This time we got to hike around in a forest and see a waterfall going down to the ocean. I could not believe the size of some of the trees there, they were huge! This beach turned out to be a major surfing spot and there were a ton of people. We walked around a little more and went back to the house to get ready and head to dinner at the Terra Cotta Cafe. It was delicious and the homemade cake was amazing!

Sunday we made our way down to Tillamook. The first stop had to be the cheese factory. The building was massive and I could watch them make that cheese all day. After Jake peeled me away from the viewing window we went back down to the sampling table to try out the cheeses. I love cheese and this did not fail to please. Of course we could not leave without grabbing some ice cream too. Wow! That is all that can be said about it. If you have the option to eat Tillamook ice cream, don't pass it up.

Our next stop was the air museum. This was a really great find. It is on an old Navy base and the whole museum is in an old WWII blimp hangar. The building is massive and makes the planes inside seem miniature in comparison. There was a little theater where they showed a movie about the building and how it was built. They had TONS of war time items, everything from uniforms, radios, service awards, and pictures. And of course planes, some of which are still in flying condition and others are just for display. It was awesome to see all of the planes and read the stories about where they were used.

























After the museum we ventured back to Manzanitza for our last night of vacation. Nothing too exciting, just relaxed and enjoyed our time away from home. Monday we got up, packed up the car and headed back to Beaverton. Again we stopped in Cannon Beach, but this time it was to see Haystack rock. The name may not sound familiar but I am sure most people have seen it before. If you have seen the movie The Goonies, you have seen it! It turned out to be pretty good weathter too, so we walked along the beach and watched all the Puffins who nest on the rock fly around.


One last stop at the candy store in town for some salt water taffy (yum!) and it was on the road again. Our anniversary celebration was rapidly coming to an end. It was a fantastic weekend and I was very sad for it to be over. I have an amazing husband! Love you Jacob! Here's to another new adventurous year.

The deepest lake and a not so little brother

Once again we have failed to update the blog in a timely manner, perhaps I should write myself a note as a reminder..... Anyway, way back at the beginning of the month (June 3) we journeyed south across the state of Oregon and back to my home turf of Northern California. On our way I decided we should stop in and see Crater Lake National Park, as Kari had never seen this beautiful landmark. I had not been there myself in years and never this early in the season, so it was a treat for us both. We also came in the north entrance, which was new to me as well, and got to see a little different view of the park.

The lake was gorgeous, as always, and the views breathtaking. One thing had slightly slipped my mind however.....high elevation mountains in early June still have PLENTY of snow (only slightly because I did call ahead about road closures/conditions). Not that this was a bad thing, but WOW, there was lots of snow up at the lake. The snow added a unique aspect to the panorama and gave us an experience most people do not get when visiting the park. Due to the abundance of snow, the entire east side of the park and the hiking trails were all closed. So we just enjoyed the views from the rim, checked out the lodge and its small educational display and then continued on our way.

We made it my parents place that evening and enjoyed a nice visit. The next day Kari and I went with my Dad to work. I wanted to show Kari some of the remote areas of Northern Nevada and possibly get her first sighting of a free roaming wild horse. We were not disappointed, as we saw many wild horses. It was a nice day spent with family enjoying the sights and returning to an area where I had spent so much time.

The entire reason for this trip was my youngest brothers graduation from high school. Ethan graduated that Friday night at a ceremony moved indoors do to the threat of rain, which turned into a nice lengthy shower. Now all the boys have graduated and soon the parents will have an empty nest.

We had a great time visiting family and exploring new places. Next stop....the Oregon Coast.

We Heart Visitors!

It's true. I love when people come to visit. Our latest visitor was my mother. She was on vacation and I had a week off of work thanks to our lovely economy and the required furlough each employee is taking this summer. So the obvious solution was a trip to Portland. It was off to a rough start when mom called and said the flight was delayed. Thankfully it was only about an hour before she called again and they were on their way. It was going to be a short visit so we started in on the fun right from the airport. We headed downtown for lunch at Baja Fresh and then a little wandering around, where we found an elephant in a park!


Then we wound our way up the hill to the Japanese Gardens. We had never been there before so it was a new adventure for all. The drive to the garden was beautiful and we had only made it to the parking lot. The grounds were even better and it was a beautiful day to be outside. The view from the first stop in the garden was of dowtown Portland with Mt. Hood in the back.


There were many statues, sculpted plants, sand gardens, ponds and tea houses throughout the 5.5 acres on the Portland hillside. It is a great find and I am glad we went to check it out. More pictures here.


The next day we were off on a self guided wine tour. I know, I know, it seems like all we have done here is drink wine, but there is just so much of it around that you can't avoid it!! We made stops at many wineries - August Cellars, Rex Hill, Duck Pond, The Four Graces, Dobbes Family/ Wine by Joe and Argyle. As the driver I was only tasting the ones that Jake thought I would like. But mom and Jake found many that were good and a few that were not so great, but it all depends on your taste. The last stop at Argyle was a little different because they took the "bubbly tour" of sparkling wines. After a long day of touring we headed home to relax a little before going to dinner downtown at Henry's.



The last day was pretty low key. Mom and I went shopping and out to lunch, just hanging out. It was a quick trip, but we had fun. Thanks for coming to visit, mom!!

Seals and Sandstone

Back again! Yes indeed, I am back from my latest travels and home now for a few weeks. Our current project is located about 60 miles off the coast of Southern California, on one of the Channel Islands. This trip was a short two weeks, spent preparing our living quarters and getting the details worked out for our project to get underway. This island seems like five-star accommodations compared to others as we have a bunk house, kitchen and shop. The terrain reminds me of the southwest, with lots of exposed sandstone and a semi-arid environment. It makes for some great photo opportunities and some challenging hiking.


Once again I had some pretty good National Geographic moments, this time with Northern Elephant seals and California Sea Lions. What characters they are! I have added my latest pictures to the slide show, enjoy. Our work there will continue through the rest of the summer, so more pictures and stories to come!

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and a time to remember those who have served our country. On my way to the outlet mall this weekend I noticed a sign for the Oregon Korean War Memorial and decided to stop and check it out. The memorial was very neat. It is outside at a park in Wilsonville, just south of Beaverton. There was a wall with names of Oregonians who lost there lives in the Korean War, as well as stories and other facts about the war. There was a man there also looking at the memorial and came over to talk to me. He told me about how he had served 10 months in Korea and it brought me to tears just listening to him talk about it. Every time I hear a story about a soldier I feel truly grateful for those who have and are currently serving in the armed forces. I can not even imagine how the families feel who loose someone they love and I am lucky to have never lost someone. We live in a truly great country and take many things for granted everyday. I am appreciative to those who are defending our freedom and realize that I do not think of them enough. Thank you to all soldiers all over the world. This day is for you.

Pictures of the Memorial.