Best Vacation. EVER! Part 1

Welcome back!!

I think that I have about 500 pictures left of our vacation (after editing). .

I thought that I would share some of them! My crew will be in a lot of the first post. .Not so much on the 2nd post.

Oregon was loaded with incredible scenery and a beauty like nothing that we have really seen before!

Hope you enjoy our little mini tour!

Flew into Portland on Thursday afternoon. .

The kids loved flying. .but we were all exhausted!

Got our suburban (perhaps the nicest one I have ever been in!!) and drove (well--after we figured out how to get OUT of Portland!) a short distance to Troutdale, more like a little suburb.

The next morning we headed off. .stopping at several waterfall areas on the way.

Of course, we were all in awe of them--we don't have access to small waterfalls. .let alone waterfalls the magnitude of Multnomah Falls (which is the one pictured here!) We hiked a short distance up to the bridge you see. .And Cami mentioned that she would like to hike to the top.

Always ready for an adventure--I was totally in!! Grant showed up shortly after we got going too. .and the three of us hiked another  mile and the remaining 542 vertical feet up to the top. We actually turned around once when Cami decided she was too tired to keep going. .But after Grant mentioned something about "only coming 800 miles to see the top" we found a second wind. .and projected our wind onto the little one. .And made the rest of the climb!!

If you could have seen that little girl's face when she realized that SHE had made it clear to the top. Priceless!!

I will never forget it!!

A sweet lady took our picture at the mouth of the falls. .

And the walk down was significantly faster and easier than the way up!!

We enjoyed seeing the locke and dams as well as a fish hatchery and even Mount Hood from a distance on our way to Aunt Jane and Uncle Pete's. The whole impetus for our trip was to visit them. They moved from Kansas about 4 years ago. They live near UP's family in the high desert Oregon country. And what beautiful country it is!

A little scenery from their west deck!! AMAZING!

And while I didn't happen to include a photo. .the view to the south from the same deck shows the "three sisters" mountains. I could drink my coffee there EVERY morning and never grow tired of it!!

We enjoyed hanging out with AJ and UP over the weekend. .

And hands down. .from all parties in my family. .our time with them was the best of the whole trip!!

Sunday we drove over to Smith Rock after brunch. .

The name is a misnomer. .it is more like a BUNCH of rocks--sporting sheer cliffs on the east side of them that people enjoy climbing. There were some hiking trails there too. .I don't know if it was because it was Memorial weekend. .or if the crowd is always that big. .but there were people EVERYWHERE there! Hiking, climbing. We enjoyed watching the climbers through the binoculars. Those people are C-R-A-Z-Y!!

AJ, the kids and I enjoyed using one of the really nice walking trails that curved around the top of the mini-mountain that we were on!

Here's a different view to the south of the main climbing areas sporting a winding little river!

Amazing views!!

It was really warm--in the low 80's when we headed south Sunday afternoon.

So we were a little surprised to see. .

THIS when we reached Crater Lake several hours later!!

They had just opened up this pass two days before we got there. .

And once again. .

The scenery was AMAZING!

Hiking in sandals through the snow. .

Off the bucket list that came!!

And my toes graduated to a totally different level of their normal cold!!

Much of the lake was still frozen. .

And there were SO many people checking it out, just like we were!

We must have stopped at nearly every pull out area there was to get the vehicle parked in!!

The kids were always ready to jump out and take another look at the crazy amazing view!

Though it was one of the worst nights sleep I had during the whole trip (me-though-not the bed or accommodations!). .

I think my favorite place we stayed was this old hotel in Prospect Oregon. I hadn't made reservations for rooms, other than a beachfront hotel for a couple nights in California. I didn't want to rush to get someplace. .and I didn't want to stay too long somewhere else if we were ready to move on. As our travel plans fell. .I was afraid that we would either be driving in the dark (and missing the scenery) or staying somewhere yucky. .so Sunday morning, after I had called a couple places that were completely full already, I found a room big enough for ALL of us due to a late cancellation!!

The Prospect Hotel is a completely refurbished bed and breakfast on the historical roster. It was a little odd, staying in a HOUSE (because that is actually what it was--luckily we got to stay in the house, rather than in the newer "hotel-like" rooms built on a side lot) with rooms full of other guests. .but the big wrap around porch-complete with porch swing, NO TV OR WIFI, and old furnishings were a hit with this girl. .everyone else--not so much!! We set a time for our breakfast. .and enjoyed eating in their 2nd floor dining area at a huge table set with beautiful dishes and a delicious homemade breakfast-down to my mimosa!! I would stay there again in a HEARTBEAT!!

After taking a post breakfast hike down to see the local waterfalls, we headed for Crescent City California! (While the kids were all over getting out to see every nook and cranny of Crater Lake. .they were totally over it by the time we made it to the big California sign!!)

I knew that I wanted to experience staying right on the beach during our vacation. I was sure the kids would love that. .and they did!! We stayed at Oceanfront Lodge in Crescent City. .and loved every bit of it!! Here was the sunset view from our balcony! We were also able to see the gray whales in the distance (after a wonderful woman shouted to us from the beach to take note of them!)

Jeremy and I hiked over to see the lighthouse area that was a block from our back door. The kids did some tidepooling. The water was C-O-L-D. .and all the signs around about the dangers of the Pacific ocean and warning you to never turn your back on it--kinda freaked out this mom!! So we made sure that our hotels all had indoor swimming pools for the kids to enjoy!

There were also lots of "pull out" areas along Highway 101 where you could park and hike or park and take in all the breathtaking views!! We stopped A. LOT! Every day!

Tuesday morning we headed south on highway 101 to Redwood Park. We paid our $5 fee to check out the drive through tree and take our pictures with it (this was not it). But we found some equally huge redwoods along the scenic drive!

We stopped and got lost in the forest (yes, kind of literally)--but the 4 mile hike that we took was so quiet and peaceful and majestic! It was probably one of my favorite memories of the trip. The kids loved it too!! Though Devin didn't turn out to be much of a hiker! The kids all got some great photos while we were at it. .though I bet I got the award for MOST PICTURES TAKEN. Grant gets the award for MOST PICTURES POSTED ON GOOGLE IMAGES--haha!

We had stopped that morning and grabbed stuff for a picnic lunch. .so when we found the beach again near Orick, California. .We stopped for lunch and playing. That was a fun experience! Though it was pretty windy and cool there. .we ate in the back of the suburban. .and it took me quite a while to venture down to the ocean! The waves were much louder there than the they were around Crescent City. .Even after 5 days on the ocean. .we never tired of any aspect of it!

The last place we went before heading back to Crescent City for our second night there. .

Was to Fern Canyon in Humboldt County California.

We waited longer than the guys would have liked to make our turn through the current construction site of their windy, little, narrow dirt roads that drive into the recreation areas and further on in to the area known as Fern Canyon. There were ferns everywhere. .They grow up the entire inch of the vertical walls that surround the small little ravine in the bottom. I've never seen anything like it. .and for a woman who loves everything horticultural-I was pretty excited to get to experience the moments!

 More hiking and picture taking occurred there!

Which wore this crew out! It was a quiet ride back through the magnificent redwood forest!!

I'm guessing you are tired of seeing and reading. .and we are only through 1/2 of our trip. .

So I will be back later this week. .

To share some more details and photos!!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Family Update. .

Quick little update about us. .Mostly I will just caption this smattering of pictures from the last several months!! It has been the craziest 2 months of my entire life with stuff and stuff and more stuff!!

I look for things to slow down a lot this summer. .

Grant's last year of golf. .He placed 5th in the regional meet. .and got to golf at the State meet. .What an exciting time for him!!

Tristan (the tallest guy) came back to help me with another 30 hour Famine the first part of May. It was a hectic time to do it. .and we had a small group of kids. .but we raised enough money to feed 11 kiddos for an entire year!! We did some clean up work for one of the ranches that sustained devastating damage in the Anderson Creek Fire back in April. .and I have now seen rats as big as housecats. .almost!! It was a great weekend for all of us!! And a good reminder about how fortunate we are here in the U.S. and how fortunate I am!!

I'm so glad that God has allowed me to be able to bless others in this tiny way with my money and my time!!

Tristan graduated from North Central Kansas Technical College early May with a certificate in carpentry. He will go to Topeka in August and do a year specializing in cabinetry and millwork. He is working full time with our carpenter friend for the summer and living at home with me for the last time ever!! God willing, anyway!!

Miss Cami finished 2nd grade. This is her leg of the relay during their mini track meet. She is at 4-H camp this week. .she called at 10:10 last night sniffling!! It's the first time in many years that I haven't gone to camp with the kids as their nurse. .but in a post to come. .you'll read about the fact that we spent 10 days touring Oregon. .and when I don't work. .I don't get paid. .and neither does my guy!!

So unfortunately--I had to stay home. .and she had to miss her mama!!

Devin will now be a big 8th grader. .and then on to high school! A one year respite from all things high school will be appreciated. .though I will still work with the youth group--so I guess not completely away from high school and all the craziness!

He finished track. .throwing discus and shot. .and even ran in a 4X200 relay! He also played in a brass ensemble with 3 young ladies at our district contest and received a 1 rating. He's been to tractor safety. .and ready to help with wheat harvest in the next couple weeks! He is also at 4-H camp this week. .and gets to go to a church camp later in July! He will be mowing granddad's yard and working full time in his dad's shop doing the grunt labor! He loves it!

Two years in a row we launched a kid out of the house. Grant graduated in May. .and will study diesel mechanics next year in Topeka! He is excited to be done. .

And we are too! It will be super crazy to send them both out of the house in August!! We have sure depended on those two big boys for a lot of stuff!! We'll miss their personalities. .and their labor!

Grant and Makenzie headed to the prom. She will also be attending college in Topeka next year. They have been dating for nearly 2 years now. Seems like they are headed in a direction!

We took the opportunity to go on one big family vacation. Jeremy had been a little disgruntled the last couple years because it has rained so many days of our lake vacations. .so when he said "I think we just won't even go back for a week next  year" THIS girl jumped and convinced him that we needed to head for Oregon to visit my aunt and uncle. He agreed. .and as I studied the potential for the trip, I was able to talk him into an entire 10 days to see the best of what Oregon has to offer. .

And I can now tell you firsthand--Oregon has a LOT of awesome adventures to partake of!

I took about 1000 pictures (Literally) and look forward to posting some of those soon and logging our trip online!!

 

 Thanks for dropping by. .and come back soon!

 

April Showers--May Flowers

I don't have any time to write with the schedule we are keeping right now. .

But everything has been so beautiful with the 7 inches of rain we have had in the last month--

That I just had to snap a few pictures tonight to look back on later!!

Above is a view of the front side of my memory garden.

Jupiter's beard (pink), Cardonna salvia (dark purple) and Napeta's low catmint (lavender) The porcupine grass in the background is already nice and tall!!

The chives and culinary sage are in full bloom too! Other herbs growing nicely are the tarragon, oregano, lavender, bronzeleaf fennel, basil, lemon balm and dill!

AWWW tomatoes!! In a quick lookover, I found a handful on several different plants. These happen to be Lemon Boy. 

The last wall of water that hasn't collapsed due to leaks. Amazingly--it also sports THE tallest tomato plant now!! That extra heat has made the difference I think!! I will take the wall down as soon as I have a minute! 

Amethyst Falls Wisteria--planted 4 years ago--one of the plants I bought after my dad died. It is 1/2 way up the trellis this year. 

I can't wait till these gorgeous droopy blooms are hanging from the top of the support!! I just love them!! 

Raspberries anyone?? My new little $7 plants are going to net almost that much in fruit this year! It was a no-name variety I picked up at Walmart because I love raspberries. .and the plants looked so great!! Now--to get them--before the winged creatures do! 

Looks like we will have a blackberry crop too!! 

Here's my bush--I need to make a stronger support and stake it up a bit I think---but the plant is loaded with buds! 

The rhubarb makes such a pretty plant! I think I can harvest some stalks soon. .Might make a batch of rhubarb punch! Yum! 

Here's the back side of the memory garden (You can see the same grass in the background) There is a small sea of miniature hollyhocks. The picture doesn't do the blooms justice! There is also not much ground exposed now--many of the plantings have finally spread and grown together! That will certainly help the weed population!!  

I love larkspur! And there is a great stand of it in different shades of purple, pink and white. I haven't seen any hummingbirds in it yet--but maybe one will happen by! 

Common milkweed--it's a host plant for monarchs! This variety was started by seed given to me by a friend. .The plants spread by runners--thus it is EVERYWHERE! And usually, I don't see it bloom so nicely! I leave most of it--but it sure has taken over a patch!! 

The red hot pokers are getting ready to bloom. The foliage is nice--but the flowers, so far, have not impressed me--These are the best ones yet--but they haven't generally bloomed for very long at all--so I will be anxious to see how long it blooms this summer! If they don't last more than a few days--I'm not a fan! 

Little close up of the larkspur!

Larkspur in the back and a red salvia in the front. It has been a good plant--hardy--long bloom time. 

3 knock out roses in bloom--they were memorials for two of my grandparents who died within a month of each other. They make a bold statement when you drive in! You can see some of the pond plants in the background--it's looking good this year too!

Honeysuckle bush!

The thick scent was heavy in the air tonight as Cami and I played baseball nearby! 

Probably one of my favorite seasonal scents! 

A closeup of the hundreds of blooms! 

A front porch garden that is finally looking like something! For years it has been bare bones--too hot with a south wind. I have come up with (by trial and error--mostly error) things that will grow there! And this spring it is in full bloom--looking lovely!!

I continue puttering around the yard a few minutes here and there-I feel like the gardens that I have labored over for 18 years--are starting to look like they have looked in my head for years!! And I am so thankful for that!!

Hopefully soon I can update on the people that live around here. .

But not tonight!! 

Have a blessed weekend!!