Summer In Oregon

Got lucky this summer and didn't have to do a lot of travel. Which is good, because anyone from Oregon knows that enduring the long grey winter here and then skipping the summer is like eating the dry edge of a cinnamon roll and feeding the buttery center to the dog. Plus I think the kids would have led an insurrection if we hadn't gone camping enough this summer, again (like last year, where for fun we build a deck instead of take a summer vacation). So here's a couple of shots of our summer destinations

Part 1: Daddy and Abbi Go Camping

For weeks we made plans for a daddy-daughter campout where Abbi would have her first experience backpacking, which she was very excited about. Ironically, the very day we planned to go, it hit 104 in Portland, and she picked up a nice sunburn on her shoulders from trying to cool off at the lake. So instead we headed to the coast to Mt. Hebo with Cade Meier and his girls. We ended up in a huge meadow on top of the mountain with the whole place to ourselves, and were treated to an incredible sunset while the fog rolled in over the coastal foothills.

The girls played, Dads had manly conversation, and in the morning we went for a hike, hit a fish hatchery on the way down, and played at the beach before the obligatory Oregon coast ice cream cone. It never fails to amaze me what an amazing place we live, where I can go from 100+ in the valley to a coastal mountain top with patches of snow remaining in less than an hour, and then go another 30 minutes an be at the beach. Where it looks like this


Part 2: 4th of July in Bend

After having such a good time there at spring break, we decided to head back to Sunriver for a few days on the long weekend. Lots of good times riding bikes on the trails, playing tennis, and hiking along the Deschutes river.



And tons of wildlife to be seen both large and small. On the small side, Zack became obsessed with trying to excavate an ant lion and take it home as a pet that he could feed ants too. It was not to be, but not for lack of effort. Those things can dig fast.


Part 3: Scout Camp at the Beach

Now that Zack is 11, he's old enough to graduate from cub scouts to boy scouts, and go to scout camp. But not without his dad for the first year. It was good times, good beach weather, and sub par food. Zack cranked out 8 merit badges in a week, and had an awesome time hanging with his buddies. Here's a shot of the boys working on their swimming merit badge in some very chilly water





And we had a ridiculously nice view of the beach from our campsite up on the bluff. I'm sure this real estate would be worth gazillions to some developer...luckily its been in the scouts hands for 60+ years, hopefully for many more





Part 4: Rafting the White Salmon River

Growing up in Oregon, I thought I had done rafting before. My experience on the Rogue and the Deschutes consisted of going to the river outfitters with a few buddies, grabbing some rafts or big inner tubes, throwing them in the water and going for it. This time was different. 40 degree water. Full wet suits and helmets. And guide in every raft. And a wild enough ride that I didn't get out the camera for any pictures during the run.

But I did take a couple of shots of Mt. Adams. There happened to be a forest fire at the time, and since the fire was up higher than we were, it made for unique view.




Along the way, we passed several tent cities of fire fighters, camped right by the side of the road.