Oregon is Beautiful!

We have gone regularly to Oregon (every other summer for years), but this trip seemed very special. All of Chad's siblings and their families were able to go, the weather was amazing and the kids were old enough to really enjoy it.

On our way up we stopped at a fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam. It was neat seeing the big ocean going fish and experience the fish steps to return the fish to the beginning of the Columbia River.

Later we stopped at Multnomah Falls. What a pretty waterfall so close to the freeway! Breanne (cousin and "adopted sister"), Audrey and Kate are enjoying the backdrop.

The Iverson family reunion is always fun - and here are Chad and I with Ross (our Gpa Iverson's brother) and Dorothy, the reunion organizers. The Iverson family settled in Portland in the 1940's, and Ross still lives in the area and owns a Tulip farm. In the off tulip season, when their festival is over, they throw a big shin-dig along the shores of their private lake. What a neat tradition they have established.

We made it to the coast, and one of the first things we did was go looking for starfish. We did find a few, and here are the kids investigating one close up. It is amazing to see life in the tide pools at low tide. Later that day we visited the Tillamook Cheese factory and got great cheese and ice cream. It was unbelievably crowded. The cool coastal weather was attracting a lot of Portlanders trying to get out of 105 degree weather. The coast had beautiful weather.

Late in the afternoon, we went beaching. It was fun to watch the kids play in sand and water. My favorite part was body boarding with Amy and Nicole. We caught some major waves and the cool water didn't stop us. Everyone wanted a picture to document our crazy exploit. Just like old times!

On Tuesday, we got up early and trekked to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. We were pretty impressed with the sea life there. Here Carson is loving the giant crabs. We had no idea that they got so big! We also loved the 360 shark tank. Very fun to see sharks swimming on all sides of you!

On our way home from Newport we stopped at Monson Falls and later at Cape Meare to see the lighthouse. We missed our chance to go inside this year, but the coast along there is amazing and we made a stop at the octopus tree as usual.

On Wednesday we went to Oswald Beach, our favorite beach. The beautiful wooded hike is followed by a wonderful beach. Here we are having fun on the wooden suspension bridge that leads to the beach. The beach was foggy - our first day of the mist, and we were surprised when the fog lifted how many people were on the beach on the other side of the river. We had been enjoying a fairly secluded beach with hundreds of other people without knowing it!

Wednesday night we took a family picture together in front of the beach house. We made quite a crew - and dinner food disappeared quickly. The beach house was awesome - great views, tons of space and open floor plans. It was a wow of the trip.

On Thursday, we discovered the beach bikes - and they were such a hit!!! Here we are biking on Cannon Beach, and Carson was proud of being able to ride with eyes closed, and no hands or feet. What a crazy guy! We roamed along on the foggy beach for a couple of fun hours, racing, being silly and doing a little adventuring. Audrey, Carson and Kate made up imaginary places and adventures that added to the intrigue.

We were sad to leave Oregon on Friday - it still lives on in our hearts. The kids are scheming ways to move their favorite store - Flamingo Jim's - to Draper. Hmmm.