our summer trip - part four

Another beautiful beach day.

We spent this time in the Coos Bay area. This is the area where Justin served the last 6 months of his mission (technically his area was North Bend, pretty much the same). It's beautiful and was fun to drive through and see the places he saw over 12 years ago.  Although this time, he actually got to feel how cold the water actually is.

There was also way more sand playing. Honestly I love the sand here. 
As does Levi.

Shore Acres in Oregon was breathtaking. However, the fact that we were standing on a ledge that had a huge drop off was not so good for my mother nerves. There was actually a family that built a beautiful mansion right by the edge of this place almost 100 years ago. *hyperventilating* 

We probably should have spent more time in the Red Wood Forests, but what we did see was quite beautiful. 
If you can call Paul Bunyon beautiful. 

I have so much of my mom and dad in me. I get home sick quickly. So we decided instead of camping in the redwoods and then staying in Reno, we just drove straight. We stopped a couple of times through the Nevada desert to rest for an hour. (painfully memorable) Then kept going. We tried to keep each other awake by singing our hearts out. The sun was just starting to break when we entered the Utah border and crossed the Salt Flats. I couldn't get a picture to do it justice, but it was pretty breathtaking. Plus it helped give us that boost to get us the rest of they way home.

Just before we got home. 

Did I mention how awesome the boys were? Did I mention that Rudger cried maybe 20 minutes during the 35+ hour car ride? 

Oregon is such a beautiful place that we hope to go back to again. Throughout our marriage there has been special days of ours where it has rained. Our wedding day and our first child's blessing day for instance. Justin always says its just a sign of his blessings, coming from Oregon.

our summer trip - part three

Good morning.

These boys were quite cozy sleeping. 

 Next beach, just north of Newport. Another beautiful beach. 

 with plenty of driftwood for Corbin to make some kind of a fort

plenty of seaweed to play with

 definitely plenty of sand

 and plenty of smiles.

our family was quite happy here :)
(levi's getting pretty good at writing our names, especially when he gets to use a quill
we listened to quite a bit of Harry Potter on our drive. our boys are kind of obsessed right now) 

our summer trip - part two

Our first stop into Oregon had to be in Baker City to where the Oregon trail museum is. It's amazing what kind of terrain they had to trek through. Makes me think even more about our amazing pioneers.  Loved the color of this wagon (although I'm doubtful it looked like this crossing the plains)

One rule my dad has is, when you travel somewhere far, enjoy a new place to eat. Don't eat somewhere that you can find where you live. Well, I still can't believe that we drove those hundreds of miles to go to...mcdonalds...Justin and I caved when the boys begged. They wanted those darn minnions and we figured, well..fine. Sorry dad :)

This tent was our home for three nights. We got pretty darn good at setting it up and taking it down each night and morning as we camped along the coast. 

We camped in Tillamook  the first night. Pretty little town with an overwhelming smell of farms and cows. We quite enjoyed the cheese factory.

Their cheese samples were delicious. The garlic cheese especially.  And the ice cream is extra creamy and rich.

This. Was the boys very first view of the ocean. I'm always amazed at the magnitude and power of the ocean.

My most favorite stop of the whole trip was right here. Cape Lookout. Beautiful Place.

The hike was almost two miles of switch backs down a pretty steep mountain. The boys were incredible little troopers. 

And the scenery was amazing. 

Looking out over the ocean, the boys spotted something big in the water. We never figured out what it was, but they were certain it was a sting ray :) 

At the bottom, it was beautiful, deserted, and foggy. It felt like a dream. 

And was the adventurous playground for several hours for these four boys. 

(they're dead...and he did not touch them) :)

Oregon has freezing water. 

 It was a beautiful day.