3/13 Sea Lion Caves

On Thursday we visited the Sea Lion Caves just north of Florence, Oregon. While we were there we saw a group of deer walking and grazing on the side of the cliff (just above the sea lion cave). On the way to the caves we also stopped and visited our tribal reservation area. We went to the administration offices, looked at some of the artifacts, and then visited the sacred Longhouse (where tribal ceremonies used to be held). Afterwards we had dinner at the new Three Rivers Casino before heading back to Grants Pass. Even the drive to and from the Sea Lion Caves is a treat because the scenery is as much of a treat as the destination.

Brian looking at some of the tribal artifacts

Bren and Michelle in front of the tribal Longhouse (I'm wearing Larry's huge winter coat!)

The Umpqua Lighthouse

The Haceta Head Lighthouse (photo taken from the Sea Lion Caves)

Inside of the Sea Lion Caves

On the way back to Grants Pass we made a stop in Cushman, Oregon. The house that you see in the picture below was built by my great grandfather. He started building it in 1917 when he was 17 years old, and finished it in 1923 when he was 23 years old. The house has since been sold, restored to original conditions, and is now a historical monument.

3/12 Redwood Forest

On Wednesday we drove down to California, and got to see the Redwood trees. You just cannot get a good sense of their size from any pictures. I've seen pictures of them all of my life, but seeing them in person gives me a whole new perspective. They are amazing and beautiful. We drove along the Pacific coast (Pacific Coast Highway), and even though it was a foggy and overcast day you can still see from the pictures how impressive the coast is. Very different from the passive coast that I am used to!

We took a cable car ride up through the Redwood trees, and it was really neat to be able to look down at them from on top of the mountain. It isn't often that you are above the Redwood trees!

Sean coming up in his car alone

3/11 Crater Lake

On Tuesday we visited Crater Lake. I was really excited to go there, because I have studied Crater Lake in depth, and know a lot about the geology of the caldera. It was amazing to experience it in person, and to be able to share the experience with my children. The temperature in Grants Pass (where my mom lives) has been in the upper 50's, but as you can see it is MUCH colder up in Crater Lake. The average snow fall at Crater Lake is 45 feet. Not 4-5 feet, but 45 feet! The picture that you see of the building (with Brendan on the top of it) is a three story building, and the snow was that high up to the building. It was about 25 feet high while we were there. It's just amazing. Along the sides of the road you see snow, and it's not that deep because it has been plowed. It's that deep because it is just that deep. 

If you ever have the chance I highly suggest that you visit Crater Lake. It truly is one of the most spectacular places I have ever visited, especially this time of the year with the snow covered mountains all around it. It's breathtaking.

3/10

We were pretty jet lagged the first day here, so we just hung around for most of the day. We took the kids to a local place to play games, ride go-karts, and just get out for a bit. 

Surprise

I couldn't post about it here before now, because my mom reads my blog regularly. We surprised her yesterday (my step-dad knew we were coming, and has been arranging this with me for a couple of months) by showing up at her house in Oregon!

I haven't seen my mom since 1993, and she had never met Bren, Erin or Brian before now (Sean flew out and spent two weeks here last summer with them). Her birthday is this week, so we decided to surprise her, and show up unexpectedly for a week. She nearly passed out after she walked into her living room to see the five of us sitting there on her couch (she had gone up to the store when we arrived).

I'll be uploading pictures all week, but here is one that I took of Grandma and Grandpa last night with Sean, Bren and Erin.

Tony

My little brother, Tony came into town to visit for a couple of days last weekend. It was great to see him. The kids always love having Uncle Tony around because he's a big kid, and he always plays with them. Tony, Brian, Papa, Sean, Bren and Erin ended up in an afternoon game of football (Jean and I watched from the sidelines and took pictures) on Saturday. I'm not sure if I've ever shared a picture of my baby brother, but here he is.

My little baker

Erin got a chef hat from Grandma K last year, and she wanted to wear it while she helped me bake a strawberry creme cake this week. Oh, we also made chocolate dipped strawberries, and they were delicious! Erin did a lot of the work including mashing the berries that went into the cake. She was a huge help!

Farewell #4