We had a GREAT time on Labor Day. We intended on going to Mt St Helens on a family day trip, but our plans changed when the Hess family from the ward invited us to join them in Salem for a day at The Gilbert House (dedicated to the man who created the Erector Set and other inventions). We arrived at this place and enjoyed a HUGE assortment of outdoor play equipment for kids. This included Xylaphones of all sizes, made of all kinds of materials, huge Dinosaur Dig, a Giant Maze that you climbed up through and slid down a variety of tubes to get down. child life-size checker/chess board and much much more! We played outside for quite a while and then went into 3 different houses with different rooms (bubble room, air room, mirrors, shadow room, human-video game room, African Room...etc) We had a BALL! After 4 hours the kids still didn't seem to get enough of it. It was truly fun. We later enjoyed lunch and headed back to Portland. We came home quick, changed, and then drove to Camille Park where we met the majority of the Smith family for a pot luck picnic. Here we played with the kids for a couple more hours (including frisbee and football with the BIG kids). It was much FUN! Truly priceless.

After Kerry finished up work the following week we took a weekend at the coast. We were able to attend a session at the Portland Temple (thanks to Cathy & Cal), came home, packed the kids up, and away we drove. The drive to the coast is always so beautiful. One thing I love about our environment is that everywhere we drive it is beautiful. Lush green carpets, the thick wooded forests, the peaks in the distance, the countless rivers and streams at our fingertips. If we didn't know that the ocean was so close I think we'd be quite content to stay close to home much of the time. However, since we don't know where our home is quite yet...we enjoy these jaunts to the ocean.

The forecast always seems questionable. We were told we'd hit rain, as we drove through the Coastal Range we did get some sprinkles, however when we arrived in Pacific City, on the beach it was pleasant and no rain. Kerry hiked for an hour or two on a nearby sand dune-rock formation. I stayed with the kids. It is very convienent to drive on a lot of these beaches, because with the kids, being near the truck for diapers, snacks, and etc it is a great to have it near rather than hiking up the huge bluffs over sand and grass with a 44lb son and a 40lb daughter in tow 1/2 a mile from regular parking. We also are still fairly close to Kerry when he is hiking and exploring nearby. The kids and I did a little beach art, enjoyed a few snacks, and watched people sandboarding down huge dunes.

We also enjoyed watching the tide come in, spotting pelicans, sea gulls, and sea critters. The first night we spotted a seal. We spent a couple of hours just enjoying the ocean-we even saw Chariots of Fire re-enacted when a cross country team ran along the beach and up a huge towering sand dune. We then drove into Lincoln City where we stopped at the Outlet stores and found the kids some coats for the approaching Rainy Season. We then were directed to a place called 'Neil's Pizzaria'. It was one of those places you just don't stop at unless you are given a recommendation. We walked into a family friendly environment of games and activity and ordered a med pizza. It was very warm and tasty after being on the beach in the evening hours. We drove back to the hotel and relaxed before putting the kids to bed. Kerry and I even managed to play a card game before we all crashed exhausted for the night.

We got ready, enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast, packed up and went on our merry little way. We were surprised as we drove back down to the beach to see a dozen surfers in the cold ocean water nice and early. It was entertaining to watch them crash into the cold waves. We did one last loop around and then we headed south on 101. We wanted to enjoy the ocean and as we drove we stopped at each of the beaches on the way to Florence. We saw sea lions, a variety of sea birds, and even got very close to a few gulls. Kerry is notorious in our family for feeding birds, chickmuks, squirrly's and anything that he can get close to he lures them to him. This particular day we found a nice beach view to eat lunch. Kerry decided to clean up the crumbs and share some of his sandwhich with the gulls and other birds. He stood near a drop off and as he threw his bread birds began to congregate around the truck as well as Kerry out on a ledge. He could't get enough of these wild birds dive-bombing around him just to get a crumb of bread. It was like watching a WWII film, Kerry would throw a crumb and he'd be the target of a few birds until they realized how close they actually were to him. Then the'd fly off and a new group would whish by. I have to admit, it was entertaining to watch him out there with the critters. I am thoroughly impressed that he wasn't the target for other matters!

We enjoyed a few pyramids on the beach. One was maybe 6 or 7 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide, very impressive...others were smaller in size. They looked like ancient Mayan Temples. We had a great time. We drove out on the Dory in Florence and then headed inland toward Eugene. We drove north on I-5 through the Willamette Valley and watched an amazing sunset for about 1/2 hour. We got home just about bedtime and after I got the kids in bed, Kerry unloaded the truck the heavens broke loose and we were rained on all through the night. Perfect timing!

posted by Anonymous at 10:40 AM