And we're back...

(Haystack Rock)

Dave and I went to the Oregon Coast expecting/hoping for rain and clouds and wind and general storminess. Instead we got what was probably the most beautiful day I have ever seen on the Oregon Coast. Warm temperatures, clear blue sky, no wind... it was beautiful!

(Pookie did not like the cold water)




Friday, Dave and I loaded up the car, grabbed Pookie, and started on our way to Oregon. The drive there was pretty relaxed and went surprisingly quick. Pookie slept pretty much the entire way. She has claimed the driver's seat as her own- it doesn't matter who is sitting there, Pookie will be in that person's lap. We got into Portland, unloaded our car full of stuff for Kenny and Doss and then went out to dinner with Dad, Pam, Kenny, Doss, my Uncle Tracy, and his new wife. It was good to catch up with everyone, but it went way too quickly. We stayed Friday night in a hotel room that didn't allow pets so we had to sneak the Poo in. :)

(Dave sneaking Pookie into the hotel room. He zipped his jacket up over the bag but Pookie's nose would pop out every few feet.)

Saturday morning, after breakfast with the family, Dave and I headed towards the Oregon Coast. I almost got us lost in Portland, but managed to get us back on the right track. :) The drive down the coast was beautiful, but we didn't spend as much time driving along the ocean as I had expected. We stopped in Cannon Beach and in Tillamook and finally got down to Newport in the late afternooon. As Dave and I were walking along bayfront Newport, trying to figure out what to eat, we got a phone call from McKenzie. Probably the most confusing phone call ever because it was so unexpected.

(McKenzie and Doss at Mo's Annex)

As we were walking by Mo's Annex (good chowder) McKenzie called and asked what we were doing. We told her we were trying to figure out what to eat fo dinner and she suggested Mo's Annex and said that they were there. It took me a little bit to figure out that McKenzie and Doss were also in Newport and eating dinner in the restaurant we were walking right by. :) It was a great surprise. So we ate dinner with them and walked along the bay front and watched some sea lions.

(Sea Lions chilling on the dock. Kinda looked like the were doing Yoga)

Our hotel room sucked (it was too loud and we couldn't sleep very well) and the clock was set wrong. So Dave and I were up and out the door an hour earlier than we thought it was. Due to the early morning hour (and my crankiness) we decided to take our time and head back to Utah on Sunday. We took a different route that would take us by Cascadia- a favorite camping spot of mine. That was awesome! We made the Poo pretend to swim (held her above the surface of the water so that she would doggy paddle). And the rest of the drive took forever.

Anyway, that was our weekend. In short, Dave and I spent the entire weekend in the car and only half the day at the Oregon Coast. PS: If you look closely you can see the beard that Dave is trying to grow!

The self portrait. :)

I'm excited...

So for a long time I have been wishing that my family was on the mainland (well, I would love it if they were all in Utah with me, but... I'll settle). Anyway, at risk of spoiling it for my sister I just found out that she and her husband plan on moving to Portland, Oregon in October! I am so thrilled that McKenzie and Doss will be so close! :) Dave and I will be able to go visit them much more frequently.

Anyway, so I am so excited. :) Dave and I plan on making a trip out to Oregon in October to welcome them and to bring them some house stuff. We also are going to the Oregon Coast (two birds, one stone).

Cascadia

This past weekend I met up with my family in Portland, Oregon and we drove about 2 hours south to this park called Cascadia. It's a well known family secret- we've gone down there since I was young (it was discovered when my dad was a kid). It's a great place- small campground, lots of trees, hiking, and swimming. The only catch is that the water is snow melt so it is COLD! But so much fun.

It was good to good to see my siblings again- lots of fun. I'm looking forward to the future when weekends like this become more common. McKenzie, Jamieson, and Doss will be in Portland for the remainder of the week, but I had to return to Utah last night.

Going back to Portland is always interesting- I never know what to expect. Will I hate it or enjoy it? This last time was good, but I was ready to get back home to my husband. :)

Portland, Oregon

Well folks, I am off to Portland, OR for the weekend. I am pretty excited actually, aside from the flying part. My brother, Jamieson, and my sister, McKenzie, and her husband, Doss, will be meeting me out there. Our dad and his wife live there so it will be kind of a mini family reunion. Definitely the first time in years that we will hve been all together like this. It should be fun. Sad to say Dave will not be coming on this adventure with me. :( Stupid gas prices. Although, I did try to convince him to call in sick to work so that we could drive out there today. He didn't go for it (bah, work ethic). So Dave will stay home and take care of the Poo and relax all weekend while I go out and enjoy my siblings.


I think we are going either to Cascadia (a beautiful campground about 2 hours south of Portland) or to the Oregon Coast. Either sound wonderful. It will be great to be surrounded by trees and water and forests and all that good stuff. It is a nice change from Salt Lake City. :) I'll be taking lots of pictures. :)