Vacation to the Oregon Coast, Summer 2012

 

Oregon Dunes Outside of Newport Oregon

 



 

We had heard about how fun the dunes were.  Little did we know that you had to hike up a hill to make it to the dunes and beach.  It was crazy but worth it when you reach the top and all you see is beach and ocean as far as you can see.

 

 

Darlingtonia Wayside Botanical Garden, North of the Oregon Dunes

 

Ryan found this garden on the internet.  These weird looking flowers can actually digest insects. It was really interesting and the kids actually acted interested.

 



Heceta Head lighthouse



Emma, Roc, Porter and Ryan hiked up the mile trail to the lighthouse and found out that it was under construction when they got there.

Roc's first photo that he was allowed to take from our camera, taken from the Heceta Lighthouses

 Roc recently has become quite interested in lighthouses and wanted to see as many as possible on our trip.  We tried to accommodate as much as time would allow but alot were closed or under construction.

 

The Devil's Punch Bowl

 

Emma trying to take a closer look at the punch bowl but her height made it only possible to look into the sky

Calvin seems less than enthused about the sites

 

 

 

One of my favorite places we visited in the coast growing up was the Devil's Punchbowl.  Not only for the way the water crashes at high tide but being able to feed and play with the chipmunks.

 

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

 

Finally a lighthouse that is open!

The kids enjoying activities at the lighthouse learning center

 

Everyone took 15 minutes to watch an educational film about lighthouses.

 

Dock from Japanese Tsunami in Newport Oregon



The dock was almost a mile away from the nearest beach access point.  We figured that it traveled across the ocean so we could at least take the hike (stroller and all) and walk out to see it before it was removed.

The pictures don't do this dock justice.  It was a massive chunck of concreate for the life of me I have no idea how this thing floats at all and am amazed that it was able to make its way all the way across the pacific ocean.

The dock was massive.  We wanted to see it and also try and make it a little educational.  It was pretty impressive that it made it all the way from Japan.

 



Tillamook Cheese Factory

Porter had the most fun pretending to drive while at the cheese factory.

While the rest of the family enjoyed Tillamook ice cream cones Calvin only got to indulge on his usual treat.

Tillamook Air Museum

 

 

 

 

 

At first when Ryan suggested we stop there I was not overly excited but when we went it was actually pretty cool to learn about all the different ways the airplanes were used in the military and to aid the coast guard.  We spent nearly 3 hours there and still didn't see everything.  Just means we will have to go back next time we go that way.  One of the most impressive aspects of the Air Museum is where it is located, it's in an air hangar designed ot house military blimps during the Second World War. The structure is massive with no vertical pillars.

 

 Oregon Zoo Portland Oregon

 

Deal was if he stayed with us he could walk, if not he had to be in the stroller.  Needless to say he wasn't walking long.

 

 

We did tell the kids that they would have the opportunity to explore uncharted territories, this is not exactly what we had in mind!

You can see how happy Calvin is,  I think he has a surprise for mom!

 

Yes that is a cockroach!

 

On our first day in Portland we went to the zoo, one of our favorite places to go.  Once again we had the opportunity to have Nichole and Brian come with us.  We had fun even through the rain here and there. 

 

 

 

 

 

Roc at Rogue River Basketball Camp, June 2012

Notice the terror in Porter' seyes, and if you look to the right of the photo you will see what Porter is afraid of (Emma after him to take the ball)

Emma doing what she does best, climbing.

 

To start the summer vacation off right, Roc had the opportunity to go to a Basketball Camp put on by the Rogue River High School.  The money earned helped High School basketball players go to a basketball camp.  It was a great opportunity for the younger kids to learn basketball and it was good for the high school kids to teach what they have been learning.  Roc has already shown improvement in his dribbling and shooting.  When he was asked if he wanted to play basketball, Roc replied, "I just want to play tackle football."  He worked hard and learned a lot despite wanting to play tackle football.

Calvin Upright (but not yet mobile) June 2012

Calvin standing alone for the first time.

Porter and Emma always willing to assist Calvin, we can't figure out why Calvin always cries when Porter and Emma are helping him.

Calvin taking the first steps toward walking.  It is fun for most of the family but Stacie gets a little anxious every time she thinks of having two Porters to chase.  She may be justified in feeling anxious because at the moment we are all overwhelmed by Porter running  and Calvin crawling!

Porter and Calvin, June 2012

Porter having (as Roc calls it) "a moment" with Calvin. This photo captures such a loving moment that it makes it difficult to believe that these two create an almost continuous state of chaos in our home!

Roc's Potential Future Hair Style, June 2012

As a ploy to get Roc to let us give him a haircut with no fight we told him that we would give him a reverse Mohawk! It worked like a charm. Once the reverse Mohawk failed we decided to give him a balding effect haircut to give him an idea of what might be waiting for him in the future, to our surprise he was very happy with the new style.

Emma and Summer Fun, June 2012

One of Emma's favorite activities is to rider her scooter, dump truck, or anything with wheels down the hill in front of our house.  The only problem with this activity is on occasion (daily) Emma makes a habit of wrecking (yes she always wears a helmet).  Between the wrecks while riding down the hill and her everday falls her knees take quite a beating.

Life's a Beach, June 2012



Elk on the side of the road on the 101.  We have become accustom to seeing dear in this manner but the only place I have seen elk like this was at Yellow stone Park.

I think this photo of Porter sums up our day at the beach!

 

One of the reasons we moved to Southern Oregon was to be closer to the ocean.  We decided to pack up and take a day trip to the coast to play at the beach.  On the way down we stopped for a short time to play amongst the redwoods, but the kids were too excited to play at the beach.  We started with some kite flying, but the kids quickly progressed to playing in the water (mostly running in terror from the water).  It was a fun quick trip that we all enjoyed.