I know...I know... After being such a devoted blogger for three whole years, I have recently become a "Random Blogger"... someone who no longer posts three or four times a week, and who rarely even visits you anymore. I'm sorry. But I think it will have to be either this way, or the "highway"...meaning, I'd rather be sporadic than completely say good-bye. But I will promise to visit most of you a little more often!
And the good news is that I am feeling good physically...in fact, yesterday I had so much energy that I could have done circles around my hubby and girls...and I'm so thankful for those of you who have prayed for me in the last month or so!
So, even though some time has elapsed, I just can't let the adventure of Father's Day weekend half done...so...
After our tour of the Oregon Caves the day before, we drove onto Wildlife Safari...I was so excited to finally go since it had been on my list from the time I was a kid.
We were all excited...and when at last we headed through the gates into the vast "safari" and spotted herds of yaks and zebra grazing, had to stop to allow a lone giraffe to cross right in front of us, and even wild rhinos roaming freely...we were all giddy. As we continued on, I saw my first herd of buffalo in person...it was amazing.
Here we had to stop again to allow for some yaks to nonchalantly cross in front of us...
And just look at this guy whom I caught munching on some leaves...I thought he (or she) was so cool...even if there was some obvious need of grooming going on.
Although I don't have a picture of it, there were some ostrich looking birds (I don't think they were ostriches but I can't remember their actual name) that roamed around, occasionally trying to check out the cars that eased passed them. One in particular sauntered over to us...well, to me, actually. As it came closer, it's mouth grabbing at invisible things in the air, I casually rolled up my window...just in time for it begin pecking at the glass...much to the glee of the family. The bird really was a hilarious sight!
We really enjoyed our whole day there...they also had an area where you could walk around, eat, shop, and there they had a few animals as well. We decided we really wanted to go back again some time...but for now, it was time to say good-bye...
The next morning-our last day- we packed up camp and drove several hours before reaching our final destination...Crater Lake. We had to spiral up a mountain, before finally reaching the lodge area and the breathtaking sights....and to make things more interesting, it was snowing on this first day of summer! Even though we are in the higher altitudes, we were told they rarely see snow in June...and we weren't exactly dressed for it!
Look at us, all huddled together, and my husband shivering in his shorts and sandals...
But the view was well worth it!
The girls and I also gave my husband his cards and little gifts this day, since it was Father's Day. Since he insists on being the driver, he didn't exactly get to relax or lie in a hammock this time, but it was still a wonderful family day to remember. And an incredible weekend for all of us.
Next post I will be having...at long, long, last...my 3-year Blogiversary giveaway. With a few exceptions, I will be choosing from those of you who are listed in "my followers" so if you haven't already, go ahead and add your name if you want to be included. (And if you actually follow me!) ;) I hope you're all enjoying the summer(those of you in this hemisphere!) which seems to racing by at lightening speed... I'll try and catch up with you as I can this week!
First of all, thank you for the sweet comments on my last post, where I took a moment to remember my dad on the exact 20th anniversary of his passing...so hard to believe it's truly been that long! So warm thoughts were so appreciated! Now...do you remember more recently...like this past April, to be precise...my California Road Trip?
I know what you're thinking. You thought that whole saga was finished, didn't you? (Or perhaps you were just hoping really hard.)
But actually, if you'll really recall...we had just posed in front of the Golden Gate Bridge on our way back up the state, and then stayed the night at cozy little place in the forest before we began our very last leg of the journey...and our last main stop- The Redwood Forest.
It took us awhile, but we finally made our way to the famed forest and pulled into- literally- one of the famous drive-through trees, Chandelier Tree.
The girls were nervous that we could actually make the car fit!
It was funny that they were so worried...our vehicle isn't even all that big...but I guess it was a new concept for them!
Then it was on to another section of the forest, where we stopped to look through the small, rustic tour center and then go for a long walk through the tall, majestic giants...
I think all four of us really enjoyed taking the time to explore these wonders of nature. Not only are they giant trees, but they are old...some being alive for over a thousand years or more. And a few even having here since the time of Christ!
Our family, being from Oregon, has taken many walks in the woods before...but never in one with such history and such giant beauty all around.
My girls love taking turns with the camera...our youngest hasn't quite yet mastered the skill yet...but our oldest does pretty well most of the time. She took this of the rest of us...
(Not bad for eight years old!)
Of course, having been strapped to their car seats for hours on this trip, it's always nice to
just run...
It truly was amazing seeing this part of God's creation... There were very few others there, and we felt such a wonderful freedom. As if it was there just for us, for that time.
So you thought our California trip saga was all over, did you? I know, it's been over a month now since we returned but I left out the very last leg of the trip...which I actually have to tell in two posts. So, don't think of this as Part 7 but Part 1 of the ending!
So, in order to see some special sights, we skirted off of I-5 and headed over to drive through San Francisco... Now, I should say right here that my girls are still little enough that they get a kick out of their mommy singing old songs to them that they've never heard before. But do I realize that this may not always be the case...;)
So I couldn't help trying to sing, "San Francisco, open you golden gate..." You know the one- from the old movie with Clark Gable?
OK, maybe you don't. I know my family didn't. But alas, I didn't know all the words, anyway.
So I then tried, "I left my heart....in San Francisco..." Again, didn't quite remember all the lyrics, although I did get much further. (At least I knew every single word of "California, Here I come" for on the way down...those "I love Lucy" reruns I watched where they go to Hollywood paid off after all!)
OK, enough of all that...
I had been over the Golden Gate bridge just once before, back when I took the trip with my parents and nephew. But my eight year old was especially excited to see it, having already seen it in pictures. But I hadn't remembered much about the actual city...my husband and I were amazed just how very built up everything seemed. The hills we could see from the road were completely covered with houses- it looked like not even a twig could be stuck in-between!(I wasn't able to snap a picture in time...)
But as we made our way through some of the town, we were so impressed with some of the architecture!There was building after gilded building...
Until, at last we came to the famed Golden Gate Bridge itself...
The whole family was memorized. I love how the shadow is seen on the water below...truly a majestic bridge. We were blessed to arrive there when it was it such nice weather, so we lingered awhile, taking pictures and gazing at the magnificent view.
(By the way, I'm not as big as I look...it's just that sweatshirt with the Orca whale on it from Sea World...) ;)
Then we finally headed back on the road. We were on a quest to find...
The Big Trees!
We wouldn't make it before nightfall, however, so as darkness closed in on us, we ended up at a quaint little motel in the mountains. I absolutely loved this little place...where the proprietor lives on the premises- and instead of the sounds of traffic and sirens, all you hear is a nearby owl and breezes blowing through the evergreens.
After all of commercial motel 8's, 6's and 14's (not to mention the nightmare sewage shower place!) finding this sweet little rustic place in the forest complete with mountain decor was like heaven. (Alas, we didn't get a photo of it.)
The next day would finally find us walking among the giant Sequoia trees... and that will be my next and final chapter in this long, long road trip.
But before I leave we arrive there, let me leave you with these famous lyrics sung by Mr. Tony Bennett...
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay The glory that was Rome is of another day I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan I'm going home to my city by the Bay... I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care My love waits there in San FranciscoAbove the blue and windy sea When I come home to you, San Francisco Your golden sun will shine for me.
Happy May everyone! I'm so behind in blogging but hope to try and catch up reading all of your posts this week!
We delivered May Day baskets again this year to neighbors (see last year's post) ...and after weeks of rain and cold, enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures in the 70's the last few days...with the scent of blossoms in the air! It doesn't get much better than that...and for these winter-weary Oregonians, we just had to be outside! Now, at last...on with the story...(and don't let the length scare you- I think it just might give you a little smile - at my expense!) (Be sure to scroll back for the previous chapters...)
We didn't arrive at Sea World until early afternoon. (Which was fine, since it was a bit chilly on this particular day and every degree it could reach for the high made a difference!) Our two families enjoyed looking at all the exhibits, but we were were all especially excited about the dolphin show...
So, we all headed over to the stadium at show time...but as we filed in, I noticed that my nephew, his wife and their five year old little girl weren't following us to our bench.
"We're going to sit way up there..." he stated, pointing to some location so far into the sky that I had to squint to see it. "We've sat in the splash zone before," he went on to explain. "but you guys go ahead..."
His two boys, however- real men in the making that they were- wanted to sit with us. Now what fun is it sitting at the top of the bleachers when you can get a nice little splash from a real dolphin, I wondered...but at least his boys weren't going to wimp out on us! So hubby and I, our two girls and their two boys squeezed onto the bench about five rows up from the ground.I glanced around at the words on the seats which actually read, "Soak Zone" but dismissed them good-naturedly.
Soon, a singer with a guitar came out and proceeded to belt out a cute little ditty...something about "if you're sittin' in the soak zone, you're going to get soaked..." I smiled, laughed and tapped my foot with the music.
Cute little song...
Finally, the show started!
Honestly, it was so exciting to see those dolphins up close and personal! They were amazing to watch with their grace and energy...
One of the dolphins did swim by and gave us a playful splash....too fun! I could handle this...
And look at it with it's trainer saying hello...aren't they cute!
But after a little while more into the show, another dolphin had orders to come by and "playfully" splash us.
However, this one seemed to have a vendetta.
After causing a huge tsunami to land blast us, this didn't seem to be good enough.This rogue dolphin continued to pummel us as we ducked for cover, frantically trying to protect cameras and keep from drowning at the same time. As salt water burned my eyes, I noticed that my poor youngest was crying... Uh-oh...would she now fear all sea creatures for the rest of her life?
My husband, who was on the end, began leading the way to higher ground...and we all followed numbly. I felt as though we were some pathetic people from a disaster movie as we gasped and sputtered up the steps of the bleachers- before finding refuge about ten feet higher, nearly collapsing on the steps.
We calmed our littlest one down (who later forgave the crazy dolphin) and we proceeded to watch the rest of the show. Others had escaped up there, too...and all of us huddled there,relieved to be out of blow-hole shot of Flipper's evil twin.
(Don't let that cute, innocent face above fool you!)
Afterwards, my husband went back to the car...far, far away into the mass of vehicles...to retrieve some dry shirts and things for us. Good wife that I am, I waited patiently for him to return in my soggy and shivering state... So you can imagine how I felt when he came back with dry clothes for the girls (thankfully!) but didn't see my sweatshirt. I kept my temper- honestly... But still, there was no way humanly possible that I could survive any more time out there wearing a soaked shirt in 59 degrees.
So there was only one thing to do.
Buy a Shamu sweatshirt.
And you can bet my normally very frugal husband didn't dare even to bat an eyelash at the $25 price...perhaps my lips were turning blue so he didn't have the heart.
And of course, nothing says fashion and elegance like a big ole Orca whale in front of your tummy.
But the happy ending in this day is that all of us actually had a really great time.
(On the left, my husband and R.'s oldest before the show, blissfully unaware of the watery fate that awaited us all...)
And speaking of Shamu, his show was tremendous!
Isn't it nice that digital cameras have a zoom lens and you can sit... oh, say...really far away?
Anyway, in all seriousness...what I enjoyed probably more than anything on this weekend, was seeing my children and my nephew's children together. These cousins that rarely get to see each other, completely bonded during this visit.
I might add here that not only our my nephew and niece in law extremely hospitable, but their children also were so incredibly friendly and polite- as well as being fun-loving. It was truly a pleasure being around all of them!
Knowing that my nephew's family would soon be relocating across the country didn't exactly make parting that evening very easy for any of us.
After lots of hugs all around, we all felt a little misty...and so we said our final farewell with one, big group hug by our car within the vast parking lot, underneath the darkened sky.
In the morning, we'd be packing up and driving that long road home to Oregon.
But believe me, our trip wasn't over yet. We'd see a few amazing sights along the way...and I'll share them with you next time!
I know...no big cliff hangers this time. But the story's not completely over, trust me!
It's time for another exciting somewhat interesting installment of our California adventure. Yes, take two adults, two kids, a ton of belongings -and stuff them in a small 4-wheel drive for over 2000 miles, and you're bound to get a few stories out of it! ;)
I have to say...this particular day proved to be my personal favorite time of the whole trip. Not that I didn't love Disneyland...but on this particular Friday, I now I felt so relaxed and happy, and the weather was perfection.
We had all just had a wonderful time at the San Diego Zoo, and now, as the late afternoon sun was still warm in the sky, we headed over to check into our hotel.
This, I'm relieved to add, looked much nicer than our previous one. I had splurged and gotten a suite type room...nothing fancy by any means, but still pleasant and roomy.
And besides, we were now on the second floor with no one above us...so no chance of a surprise septic shower in the night! Second Floor = Good.
After carrying in our belongings, we headed over to my nephew's and his family.
I've mentioned this before, but my dad had been previously married, and I have two half-sisters. So R. was my dad's grandson. After growing up in a non-Christian home (where, for awhile, his only exposure to things of God was during visits at our house) he is now a Navy chaplain and I truly couldn't be more proud of him.
I had never been to his San Diego home, and after having such a great reunion with their family last summer here in Oregon, we were all eager to visit with them again- as well as have a home cooked meal!
Well, our evening couldn't have been any better. Have you ever known anyone who seemed to personify hospitality? I know a handful of people whom I can truly say this of, and they fall into this category completely...not only do I love my nephew like a brother, but he married the most gracious gal, who made us feel completely at home. We had the best barbecue dinner, and as the kids excused themselves and went to all play together, the rest of us sat around the table and talked and laughed into the evening.
(In case you're trying to figure out how the children are related to one another- my dad, who is passed away now, is grandfather to my children as well as R. But R's children would be my dad's great-grandchildren- even though all of our children are all about the same age! But as R likes to simplify it whenever I get into explaining how everyone is related by just singing that old crazy song, "I'm my own grandpa...")
Afterwards, my fun niece in law got out some baked cupcakes for the kids to decorate...
And then...and then... my dear nephew actually insisted that we leave the kids there to sleep over. They offered extra clean toothbrushes and jammies...so how could we resist?
Let's just say, a little unexpected couple time was very nice and leave it at that.
The next morning, because my nephew had to work, his wife offered to take the rest of us to one of their favorite San Diego beaches, La Jolla. Unfortunately, the weather became cloudy and the tempature dropped down to a high of 58 on this day...58! But we all made the best of it...
(Above, my husband plays catch with R's oldest...and all the kids play in the water as if it's really not as cold as...well, as back home in Oregon!)
And after washing all that sand off, we headed back for lunch and to pick up my nephew...because we were now all headed for Sea World!
This was especially significant for me... You see, the last time I was at Sea World was on the California trip way back in 1977 in which this same nephew was with me...
Don't you love it? Look at us- he was eleven, I was fourteen. My dad bought him that Confederate hat at Knotts Berry Farm and it was basically glued to his head for the rest of our trip.
We've both changed a bit since that first visit to Sea World, but he still has that same cute smirky smile.
And now, 31 years later, we were there together again with our spouses and children, wandering around the exhibits and enjoying the shows.
Well, mostly.
Remember when I said there was a story for you in Sea World? There is...and let's just say that I think the word "moisture" seemed to be the theme of the trip.
First of all, thank you for all the anniversary wishes...and compliments on my child prodigy little one's art.
Before I jump into the rest of our vacation story, I have a couple more things I need to mention....(And if you missed out on the previous posts, you can hop on over to: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 and check them out.)
And one more thing... So many of you asked where to find the phone calls from the Disney princesses...and if other Disney characters were available... So, here is the link to the official Disney Princess website, which I think is so charming! You'll find the information and link for "The Enchanted Calls" in the left sidebar. And yes, Mickey, Pooh and Tigger are available to call your youngsters, too!
So...on with our story...
The short drive from Los Angeles to San Diego flew by...and since check-in time to our new hotel wasn't until late afternoon, we decided to go to the famous zoo first. Then later, we'd be heading to my nephew's for dinner (the one who is just three years younger than me, with children around the same age as ours) and to see his sweet family.
We were blessed with gorgeous weather this first day...not too hot, but sunny with a refreshing sea breeze to embrace us as we trotted over the zoo's many hills.
The first thing we laid eyes on were the beautiful flamingos...
You folks from Florida will not think this was so incredible, but we Oregonians were sure transfixed! We loved them...except for their aroma, that is! But they sure were gorgeous.
After going through the children's zoo section, everyone was very anxious to ride the sky tram.
All four of us loved it! So nice to float over the zoo with all it's greenery and palm trees...
And in another direction, the distant city skyline...
Afterwards, as we walked along, we came to the panda line...and oh, I was so excited! Not that I have always been a great lover of pandas, but for some reason, the thought of seeing this rare exhibit seemed suddenly thrilling. We got into line, waiting only ten minutes or so...and it was so worth it! They have several adult pandas on loan from China, as well as a baby born last August... and this baby was so fun to watch!
Of course, after this exhibit we had to let the girls pick out a smaller, easier maintained version to each take home. No bamboo diet required...
And if all this wasn't enough, there were the gorillas...
There were actually four or five, and they all were just sitting...staring out...as if contemplating something important in life. Maybe how soon it was until dinnertime...just not sure.
And then, who can resist these cuddly guys...
Finally, it was time to head out...but the day was still only half over! We had yet to see if our next hotel was half way decent...yet to have an incredible visit with our relatives... nor to visit Sea World. And believe me...there is a story for you in Sea World!
Here we had to stop again to allow for some yaks to nonchalantly cross in front of us...
And just look at this guy whom I caught munching on some leaves...I thought he (or she) was so cool...even if there was some obvious need of grooming going on.
Although I don't have a picture of it, there were some ostrich looking birds (I don't think they were ostriches but I can't remember their actual name) that roamed around, occasionally trying to check out the cars that eased passed them.
The next morning-our last day- we packed up camp and drove several hours before reaching our final destination...Crater Lake.
But the view was well worth it!
The girls and I also gave my husband his cards and little gifts this day, since it was Father's Day. Since he insists on being the driver, he didn't exactly get to relax or lie in a hammock this time, but it was still a wonderful family day to remember.
Posts
