Thank you...and our Father's Day Camping Trip (Part 1)

I'm back...and I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers and for your encouraging words. They meant more than I can say.

I am feeling so much better this week...both physically and emotionally. The past few weeks have been a time of spiritual growth...not always fun, but God has been with me, holding my hand and helping me to trust Him.

I hope to post in more depth about this soon, but for now I just wanted to let you know that your prayers have been working...and to let you know how much they've been appreciated. I have felt the Lord with me in bringing good out of a seemingly bad situation.

This past Father's Day weekend, I felt well enough to keep our reservations at a campsite in Southern Oregon, so Friday morning we hurridly packed my hubby's tiny car (packed to the brim...the kids couldn't even see each on another!) and began the half-day drive which would take us almost all the way to the California border.

I still wasn't feeling up to par, but with my meds in tow, I thankfully was well enough to be able to handle the long drive. (Granted, I didn't enjoy the tent and sleeping bag as much as I would have if I had felt better, but I survived.)
And the sights we way over the weekend made everything worth it.

I don't have a lot of photos to share yet, since we brought the wrong memory card and had to purchase a disposable camera! (Yet to be developed.) But I can hopefully share them soon!

Before we even set up camp, we headed first to the Oregon Caves, located on the southern tip of the state. We had to drive up extremely windy roads which spiraled up the mountain, but we finally reached the destination and signed up for the cave tour. After our ranger gave told us what to expect and a little bit about this history, he then led us deep into the narrow corridors of the discovered caves.

(This picture of the entrance to the cave is from their website...)



Did I mention I was on medication?
The lack of oxygen and steep steps made everyone feel a little light headed actually, but by the time we reached the half-way point where they give you an option to duck out, I was more than ready to see daylight again.
But my girls hugged me goodbye and plunged on ahead with their daddy, while I happily breathed fresh air again and heard the welcome sound of birds...

Here is the another photo courtesy of the internet...the beautiful Oregon Caves Chateau built in 1934...



It was so cozy inside, with a stone fireplace and even a pianist who playing soft, relaxing music to drift over guests as they either dined or curled up with a good book.
I was torn between lingering in there while my family finished the tour, or enjoying the nice weather outside, near a lovely man-made pond and waterfall!


The next morning after eating breakfast at camp, we began the drive to Wildlife Safari. I was so looking forward to this because I had heard about it since I was a child...kept asking me dad when we could go and it just never happened. So, finally like 35 years later I was going and it would be the first time for all of us.

More on that next post!

But in the meantime, be sure to add yourself to my list of followers if you indeed are...I will be drawing a name for my 3 year- 500th post giveaway which I will (finally!) have following my next post!

Blessings!