Road Trip!

After visiting with my doctor Monday morning (June 30th) and getting the okay to go on our road trip to Oregon, we packed up the car and hit the road about noon. We were all so excited to be going and so glad that my contractions had stopped and we were on our way! We drove to Oregon last year and it went pretty well so we decided instead of paying outrageous airfare and renting a car for four people, we would drive again. It went really well once again.

The first day we were trying to make it to Bend, OR which is about 8 or 9 hours away. Since we had a late start we didn't quite get there so we stayed in a tiny town called Burns, OR. There wasn't a whole lot to it. Our drive that day had gone well though. We stopped in Snowville that afternoon and had lunch at a park so the girls could play, then drove as much as we could with only a few stops for bathroom breaks and treats. Once we made it to Burns we went to a pizza place and took food back to our room. The girls love staying in a hotel, they are fascinated by everything in the room.

The next morning we ate our continental breakfast and headed out. We found the park in Hines that we had LOVED last year. It is an older park with all the metal play toys that we had growing up and you don't see anymore. There is a huge slide, a merry-go-round, teeter-totters, all the good stuff. We got the girls all excited to go to "the best park in the world" and as we pulled up we realized it was flooded and there was no way we could play there. Sad for us all, and we felt like real great parents at that point. So on we drove.

After a little detour because our GPS wanted to send us up some little dirt road and over a huge mountain, we finally ended up in Netarts, OR about 3 p.m. My parents had arrived by plane a few hours before us and everyone was waiting for us. We had a good dinner at my grandparents and then headed down to Happy Camp to finally get Jordyn to the beach. Then we headed to our apartment for some sleep.

The next morning we went to one of my fave places in OR. It is in Oceanside and is called Short Beach. At high tide you can't get to this beach, but if you wait till low tide you can walk around some large rocks and go to the other side and see all kind of ocean life stuck to the rocks while the water is out. I love finding the starfish and sea anemones and any other creature we may come across. Unfortunately this year we didn't get over to it early enough and the tide was already coming back in so we couldn't go as far and see as much as usual, but we still saw some good stuff. And the girls enjoyed splashing in the water.

Pressley and Poppa Tom cruising to Short Beach.

Checking out the sea life, and trying to keep the pants dry.

Star fish!

Chasing Poppa.

Pressley and Grandma Barb.

Later that day we headed to Pacific City and ate a great lunch at the Pelican Pub, one of our fave restaurants. Then we were off to the beach to play in the sand and the water. It wasn't as warm as we were hoping for, but it was nice. Pressley was a bit nervous of the water at first. She didn't even want it touching her toes and every time a wave would come in she would go running away, but pretty soon she was up to her knees in it. The girls didn't get their swimsuits on, but that didn't stop them from jumping into the water, and getting buried in the sand. We had a great time attempting to build sand castles, burying Jon and the girls, and playing in the waves. The girls of course were not too excited when we said it was time to go.


Thursday we got up and headed out to Cape Meares to a beach we hadn't been to yet in search for some neat rocks, shells, etc. We found a couple agates, and some shells, and had fun walking out on the rocks to look for sea life. It was a very pretty area, and the girls of course were ready to play in the sand and the water.

Our little family.

Searching the rocks.

Pressley found a crab "pinger".

Writing in the sand.

Getting ready to go to our next destination.

After the beach we drove to see the Octopus tree, also at Cape Meares. This is a gigantic tree. Each "branch" that has grown off of the base is about 12 feet around, and the main trunk is over 50 feet around. It is quite a site. And there are beautiful views of the ocean from this site. We also were able to look through some telescopes that were there at some birds and a sea lion that Poppa Tom found lying out on the rocks.

The Octopus Tree, this picture doesn't do it justice.

Looking over Oceanside.

Such a gorgeous view.

After Cape Meares we headed into town to Tillamook and ate at a restaurant called The Rodeo. This is the type of place that you can eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. Both grandpas decided to be silly and start throwing their shells at the girls and the girls had so much fun throwing their shells back. We were covered in peanut shells by the time we got our lunch. After lunch we all went to the petting farm at the Blue Heron and saw the silly goats, and ostrich, some donkeys, and chickens and roosters. The girls loved petting and feeding the goats. Then we headed to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some yummy cheese spread and our favorite ice cream. By this time Jordyn was pretty worn out, and didn't hardly touch her ice cream. You know she is tired when she won't eat ice cream. So home for a nap we went.

Checking out the goats.

These are some seriously greedy goats!

That night we had a great salmon dinner at my grandparents house and then headed to Happy Camp to fly some kites that Poppa Tom had bought for the girls. It was a lot of fun to fly kites on the beach, something none of us had done. And the girls loved getting to fly their own kites and hold them themselves. Pressley was so excited and kept pointing and saying "there it is, up there."

The ocean air made Pressley a bit cooky!

Getting the kites started.

Pressley loved it!

Friday morning, the 4th of July, we had some yummy breakfast at Rachel's, a small local restaurant, and then headed out to the town of Manzanita for the big parade. My grandpa Howard and Jon both march in the parade with the Vets. It was a little cool, and rainy, for it being July 4th. We waited in the rain and wind for the parade to start. But I must say it was better than waiting in 100 degree weather. We walked up and down the main street of town and found some festive necklaces and bracelets, and some yummy kettle corn, then it was time for the parade! This is the cutest parade with all the locals dressing up and dressing up their cars, bikes, pets, etc. They throw out more candy than you can imagine, and everyone has a great time. Although, this year Jordyn has not wanted any candy from parades. She just wants "pink gum like Pam gave me." I don't know what that is, but apparently they don't have it at parades.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Great-grandpa Howard and Jon marching in the parade.

Jordyn and her fireman hat.

After the parade we went to yet another great restaurant, I had to try the clam chowder everywhere we went and it was all fabulous, and then we headed home to rest for a second, then back to the beach for some more kite flying with an even bigger kitty kite this time. It wasn't terribly warm, but the girls just couldn't resist the water and playing in it. They found a large puddle and turned it into their swimming pool, and covered themselves in sand. Everyone on the beach couldn't help but laugh at them, and be a little shocked at how wet they were when everyone else was walking around in jackets and sweatshirts.

Splish Splash!!

She was covered!

Having a good ole time!

Then we headed to my grandparents for some dinner and visiting and then down to the bay to watch the fireworks. They always start out a little slow in this little town, but once they get them going they are awesome. We sat in the back of the van cuddled up in blankets and watched them for a bit. Although, Pressley wouldn't get out of her car seat so I think she missed the whole show. She was a bit tired. Jordyn and I loved them though. And it is so pretty to watch them go off over the water. It turned out to be a great 4th of July!

Saturday it was time to hit the road and head back home. We got up and finished packing and went to say bye to everyone at my grandparents house. We were on the road by about 9 and headed home. On the way we stopped at Multonomah Falls which is a giant, gorgeous waterfall. I remember going there with my grandparents when I was about 12 and have always wanted to go back. The girls seemed to like it, and I thought it was beautiful. We continued our drive and spent the night in Boise where the girls got to swim in the pool and watch a movie on the big screen at the same time. It was a pretty neat hotel. We arrived home about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and were all glad to be back. We had a great trip though, and enjoyed everything very much! Thank you so much to Grandma and Grandpa Schultz for all they did for us and for showing us around your beautiful city!!

Multonomah Falls