2013 western us
Scott patiently waited for us all to wake up, but announced at 8:30 that he couldn’t sit any longer. So we had a quick snuggling session and wrapped everything up for the last time on this trip.
read more
2013 western us
2013 western us
A river run-eth through it! There was quite a storm last night from 2 to about 4. When we put up the tent it was quite windy, so the fly and the tarp under the tent weren’t quite where they needed to be when the deluge began. Brooke woke up with quite a puddle under her. The thunder jolted me awake and then I enjoyed the show. I drifted back to sleep sometime close to 4, but rain was sneaking in through the side of the tent where our heads were. Consequently I enjoyed a fresh drip – drip – dripping on my head for awhile. Apparently I was too tired to think of putting my feet in place of my head. The kids didn’t show any signs of losing sleep over the storm and were running through the puddles as soon as they confirmed we would let them. Scott did not get a good night’s sleep and he really needed one since he does most of the driving. Thankfully Scott suggested we bring our pack towls (yes it is supposed to be spelled without the e). I wasn’t able to dry the entire tent, but it helped soak up some of the mess. Thankfully this is the first time we have taken on a lot of water. In Alaska and Canada three years ago this was a regular occurrence without many sunny days to help dry things out.
read more
2013 western us
The kids were super helpers taking the tent down and cleaning up camp today.
read more
2013 western us
We spent the night at Comanche Campground just past Jewel Cave off of Route 16. We were actually at Jewel Cave before 9 am. That is an early start for us!
read more
2013 western us
Before we left our campground the kids wanted to throw a few more rocks and leaves into the river. They had a system going where Brooke would find the rocks and hand them to Cody to throw. The only problem was that Cody didn’t really understand the idea of throwing the rocks not in the direct path of Brooke. I think Brooke rather enjoyed the close calls…
read more
2013 western us
Sunrise over Crater Lake.
Waterfall
2013 western us
We woke up at six to get an early start to climbing. I have to admit I tried to get Scott to leave the climbing equipment in Illinois since we were limited on space and it has been quite a few years since we have climbed. I’m pretty sure we haven’t climbed since Alaska three years ago. In a rare moment I am glad he didn’t listen to me. We had a great day. We had about a ten minute hike to get to Rope De Dope, a top-roping area perfect for the wee ones and the slightly rusty parents.
read more
2013 western us
Cody flipped over and excitedly said, “Good Morning Sammy!” Sammy the dog was near our tent waiting patiently for us to wake up. The kids were already digging in the dirt this morning. After all the discussion of volcanoes with the Newberry Volcanic Park and the caldera of Crater Lake the kids have returned to creating volcanic eruptions out of mounds of dirt. No one would know they had showers less than twenty-four hours ago.
read more
2013 western us
Scott rolled out of the tent a little after six for a fifteen mile bike ride along the Crater’s of the Moon Loop Road, twice. We had a light sprinkling of rain at about 7:30. Which I only mention because we had gone “topless” again last night. The rain was just enough to rinse off the half inch of dust that had accumulated on the outside of the tent since being in western Oregon.
read more