Road trip 2011 – part 6

Day 18-21 (11/24-11/27) We headed to Idaho for some extended rest with my sister, Teresa, and her family in their new home. After travelling so many miles each day, it was nice to rest for a few days and relax.

Thanksgiving meal with Rob, Teresa, Joshua, John, Luke, and Ethan – fun times!
Saturday, most of us went to Boise, ID to visit the state capital and the zoo. We also found an Idaho Black History Museum that we enjoyed spending some time at.

Bald eagle and zebra at the zoo.

Beautiful tiger and the 4 kiddos in a nest. They are all fairly close in age, so that have hours of fun together!

Inside the capital building looking down – there was a beautiful tree made out of potted poinsettias on the bottom floor. We discovered that the ceiling in the elevator was a mirror, so we took a quirky shot of us all looking up. Ha – sorry, Rob, you are hidden by a light – must mean that you are the brightest of us all :)

We took a timed photo of all of us together. Also, one of just the cousins.
This was our last group of family or friends to visit on this trip. We were SO thrilled to spend time with each of you, but there is never enough time. Thank you ALL for your hospitality! It’s so nice that my family are also my friends – it’s a blessing to be with each one.
So, I guess it would now be each of your turns to visit us!!! Tag – you’re it!

Road trip 2011 – part 5

Day 13 (11/19) – We stayed in Cannon Beach, OR to visit my sister, Debbie, and her husband, Troy. After taking a very large detour getting to their house, we had a very nice time together. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed a little more time at the Pacific Ocean when we arrived.

Ecola State Park. Debbie and me at a lookout spot.

Our boy and some rocks. Beautiful sunset on the beach.
Family photo on the beach.

Uncle Troy shared his enjoyment of guns and even blessed Hadden with one to keep! He also took some time to do some target practice and they all had fun shooting. I stood inside by the very warm fire :)
Thanks Deb and Troy for your warm hospitality – we had a great time seeing you!
Day 14-16 (11/20-11/22) We arrived into Portland later in the evening, so we went straight to the hotel in Wilsonville to rest up. We stayed at the same hotel where our wedding reception was located almost 12 years ago.
While John took the kids to OMSI and a day out at the mall, I got to spend time with my 1/2 brain and bff, Heidi. She and her husband, Rob were blessed with little Maximus last February and this is the first time I got to meet him in person. So much fun catching up with Heidi and playing with the little man.

Heidi and Maximus. We were training him early to enjoy some Star*bucks! (Don’t worry, it was the clean, extra cup they put on for insulation.)

So sweet to spend time with them! Thanks Heidi for a great time visiting!
Day 17 (11/23) – On to Pendleton to visit my sister, Linda, and her family.

Carl (and his puppy, Spot :), Linda, Jordan, Hope and Carl and Girl.
 
I had to sneak a shot of Caleb before he left for work. Hope, Savannah and Girl. Hadden and Carl.
Thanks Carl, Linda, Caleb, Jordan, Hope and Carl for the nice visit, good food, and fun cousins game of Pictio*nary!
Next up: Idaho

Road trip 2011 – part 4

Day 9-11 (11/14-11/17) – Stayed the night in Los Angeles, CA then drove the coastal highway up to San Francisco. Along the way, we were able to meet up with a good friend from college, Dave C., in Monterey. I can’t believe that I forgot to get pictures when we were with him!

We also stopped for a few minutes to get our feet in the Pacific Ocean. Clear instructions were given to “not get soaked”!

Guess who didn’t listen and got soaked? HA – he got knocked over by a wave. Savannah was wet enough to need to change clothes, too.

San Francisco is a beautiful city. We enjoyed Lombard Street, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, COIT Tower, Chinatown and many other hilly streets :)

Look for John up the hill a little on Lombard Street. This is Coit Tower on the right – it was a beautiful day.

We walked to Chinatown and enjoyed the culture their. We ate lunch at a family restaurant, then walked through the streets and found a little park where there were tables of people set up all over. We wondered what gambling card game they were playing. Does anyone know?

 

John and kids near the Coit tower. Mail deliverers in San Francisco are fit and trim!

Street trolley car – we didn’t ride on this time. Alcatraz from the parkway.

The second day, we walked almost 8 miles. We parked along Marina Blvd and walked along the water to the Golden Gate Bridge and went as far as they would allow on the pedestrian walkway. They have the walkway blocked off near the middle of the bridge, so that was the furthest we could go. For fun, to join other tourists, we dropped a nickel onto the bridge. We told the kids that when they return with their kids, they should look for our nickel.

Next we went to Fisherman’s Wharf and specifically to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. The kids enjoyed their fussing and bellowing at each other. Although there were many empty piers, they all seemed to need to be together on just a few.

On the way back to the car, the kids each got a stuffed sea lion to remember the fun time we had here.

COFFEE!! This is the car that we rented waiting in line at the nice little coffee shop. I can be a bit like the sea lions when I haven’t had my coffee soon enough!

The Golden Gate Bridge is reportedly “the most photographed bridge in the world”. John definitely did his part to keep that tradition going. We have at least 75 pictures that include the bridge in some way. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Leaving San Francisco, we saw a beautiful double rainbow right next to the highway. I can’t say that I have ever seen one that “close” before. Sure seemed like the pot of gold should be there somewhere. We took a little detour off of the main road to enjoy the drive-thru redwood tree. We missed seeing the majority of redwood trees because it had gotten too dark by the time we went through that area, but you could see glimpses in the headlights and they are magnificent, I’m sure.

Day 12 (11/18) - Overnight in Medford, OR and then on to Cannon Beach to visit my sister, Debbie.