Easter in the Mountains

We're just back from an Easter Weekend visit to see Jake and Elli in Holden Village. Click here for photos. There's still quite a bit of snow in the North Cascades, plenty for skiing, sledding and snowball fights... not to mention some wine tasting in Chelan on our way up; ceramic mobile-making in Holden's craft cave; an Easter bonfire; and lots of time getting to know the great people Jake and Elli live and work with in the mountains. 

There was a small mishap with the bonfire, but thank goodness for metal roofs and the quick response of Jake and others to make sure all was well.

 

Hopscotch and Hiking

We stopped by Hopscotch, Portland's new immersive art gallery, while Jake was in town for a visit. Click here for photos.

Next was a hike along Coyote Wall in The Dalles where we managed to find a little sun and great views of the Columbia Gorge. 

And speaking of animals, click here for photos from our stroll through the Oregon Zoo. 

Portland Winter Lights

It was a fun and fiery night downtown during the annual Portland Winter Lights Festival. Click here for photos. Most of the exhibits were new this year, but last year's photo booth was back for a reprise. Below are photos from 2024 and 2023. 

While tonight was full of light, lots of Portland neighborhoods were without power for nearly a week in January, thanks to a crazy winter storm that downed trees like we've never seen. Click here for photos from the storm; Drew and Grace skiing in Bend; and Emily and Coleman in the midst of an epic yard-mulching project.  

Meanwhile up north...Jake, Elli and friends constructed an igloo that according to Jake, seats 8! 

Brrrr...

Click here for photos from Holden Village where Jake and Elli will be living and working during 2024.  The Village, located in Washington State's North Cascades Mountain Range always gets a lot of snow, but the new year has gotten off to an especially snowy start.  Drew braved the elements to go visit them this weekend.  

Happy New Year. 

SoCal Holiday

We're just back from a pre-Christmas trip to Southern California. Click here for photos.  This was our first full-team family vacation, and we spent it exploring the California coast from La Jolla (pictured above) to Oceanside (pictured below) to Dana Point. 

There was plenty of sand, surfing, and two forms of pool, along with some lovely sunsets and great company.

Happy Holidays...

Thanksgiving Weekend 2023

Thanksgiving Day started with our neighborhood's annual Turkey Bowl soccer game at Hamilton Park. Click here for photos, and thank you Ruby Belle for keeping the tradition alive. 

Our family was spread across Oregon and Idaho for Thanksgiving, so the photos in this next album include a sampling of everyone's adventures - us with Jake, Elli and Fig in Portland, Emily with Coleman's family, also in Portland, and Drew with Grace's family in Boise. 

It's been a great weekend to be outside. All the mountains have been out. Pictured below is the view of Mt. Hood from our day-after-Thanksgiving hike to Mirror Lake, and you can see both Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier in the distance in the second photo, taken from Hoyt Arboretum. 

Last but not least, Fig celebrated her #3 birthday... 

Wild Turkey Regatta 2023

It was a great day to be on the river for the Willamette Sailing Club's annual Wild Turkey Regatta. Click here for photos. This fan-favorite, no-rules, un-regatta is all about collecting ducks, balls and pumpkins that have been tossed in the water, while fending off plunderers. Sturdy nets, long arms, pirate gear, and occasional bribery are key if you're going for the win. 

We've been attending this regatta off and on over the years since 2009.  Below is a photo from 2009.