Wallowas

We are just back from a long weekend pre-wedding scouting trip to the Wallowas, checking out the venues where Drew and Grace will be holding their September wedding. Here's hoping the sunset on September 19th is even half as spectacular as the ones we saw this weekend. Click here for photos, which include pictures from our trip up the Wallowa Lake Tramway, hiking, rail-biking, kayaking and more. 

This was our first time visiting Joseph, OR, and we took the opportunity to checkout the nearby viewpoint for Hells Canyon (pictured below) while we were in the neighborhood... just 20 miles, but  a hour+ drive! 

We are 3-weeks away from wedding day! 

Vancouver Island

We spend the past week exploring Vancouver Island in British Columbia - from Victoria to Salt Springs Island to Campbell River. Click here for photos. Our week included lots of wildlife encounters, great hiking and kayaking; a whale watching tour where we spotted both orcas and humpbacks; and a great fireworks show in honor of Canada Day. We returned home through Vancouver and Bellingham. 

As for the rest of the family, click here to see how everyone is enjoying the summer so far.  Emily's summer started with her earning a masters degree in marriage and family counseling from Portland State. Photos from her graduation weekend are linked here. 

All Together at Otter Rocks

Drew and Grace hosted a bachelor/bachelorette camping weekend for friends on the Oregon Coast, and we got to join them for a lovely afternoon near Otter Rocks. Jake flew in for the occasion, so we were all together briefly... something not likely to happen again until their wedding in September!

Click here for photos of the kids and their friends enjoying the beach, plus our scenic explorations between Depoe Bay and Newport, which included a stop on the Newport fishing docks to watch a bunch of sea lions at play. 

Rose + Starlight Parade

Portland combined its annual Rose and Starlight Parades into a single event this year. Click here for photos. It was a beautiful night to enjoy a great show.

Chasing Dragons

It's Rose Festival Weekend, which means dragon boat racing. We spent Saturday on the waterfront cheering for Emily's team, the Willamette Wave Riders. The weather was a bit unsettled, but rain or shine, it was fun to watch the races. Click here for photos. 

Spring into Summer

 

We spent Memorial Day Weekend on the Oregon Coast exploring the Bayocean and Netarts Spits, along with points in between. Click on Bayocean, and it will link to a brief PBS documentary about the area's fascinating history.  Emily, Fig and I previously visited this same spot back in March - those photos are linked here. 

Because we hiked to the tip of Netarts Spit during low tide, our google location made it look like we were in the water - see dot below.  In fact, we were standing where the next photo down was taken looking out to Three Arch Cape and the town of Oceanside.  Netarts Spit is also known as Sand Dollar Spit. We found 10 on our 10 mile hike. 

Click here for photos from a variety of other Spring adventures - camping trips and birthday celebrations; hiking, biking and kayaking; turkey hunting, wildlife sightings and more. And click here to see photos of Drew, Pat and Team Jugo competing in this year's Oregon Off Shore Race where they achieved a 3rd place finish, their best to date. 

Finally, here's a link to my growing collection of watercolor paintings, including some made by the kids and friends who have joined me in taking classes with watercolor artist, Peter O'Brien. 

Toronto

Spent a great long weekend in Toronto with Jake and Elise, a first visit for all of us. We explored the Toronto Islands, the Distillery District, Kensington Market neighborhood and visited the Art Gallery of Ontario.  We also took a day trip to Niagara Falls.  

Click here for photos, which include some I took from the top of the CN Tower as part of a conference I was attending.