Aug vacation sort of...

The second week of August was suppose to be our third vacation this year but finances made changes so we stayed at home to celebrate Tony's birthday. We invited friends over for the party in the back yard.






In any case, fun was had by all and next year Tony will get his birthday wish of returning to Jellystone National Park. Only this time we already have the cabins booked.

Early Summer vacation 2010

We scheduled three vacations this year. This was the second one and we planned on revisiting places we had liked in the past. This first shot is Mosquito Lake, in the High Sierras on the way to Big Trees State Park near Arnold, CA. It's June 28th and there was still snow on the ground.

The second shot is of the only giant sequoia we came across in the Bradly Grove at the park. It was a disappointment. The South Grove contains the most sequoias in the park, over a thousand the trail guide claims and also the longest and most enduring trail. Have to get into shape for that one.

We had planned on going to Yosemite to see the falls but van troubles changed our plans we ended up heading for the flat lands of California.

We spent three days in our favorite tent cabin at Big Basin State park north of Santa Cruz.

There are many trails in the park and it is very relaxing among the trees and streams. Not far from the cabin is this bridge that crosses a babbling brook.

The next day we went to San Jose to a model railroad convention. Tony grabbed his Dad's camera and took some shots while Jeff was wondering around looking at the vendors items.

That night we were back in the cabin when a masked visitor tried to get in by pulling at the door with his hand. Jeff and Tony took off after him and were able to take a shot at him when he fled.

The next morning we headed down the coast to see a lighthouse but first we stopped at a beach so Tony could collect sand for a summertime treasure hunt at the library. This last shot is of Pigeon Point lighthouse about 30 miles north of Santa Cruz.

Spring Baseball "Redsocks"

We got back from vacation and the weather stayed nice and Tony was once again playing for the "Boston Redsocks". This year he moved around and played different positions besides outfield.

Spring 2010 Vacation Bridges

These are different bridges we crossed on our Easter Vacation. My sister is a big fan of bridges and this blog is for her. Of course these bridges are nothing compared to the bridge at Astoria, but I included them anyhow for Tonya.

This bridge is just north of Coos Bay.

Alsea Bay Bridge

Cape Creek Bridge, north of Florance between

the Sea Lions Cave and Heceta Head lighthouse.

Pulga, CA

Spring Vacation 2010

This year we headed up the Oregon coast to a section Joyce and Jeff had never been to and for Tony it was all a new adventure as he had not been born when we headed up the coast in 1995 with the other kids. The sea lions cave was interesting. A bit overpriced though. Both of these attractions are a little north of Florance, OR

We got to go inside the Heceta Head Lighthouse. The caretakers house is now a B&B.

This is my favorite lighthouse. Yaquina Head, Newport, OR. I'm already planning a return vacation.Newport was a nice area. Not to big. The weather was nice and they have two lighthouses and the aquarium.

At Newport we stopped at the Oregon Aquarium. It's the sister aquarium to Monterey, It doesn't have as many exhibits but it's a lot less crowded.

And the price was better.

Our main reason for going to Washington was to see the lighthouse we saw 14 years previous. It was in better condition then. This first shot is of the caretakers house which is now a vacation rental. Hum???

This is North Head lighthouse. One of my favorites.

Tony and Joyce on the beach below the lighthouse. The wind was blowing quite strong and the temps were cold. But we weren't worried as the "yurt" we stayed in was heated.

The next morning the storm had passed over and we headed east down the north side of the Columbia River.

Tony manning the big gun

This is Fort Columbia, WA

Salem OR, Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

At Winston, OR, we went on a wildlife safari. The place was divided into different "Countrys" with their respective animals.

The grizzly's were only a few feet away on the other side of electric cables but they did have a guard tower overlooking them.

A bull elk lounging in the woods.

Hippo looking for ... what?

White reindeer from Asia.

And flamingos from "Florida".

Klondike

We had a warm spell come through just before the Klondike so there wasn't as much snow as hoped for. Still the boys had fun. Tony's group tied for second overall. They were forth in the sled races. The snow did come after we left around noon. I had to get back to Reno for a union meeting. The next day at church I was talking to the leaders. They said it started dumping snow 15 minutes after we left and there was 2 inches by the time they got the gear loaded on the trailer and left.

Did Al Gore make unexpected stop in the Reno area?

We enjoyed a pleasant day Saturday, February 20. Pruned the trees in the orchard. Had some friends over for a visit. . . and then the only thing we could figure is some wacko leftist environmentalist tree hugging global warming idiot must be in the area as temperatures dropped and the snow started falling. A quick check of Accuweather confirmed there was only a chance of rain predicted. I wish those warmers would stay home, I've had enough winter already. By Sunday morning we had over 5 inches.