After Grandpas funeral we followed Cart and Brenden back to Oregon. The Dads had the little girls for all of an hour before demanding at least one Mom be in the vehicle. Other than that we traded kids, cars and drivers at each stop. For a 10 hour drive it went remarkably quick. I don't think I even turned on my book on tape. Cart and I talked the whole time. And as if we didn't have enough driving we got up early the next day to drive 2 hours more to the coast. The first beach was the same one we visit last year by Seaside. That day there was an unusually high number of live sand dollars. So we found a ton of whole intact ones really fast. We tried throwing some back but it was pointless; they just got washed back up. Reminded me of that talk where the guy asked the old man why he was throwing them back if it wouldn't make a difference. The old man picks up another and throws it back "It made a difference to him". Beach two was Hug Point. We made it in time to walk around the point of the cliff. The pools of little fish and Sea Anemone were fascinating and the rocks covered with clams. Check out my National Geographic worthy picture " A crab in barnacles". It was a little bit chilly but that didn't stop us from catching a wave or two. (and maybe hypothermia lol) We had a private cove mostly to ourselves out of the wind. Spent the day relaxing, snacking, rock climbing, building sand castles, cave exploring. body surfing. It was fabulous.
Adventure Day #2 There are dozens of major water fall hikes along the Colombia. Some were still closed for covid or required tickets for parking or a little farther than we wanted to go. First stop was Crown Point Vista House build 1918 as a rest stop for travelers. The observatory continues to offer stunning views of the river valley below. We stayed on Scenic Corridor " an innovative European-style road that traces a winding path through the perilous Columbia River Gorge, linking Portland and The Dalles" We just started driving and when we saw a water fall parking spot stopped. We did 2 before Preston/Baler got Hangry. We were recommended the most expensive hamburgers and tots I've ever had. Somehow the kids still have energy so we found a playground. Us adults enjoyed the sunshine and downtime.
Day #3 Adventure. A fun nature walk near Carts home. Blackberries are like a weed. They grow wherever and take over if not tended. We were wishing for a ladder all weekend as they mow them back street level. We still foraged our fair share. They had removed the broken bridge from last year. We weren't going to get wet but... Later that day Cart and I took the kids to the river by the train tracks. Katana really wanted to try and swim across. I had her and Axel hike 100 yrs upstream so they had time to make it before they passed us and would need rescuing. I was so proud of them. Cart and Brendon are moving Monday. We decided to leave and drive all night instead of stay half a day more. We talked them into sending Zaleah and Baler so they could be unhindered in cleaning, packing, and moving. It worked out for both of us as my kids were not done with their cousin fix.
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