Portland Coast // Day 5 // Redwood National Forest // Northern California

I would totally visit the Redwood Forest again.  It was breathtaking.  Literally, we'd just sit there in awe.  There wasn't a sound in the forest, except the cars going by.  We never saw any wild life, it was just as still as could be. 

Supposedly, this is where all the elk and moose gather.  None was seen by us.  You can't even tell how HUGE the redwoods are in this photo either.

We didn't get out to do much hiking that day, mainly because we had two very tuckered out babies. 

So we took turns making pit stops and just sitting outside the car.  Luckily, it was fairly cool and we could leave the windows down. 

 

Meet, Big Tree. 

I can't even remember the road, but we took this little side road into a very unpopulated area. 

The lighting is just surreal.  It would get super dark, just because of the tree cover. 

While I was feeding brother, the husband was trying to get an epic picture of Aiko.  But she kept obsessing about putting rocks in her new found pocket. 

Honestly, it was kind of nice to have to stop every couple hours to feed this chunky man.  It made us go slow and enjoy things a little bit more.  Usually, especially Derek, is always ready to go, go! 

Portland Coast // The Sandwich League // Eugene, Oregon

Brother and I are working on our "Asian." Eyes.  Between the two of us we have about 3/4 asian blood, you'd think on of us would look it.

We used the phone app, Yelp, for basically all of our food choices.  Choosing where to eat was SOOO hard.  So many delicious places and so little time (and money really.)  So the husband chose The Sandwich League.

I can't even remember what was so special about it, but I do remember the owners being super cool. 

Portland Coast // Day 6 // Portland Temple

 

 I've probably already blogged about this, but isn't the temple gorgeous?

Happy Sunday!

Portland Coast // Day 5 // Crater Lake

I was asking around to see if Crater Lake was worth the drive.  A friend from the Buddhist Church said "Crater Lake changed my life."  

Well, we obviously had to go after a statement like that.

It was amazing.  I actually didn't edit any of these photos...the water really is that blue.  Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the whole US.  There is no commercial boats allowed out on it either.  There is a tour you can take, and it's always booked ad expensive, so we didn't even have a chance.

We thought about taking the only hike to where you can go swimming in the lake, but it sounded a little too much for us. 

 It didn't take very long to drive around the lake, but the traffic was crazy!

Aiko made friends with all the squirrels.  So we spent a lot of time looking and pointing.

Between the sky and the lake, it looks like we've been badly photoshopped into the photo.

Little Aiko was quite the trooper.  We got lucky on this trip.

I realize that this photo is quite laughable...I can't image what people thought of my large hair.  But man, those in between dread times are awesome.  My kids are just going to DIE when their future families see their grandma. I know, I know, you are like, "What does Derek think of his wife?"  You should ask him sometime, I'm very curious.

 

 

 

Portland Coast // Day 4 // Fernwood Hike

I was kind of done at this point...we'd been to the Trees of Mystery, The Redwood Forest, Klamath City, and then the husband wanted to go do this Fern hike.  I mean, I was pooped, the kids were pooped.  In the end, he won.  It's a good thing too, because it was like Fern Gully. 

One minute we're in the Redwoods, the next we are in the sandy beaches next to the ocean and then you hike a few miles inland and BAM! 

You've found fern gully. 

  

Both sides of the cliffs were just covered in ferns. 

   

Little Brother became quite obsessed with his hand.  He would just stick it out and then gaze at it for hours.  Mama wanted to join in on the fun too. 

I can't even tell you how green it was, just amazing. 

Do you guys own Chacos?  Because, really, that's all I wore this entire trip.  I've had them for over 10 years.  Sadly, I forgot the husband's somehow, so he couldn't gallop through the water like brother and I. 

So remember how I said we hiked in through the beach...well, apparently, it's also were some elk hang out too.  I thought elk were in the high mountains, not hanging out next to the beach.  

Aiko thought it was crazy too. 

These lovely flowers grew in the dustiest part of the road.  They were so lovely and noteworthy I had to take a picture.