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.

Salt of the earth and thoughts about blogging.

I've always wanted to be a blogger.  Yes, I blog, but I've always wanted to be a blogger that got free stuff and went to free events.  Why?  I just don't know.  Because it looks like a glamorous life, for those that work in the pajamas. Luckily, I made a new friend, Mikaela, from Indie Ogden.

Mikaela is pretty dang hip. (Lady in the middle.) So she invited me to this spa night, with all the big bloggers out there.  It was then and there, that I decided I needed a real blog.  These ladies just invited to stuff for free, then all they have to do is blog about it.  I mean really, how sweet is that deal?

We've gone to a few different events together and I feel like we are kindred spirits.  She's also who made me realize how cool Ogden is.  Which, is the purpose of her website, so job well done Mik!

So be watching for new things, The Salt Project is coming.