Ridgeway Heights

Friday, July 26, 2013

Beautiful Vacation!

Bill and I returned to one of our favorite places in Washington. We visited Cape Disappointment, just across the Astoria Bridge, a few years ago and determined we would camp there one day. Well, we finally made it, and we loved it! This is the North Head Lighthouse.

We invited our daughter Anne to join us for a couple of days since she is on vacation from teaching. We don't get to see her that often during the school year. Her husband Matt had to work.

The lighthouse was built in 1898. This is Bill just entering the lighthouse. We climbed the stairs to enjoy the view from the top.

Anne coming back down

Beautiful fern along a hiking trail

There were amazing driftwood forts along Waikiki Beach and Benson Beach.

Benson Beach with a view of North Head

Taken from inside one of the forts

Bill and Anne on Benson Beach with North Head in the background

Anne (taken from within a fort)

Bill

Anne and Bill (I wonder how many people have taken this same picture :-)

Beautiful wood grain in the driftwood

Enjoying Benson Beach in the evening

Succulents growing on the rocks

One of our favorite places is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Bill and Anne are exploring the Bunker.

A rusted door

We hiked a long trail to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. This is Dead Man's Cove.

This little fella was adorable!

Another old bunker along the trail

Looking back toward the jetty and Waikiki Beach from Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

This lighthouse was smaller than North Head and we did not get to go to the top. However, it was a grand view.

Looking back at the Interpretive Center from the lighthouse

Another grand view of the lighthouse

Thimble berries and lace :-)

Fox Goves

Thimble Berries

Looking out at the jetty where the Columbia River meets the ocean
Lewis and Clark called this "Bald Hill" and there was nothing but grass on it when they climbed it and first viewed the ocean. One of the trails we hiked took us to the top of this hill. We had a great time and would go back again. We had to reserve our campsite 9 months ahead because this place fills up quickly!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Smith Family Reunion

We met in Siletz, OR this last Saturday with several relatives for another Smith Family Reunion. It was one of the nicest reunions I've attended because there was a lot of visiting and getting acquainted with one another! Myra, Grace, Steve, and Debby compared stories from the many pictures put out for viewing.

We had some wonderful displays. One of my cousins, Clarinda, has won the title of Miss Siletz for a few years now.

Another cousin, Debby, displayed her art and her soaps, vinegars, jams and jellies.

My daughter Kate displayed some of her art.

Individuals spent quite a bit of time looking at the family history and photographs.

Four of our cousins who are members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians made fry bread for all of us. Talk about a treat!

Sharon does all of the measurements for the dough. She is forming the bread.

Sharon, Teresa and Tonya (sisters)

Sharon, Clarinda, Teresa, Tonya

Aurora (Felicia's daughter) was a little shy about having her picture taken, but I caught her anyway :-). What a cutie! See that beautiful piece of fry bread next to her coated in sugar and cinnamon? It was amazing!