Spring Break 2017

 We had such a cold Spring Break this year, but we all needed to get out of our homes! Megan and Andy joined us with their children at the beach and so did Anne.  The kids found a driftwood fort!

 Jane exploring the beach

 Anne and Maisy

 Megan and Jane

 Oliver found a great stick!

 Bill

 Cold, but beautiful

 Jane, Megan, Bill, Anne

 Charlotte in the fort

 Drew in the water

 Starfish are finally coming back to the coast!

 Jane

 Jane, Megan, Bill

 The next day we took the kids to see the cherry blossoms on the capital grounds, and we brought a bag of shelled peanuts so the kids could feed the squirrels (I used to do that as a little girl and I took my children when they were small).

 Happy squirrel

 Looking for squirrels to feed

 Megan and her children with the capital in the background

 The Munchkins

 Bill

 Enticing squirrels with peanuts

 Picking flowers

 It takes patience!

 Lots of it!

 Jane with dandelions in her hair :)

 Enjoying a quiet moment

 Megan and oliver

 Where are those squirrels?

 Up in the tree

 A group was giving windmills to the children :)

 We took the kids to Riverfront Park. This little girl has no fear!

 Jesse

 Oliver

 Happy Jane

 Fun times!

 Charlotte

 Charlotte skipping across the monkey bars!

 Jesse jumping out of the swing

 Taking a turn on the carousel. Local citizens carved and painted these carousel animals. It brought the community together in a special way.

 Oliver and Charlotte

 Oliver

 Jane

 Jesse

 Sibling love (and ice cream)

 Fun memories!

Pretty good stuff!

Rockaway Ship Wreck

 The Emily G. Reed ran aground in 1908 at the mouth of Nehalem Bay, and a section of the ship must have drifted south to Rockaway. Every so often winter storms reveal these wood ribs, so we made a quick trip to the coast in order to see them! It is interesting to look up the history of this ship and to imagine the many ports and adventures associated with it. The ship was en route from Australia to Portland when it encountered a winter storm and instruments that were not working correctly. Eight men lost their lives, but the ship's captain and his wife made it to shore the next morning along with other crew members.

 Our daughter Kate and our granddaughter Pearl came with us.

 Close ups of the wreckage

 A view of Twin Rocks from the wreckage

 Bill and Pearl

 History lying in the sand!

 On the way home we saw a few elk herds.

It was an enjoyable day!

Smith Rock 2017

 Smith Rock is an amazing place, even in the winter!

 This is all the higher Bill likes to go :).

 A handy chair left on the trail to the cliffs.

 Becky

 Bill

 As we left Smith Rock and headed home, we passed this deer in the middle of a flock of Canada Geese.

We passed by a cemetery with this sweet headstone.