The Oregon Coast Trip - September 2014

It seems like we have been keeping the road busy this year.  In September, we pulled the trailer on a thousand mile journey to Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, and then through the redwoods of California on the way home.  It was a trip of many miles of two-lane road, but beautiful country to see and a great time to travel with our dear friends Steve and Jackie Duerden.

These are pictures of the 10 waterfalls in Silver Falls.  We parked a truck at one parking lot and drove to the other end of the park where we started a 6.5 mile hike taking us along a beautiful mountain trail and under many of the falls.  This is literally a rainforest area and the ferns and green moss were sweet to smell and beautiful to look at.

We were able to ride our bikes along several other trails and the best ride was into the redwoods.  These next pictures are the fun time we had walking through the trees.  We were actually on our bikes during most of this redwood trip and that was a great time.  However, the first trail we picked has quite a story.  We were driving on a narrow road and saw a paved road angle off.  We park, unload the four bikes (no small task) and start off.  We barely turned the first bend when we read the sign - Conservation Prison Camp Road, No Trespassing.  Okay, back into the truck and load the bikes.  We did finally find a great road and traveled several miles on it.

On the way to the redwoods, we rode a jet boat in Gold Beach, Oregon, up the Rogue River.  That was great fun.

Our new home.

Island Park, Idaho

This is the first year in about 30 that our "Lake Powell" group will not travel to Lake Powell.  We sort of dissolved the group after all these years and we bought the houseboat share.  However, we wanted to stay together and do things so we rented a cabin at Island Park and all of us stayed there for a week.

There was fishing for Collin and Kelly.  Judy was recovering from a tooth extraction and she is still not very well with her breathing and asthma.  The higher altitude was not really good for her.  I haven't written about Craig's prostate cancer, but it has metastasized into the hip and back bones and manifest into the lymph nodes.  He is pretty much in pain 24 - 7 and will have to endure that until -- well, the end.  They will be living in St. George this winter because of Judy's health.  They really can't do much with us anymore because of these health problems.

Robisons leave October 6 to serve a mission in the Netherlands and so we had a great time using the ATVs and traveling over the Two Top Loop with them and Duerdens.  As the weather would have it, we made it from Island Park to West Yellowstone over the trail and enjoyed lunch.  On the way back, on the very top of the mountain, it started to rain then hail then sleet then blow then freeze -  we all got rather wet and cold during the next 25 miles or so down the mountain.  Another adventure to put into the memory bank!

Upon returning home, Duerdens' went to the Heber Girls Camp for a tour and open house.  They are now going to serve a Church Service Mission there for the next two summers.  We are so happy for them.  This will be a perfect mission for them.  How wonderful to see our friends all stay active in the Church and serve the Lord.

Mason turns 6 Years Old

Wow, how time flies, it seems like Marc and Brittney barely started on their family and now they have three children and Mason, the oldest, is starting Kindergarten this year.  On September 9, Mason turned 6 years old.  He looks so mature doesn't he. 

He is so talented and learns so quickly.  Brittney was even impressed with how well he can spell his full name - without the help of the teacher.  We all had to laugh at this one and it won't be the last time that someone misspells our name.  It's a family hazard.

Happy Birthday
MASON!!!