Random Ramblings Through the Years: 1995 Oregon-Seaside-Deshutes rafting-camping Elkhorn

Oregon

Usually when we're in Oregon, we spend a couple nights around the Lincoln City area---nice beaches, variety of restaurants and shopping, closest to Dallas. But this year we took a trip up the coast.

Hugs point on the north shore of Oregon. Before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to travel along this stretch of coast.

Heading down to the beach from the parking lot.

Some of the caves along the beach

North of the parking area at low tide you can walk along the original stagecoach road, still harboring the wheel ruts carved into the rock. Pioneers traveling around this headland had to hug the point carefully, even at low tide. I can't imagine taking a stagecoach along here!

Located between Austin Point to the south and Hug Point to the north, is a seasonal waterfall, caves carved into sandstone cliffs and tide pools that are accessible during low tide.

the kids couldn't resist wading in the COLD Oregon surf.

the typical coastal forests---loved walking through it for views of the ocean or to get to the beach.

The couple times we headed North along the Oregon coast, we spent the night in Seaside. It has a great boardwalk and beach.

and this particular time there was a huge sand volleyball tournie going on. I couldn't resist but to go down and find some people to warm up with. I was big into volleyball up until I was about 60 years old.

Seaside is close to one of the iconic photography sites of the Oregon coast---Cannon Beach. Didn't get the greatest picture this time, but it was still neat.

We've also seen some amazing sunsets along the Oregon coast. This one wasn't the greatest, but the foreground was pretty cool.

Off the from hwy 101 is a scenic 40 mile loop---3 Capes Loop. One of the reasons we don't head up 101 that often is because the highway heads a bit inland and we don't get the beautiful coastal views from the highway like you do if you head South from Lincoln City. But we took the loop to check out the "scenic views". I'll have to admit, they're pretty scenic!!!

Another stopping point on the North shore is Fort Clatsop. It was the encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the Oregon Country near the mouth of the Columbia River during the winter of 1805-1806. Now it's a Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.

Rangers in costume lead demonstrations and tell stories. We were acting like bears while the ranger demonstrated how they protected themselves with their rifles. It was a fun demonstration.

A short walk from the encampment had old historic hollowed out log canoes.

Back on the road we marveled at the farm critters we'd pass----llamas, alpacas, and even a camel or 2!

On the Northernmost point of the Oregon Coast is is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains and the oldest city in the state of Oregon---Astoria. It's also where the Columbia River meets the ocean. Many ships have sunk here! But the fishing is pretty good.

The city is served by the deepwater Port of Astoria.

Angie had always wanted to go surfing, so one of the days back in Seaside, she finally got to. We found a surf shop and asked if they give lessons.

At first the guy was busy, but I guess having an excuse to go surfing brought him to his senses.

We asked Tim if he wanted to do it, but he declined. Here they're scoping out the surf conditions.

student and teacher

surfer girl

After some lessons on how to pop up on the board and such,

they headed in.

I don't remember how much the lesson cost, but I think they were out there for a couple hours.

Took awhile for her to "catch a wave" and stay up, but they kept at it until she did.

I hope this was an experience she'll remember fondly.

Sort of wish I had tried it back in the day!

Tim even seemed to enjoy wandering the beach watching Angie and her instructor.

Another day during our Oregon vacation, we took a day trip to Lincoln City with David and Jane and family. Jane's parents were there, too, for one of their grandkids' wedding (our nieces wedding) and went with us. Being summer, Cletus didn't bring any warm clothes other then his suit, so he made quite the impression on the beach.

This was right before the rains hit---with authority.

Back in Dallas, Nora got married. I thought it interesting how Dad and his brother ended up in the same jackets and ties.

our niece ,Nora, and Kevin Parnell getting married.

and another bar b q at mom and dad's

Carolyn and Tom at Mom and Dads bar b q.

Tom by the truck he use to drive across country. David even drove with him as a partner for a little while, but David didn't like being away from home that much.

This was also the year that we went up to Eastern Oregon to go white water rafting. First and only time we've done that. It was far enough away that we had to spend the night somewhere, so we rented the huts that the railroad workers used way back when the railroad was being built. Ken and I took one cabin, the kids got the other one.

Checking out the Dechutes River that we rafted the next day.

We ended up in a group of Japanese tourists

so we had a raft to ourselves with our guide.

heading out

they had photographers taking photos at a couple of the rapids. I couldn't resist buying the photos.

Ken almost falling out. Instead he landed on top of me.

This was an area of the river called "elevators" where we stopped our rafts and jumped in the water and rode the "elevators" back down. It was fun and terrifying at the same time. Ken likes to say we tried to drown him here.

Tim jumping in the elevators. The river would such you down, then bring you up for a couple seconds, then back down, and back up, ... . Then when you heard people on the shore yelling, "Swim!", you swam hard to the shore to keep from being washed down through the next rapids. Probably not the safest thing for a rafting group to encourage.

We survived! It really was a fun excursion!

On the way back to Dallas, we checked out Mt. Hood. This is one of the buildings there with a gift shop and cafe.

Loved seeing the snow there even in the summer.

We even did a couple nights camping trip near Salem---Elkhorn Park.

I'm not a fan of camping, but I do love beautiful scenery.

The kids even borrowed Uncle Davids 2 person raft and tried to raft the river there. They just ended up punching a hole in the raft.

setting up the tent.

beautiful area. I think I'd appreciate camping a little more now in a place like this---although it got mighty cold at night!

rafting farther up the river --- before they put a hole in the raft.

Around home in Florissant

I always hated Jan and Feb in St. Louis! Cold, snowy, icy, dreary. The snow is pretty for about a day, then it's dirty and dreary again. Pepsi sure liked it, though.

It was also a lot of work plowing our driveway!

After years and years of piano lessons and playing the flute in a band, Angie switched to saxaphone. She was very good---and had a few solos throughout the years. Even played in an honors jazz band for awhile.

A few of the jazz members that sounded so great. One of their jazz members went on to perform professionally.

Another band performance.

Tim with his knee bandaged after orthoscopic knee surgery.

Angie's CYC softball team that year. Another good, fun team. I even airbrushed the shirts for them.

The year we finally got a new roof. I think this was the 2nd one replaced in about 45 years.

Beginning of a new school year. And Homecoming dance. Tim ready to go.

one of the few times he didn't sport the curly doo

Angie is now in high school, too---and ready for her first homecoming dance.

and marching band

This is Tim's naturally curly hair! Not the natural color, though. The kids went through a spell where they dyed it. At least his was sort of normal. Hard to believe he lost all those locks by the age of 35ish! His hair is even curlier then Ken's or Angie's. In fact, he was voted to have the best hair and smile in high school.

Angie went with purple. Which was kind of funny since as it washed out it looked gray.

Tim shortly after having his wisdom teeth removed---all in preparation for jaw surgery next summer.

When Angie got her braces off, he asked why he never got them. I said because he didn't need them. He always had a gorgeous smile. At that, he stuck his tongue out at me---with his teeth clenched!!!! I never knew he had an open bite! Guess they should have gone to the dentist more, then maybe they would have told me?

So off to the orthodontist we went. That's when we were told at this age, the only correction for the problem would be surgery. Not that it had to happen, but if he didn't have surgery to correct his bite, they said his teeth would deteriorate quicker since they weren't really serving a purpose. He couldn't even bit pizza! I never noticed he use to pull it apart. He only had 2 sets of molars meeting in the back. Here he is with his teeth clenched. The option was left up to him whether or not to have surgery. He chose to have it. So on to the prep work---wisdom teeth out, braces on.

In the mean time, Angie was showing off her newly straightened perfect teeth with another glamour shots shoot. I always took advantage of that to take some pictures myself, too.

Such a gorgeous girl

wish my hair looked like this now.

on to another birthday. She wanted a Scooby Doo cake

and a felix cake

She wanted an electric guitar for her birthday. I was always eager to give them any musical instruments they wanted! They both even took some guitar lessons. Tim still plays the guitar and keyboard. They both grew to be avid music connoisseurs---lots of musical instruments, concerts, cds, even records. I don't feel that I really was---give me sports! But my Dad sure spent a lot of time with his music---back then it was converting music to reel to reel tapes. Later it was taking it from tapes and putting them on cassettes, then cds.

Still celebrating Halloween---not trick or treating, but they always found parties to go to. This time she wanted to go as Pebbles, so I made this cute costume for her.

I even painted our windows for a change.

Tim went to his party as a werewolf, I think.

Tim getting another award --- another Honor Society induction? or awards ceremony?

He was the kind of student teachers really liked---usually had his homework done, seemed to get A's without studying. He was able to keep things secret---like the time he ran across the school roof and into a class window and the teacher covered for him---or when he and friends sent an inflatable doll up a flag pole. He was in the click of kids that were the top 10% scholastically, even though I hardly ever saw him doing any homework. Angie did quite well, too, but I saw how hard she worked at it---and her friends weren't all highly liked by the teachers.

Tim and his best buddy, James Knowles (Major of Ferguson during all the riots in 2014---and re-elected after that!)

Angie undoubtedly talking to one of her boyfriends---Chris or was it Kevin by then? She "went" with Kevin for about 7 years---even while she was away to college. I think he turned out ok, but I had my doubts about him from time to time.

Doesn't seem to matter what hair style Angie's going with at the time, it all looks great on her! This is by far the shortest it's been since she was a baby.