We kicked off summer with one of our biggest family camps yet. James and Sarah Jane, Janet and Henrique both came to join in at our new location off the Alsea River. It was over 100 in Corvallis the entire time we were there, so it was nice timing to head coastwards. The site was loaded with all kinds of ripe things to graze on: wild blackberry, salmonberry, thimbleberry, huckleberry. The creek was just the right size for kids of all ages. Unfortunately our pool was covered during the entire trip, so we came home to a bit of a science project!
Josef got to travel to Utah with Janet and Henrique and spend a week playing with cousins. Rachael and I took advantage of the freedom to spend four days on the Sandy River with a brigade of all our oldest and bestest pals–a much needed celebration after more than a year of isolation!
Our next big outing was a 4 night trip to House Rock, where we somehow lucked into the premier spot on the river. Josef and I had a really special day and night to ourselves, and then a couple more with some pals from school. We explored further up the river than ever before–Josef just loves to scramble on rocks and boulders. And he’s now a competent enough swimmer that he can cavort in deep water with his playmates. This trip was the highlight of my summer.
Josef’s highlight might have been his first time at Camp Silver Creek. He spent 3 nights there with a gaggle of other young campers, and came home totally enthused about his time away. We will definitely be signing him up for a full week this next summer!
Of course our summer wouldn’t be complete without a backpacking trip with the Highfield Boys. Pamelia lake is just so great we had to return. I was pleased to note this is the first year Josef humped all his own gear to the campground. Also the first year we hiked the whole way with no stopping, and better yet, no grumbling! He also got to experience the fine and pleasant misery of sleeping under the stars through a rainy night for the first time. I just might make a woodsman of him yet…
We went on a mini sailing excursion for Gramheart’s birthday, spent a day riding scooters around Portland, and wrapped up the summer with a trip to the Mt. St. Helens region to camp and pick huckleberries for a few nights. I even got to peel away and do the St Helens loop around the crater for a couple nights solo backpacking, which seems to be a necessity for my overall well-being these days.
All in all we logged about sixteen nights out in the woods, which I feel is a respectable offering. It certainly beats the sixteen days I spent out in the sweltering heat staining our new cedar deck and fence.
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- Japanese Garden
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- Father’s Day
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- Canal Creek
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- Slime
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- Farewell Hug
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- Off to Utah
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- House Rock
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- Swimmin’ Hole
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- Sunset Sail
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- Sleepaway Camp
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- Voodoo Doughnuts
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- Pamelia Lake
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- Call to Adventure
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- Huckleberry Picking
