We started the summer with our family & friends camp out–Josef’s 13th year in a row! (OK, I guess the Covid year was a bust but we won’t count that!) After that he and I headed to the aptly-named Cannon Beach to celebrate Independence Day with a deafening barrage of mortars of questionable legality. Following on his acclaim in the school play, July was spent at a three week theater camp at the Majestic Theater, preparing a kids’ theater version of Willy Wonka. Not only was this a welcome childcare opportunity for me during the summer, but a great chance for Josef to make new friends. He was always been admirably gregarious and he met lots of theater kids that he will soon be in high school with.
After the play wrapped we headed to visit Grammanette in Utah for a few weeks. We made sure to pay a visit to Lagoon, as Josef is a real thrill ride and roller coaster enthusiast. While there I was able to get away to the Ruby Mt Wilderness with Uncle James and Sarah Jane for a fantastic 4 night backpacking among in gorgeous mountains and lakes. Even though it was August, the snows were just melting, resulting in an incredible bloom of wildflowers. We counted 27 different varieties!
We flew home just in time to catch Cousin Will’s wedding, where Josef made us proud by being the first man out on the dance floor, always ready to display some saucy moves. It was really fun to see the whole family together, and we especially enjoyed staying up late with Cousin Nova and Ron back at the hotel.
Other highlights which you will see below include being front row to see Khruangbin put on the best show I’ve seen in at least 20 years, an 80’s rooftop dance party downtown, an entire class float down the Willamette, and leading my first climb up the Santiam Pinnacle.
