We went to Oregon!

Taking the kids to stay at a treehouse resort has been on my bucket list for at least 10 years.  I wanted to go while the kids were still young(ish), so that it would be a magical experience for them.  I've been hoping for the opportunity for a while but it just wasn't happening.

Then COVID hit, and the incredibly full summer we had planned - mostly with things out of our control, such as TabChoir tour and FSY and Girls' Camp for Cat, etc. - was almost completely cancelled (the exception being a family reunion later in July).  With our calendars opened up, we decided to seize the opportunity to take the trip I've been planning in my head for years.

We lucked out that the treehouse resort, which is usually booked at least 6 months in advance, had several cancellations due to COVID.  In May, I booked Fourth of July weekend for my family in the highest treehouse, and my brother and his family decided to join us at the resort as well.  We also planned a few days at the Oregon Coast to complete the trip.

I loved researching the area and planning our excursions, texting back and forth with Andy and Amy as we figured things out, and anticipating what was sure to be an unforgettable trip!

We left last Monday evening when Ben was finished with work and drove the 3.5 hours to Elko, NV so we could get a jump start on the long drive to the coast.  We finished the drive on Tuesday, arriving at the rental house in Gold Beach, OR at about 9pm.  It was a lot of driving.  The kids got bored and complained, but mostly they were fine.  We listened to audiobooks and music, watched some movies, and played around a bit.  Nevada is big and desolate, and even more desolate on the smaller highways we were using to get up to Oregon than it is on the Interstates.  A potty break in the bustling metropolis of Denio turned into a long stop with time to explore an old canon and a go-kart made from bicycle and car parts, play piano, and get burgers and milk shakes before noon, since it would be a while before we could get any more food.

It was crazy how the landscape got more interesting and beautiful almost as soon as we crossed the border into Oregon, and I quickly started to feel like I was on the set of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with all the trees, mountains, and farms.  It was even more beautiful when the highway dipped down into the Redwoods country of Northern California.  Then we started getting glimpses of the coast in Oregon!

The boys took several opportunities to examine the landscape
on the side of the road more closely.  This is Nevada.

OREGON!

Denio, OR

Also Denio

Still Denio.
Eliza played her current solo piece, "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,"
and afteward a woman who was working in the kitchen came
over to thank her for playing.

Bly, OR

Pizza dinner in Cave Junction, OR - two more hours to Gold Beach!

Crescent City, CA

Almost at the house in Gold Beach, OR

Arriving at the house, Eliza was excited to be reunited
with her favorite baby!

A quick walk on the beach before bedtime while the younger kids played in the house.

Loving the sunset.

Can you tell how chilly and windy it was?