We started off travelling to the Jedediah Smith Redwood National and State Park and decided to stop at the Oregon Caves National Monument.We took an hour and half tour, which was really interesting.

Niel, was our guide and is retiring in 3 days. He was very comical and knowledgeable.We finished the tour, walked around the mountain to our truck.This is the lodge at the Park. It is being renovated.

Off we went to the Redwoods in California. And, it began to rain and kept raining until we returned to Oregon.

The pictures are that great with the rain drops.

These coastal redwood trees in the park are old growth and are in an unspoiled park, protecting them from being cut for timber.

The roots of a fallen tree. It is so much larger in person.

Yesterday, we drove from Rockaway Beach, Oregon to Grant’s Pass, Oregon.

Rainy weather all day while travelling.So, we snuggled in for the night once we arrived to our new place until Wednesday.

Sept 16th

Barry and I went to Crater Lake today. It was raining more, we were hoping the weather will clear up once we arrived.

The clouds were quite interesting on the way.We stopped at the Visitor Center on the West Entrance. AND, it began to SNOW!! I was so excited!!

It wasn’t the pretty blue like I have seen from Greg’s pictures he sent me a few weeks back. Pictures by Greg.We have snow and cloud pictures!! 31 degrees!!

Barry and I went to the Southside of Rockaway Beach today after we ate breakfast at Offshore Grill and Coffee shop. So good!!On the way to Cape Meades, driving thru small coastal towns, we saw beautiful views of Oregon.Cape Meades has a lighthouse, more beautiful scenery and an octopus tree.Then off to Cape Lookout. As we left, two mule deer showed up for our amusement.Sand dunesOn our way home, we stopped and toured the Tillamook Creamery. They make cheddar cheese and ice cream.

Of course, we had to taste their ice cream. We walked Rockaway Beach tonight before mass. Dark clouds are coming in and we are expecting rain tonight.And, someone was having a beach wedding.We attended St. Mary of the seas tonight.

Sea lion on Cannon Beach this afternoon. Signs say they come and rest on the beach.

45 years ago today, Barry proposed to me. And yes, it was on a Friday, the 13th. And, I did say yes!!Barry and I thought we would have our children young and then travel when our children were grown.We didn’t think about our grandbabies, and our ages.So, once we took our trip to Alaska last year, we knew it was time.Barry just found a timer on his phone. Those were the results.Well, we are almost two months into our next greatest adventure.We have seen so much in these last weeks.I’m thankful for facetime, texting and mobile phones. They keep us in contact with our families and friends. And, the occasional visits. However, hugs are missed very much.Today, we drove to Cannon Beach, Oregon. We walked the coast and enjoyed seeing Haystack Rock and stopped at Pelican Brewery for lunch.
We drove through the Ecola State Park to see the Tillamook lighthouse which is also called Terrible Tilly. It was very difficult to build. Look it up and read the lore. It was closed in September 1, 1957.”Hey you guys”, it is also a site where Goonies was filmed. They built the criminals hideout house at the top of the park, then, torn it down after filming.The views are gorgeous.

On our way home, we walked the Hug Beach.Great day on the Pacific Ocean beach. We did learn to watch out for sneaker waves. Those come up really fast.Fisherman catching salmon in the cove. We are enjoying our fire tonight, sun is going down, on a cool night.A little daisy poking out of the gravel.

Barry and I travelled to Rockaway Beach, Oregon.

On our way, riding through Astoria, Oregon.

We stopped at Fort Clapsot, Lewis and Clark set up camp during the cold winter months.

Then, off to our destination, Paradise Cove Rv and Marina.

The Pacific ocean and inlets we saw on the way.

Once settled, we went to Rockaway Beach. This is Twin rocks, if you look at it you may see the lock ness monster, sea dragon or indian princess, they say.

It was low tide and we thought we could get closer, however, the ocean decided to surprise us and came in and caught us. I was further behind Barry about 20 ft. and all of the sudden, I saw the ocean running towards him. Quickly, it covered soaked his shoes and socks. Then, it was my turn.

I was excited to see the Pacific Ocean, to listen and watch the waves. A storm was coming in last night. Now, the weather needs to clear up and warm up.

Where were you on this day, 18 years ago? To all the souls lost, we remember……

Greg is flying into the Tacomo Narrow Airport in Gig Harbor, Washington. We were waiting for him to arrive around 4:00.

Barry and I arrived early, relaxing and watching the planes take off and land on this beautiful sunny day.

Barry heard the plane landing.

We met Greg’s coworker, Chris, and they gave us a tour of their office on wheels.

Then, we went to eat dinner at Tide’s Tavern. I love the atmosphere of a marina. It was a very nice place to relax, see all the boats in the harbor, and the food was delicious. Plus, a little friend showed up in the harbor.

Greg and Chris, thank you for the fun night, the great company and buying our dinner.

These next pictures were taken by Greg and Chris from the air.

First picture has Mt. Rainer and Mt. Adams.

Mt. Rainier

Gig Harbor Bridge

Stay safe flying to Boise tomorrow.

Rain, rain, rain!! Go away, come again after we leave!!

Barry and I travelled closer to Seattle on the 9th and just settled in.

I took the time, since I had plenty, to research the Seattle area for transportation getting into the city without driving.

We drove to the Angle Lake Station light rail system, parked the truck and paid $4.00 for both of us round trip (senior citizen benefit) to ride it to the West Lake Center stop in Seattle.

Then, we took the Seattle Monorail to the Space Needle. Cost $5.00 for both of us (Senior citizen benefit).

I was looking forward to riding the Needle, I decided not too. We rode the Red tour on the Hop on and Hop off bus.

We Hopped off and walked to the Seattle Aquarium.

This fish was funny!!

Sand dollars below

Can you find the seahorse above?

Clown fish like Nemo.

This Sea lion poses for me.

Prawns

Jelly Fish

We Hopped back on and toured on the bus.

Chinatown

Jimmy Hendricks area

We Hopped back off to go the Skyview Observatory Building, 73rd floor, to see Seattle’s skyline.

Mt. Rainier very far away, Cascade mountains also. Space Needle, Mariner’s Stadium and Seahawks.

Hopped back on and hopped off at WestLake terminal to ride to the Stadium for the Red’s game.

We left after seven innings, we had 2 hours of travel back to the site.

Rode the light rail back to Angle Lake and will drive home from there.

We had a great day; beautiful weather. Seattle is a place to go to see many neat places.

The Red’s Lost!! 3-4

What a story we have for all.

Yesterday, after returning home, we wanted to go to mass in the evening. We found on the internet, three churches. The one in Packwood, about 15 minutes at 5:00. So, we went, got there and noone was around.

So, we found another one, Sacred Heart in Morton at 6:00. We had time to get there, about 38 minutes. Barry and I arrived to a really beautiful church from the outside, noone there. On the sign it said 10:45 am Sunday Mass. It’s still Saturday, so no 6:00 mass. Checking again on the interent, there was a picture with a closed sign on it. The church had its’ last mass this past January and closed its’ doors.

So, we looked for another church and found St. Yves in Harmony online. 11:00 am on Sunday, we will be there.

In the morning, we saw two little deer playing with each other close to our site. They pranced around and ran off. Reminded me of Bambi.

We used the online map and directions. Guess what, the directions took us to a forest next to a river with no entrance to a driveway anywhere to be found in Harmony.

Well, we tried three times, I wasn’t giving up. Found St. Joseph near Tacoma, however, their mass was at 10:30. We wouldn’t make it in time.

The moral of this story is don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.

I was telling our escapades to mom, and she laughed and said we earned our absolution by trying 3 times.

God knows all things, especially what’s in your heart!!

On the way back, there are christmas tree farms.

Barry and I tried the pizza at Cruizers restaurant in Packwood.

Really tasty pizza and watched football, Sunday funday.

It has been raining lately so we took advantage of the sun and walked back to the Cowlitz River behind the campground.

The current of the Cowlitz River was flowing west in the center and then east on the lower side. Very curious why that is happening.

Then, it rained!!! It’s suppose to rain for a few more days!!! The locals said the rainy season is coming, I think it is here.

Today was a misty, cloudy day.

On May 18, 1980, it erupted with 37 people losing their lives. It is an active volcano.

St. Helen’s National Monument is 110,000 acres preserved by President Reagan. Mt. St. Helen is 4468 feet high.

At 3000 feet, we were above the clouds with bright blue skies.

Since the eruption, she does not have snow any longer; the clouds are what you see on the pictures.
This has all the names of the lost souls. And, with destruction comes new life. Animals lived underground were not harmed. They have revitalized the area and have flourished.

Coldwater Lake was created by the volcano aftermath.

Rows of trees planted in 1983 on the hills for revitalization.

Barry and I were leaving the mountain and a gentleman said he would like to see the mountain blow. He was laughing, but, what distruction would occur?

We didn’t want to find out.