Vranes, Quilt Shop, and What town?

So this is the day we headed home. But first we went to this neat town and I will have to come back to update what town that is. Kristi and I hung out in this neat quilt shop for a bit. I think it motivated me to finish a quilt I started a couple years ago but gave up on. We'll see what happens.
Kristi was an even bigger inspiration though. She has several beautiful quilts all over her house that she has made. She sure is a crafty person. Quilts, knitted hats, and Thanksgiving dinners. She really is a good cook and I love to look at her recipes.




The first house is the house of their friends, the Vranes. We forgot to take a picture while inside with them so we took a picture of the house after. She showed us her studio and told us about some of her art displayed in her home. I think you can find her art at www.jenvranes.com.
This second house was just a neat house in a really cool area. We loved Oregon!!!









Spencer and Kristi were kind enough to let us use their covered parking while we were visiting. So the morning we left, their car was frosted. John got the lid of the peanut butter and cleaned off their windshield. Looks like Kristi found it amusing and took a picture.

Spencer and The Balloon Launch

And there it goes!!

The weather balloon launches in Oregon every day at 3:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M. and all over the world at the same moment. So Spencer showed his expertice as he let the balloon go and as he said "you just let go like this". I'm still laughing.
He works for the National Weather Service and took us on a tour of his office. Pretty exciting work. He's a big wig there. Especially with his "Clarence Events". Thanks for showing us around Spencer. It was fun and it was nice to see where you spend your days.

Waterfalls, Miniature Athabasca

This is at two different waterfalls on the way to Crater Lake. Be oo ti ful.

And these falls were a miniature Athabasca Falls. We had a fun day. Spencer took us on a tour of the waterfalls, this beautiful falls/river, the Fish Hatchery, Crater Lake, and his work for the balloon launch. It was fun!! Kristi stayed home to hold down the fort!

Fish Hatchery, Crater Lake, Harry and David

We stopped at the Fish Hatchery on the way to Crater Lake but there wasn't much going on. This next picture is of a bird that hung out on our car door until John fed him.


Beautiful Crater Lake. I think there have been better days at Crater Lake but it still was beautiful and amazing.


I think this was the day we ended shopping at Winco (aka: bin food heaven) and a quick tour through Harry and David.

Among the Giants

This tree, to the left, had tipped over. They are standing at the base of it and the top is at the top of the picture. It was gigantic.

This place was unbelievable. We pulled off the road and did a walk through the redwoods. It was majestic. I will never forget this and can't wait to go back and do it again. So Spencer and Kristi...the best part?...besides vegging on the couch and hanging out with you two...this had to be it. This must be what heaven is like. Unreal. Beautiful. Can't wait to come back!!!!

Highway 1, The Coast, The River

This is where we had to stop on Highway 1 to clean up Jack after he threw up. Highway 1 was beautiful when you could see the coast. Which no one saw but John because the rest of us were car sick. It is a 6 hour long drive on twisted, yucky roads. I'm getting sick just thinking about it. Emily threw up. Jack threw up. Little John was sick to his stomach but was able to fall asleep and my lips and my arms and legs went completely numb. I don't know where all the blood went. It was SO miserable.

We paid $4.00 so we could drive through this tree. Just for fun. The walk we did through the redwoods was definetly the highlight. This was just one of those tourist attractions that we couldn't pass up.

This is where we met up with Spencer and Kristi. And I don't remember what the town is. But pretty cool Paul Bunyon and his Ox, Babe.





Playing in the water on the coast was one of the highlights. Everyone was freezing and soaken wet by the end. Luckily we had our luggage and spare clothes for everyone since this was the beginning of the day. It was so fun. Kristi and I and the babies were the only ones who stayed dry. Then we did all the dirty work by cleaning everyone up and getting everyone changed and warm.

This is Emily. Are we in Crescent City? I don't remember. Behind her to the left is a lighthouse on top of that hill. It was beautiful. Spencer said it's even better on an overcast day. It is so neat to see such beautiful things that seem to only be in books. Not in real life.


Here we are at a river. Place? Once again, who knows. I'll have to update when I find out. Someone caught that huge Salmon and cut out the meat right there and left the rest. It was beautiful. As was everything in Oregon.