So many memories to put in one blog post, but I will attempt to do my best. My week and a half in Oregon was amazing. There are lots of pictures so hopefully you don't get too tired looking at them all.
My bags were packed several days before I left. I may or may not have been a little excited for a vacation!
Holly and I searched the airport for an open Starbucks and scored. Our flight got delayed for 2 extra hours so we were trying to keep ourselves entertained. We got into Portland around 2 a.m. their time which is actually 4 a.m. our time. We had church that day, which happened to be baptisms in Silverton.
On our way to our hotel on Sunday night, we missed an exist and our car ride turned into very long trip.
Crater Lake was absolutely breathtaking. Literally, the hike was pretty intense.
The view was quite spectacular though.
This is the group I was with for the first part of the week. From L-R Abby Edelman, Rachel Kuenzi, Me, and Holly Funk.
There was snow up there and I just had to document it.
Seriously, how gorgeous is this?
Sunset over the ocean on our way to the beach house. I will never tire of a view like this. Sunsets are my favorite.
On Tuesday, it was beach day and also shopping day. Holly and I walked 3 miles to the Tanger Outlets, which proved to be a great place to shop. I may have come home with half of a new wardrobe, which also caused my suitcase to be over the weight limit. Thank goodness for friends who have extra room in their book bag!
There were lots of saltwater taffy stores. This machine is how they make it.
We each had to pick a meal that we made, so I picked Tuesday night supper, which consisted of this parmesan chicken stuff, seasoned noodles, and garlic bread. It was pretty good if I must say so myself.
On Wednesday we went to some Sea Lion caves, which were pretty cool, but also very stinky.
And what a surprise to run into Kalla Knobloch and Frances Knobloch. When we first saw them we did not think it was them, because really, how often do you run into someone from your own church when you are states away. When they said our names there may have been a little bit of shrieking and squeals:)
Lots of sea lions hanging out.
Of course my eyes are closed, but it's a cute picture of the other girls.
After the sea lion caves we hiked up to this lighthouse which wasn't far from the caves.
By the way, have I ever mentioned that I love lighthouses?
I also loved the low clouds. So mysterious looking.
The coastal area here was a bit more rocky than in Lincoln City where we were staying.
We stopped for some ice cream. I'm pretty sure I had the best ice cream I've ever had several times that week. This kind was Huckleberry Cheesecake. So yummy.
Holly made supper on Wednesday night, which consisted of lemon and pepper crusted tilapia, asparagus, and a wild rice medley. Also, very delicious. Sorry if it seems my life revolves around food. The truth is it kind of does. I love good food:)
On Thursday, we headed back to the valley, so on the way home we stopped at Tillamook Cheese Factory.
And had more ice cream naturally. This was the third ice cream stop of the week. This flavor was Fireside s'more, which is the best s'more ice cream I've ever had and I've tried lots of s'more ice cream. Seriously. Best flavor ever.
On Thursday night, we meet up with Tressa Sinn and her guests and ate at Thai Dish before heading to Oregon Gardens in Silverton for fireworks. This was super out of my comfort zone, but it was actually pretty good. I had lemon grass chicken with peanut sauce.
Tressa invited an awesome group of us girls, and we had a blast together. I seriously miss these girls so much!
The whole group at fireworks on Thursday night.
Lucy, Kendra, and Erika.
On Friday, we(Tressa and Cameron and all their guests) packed up and headed to Yachats where the church house is. If you are wondering whether or not I was comfortable the answer is no. I actually did not fall asleep.
We stopped at a little look out place for lunch. This is Tressa and all her guests.
This is the awesome group I was with Thursday-Monday. From L-R: Jordan Wagenbach(Oakville), Erika Massner(Oakville), Jared Schmidgall(Oakville), Me, Nicky Barber(Lester), Holly Funk(Morton), Tressa Sinn(Silverton), Lucy Wulf(Morris), Kendra Schmidgall(Morris), Evan Sinn(Silverton/Ft, Lauderdale), Cameron Sinn(Silverton), and Jaydon Wagenbach(Oakville). This is at fireworks over the ocean, which was pretty awesome!
I warned them that if you take selfies on my phone they get put on the blog. Just be glad it's just one girls:)
I love how the fireworks would reflect on the water!
Someone was setting off chinese lanterns which was awesome!
It also happened to be Lucy's birthday while we were in Yachats.
Our group in front of restless surf.
Little crab.
Sea anemones.
They found some starfish!
On Saturday we headed home. On the way back we stopped at this Fogerty beach. It was kind of rocky too, so it was sort of hard to walk. Some people skipped rocks. I attempted several times, but have come to the conclusion that I can not and probably never will be able to.
On Saturday night, we had a supper and singing at Nelson Sinn's family's pond. It was a nice evening to be outside and we were even given a small close up firework show. On Sunday, we went to Silverton and then afterwards us girls took a walk. It was Bible Class weekend for them, which basically is a weekend devoted to the Bible Class. On Sunday night there was a potluck and singing at the fellowship hall and then afterwards the single group went to Dallas Kraft's house where we played bags and had a spontaneous singing around the fire. It was a fun evening!
Before church pictures.
On Monday, our group(what was left) went to Silver Creek falls and meet up with some others and went hiking.
This is the same place we went when I was there for Labor Day in September.
Girls that were left on Monday.
They took us past some flower fields, which looked super awesome. The picture is pretty blurry because we were moving quickly. After we went hiking, we went to Williamette Valley Fruit which in my understanding is where berries are taken to get processed into different things. They have a little cafeish thing inside that is super cute. So since we hiked we all got Moothies(yes that is what they are called, because they have ice cream in them). When we got home we just kind of lounged around, which was great. We played this dumb game which I can't even remember what it is called, but it has to do with dice and probability. Sounds like school doesn't it? I did not enjoy that game if you can't tell:) Then we went outside and played some knock out, bags, PIG, and just hung out until 9:45 p.m. when we had to leave for the airport. It was very depressing coming home, because I knew reality would hit me.
This is a quick picture I snapped on the plane, because the girl that was sitting next to me got up to go to the restroom and next thing you know the flight attendant is asking if anyone who is a doctor or medical personnel should make themselves available. Turns out she got up too fast and fainted in the back of the plane.
It was super disappointing coming home to a disaster of a room. Our basement got water in it while I was gone so my stuff was everywhere. Thankfully this weekend I got it all put back together.
Sophie is trying out this new hairstyle. Looks great doesn't it?
On Friday before Elderly singing, Hannah met me at Cyd's and we had dinner together. I had a burger with bacon and white cheddar cheese and sweet potato fries, which was delicious as always.
Hannah is now the owner of an iPhone, which means she can be included in group messages:)
The inside of Cyd's. I seriously love this place. It's so cute, and also so delicious!
I had to take a picture of the sunset because #1 I love sunsets and #2 I'm trying to find beauty in Illinois after coming home from Oregon.
These fresh raspberries helped satisfy my withdrawal from Oregon berries. These are about half the size of theirs, but nonetheless delicious:)
I think it's safe to say I'm back in the swing of things. My family is in Ohio this weekend for the Steiner gathering and Rhea is in Michigan for a girls weekend with her friends. I had to work, so I was home by myself this weekend, which was actually good, because I got some things done that needed to be done. Our family vacation is coming up pretty quickly, so we should probably start planning that. I'm helping with the Central Illinois Singing that is in 2 weeks, and that also needs to get planned. Summer is proving to be more busy than originally planned, but I'm thankful for the differences in my schedule.
