Bandon Dunes

Today we woke up at about 7:30 in Bandon Dunes. We had pancakes that Daddy and I made. It was the first time we had pancakes in the RV. Dad wanted to recreate his experience that he had when he was with his friends so we went to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Mom and Maggie didn't come but the rest of us did. We rented clubs from the resort. Addie and I shared a bag and dad and Alastair shared one. As you probably are thinking, this resort was really laid back about their rules.



We teed off at 11:15. The course was called The Preserve and it was a 13 hole par three. The course was really beautiful because you could see the water we had a amazing time. The first two holes for me were awful. I got 8 on both of them the rest of the game was all bogies, 5s, and 6s except for dad and my birdies. If I didn't have the two 8s at the beginning of the game and they were 5s instead I would have tied with daddy. I got mine on the 8th hole and on the 5 hole dad said who ever got a birdie would get a hat. On the thirteenth hole dad got a birdie too. Addie and Alastair convinced mom to get them hats to so we all got hats and Maggie, she got the left over balls, tees, and ball markers.

After the game we went to the Punchbowl practice green just for fun so we could golf with mom and Maggie. Mom was by far the best at the practice she got two holes in one and Alastair got one. When we were playing The Preserve I was great on the green but at the Punchbowl I was absolutely awful. My final score was 73 when dad's was 53. Mom would have tied dad if she didn't mess up he last hole.





When we were done with golf we went to the beach mom and Maggie went to while we were playing golf. They wanted to show it to us because they had a lot of fun there and so did we. We didn't have our swim suits so we rolled up our pants and played a game were you have to get as close to the water as possible and run from it when the waves come in. I wasn't wet at all until a big wave came in and Addie held me toward it. I got soaked from torso down but Addie did to so its ok. After that we walked around the beach and I found something that looked like a long string of sausage but it was clear and felt and was clear like a sail jelly. Mom and dad wanted to look around Bandon because we aren't going to be here tomorrow so we got and the car and drove around the old town. It was teeny tiny but we managed to find some ice cream. I don't know why but wherever we go we always get ice cream. I feel like at the end of the trip I will be bored of ice cream.

We drove back to the motorhome and took showers, Maggie and I finished our movie from yesterday and dad, Addie, and Alastair sat by the fire. After that we brushed our teeth and got ready for bed. I am loving our trip. These are the memories I will never forget and the feelings I never want to lose. I am the luckiest girl in the world to get to do this with my family. 

Peace - Dagny

Fabulous Fourth

Hood River is a small town of about 7,000. Like most small towns, they celebrate the 4th of July with a town parade. Our friends, the Dierkers, had been invited to walk in the parade in support of their friend who is running for state senate. The more the merrier so the McLains joined in the parade too. We were very near the front of the parade so we were able to peel off at the end and watch the parade pass as well. My first favorite parade entry was the senior lady baton twirlers with an average age of 60. Super fun costumes and legit dance routine. Second favorite entry was the marching band, again of just seniors, called The Beat Goes On. They were also fun to watch. After the parade we relaxed in their city park and listened to the live music and munched on black berries, a local favorite.

We went back to Todd and Stacey's for lunch and a few hours to hang out with them and play in their yard. They live on 1/3 acre and have all kinds of kid-friendly toys to include a trampoline, tree swing, and badminton net. The badminton was the favorite activity, but the McLains lost to the home team.

Our first party of the day was billed as a slip 'n slide party. We brought our suits and we also picked up some pool floats on our way. The host family lives on a large piece of property which gently slopes down hill.  For many years they have been hosting this party on the 4th and they have fine-tuned their slip n slide. It was about 8 feet wide and 100 feet long. The father has constructed a rubber launch pad at the start at the top of the hill, soft bumper edging to keep the riders in the slide, a custom sprinkler system which watered the entire slide and at the bottom a splash down pool which was about 3 feet deep. All year long he stores this structure in his barn and each July 4th he re-installs it in his back yard. It was so much fun. The kids spent hours riding up and running back up the hill. Even the adults took turns and it was really fun. The day after afforded some sore muscles.


Party number two was to another friend's house near the Columbia River to watch the professional fireworks display over the river. It was great and we were so tired by the end of the night
We are so grateful to the Dierkers for their friendship and for showing us such a great holiday. Their home town is a delight and I am so glad they have built such a wonderful group of friends.

Yesterday was a drive day. We broke camp by 11am and pointed toward the coast. Dave drove about 6 hours and the kids took turns napping, putting together puzzles, and journaling. Adelaide keeps a really great scrap book and each day she prints a few pictures of our trip. We arrived in Langlois, OR, just outside of Bandon, about dinner time. We cooked some brats and pasta and had a rare campout dinner next to our RV. Almost every breakfast is in the RV and most lunches too, but we are usually out and about at dinner time.

We rounded out our evening with a campfire and s'mores and had a really good day.

- Jll

We've Gone Off the T-Shirt

When we originally planned the route for this trip, we thought we would leave Seattle to visit Mt. Saint Helens and Astoria on our way down the coast.  This is what is listed on our official tour t-shirts.  Once we hit the road, however, we heard from a long time friend of the family, Todd Dierker, who reminded us that he and his family live in Hood River, so we changed plans. 

After several long days of traveling, we all slept in today until about ten o'clock.  This was quite a feat given that, not unlike a lot of RV parks, the railroad track runs by right next door.  Not only are the trains loud, blowing their horns as they go by, but they are close enough to shake our RV as they do so.  The trains probably went by three or four times through the night and we still slept like babies.

After our lackluster start and breakfast, the kids played on the playground and swam in the swimming pool while I found the nearest cigar shop to replenish supplies.  When I got back we unloaded the bikes and road into town, crossing the Bridge of the Gods.  Jll spotted a sign for the Pacific Crest Trail, which she believes we will hike after the kids are off to college.  I assume I will see that sign again sometime down the road.  We stopped for ice cream at the Eastwind Drive-In.  I think its funny that in such a small town, with only two ice cream shops, one can be empty and the other still has a line of folks waiting.  We have learned on the road to get into the line. Eat where the locals eat. 

As evening drew near, we loaded up the van to head into Hood River to see Todd and Stacey,
and their children.  Their daughter, Lucy, was playing soccer so we figured we'd go watch.  As we pulled into Hood River, Todd let us know they had an hour between matches and suggested we meet at Mike's Ice Cream, which we did.  We discussed whether to out ourselves and fess up that we had just had ice cream a little bit earlier.






What I liked most about Mike's Ice Cream, which accepted only cash or checks, was the reminder that we are in a small town.  If you don't have cash or a check on you, just take the ice cream now and send in a check later.  I can't think of any shops in Denver with this policy.  When I was in college, studying in Edinburgh, I could typically be found in the evenings at the Wells o' Wearie Pub with the Moray House Rugby Football Club.  Patrons would typically put the amount of money they intended to spend drinking that night on the bar, and Charlie, or the other bartenders, would deduct each drink from the amount on the bar until the money was gone, at which point you new it was time to go home.  There were a few nights when I forgot to pay, either as I went or at the end of the night, and had to pay later.  That was a similar situation, though Charlie always knew I'd be back the next day.  Mike has no such assurances.  That said, tomorrow is the fourth of July, so he just may see us again.


After a quick treat, we headed back to the soccer pitch to watch Lucy and her team win the final match of the season, with PKs to finish off the tied game.  We ended the day at the Full Sail Brewing Company for a celebration dinner and good conversation.  We will see Todd, Stacey, and the family again tomorrow for the 4th of July, which promises an immense slip and slide for children and adults.  Alastair said he'd wear his American flag swim trunks for the occasion.

- Dave  

Anchorage to Cascade Locks

                  First thing on Sunday we went to the Assembly of God Church in Healy and it was an ok service. After that we went to the Stampede Trail where Chris McCandles hiked into the wild in a movie and real life. Then we drove for a while to Talkeetna and had a late lunch it was good. Then we walked around and poked into some gimmicky little gift shops and then left. After that we went to the airport and flew back to Seattle. It was our last day in Alaska. Alaska was a really fun trip from our trip.

                   Today we fell asleep at 2 a.m. and then packed up and drove to the welders house to pick up the RV. The RV had a flat tire so we went to get it replaced. After that we drove to Cascade Locks, Oregon and I played Bounce Off and slept. Then we got to the KOA and played on the playground.
                          -Alasta
ir

The Cold Part of Alaska

Hello! This is Adelaide again and today I will be telling you of our outdoor adventures! This morning, Mom took us 4 kids to this hotdog place for breakfast which also served some breakfast foods. I had a breakfast burrito but the girls had these blueberry pancake balls that were fried and delicious. We came back to the cabins and picked up Dad.

We then drove out to the Denali visitors center and out front was this HUGE, military grade, super tall, super hard-core motor home. It was barely raining so we watched a few short films on the animals of Denali and also some backcountry camping techniques. We caught a bus that took us to see the historic Denali dog sled team and their headquarters. The kennels were all spread out so we walked around, met the huskies, and finally got to see a demonstration! It was such a cool experience and the dogs were so cute. The bus took us back to the visitors center where we picked up our car.

We decided to do a little off-trail hiking ourselves so we headed down to this creek and walked off into the brush from there. It was quite an experience but by far one of the most memorable parts would be how we were constantly yelling to and singing to any bears that might possibly be in the area so as to not catch them by surprise. Once we FINALLY got out of the brush, we headed down the road and began to plan out our next adventure when I realized that I no longer had my camera! We retraced our steps and reached the large fields of brush and weeds where we had been before. By some luck, Dagny spotted my camera as we were walking back through! I got soooo lucky.

We got back to the car and drove back to that Pioneer's Pizza place that we liked so much from the other night although this time we ordered way less. We picked up some coats and gear from the cabins and then Mom and us kids went on this white water rafting tour down a glacial river along the railroad. We had a great time and it was definitely an outdoor experience! After that rafting I feel like I have embraced the cold part of Alaska! We got back to the cabins and will be spending the rest of the night warming up and getting ready for bed. Goodnight!

Perhaps we bit off more than we can chew

Alaska is a big state. A really, really big state.  Wednesday found us in the car driving back up the Kenai Peninsula from Homer to Wasilla, not much to report there.  Yesterday found us in the car driving from Wasilla to Healy, just outside of Denali National Park. Again, not too much to report from yesterday.  We did not see Sarah Palin.  One thing we learned about Denali is that you cannot drive your own car through the park, which has one road, beyond the fifteenth mile.  Several weeks ago, not really thinking this out, Jll and I booked our family on the Kantishna Experience Tour, which takes you via bus through as much of Denali as is accessible by road.  The total route is 185 miles, and takes 12 hours. 

We woke early for our 6:05 am bus and made it just in the nick of time.  We had a great driver/tour guide for the day who taught us a lot about the history of the park and its fora and fauna.  For two hours at the half-way point, we also picked up a park ranger who taught us about the gold rush in Alaska and its short-lived heyday in Kantishna.  We had a lot of animal sightings throughout the day, including moose, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, a wolf, a fox, caribou, owls, snowshoe hares, and a hawk. 

We stopped by the 49th State Restaurant to see the replica of the Magic Bus (Into the Wild).  Originally I had plans of going to see the actual bus along the Stampede Trail, but when I learned that it is a 20 mile, multi-day hike to the bus, I decided to settle for the replica.  Here is Dagny with the bus.  She gets the nod because of all of our children, I think she's most likely to go into the wild.  Getting back to our cabins, Jll took the kids to the hot tub and sauna while I waited out the weather.  It has been overcast and drizzly all day, with isolated showers.  I hoped it would clear so that I could go play night golf at a local golf course.  The last tee time is at 10:00 pm, which would beat my previous record of teeing off at 6:30 pm on the Darley Course in Troon.  Currently the sun sets at 12:20 am, rises at 3:40 am, and there is no official listings for the last light of one day or first light of the next.  Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow and I will get my midnight golf in after all.  Here's hoping.

- Dave
   

Second day in Homer

Today we woke up in King's Landing Hotel and we all took a long time to get ready and started out on today's adventure. We got ready and we set off across the street to a restaurant called The Duncan

House Diner for our breakfast today. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet and I talked to a good friend while I waited for my food. When I got it I loved the potatoes and toast that it came with. After we ate we went to the Pratt Museum. We loved it there because we saw cultural necsesities of Alaska. There were hands on activities and pictures drawn by kids of their prespective of Homer in 50 years. We loved to see the outdoor exhibit of a homesteaders house. We learned about life as a homesteader in that time. When we were done in the museum we went to a small coffee shop called Portside Coffee were we got a hot chocolate and played cards for a while. After we drove down to Bishop's Beach where we played games and ran around for a few hours.

After the beach we went to the Homer Spit where we walked around for a long time and we saw musicians that we watched for a while until we walked back to the car to go get dinner. We drove up to the Land's end Chart house restaurant for dinner I ate buttered noodles after our appetizers of calamari and artichoke crab dip with our bread. While we ate we saw great sights of eagles and sea otters. When we finished I ate crème brulee for dessert. We left the restaurant and we went to the shore to play before bed. When we finished we went back to the hotel and we wound down.

For now, Magnolia