Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Trip Home and Salt Creek Falls

On the trip home from southern Oregon we took a diffrent route and enjoyed alot of forest scenery. On the trip we stopped by another water fall Salt Creek Falls, second highest in Oregon.

Stopped at the side of the road at Odell Lake for about a little rest. Em enjoyed dipping her feet in the water, throwing rocks into the water and saying her favorite words after she threw a hand full in, "Uh Oh". Here she is at the end of saying her Oh.


Climbing down the stairs to see Salt Creek Falls. Pic here does not do it justice. See link above for the forestry page with a good pic of it.


Group photo at the top of Salt Creek Falls.


Mom and Em in front of the top of the falls. In the back you can see a bit of the valley. Ranger was on lookout for some smoke that that had been seeing there. He thought it may have come from some forest fires in Montana (or was it Wyoming).

Lava Beds National Monument

Here are some pics from our day at Lava Beds National Monument just south of the Oregon border in California. With 735 caves discovered so far (not all open to the public), we will have to make another trip sometime when Em is a little older. Hopefully a little earlier or later in the year when it is cooler. The high desert is not our thing, it did make the cooler caves more enjoyable though. Ember even fell asleep on mama's back.

Dad and Ember at the mouth to one of the many lava tube caves at Lava Beds National
Monument. You have to squint to see us in the center there.


The bump hats were one size fits all'ish. Mom had to knit a quick chin strap. Helm still would slip off a little so used the head rest from the ergo to secure it on. It did get a couple bumps in some low spots. But with the helm on it did not bother her.


Ember on mom's back (we took turns being her mule).


Feeling the smooth cave walls


Some more exploration of the walls.


Tops of some rocks partially blocking a tunnel


Ducking down a little bit for a lower tube. There were a few spots when Mom and Dad were carrying her that was very very low walking, legs felt that afterwards.


Group shot in Valentine cave with a konked out Ember.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

More Coming Soon: Crater Lake + Stuff

Took a few days for a trip this weekend to Crater Lake and the Lava Beds National Monument.
So here are some pics. Definetly more to come once we get back and rested from the trip.

After a long day of driving we went to the pool. Here is Em sunning herself by the pool.


Pulled off the road on the way to Crater Lake when we saw a sign for a water fall. Here we are next to the cold running water at a place called "Avenue of Giant Boulders" , it is at the base of Mill Creek Falls & Barr Creek Falls.

Hiking down to the falls.


Ember looking down at the Rogue River Gorge.


Another at the Rogue River Gorge just before Crater Lake.


Finally arrived at Crater lake. Yes it really is that blue.


Another pic of Mama and Em. In front is Wizard island. On the bank there you can still see snow.


Playing in the Pumice


Group photo (Mom, Dad, Ember, Sho Ju, Gaia, Abrahm)




More Coming soon