Summer in OR -- just like a resort!

We like to boast that a visit to our place on Trevino Ct. in the summer months is just like coming to a resort -- with the Courthouse swimming pool, the golf course and the great weather. (The pix above was taken at Staats Lake, just a short walk from our place.)

If you ask Daniel, Eli or Micah about going to the Oregon Coast, however, you'll get mostly a thumbs down rating! (The day that Nancy drove Mark and the boys to Lincoln City turned out to be "a downer" with rain and drizzle, and everyone bundled-up.) The day wasn't a total loss, however, since an indoor miniature golf course was found, and Mark got a hole-in-one on the 17th hole which entitled him to a free round!

Mark and the boys flew back to D.C. on Saturday afternoon, July 23rd, after two weeks in Oregon and managed to crawl into their own beds on Eccleston St. shortly after Midnight Eastern time. - rw

The Great Backpacking Adventure ...

With two weeks in Oregon with Daniel (10), Eli (8) and Micah (5), Mark's #1 priority was to introduce his sons to the "Great Woodward Backpacking Tradition." Problem #1 was that most of the attractive trails nearby (OR, WA) were still covered with late snow in mid-July. Problem #2 was that the Trinity Alps in No. California (6 1/2-7 hours away) just happened to have an unseasonable amount of rain during the four days that Mark, Tasha and the boys were out on the trail. (Pix #1 was taken on a day when the sun was bright.) Picture #2, however, shows the joy of all participants after arriving back at the car again in bright sun after covering 24 trail miles in less-than-the-best weather conditions. Good times were had by all -- especially on a night when the rain wasn't falling and a campfire really felt good! One of the big challenges of the trip was creek-crossings without benefit of a nice bridge. On this particular crossing the best method seemed to be a "piggyback approach" for each of the boys with Dad wading through the creek with Tevas. (At another creek when his boots and socks felt really wet from the rain Dad decided just to wade through the creek without changing to his Tevas. In hindsight, not a good idea! At the next rest stop, water had to be poured from each boot.) During the trip Tasha, Mark and the boys were warm at night in good sleeping bags, in spite of the unseasonably cool weather in the Trinity Alps. Raingear helped a lot to keep everyone reasonably dry, along with packs; however, one of the two tents didn't hold up well under extended rain showers -- to the extent that puddles would appear on the floor of the tent after a period of serious rain! All seemed to take it in stride, however, and at the conclusion of
the trip all three boys were eager to go backpacking next year! - rw (G'pa who didn't make the trip, but was highly impressed that Daniel wore his old Kiwanis cap!)

Getting ready for the big event!

In preparation for the "big event" (the 4-day backpacking adventure in the Trinity Alps of California), some practice was required. Of course, it also doesn't hurt to have some pre-trip nourishment in the form of s'mores -- with marshmallows "cooked" over the gas grill on the patio due to the threat of showers! (Mark, Tasha, Daniel, Eli and Micah left on Friday morning, July 15th with all their gear, and with high expectations, and planned to be back late on the 19th.) - rw

Mark and boys to Oregon!

Within two days of Mark, Daniel, Eli and Micah's arrival at PDX on July 8th we managed to take-in the Marion County Fair at the State Fairgrounds in Salem. In doing so we stumbled onto the Home Depot tent where the kids got to learn some "carpentry skills" as they made miniature tool kits. It was not only educational but fun, and the boys could take home their project, along with an "HD" apron!
During the late afternoon and evening of the same day Nancy, Mark and the boys went to a "Volcanoes" minor league baseball game on "kids' night" that provided Daniel, Eli and Micah with free hot dogs and the chance to run the bases after the game! (Micah obviously enjoyed the experience.)

The big adventure (backpacking with Auntie Tasha in the Trinity Alps of CA) is still to come, but in spite of some cool and showery weather, all have enjoyed the swimming pool at the Courthouse Athletic Club, riding bikes right out in front of our condo, and even relaxing indoors.



We also made it to Newberg for a visit with Great-Grandmother (& G'ma) Beryl! - rw

Back to the farm -

Nancy stopped in Iowa and got to spend time with her family. It's always good to spend time with Dad. Ramona fed all of us in style. - Nancy

Yard Sale and trip to the Mall in DC

Daniel, Eli and Micah cleaned out their toys and had a yard sale. They were very well organized and did a great job serving customers.
No trip to see the grandsons in Silver Spring, MD is complete without a trip to the Mall and some of the marvelous museums.
Our first stop was National Air and Space Museum.

































The second stop was the National Museum Of American History. 3CP0 from Star Wars fame was on display. We also saw the ruby shoes that Dorothy wore in the Wizard of OZ movie.



















It's always hard to say good-bye to the boys but this time was easier because they were coming to Oregon the next week. - Nancy

Visit to US State Department

One of Nancy's highlights of this year's time in the DC area was a special tour of the US Department of State, a tour that was arranged by Connie Buford who works in the Office of Overseas Schools. Connie had arranged a tour of the diplomatic rooms on the 8th floor, hosted by Dr. Keith Miller, Director of the Office of Overseas Schools. The diplomatic rooms were very impressive. - Nancy