Blog-worthy Weekend and the Americanization of Matthias (Posted 7/8/13)

I can't believe it's been more than two years since I've updated this thing.  I suppose it makes sense, since we're no longer on the road.  But now I've got a nice set of photos from a great three-night trip to Ollalie Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest.  A blog-worthy weekend.

We packed up the Tacoma and left late Thursday afternoon (7/3) for the two-hour drive to Ollalie.  The drive entails just five minutes on the highway (or "freeway" as they say around here) and then along quiet and beautiful country roads, with the last 15 miles on an unpaved gravel/dirt road.  This is why Matthias says he wanted pick-up truck. Yes, a pick-up truck. (note: we do NOT own a gun, but you should see Matthias' knife....)

Our campsite at Ollalie Lake

We were lucky to find a great campsite overlooking the lake.    We immediately went down to to the lake to check out the scenery.  Stunning!  It was so lovely, Matthias actually stayed up until sunset.  

The next morning, we went for a hike on the Pacific Coast Trail.  I think I had heard of this trail (which runs from the Mexican to Canadian borders) but we both wondered why it's not as world-famous as the Appalachian Trail.  Yet another well-kept secret of the west, we supposed.  The small portion of the trail we walked was well-maintained, quite easy and the views were simply spectacular.  We didn't plan on hiking all day, and we didn't bring lots of water or any food, so we had to cut it short.  That left some time for Matthias to go fishing in the afternoon and get a huge fire going for the evening.  

Fishing on Ollalie Lake

The following morning we found ourselves in the clouds (at 5000 ft above sea level, I can't really call these low clouds), with the sun working to burn its way through.  Drank our coffee as we watched the mist roll over the lake and the eagles searching for breakfast.  With plenty of water, food, bug repellent and a bathing suit, we started off on another trail (the Red Lake Trail) to see more beautiful mountain lakes and ponds.  The water was so inviting, but it wasn't hot enough for a swim until we came back down in the afternoon.  We saw a few back-country campers and I considered how beautiful that must be, and whether it's worth giving up luxury accommodations at the drive-up site (chairs, sleeping pads, thick blankets, variety of beverages, etc.)  Maybe some other time....I am (was) more of a city girl after all....

That's our July 4th weekend in a nutshell. Here's a link to the photo album.   We had to come back on Saturday because Matthias works on Sundays, which gave me time to write this and do some blog repair (all the photo links were dead-ends!)  So now I can do a quick update on the last two years.  As anyone who reads this (anyone, anyone?) would know, it was a tough time for the family.  We lost my dad to cancer in May.  We learned he had advanced-stage renal cancer in January 2012, just before the sinking of the Costa Concordia.  Why that seemingly unrelated fact?  Because canceled the family trip we had planned for February on that very ship the day before it sank.  It was a tough year, but we were fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with my parents.  We were in Florida for three weeks following the diagnosis.  My parents came to Portland for two glorious weeks last summer.  And, we were able to spend three months with them in Florida when my dad was put on hospice care.  I miss him terribly - we all do - but I am really, really grateful for all the time (years and years) we had together. 

A visit to the Oregon wine region,  (Photos: Roses in Rose City)

And now my mom has a trip to Portland planned for later this month.  She's coming at the same time as her brother and sister-in-law.   Actually (Uncle) Lou and Laurene are coming back to PDX for a third time (second since we've been here) and we've had a flurry of other visitors as well.  Andrew, Charlene, Stu, and Sue all came to stay with us, and we got to meet up with Jennifer and Brenda when they were in town.  Plus,  I got to meet up with Linda, Cassidy and Dylan in Seattle.   Super-fun!!

In Astoria with Stu  (more photos)

Our ability to travel long-distance has been limited due to my father's illness, and also because Matthias' job at the golf course doesn't allow for time off during the summer.   So we've tried to make the most of short jaunts around here.  Fortunately, the area has a lot to offer. One of our favorites (besides camping in the Mt. Hood National Forest) is Astoria, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific.  We were also wowed by a visit to Crater Lake, and had fun with a last minute trip to Vancouver, Canada over Christmas.  And, I just got to spend a couple days back east at Aaron's wedding followed by a very short stay in NYC.  We're working on planning something exotic and fabulous for three weeks this winter. Can't wait!

Crater Lake - July 2011 (Photo Album)

Not much else to report.  On a far less interesting note, we've submitted paperwork for Matthias to get US citizenship (actually, dual German/US) but we're not sure how successful it will be because all the travel we did (and had to list on the form) makes it a bit complicated.  If they only knew that Matthias now owns a pick-up truck, wears baseball caps, drinks PBR, has a huge BBQ grill and smoker, and is even starting to drive in the left lane (a little) - he'd be a shoe-in!  A real "Ami", as they say in Germany.  Who knew?

Matthias in one of my father's cowboy hats

That's all for this post.  Maybe someday I'll join the masses and start posting to Facebook.  Until then, I remain the occasional blogger.