Playing Catch Up!

Well we are back from Canon Beach as of last night. We had a wonderful time. It was very relaxing. I have alot to catch up on this week in blog land. I only had Internet a few times at a coffee shop...talk about withdrawal. We were all going a little crazy with not being able to check in on our email. It was a good thing though, I am sure.

The weather was mostly overcast; we had one day of sunshine and one day of pouring rain. It did not seem to dampen our spirits though. We enjoyed the sound and scent of the ocean and that was just lovely. Canon Beach is one of those extremely charming seaside spots. Everywhere you look you are blessed. It was the 4th of July weekend and this place was packed I am sure, but somehow I never felt overwhelmed with folks. The beaches are so expansive and un-crowded here in the PNW. I love that.

We had one very cool surprise. My son who was not going to be able to join us, because he was just getting down off of Mt. Rainier on the 4th; decided to hop in the car on Saturday and drove seven hours from Mazama WA to spend Sat. evening and Sunday with us. We walked on the beach, had dinner, and spent the afternoon in Portland shopping and hanging around 23rd street. It was so great to see him. I have to brag on my son a bit. He spent fourteen days with 9 students and one other instructor training for a climb on Mt. Rainier. The last 1500 ft. of the climb one of the students, a football player got too sick to make the ascent. So the other instructor stayed with him, as my son led 8 students to summit Mt. Rainier. It was the first group of Outward Bound students to make this trip. Josh said when they pulled back into camp, people cheered. Two of the girls that made the trip were sisters that had lost their dad during a climb at Denali (Mt. McKinley) last year. When the girls made it to the top, they dedicated the climb to their father...my son said they cried and he cried...it was quite a moment and a wonderful achievement for all these kids.

I of course am praising God they all made it back safe and sound. I will post some pictures of the trip after Josh sends them to me.

I love how uncrowed these beaches are

Puddin Toes enjoying the ocean waves

Puddin Toes first 4th

Getting reacquainted with Uncle Josh...who is that hairy guy?

They quickly became friends again

Puddin Toes with her mom & dad

We all really missed our youngest daughter Jenna, who was in Jakarta...having an experience of a life time ...see her blog for an update

Turning Bright in the Sea