I need to journal about our trip before the memories get farther away than they already are! Luckily we took hundreds of photos, so hopefully that too will help spark smiles when we look back!Amazing - that is the best word to describe all 3 weeks on the road!
Autumn was amazing! She hardly fussed, napped when it was convenient and enjoyed our every stop. She explored the camp sites, flirted with tourists at the national parks, played with friends, ran on the beach, climbed on rocks, giggled down slides and in swings, and hiked to alpine lakes and waterfalls.
The scenery was amazing! We blessed our eyes with 7 gems of the West - Zion, Death Valley, Yosemite, Redwood, Lassen Volcano, Mt. Rainer and Yellowstone (and technically Teton, but we didn't stop) Waterfalls, giant trees, granite cliffs, sandstone cliffs, glaciers, wildlife, geysers, paint pots... the list of God's amazing creations that we got to enjoy goes on and on!
Our friends are amazing! We got to spend great quality time with many friends! Top moments included inflatable rafting with Kaitlin, playing Settlers with the Haywards, Mexican Train with the Robinsons, play time with little O, Parade, Lentil Festival and fun with the Watsons, lunch and walking around the arboretum with Jessie and Bruce, Photo shoot with the Watsons, Dinner with Cory and meeting Kristin, Campfires with the Roberts', Dinner with Jeff, singing to Autumn in the car with Connie and so many more!
The weather was amazing! Not once did we have to dig out our rain jackets and I only used the umbrella for rain on our way out of Yellowstone at 5am! The sun shined brightly, Mt. Rainer was clear, Yosemite Valley was warm and Lake Tahoe and the Oregon coast were swim-able!
Best Moment of the Trip: About 1/2 through our trip when we realized we were having so much fun and were not going to regret our vacation. We had our fair share of doubts about being gone that long, having no routine and camping with a 11 month old 9 nights.
Hardest Moment of the Trip: Cold nights with Autumn in the tent. I will admit sleeping outside was the most difficult part of the trip - for all of us. I came to a full understanding of why people switch from tents to pop ups and RVs!
Best View Point: Mt Rainer is my favorite! Reflection Lake east of Paradise.
Best Rest Stops: The little parks in Joseph, UT, Bishop, CA and Baggs, WY
Best Hike: Comet Falls - Mt. Rainer National Park - just Autumn and I while Aaron napped. Just over 4 miles and over 1000 foot elevation gain! The whole hike was gorgeous and the waterfalls at the top were amazing!!! Autumn took a nap in the Ergo, took in the views and then giggled as we sang and skipped on the way down.
Best Walk: Fountain Paint Pot, Yellowstone - outstanding colors!
Autumn's Favorite Moment (I get to guess): Meeting the Ocean near Bandon, OR! She had a ball, first exploring the sand, touching sea weed, watching the sea gull and then running into the water over and over and over again. She didn't care that her lips were starting to turn blue or that her diaper began to sag with wetness! She would get a huge smile and turn to the water and run! (Ang - it was the same smile you give when paddling back out after a great ride!)
Favorite foods: Lentil Soup and Balaclava from the lady at the Lentil Festival, The Crazy Norwegians Fish and Chips in Port Orford, OR and eating Thai three times! (the Lamb, bison brats in Yellowstone, burgers, steak and other meals were amazing as well!)
1 comment:
You guys are so brave for taking on such a huge trip with an 11 month old...and ENJOYING all of it, even on the 35deg nights. Way to go!! You inspire me. But, I have to admit, I am NO where as tolerant of cold and roughing it, so we are DEFINITELY looking into a pop-up :)
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