FAMILY VACATION '08 - LAST NIGHT

Last night in OR. Tomorrow, we leave for Fresno! Today, we crossed the state line into Washington State to see Mt. St. Helans. After stopping at every gas station on the way up the 47 mile journey, we finally arrived at the volcano. Unlike Mt. Hood, we found this mountain dodging the clouds and playing peek-a-boo with the family. The power of the 1980 eruption was awesome! Trees still lay on their side pointing the direction of the blast.

A quick stop at the top of the viewing area and a couple of snow balls (thrown at dad), we went back down the hill and stopped at the Mt. St. Helens Gift Shop and wouldn't you know it...they had souvenirs filled with ash. Regan, of course had to get her fifth snow globe of the trip coupled with Jordan getting a compass so he could continue to tell us where all the gas stations and bathrooms were on the way back to the hotel.

After dinner, we began to unwind. Tomorrow, we get to sleep in, pack, and then off to the airport. Next stop...home!

Until next trip,

God Bless,

Ottster

FAMILY '08 VACATION - HAPPY T-DAY

Happy Turkey Day! We left the coast and were off to see Multnohma Falls. This is the second largest year-round water fall in the U.S. You will have to look up number one! The hike to the top of the falls was one mile...yes we did it! Both kids made it to the top.

After the two mile round trip hike, we left to find Mt. Hood and I mean find Mt. Hood. Clearly, the powers that be moved this giant mountain because after two hours treking up and down the highway the clouds covered this big hill or it simply vanished. I believe it was moved.

After making our way to Portland and enjoyed a all you can eat Thanksgiving feast at our hotel, the kids decided to go outside and swim in the 36 degree weather. The good news, they got to swim in a heated spa...the bad news, the Mrs. and I got to sit, not move and watch the HEATED spa.

Tomorrow, it is suppose to be sunny...which I am still waiting for, and take a trip across the boarder to see another mountain/volcano that could also be invisible...Mt St. Helens.

Until tomorrow...God Bless,

Ottster

OTT FAMILY '08 VACATION - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Wednesday, Day 2 in OR. Started the day with a trip to the state capitol building. After visiting the Senate and House state chambers, we traveled to the downtown carousel for a couple of pony rides. The carousel was build in 1991 but it took over 80,000 man hours to hand carve the horses used for the ride.

From the carousel and a quick recess at the park, we drove to the coast. The drive was incredible with moss covered trees and a landscape covered with resources waiting to assist the next generation of home owners. Once we arrived in Tillamook we went to the beach where a dazzling sunset and a lesson in nature (aka a lucky seagull snacking on the local crab) finished off a packed day.

On the way home, we stopped off at a local cheese factory where hundreds of pounds of cheese were being packed. Once we downed our creamery ice cream, we went back to the hotel room where the kids finished the evening with a quick indoor swim (only 47 degrees outside).

Until tomorrow,

God Bless,

Ottster

FAMILY '08 VACATION

On Saturday night, we arrived in left to San Diego to kick off our annual November family Vacation. Sunday kick-off the event with a visit to Legoland. WOW! The kids enjoyed looking at everything made by legos...not to mention the roller coasters.

After the Legoland adventure, we dropped the kids off at their cousins and went to the Sunday Night Football game between the Colts and Chargers. What a game, Manning pulled it out with a fourth and a chain link pass to get the first down and then a 51-yard game winning field goal with two seconds left in the game.

Monday morning, we boarded the plane to fly back to Fresno, grab a new set of suitcases and then off to the Amtrack train station. We boarded Amtrack in Fresno and arrived in Salem, OR Tuesday afternoon. In a 48 hours, we visited AZ, NV, CA and OR. Tomorrow, we will be visiting the OR capital and then will drive to the OR coast.

Until tomorrow...

God Bless,

Ottster