This last week we had our yearly summer family vacation. This entry is as much diary as pictures.
Friday
After an atypical last workday before vacation day, we packed up and headed off to our family summer vacation. A couple of the kids had left earlier in the day, taking a kayak and a dog. We were left to transport the food and five bikes. With Jamison packing the car, everything we needed to take fit, but just barely. We arrived late in the evening at the same place we’ve stayed the last two years.
Saturday
Once again, I enjoyed my early morning walks with Gilligan. It’s a nice way to start the day for both of us. We walked together every day except the final day. Some days, we repeated our walk shortly after returning, joining Ashley and Mousse on their walk.
Later in the day, we visited Crater Lake. I was the only one in the family who’d been there before,1Well, that’s not exactly correct. Jamison had been to Crater Lake about a month before. and yet, I have no memories of the lake itself. To be fair, it was a long time ago. My family wasn’t believing the two stories I told about my previous visit until brother Bob confirmed them via text. Maybe they still don’t believe…
We drove to the east rim and watched the sunset. Mmm…
Sunday
On Sunday, most of us kayaked from La Pine State Park to Big River Campground. Allegedly, this can be paddled in a couple of hours. We prefer to float as members of the dry paddle club, nearly doubling the time.
Monday
Sparks Lake was on the itinerary for Monday. We played fetch with the dogs. We kayaked and Heather SUP’d. I read a John Grisham novel.
Somehow I took no pictures of this scenic lake.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, Heather, Jamison, and I went for a short bike ride to the bridge that ended up going to the village and up the east side. Nice!
Later, we all hiked the obsidian flow near East Lake.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, we biked and took our traditional family photo on the bridge. This might have been the day I did a puzzle.
As you can tell, our days are packed with activities. ;-)
Thursday
Thursday, we hiked around Todd Lake. It was overcast and misting.
Friday
Friday, Suzi and I biked to the bridge. We returned to Sparks Lake for sunset. Ashley and Kevin rejoined the group.
Saturday
More bike riding, this time, to Benham Falls.
Late in the day, Ashley, Kevin, and Jamison decided to kayak from Harper’s Bridge to below the Sunriver bridge. They could take out on the other side, accessible through forest roads.
Unfortunately, the forest road was blocked by a closed gate and it was getting dark. Could a transfer happen on the other side of the bridge? Suzi’s text has the answer.
Sunday
One last bike ride to the bridge, a trip to the village for a cool drink, and it was time to head home.
- 1Well, that’s not exactly correct. Jamison had been to Crater Lake about a month before.
