These Happy Golden Years: camping

Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2014

Fort Stevens

Our last day of camping we headed to Fort Stevens after breakfast. The day before had been the 72nd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the fort during WWII. There were some reserves there who had set it up to look like they were stationed there during the time it was in use. It was really fun to see.

Sunrise at 5 am.

Looking out of the lookout at Battery Russel

Hiding inside a tent!

Just hanging out with Gramma

From the top of the Steam Room at Fort Stevens

I just love this picture. Xander wanted to stop and pick every dandelion he saw!

Matt and dad stayed at the fort and went on the underground tour while mom and I took the kids back to camp. After lunch we played some ladderball. Xander apparently thought this was the way to play!

We had a great time on our 4 day trip. Astoria, Seaside and Warrenton were all great little towns full of free/cheap things to do for all ages. We are already looking forward to going next summer!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Camping Trip ~ Day 1

We went camping with my parents in the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside area of northwest Oregon last week. It was nice to spend some time with them and get to get away from our lives for a bit.

On Friday morning we headed to Astoria to spend the day. The first thing we did was visit the Astoria Column. It was 164 steps straight up a spiral staircase. Gabriella walked up them all but I carried Xander up them all!

The view from the top was amazing! You could see for miles in all directions! This is definitely a must see place if you are in Astoria! It was a $2 parking fee per car but otherwise was free to go up the column. At the gift shop we bought $1 wooden glider planes to sail off the tower. It was so much fun watching them glide down!

Proof we made it to the top!

Next we stopped at the Goondocks, the house from the movie The Goonies.

We snacked on some grapes and then rode the Old 300 trolley car. It was $1 per person and was very fun and informative to ride on.

We hopped off at the Buoy Brewery and grabbed some fries and tried a couple beers (well, not all of us had a beer. But I did find a GF one to try, score!).

We cruised back to camp. We camped at the KOA campground right across from Fort Stevens. It was great! They had a great playground, mini golf, bouncy pillow, tether ball, giant chess set, pool, etc. We will definitely be back next summer!

Gabriella loved the bouncy pillow!

While mom enjoyed mini golf

Hmmmm, A2 to A4.

Me, Gabriella and my mom.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Family Campout!

We finally got to have our first family vacation and camping trip of the year! It was so fun and relaxing!!!

Xander was "helping" me pack

We headed over to Valley of the Rogue State Park (woohoo, only a 15 minute drive from GP!) and took dinner with us. After we got dinner eaten and cleaned up we headed for a walk on the Rogue River walking trail.

Friday the kids didn't fall asleep until 11:30pm and woke up at 5:30 am! Yikes!!

Matt took the kids down to the river in their jammies while mom and I got breakfast going.

Brave girl going in the water with daddy!

After breakfast we played a little game.

Mom, Gabriella and I played cards while the guys all ran to a few yard sales.

It was SO hot!! Gabriella sweated it out in the tent for about 20 minutes at nap time before she woke up crying. She cried for about 40 minutes after she woke up saying over and over, "I just don't know what the matter is!"

A wet scarf on her head and a brownie made her cheer up!

Xander's creepy eye half open while he sleeps!

Dad trying to cool off with a wet scarf.

Matt took Xander in the airconditioned trailer to try and sleep. We went in a couple hours later to get a snack and Matt opened his eye at us. Gabriella immediately ran over, patted him on the arm and said very quietly and sweetly, "It's okay daddy, just go back to sleep."