Beautiful Oregon Coast

We just got back from two weeks driving along the Oregon Coast and swinging over to Eugene, Oregon and getting to meet another one of Larry's sisters. Her name is Patricia Skeen. She was most hospitable and sweet. When we got to Astoria, Or. we went to Overbay Museum and Antique Autos. It was so incredible to see the cars from the past. We walked up to see the Astoria Column as they weren't letting anyone drive up there. It was quite a hike but we made it and it was so lovely. On the way up we saw deer and then later coming down we saw a mommy deer and her baby. The baby was very inquisitive about us and even came withing about 15 feet of us. She just stood and stared at us. I will put pictures up soon that I have taken. We also went to the Flavel House. He was quite a big wig in Astoria in the 1800's and he had a very nice house for that time. I bought a few things at the store there as they were very well priced. There is no salels tax in Oregon and I think I could get used to that. We have decided to drive over to Ontario when we buy anything big so we don't have to pay tax. It is only about 40 miles from our home

We drove to McMinnville and stayed at the Olde Stone Village RV. We ate Breakfast in a all natural place and had some of their pasteries and and they were made with almond and cardamon. I love cardamon spice and will try anything baked with it. We also went to the Evergreen Aviation Museum where the Spruce Goose is housed. It was so big and they build the building around it. There were tons of planes in under it and one lady, after she got through going though the museum asked where the Spruce Goose was and she was told to look up. It really is so big and tall that you can miss it. There were also shuttles from some of the space missions. It was an incredible thing to do. We spent most of a day in this musesum. At Fort Stevens we went to another Military Museum and gift shop. This was a big fort. We went outside to see some of the dugouts that protected the men from a Japanese attack. The United States had guns that would hit at nine miles out but the Japanese could not compete with that. Never hitting the fort. It was very impressive.

Then we went to Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark built a fort. They have redone it like the original and it was quite a sight. It is just so beautiful there. We went in the Marine Museum and I saw fish I have never seen before. It was so neat. We drove to Seaside and wanted to see the beach but the streets were small and so we didn't stay. But the town was very quaint and lovely. In fact a lot of the little towns along the coast are so charming and quaint. I felt often like I was in another world. We just had the grandest time. I love our RV. It is so nicely arranged and easy to live in. I do not feel cramped at all as the two slides go out quite far and make the living room and kitchen large and comfortable. We had a bigger Mattress made for the bed and so it is now more of a queen sized and fits Larrys big body.

Another day we went to Tillamook and toured the Cheese factory and ate lunch there. It was something else! We could go up stairs and watch them make and package the cheese. Very impressive. The hamburger was good but way too much money. Still it was a lot of fun to do.

We did stop and see a couple of lighthouses and do the tours. It was interesting. One thing I was just loving was the Roudodendrans. They were in every color imaginable and they were huge bushes all over everywhere. the towns, the mountains. The colors were just gorgeous. Also there is a yellow flower that is everywhere on the mountains. It is the brightest yellow I have ever seen. I could not believe how the things grow there and are soooo green. Even the Dandilions were pretty. I have pulled out thousands from our yard and believe me we do not know what they are here. They were two and three feet tall there and the yellow flowers were so bright. It was pretty cloudy most of the time we were there but the temperature was perfect and even a little cool. I really love Oregon.

One of the things Larry wanted to do was take me to Mo's for their World Famous Clam Chowder. We finally made it one night and it was really good. I only had a bowl of clam chowder with a salad as I wasn't too hungry. The salad was cabbage with a ton of small shrimp. It was sooo good. We have eaten a lot of seafood and I am in Heaven.

We stayed in Florence and saw thousands of Seals on a huge rock in the Pacific Ocean. We saw the Heceta Head Lighthouse and went on a tour. It is really interesting to hear about the lighthouses. We went to a Botanical garden and I am just amazed at the trees, flowers and the beauty of Oregon.

We had a wonderful trip and will be soon going to spend a week with Natalie and Steve. They live in Nebraska and we will meet them half way and camp and fish. Natalie is a step daughter of Larry's. We are looking forward to spending time with them. We are going to a Fiddle Fest in Weiser, Id. next week and attending a birthday party with friends for all the birthdays in June. Had to remind Larry that I was one of them. Then we are going to a harmonica fest for a week end. Connie and Larry Parks are coming to see us on the 9th of July and again on their way back from a family reunion in Oregon. We are so excited to see them again.

I am hoping for a weekend with Shelley in July. She is pretty busy. With her job, going back to school,(Straight A Student too.) and being a mom, wife and part of the presidency in Stake Young Women, her life is extremely busy and challenging. She is at Girl's camp this week. I have been there and done that so I know the stress she is under.

I feel very very blessed to be married to Larry. He just gets better and better. Probably he is letting me in a little more and I am seeing what a great man he is. We are a team and have a lot of fun taking care of our yard and doing things together. He is always doing things to surprise and please me. Life is so much better when you don't have to be alone anymore. I look forward to each day and we accomplish something every day. The yard was pretty overgrown when we got back and we have worked hard for a couple of days to get it back into shape. Larry has been doing things to the RV and getting it ready to travel again.

Deanna, one of his sisters took us to dinner the other day and we had such a nice visit with her. She is a hoot and fun to be around. I still have two sisters that I haven't met but one of them is coming from New Orleans in a week or so and I will get to meet her. One lives in Boise but she has been traveling since we got married and I still haven't met her. There is a big family reunion planned for next summer and it sounds like so much fun. Larry's family is very close and diverse. But they love one another and their acceptance of me has been so incredible. We just attending Malcom's HS graduation. He is Larry's grandson and I got to meet more of the family and we had a ball at his mom's house. Russell and Erin came up and they were here for a week and we got to spend time with them too. Russell is Malcom's dad. These people for the most part, are the kindest, most loving people I have ever known. They are the most non-judgemental people I have ever met. I am so very blessed to be a part of this and to have Larry in my life. I am just living a dream and each day is pure joy and so peaceful. I have never felt so close to Heavenly Father and so very grateful for His blessings.