Days 8 & 9 Roadtrip........

Day 8 of our road trip we spent the day in beautiful Astoria, OR.

Where the river meets the sea.

The oldest town west of the Rockies.

An historical town with cute victorian houses that dot the tree lined hillsides.

(steep hillsides)

steep hillsides that Daddy drove up and down and all around

(in the RV)

We parked the RV and enjoyed a riverfront trolley ride.

and learned some of the history of this cute little town.
a town known for fishing.

famous for salmon back in the 1800's.

see... I listened to the trolley driver:)

The kids enjoyed ringing the bell on the trolley and wearing the trolley drivers hat.

These houses were brand new but in order to be built in Astoria they had to "look" old.
very cute!

We enjoyed popcorn on the port.....

and had a lesson in how to clean and gut a sturgeon....
all while eating popcorn. yum!

Asotria was also the site for many Hollywood movies such as "Free Willy," "The Goonies," and many more.
Fishsticks were invented in Astoria. So....
guess what I dug for in the back of the freezer to make for lunch on our way to Portland???
Fish sticks!
Freezer burn fish sticks. yum!

We haven't ate out yet on this trip.

I've been making all the meals, but I'm sure everyone wished

we would of grabbed lunch in town.

We arrived in Portland...

and took some time to stop and smell the roses....
at the International Rose Test Garden.

(I'm back blonde, told you that wouldn't last long haha!)

It was quiet. Very peaceful and romantic.....
until we showed up. ha!

Faith decided that this is where she wants to get married...
she has it all planned out.
she wants to walk down those steps.
and get married on the stage.
guests to be seated on the steps.
horse and carriage...
roses everywhere...
oh yes, she has it all planned. (I just love her!)

even down to the dress!
I'm just trying to talk her out of her wanting me (the mother of the bride)
to wear a peach dress with lace trim and a rose in my hair.
but..... if that's what she wants then as long as she marries a man who loves Jesus
then I'll wear whatever. ha!

Washington Park was beautiful!
Finley blowing kisses to family back home.(I know we've only been gone almost 2 weeks but Finley is talking soooo much more) She's becoming so smart. Can't believe she will be 2years old in 9 days.

we miss you all!..

infront of the Japanese Garden.

Austin has been the photographer on this trip.
Most pictures you see are his.

Two tired parents after a busy day.(day 8)
a view of Portland in the back.....

Day 9
State 30

We drove to Skamania County, southwest Washington east of Vancouver.
Skamania County also known as Bigfoot Country.
Where Bigfootery is taken very serious!
The only county in the USA to ban Bigfoot hunting by ordinance.
(are these people for real?)

Then it was on to Mount St. Helens.
Where we had a blast! get it?> blast. ha! I crack myself up.
ok, it's late and I haven't slept in a couple days (for good reason)

We couldn't wait to visit since we have been learning about Rapid Erosion.
We watched a movie about Mount St. Helens and did the Jr. Ranger Program.

another badge for their jackets!

The kids were quick to point out wrong information and didn't agree
with everything the Jr. Ranger program homework said.
For example: The Supercontinent.
200millions years ago..blah blah blah.

I'm thankful my kids are learning the truth and have answers
when they see things like this: (it's everywhere we go and pushed like a fact)

Kids learning about magma and watching a demonstration with a coke bottle.

We looked out our windows as we drove up closer to Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the Cascade Mountains.


stopped off to explore and take a family picture......I love my traveling partners:)

a tree taken down by the eruption.

Mount St. Helens 30th anniversary!

see all the tree logs still laying down...

Austin watching an active live

touch pad seismograph that allowed him to feel the rumble of

seismic signals, including rock falls in the volcano’s crater.

learning about lava rock , ash, pumice, and other deposits.

Coming down the hill our brakes got really hot and we had to pull over....

other than that we had a great day.

Next time Austin visits he wants to hike to the top...

but this is as close as he got.

amazing!

I'm behind on blogging...we are on day 13 of our trip.

Days 10,11,12 and 13 we're very eventful!

Can't wait to share with you...thanks again for following!