Note: In my attempt to stay up to date here, skipping some older posts and going with a LIFO account of our recent trip to Oregon.
This year we revived a Johnson family tradition of spending the week of 4th of July in Gearhart, Oregon which we did every year when I was growing up. While the kids had been to the Oregon coast before, this was their first time visiting for 4th of July, where they could watch the "parade" (think kids with decorated bikes and several decorated dogs too), which I remember vividly from when I was growing up. The whole Johnson clan was present -- Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Beth...and even Choco (their dog), who started the week off as a source of terror (to our dog-phobic kids), but ended the week as the recipient of increasingly brave petting.
Our week at the coast did not disappoint, and Sameer once again seemed amazed -- and happy -- that the summer in Oregon is so nice (a stark contrast to his commentary on the weather when we visit over the winter holidays). We started off the week with a visit from Kellie and her kids, and it was great to once again see the kids splashing around in the waves together (something only children do, because as an adult you can only focus on how unbelievably cold the water is). We also tackled the custom puzzles we bought Grandma for Mother's Day (the kids enjoyed working on puzzles that were pictures of themselves, although the rest of us lamented that I had chosen pictures that turned into nearly impossible puzzles to complete). Throughout the week, we enjoyed lots of fantastic wine (courtesy of Kevin & Beth, of course), great food (local fudge, smoked tuna, cedar planked salmon...best not to think of the calories), and numerous outings to the local sites. Grandpa accompanied us when we visited Fort Stevens (site of the "batteries" that defended the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War through World War II) as well as Fort Clatsop (where Lewis & Clark wintered). We also made it as far south as Tillamook where we toured the cheese factory (probably the highlight of the trip for Deven, our little cheese lover). Closer to home, we took in the tourist
traps attractions of Seaside, where Sonia enjoyed the bumper cars and the tilt-a-whirl (I'm still nauseous from the latter), and of course more junk food. On the last day, Grandma watched the kids while we managed a quick round of golf (let's just decide not to note the scores here for posterity). But, probably the best days were those spent lazing around on the beach, flying our kites, partaking of nightly bocce ball on the lawn, and enjoying a vacation where we had no schedule, no hassles, and nothing but some much needed R&R.
Some highlights in pictures...
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| Deven "helps" Grandma find pieces for her puzzle |
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| Deven shows the waves who is boss |
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| Work in progress on Grandma's personalized puzzle (this one ultimately defeated us -- just too many pieces that looked *exactly* the same) |
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| Sonia drives the jeep at Fort Stevens |
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| Snarfing down popcorn on the streets of Seaside |
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| Ready to camp out at Fort Clatsop |
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| Photo bombed by Aunt Beth |
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| Things are pretty cheesy in Tillamook |
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| Happy 4th of July! |
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| Another cutie wishing everyone Happy Independence Day! |
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| The Gearhart parade is even better than Halloween! |
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| Second puzzle = success! |
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| One last perfect day at the beach |
For Team Dholakia diehards, here is a link to a slideshow with all of the above photos plus a whole lot more. Too bad that our wonderful trip is over and it's back to the real world!
