Tuesday, July 3, 2012

What I Did on My Summer Vacation


I figured it had been so long since I blogged that I was going to start getting concerned emails as to my whereabouts/mental health/well-being! I've been busy working on CHA projects and then, right in the middle of that, left for 10 wonderful days in Oregon to visit my family. It was one of those vacations I never wanted to end!

My brother Jon is a fantastic photographer, and one of the first things we did was head up to the Cascades for a little photo safari. Our first stop was Little Crater Lake, which is a misnomer, it's actually 'a geologic oddity, possibly formed by artesian water forcing its way through soft, volcanic rock.' It's incredibly beautiful and very cold - a constant 34 degrees!

After hiking down to Timothy Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (yes, we were very proud of ourselves for that) we headed to a place called High Rock. It offered a gorgeous view of Mt. Hood.

Our mountaineering done for awhile, we headed out to explore an abandoned homestead a couple days later. I can't help myself - I'm obsessed with going inside abandoned houses and buildings. I'm sure one of these days I'll stumble upon a meth lab and that will be the end of me, but until then, I'll just keep exploring. :)

After leaving my parents' in central Oregon, we traveled down to southern Oregon for a few days. Along the way we stopped at Crater Lake. Yes, that's snow you see on the ground - a lot of snow! It was 40 degrees while we were there and even started snowing/sleeting a little. Gorgeous!

While we were down south, we spent a day in Ashland. It's one of those cities that is absolute perfection to me. After a delicious lunch and a walk around Lithia Park, we stopped for coffee from a little street vendor. He was VERY serious about his coffee! I loved my foam art.

Since reading about my fellow Sizzix DT member Trisha's zip line experience in New Zealand, I've been a little obsessed with trying it. We happened to walk past the little display rack of touristy stuff and I spotted a brochure for one that was just 10 minutes away! I talked my hubby into it and it was probably one of the most fun things I've ever done. I would seriously be happy to zip all day, every day!

If you ever happen to be in Grants Pass, you also need to try the Hellgate Jetboat Tours. They take you up the Rogue River and it is an absolute blast! Not only is the ride a thrill, you get to see tons of wildlife - we got to watch while an Osprey caught a fish in front of us and then flew alongside the boat with the fish clutched in its talons - so cool!

We also got to see two bald eagles. This pic is horrible (all of the photos were taken with my phone - you get very wet on the boat ride and I didn't want to risk ruining my camera), but I love how the eagle just sat there posing for us!

This is me partway through the trip - a little soggy and windblown and starting to get sunburned, but having so much fun!! It was not easy coming home after having such a great time! :)

Back to bloggy stuff - be sure and stay tuned for a fun new monthly challenge from Inspiration Emporium and then, later in the month, a bunch of cool new projects using the new idea-ology (and Sizzix, and Stampers Anonymous, and Ranger!) products from Tim Holtz. I can't wait to share them with you!

18 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had lots of fun! What a beautiful pictures! You're so brave to zippy! Love to see all the projects you're gonna make with those beautiful new products!

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  2. Isn't breezing along on a zipline the greatest!!! Looks like you had a fantastic trip. I can see why you didn't want it to end but it will be nice to have you and your beautiful back in blogland.

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  3. I didn't mean your "beautiful back" lol. I meant your beautiful work!

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    1. LOL! I liked it better when you meant beautiful back! That zipline pic is pretty exciting. ;-)

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  4. Wonderful photos and sounds like you had a fantastic trip. We love Oregon and try to visit Newport as often as possible. My SIL lives there and Bill would if he could get me to leave the grandkids!

    Going to CHA??? Let me know.
    Linda

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  5. I did a zip wire once on a management training programme but I don't think I enjoyed it half as much as you. Your photos are absolutely stunning and would be a good advert in a holiday magazine advertising Oregon! The coffee looked great too...........A x

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  6. FABULOUS PHOTOS! You certainly do look rested. I thought you were your daughter you look so young and energized.

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  7. Looks like you had a blast! The meth lab comment made me LOL...too funny! I love to explore old buildings, too. :-)

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  8. ...oh wow Shelly these photo's are stunning and they sure do reflect the fun and beauty you have seen and had...what a beautiful part of the world...Mel :)

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  9. Beautiful Photo's Shelly
    They show you had a wonderfull Vacation.

    Greetings Janny

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  10. Beautiful photos, I can see why you would not want that vacation to end!

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  11. Hi, I came across your blog as I was surfing blogspot. I really like the way you have those old-fashioned black photo corners for your photos here. Is that a design choice in blogspot?

    Thanks, Annu

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    1. Annu - it was done with an online program called PicMonkey. Very easy to use and free too!

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    2. Thanks! Will check it out.

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  12. Glad you had such a good time on your vacation--the gorgeous photos brought back so many memories for me . . . I lived in Eugene for many years and all my kids were born there--Oregon is such a beautiful state; the scenery is stunning just about everywhere. Ashland is one of my favorite places!

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  13. Sounds like a fantastic vacation! Glad you got a chance to recharge. I'm just back from vacation and catching up on your blog. Hope the rest of your summer is great!

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  14. I just opened this, and enjoyed it so much. About 42 years ago we camped at Timothy Lake, and the view every direction was wonderful. Another trip did a jetboat trip, stayed over at a lodge, and had a blast! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs, Pat

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!