We picked up the camper in San Leandro and Lynda and Dylan drove it back to our house. The camper was new and very nice. Dylan enjoyed showing it off to the neighbors and giving tours as we packed it up for the trip. It had a “pop-out” side which made it roomier when parked. It also had a flat screen TV and DVD player in the loft where Dylan would sleep. Dylan was excited to make up his bed with his new Ninjago bedding that he got for Kindergarten graduation.
Sunday, June 17
Grandma baked us some muffins for the trip so we started out the drive with a muffin breakfast. Our first stop was at the Sundial Bridge in Redding. It was incredibly hot there which caused Dylan to proclaim “This is the hottest vacation ever!” The bridge was spectacular and when we got across to the other side there was a stand selling fruit ices. It was a great treat in the heat.
We got some great views of Mt. Shasta on the drive to Lake Siskiyou. We arrived at the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort by late afternoon. We had a great campsite with plenty of trees. The resort had a great restaurant so we didn’t exactly rough it for dinner and the kids got ice cream at the resort store for dessert. The resort had RV camping, cabins you could rent and regular tent camping. Our site was walking distance from the lake.
Monday June 18
We rented a boat on Lake Siskiyou for the day. We had originally planned to go fishing on the boat, but the lack of a fishing license and an abundance of wind caused us to reevaluate our plan. We had a great time taking the boat around the lake and Dylan even got to drive!
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle. ― Albert Einstein
Tuesday, June 19
We got on the road early and headed to Oregon. Along the way we went to the Wildlife Safari. Here we were able to drive through the wildlife park and see the animals. The kids got a kick out of being able to come up front and check out the animals. The park also had a restaurant, museum, gift shop and playground so we also had lunch and enjoyed the park before getting back on the road. That night we stayed at the Pheasant Ridge RV park, which was very nice and clean so we could get a good night’s rest before heading to Seattle.
Wednesday, June 20
We had some lunch and then jumped in line for the Space Needle. We made it to the top and were able to get some great pictures. We then went to the Children’s Museum also located in Seattle Center. The kids loved it. It was a great museum with lots to do. There was a kid size grocery store, a restaurant, a stage, a construction area, a young children’s play area, a nature area with a slide and a Lego room. There was also an area for art projects.
After the museum as we were heading back to the RV we got an amazing water show. The fountain was choreographed to music and Dylan loved it. We also got a little bit wet!
That night we checked into the Seattle/Tacoma KOA and the kids loved it. We got a great spot with a view of the playground. Our only complaint on this campground would be the mosquitoes at night- LOTS of them. We think because it is located close to a marshy area. Needless to say we needed to upgrade our bug repellent.
Thursday, June 21
This was our day to enjoy the KOA. We had the pancake breakfast at the KOA and then set out for a day of fun. We rented one of the reclining bikes for Dylan and he had a ride around the campground. He also discovered he LOVES tetherball. As he tells it, he is quite good because he could beat Lynda and she was the champion of her school. Both kids also really enjoyed swimming in the pool.
That evening we headed out and went to one of my new favorite restaurants, Claimjumper for dinner.
Friday, June 22
We headed to Portland in the morning. We drove through Portland and then headed to our hotel, the Embassy Suites in Tigard. We had a giant suite and the kids loved it. We got everyone cleaned up and had a room service lunch of pizza. We were able to meet up with my old friend Stephanie and her kids at the mall next to the hotel. The kids really enjoyed playing in the kids play areas and having snacks in the food court. The kids were sad to have to say good-bye and would have played for a week if we had let them. After we said good-bye to them, we went out for dinner at Red Robin.
Saturday, June 23
The original plan for this day was to see the hot air balloons launch in Tigard. But it was pouring down rain and we didn’t want to get up at 5 am our one night in a hotel, so after an awesome breakfast at the hotel we headed to the OMSI, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
This museum was AWESOME. It has a Life Hall, Earth Hall, a Science Playground, Turbine Hall, Science Labs and exhibit on Natural Disasters and a Planetarium. There is also a submarince and an Omnimax theater and we didn’t get that far. The kids really enjoyed the Science Playground which reminded me of the Discovery Museum. They were able to play in water and sand and explore. Sophie loved it (and Dylan too). We also got to go to the Planetarium which was fantastic for Dylan and his love of all things related to Space. He got to play on a flight simulator and work a giant robot. He also spent time in both the Physics and Chemistry labs.
After the Museum we headed to Lincoln City, OR- home of the Kite Festival! We arrived in town at dinner time and had an terrific dinner at Mo’s. Our campsite was beautiful with a view of the Ocean.
Sunday, June 24
We went down to the beach for the kite festival. At first Sophie wasn’t too sure about the sand and wanted to stay only on the blanket. That wore off quickly and soon we were chasing her all around the beach. In the morning the weather was a little cold and gray, but after lunch it was gorgeous. The kites were amazing and the kids loved playing on the beach. Dylan got recruited to be a lost boy in the Peter Pan performance, but after much rehearsing and waiting around he decided he would much rather watch than be in it.
Monday, June 25
We headed to the Honey Bear Resort in Gold Beach, OR. The drive was beautiful and we got to see some gorgeous Oregon scenery as we went. We stopped at Prehistoric Gardens which was a really cool park you can walk through and see statues of giant dinosaurs. We all really enjoyed exploring there.
The Honey Bear resort was a really cute campground with a German theme (the owners are German). They have a German restaurant, “Heidi-like” decorations and a gift shop. There was also a playground and a good amount of space to run around and explore.
It rained at night and Dylan and Lynda quickly put up our tent awning. It was pretty cool that we were able to sit out in front of the camper in the rain and not get wet!
Tuesday, June 26
In the morning , the rain had passed and we gathered up our stuff and hiked to the beach. The beach was gorgeous and essentially empty. We ran into one other family with kids the same age as Dylan and Sophie that we played with a bit and we saw some folks horseback riding, but other than that it was just us.
Sophie wore herself out at the beach and fell asleep in the stroller on the short walk back to our campsite. We played some at the campground and then tried the German restaurant for dinner. It was homemade authentic German food and Dylan was a good sport about trying some really different food. Sophie loved the sausages. There was also entertainment which was an interesting display of a German singer doing some German music, some Elvis covers and some “comedy”. Dylan and Lynda also went fishing after dinner at the campground’s stocked pond. They caught 2 fish rather quickly and Dylan was very pleased. We attempted to have a campfire that night but the wood was very wet, so it didn’t work out very well. I managed to sort of half toast a marshmallow for Dylan but he seemed content to eat them “raw”.
Wednesday, June 27
The kids were thrilled and we got to see some beautiful views.
On route to our next campground, we decided to try to drive a little farther and find a KOA so the campground would be more fun for the kids. We ended up getting a spot at the Willits KOA. This super cool campground had an old west town, a petting zoo, a pool and a water play area, miniature golf, 3 playgrounds and activities like movies at night. Unfortunately, and much to both kid’s disappointment we were only there for one night, but they made the most of it while they could. Dylan also got to stay up late and watch the movie with Lynda, an outdoor viewing of the Chipmunks.
Thursday, June 28
In the morning we were able to get in a round of miniature golf before heading home.
We were excited to be getting back to the comforts of home, but sad that another great vacation was coming to an end.
We feel so grateful to have these wonderful healthy, happy kids to go on adventures with. We can’t wait until the next one!
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. ― Dr. Seuss
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