May 17-24, 2009 Oregon Coast Vaca.

Karen decided she needed a vacation so we went to the Oregon Coast,

Sunday we drove to Boise and spent the night with my sister Sheri. We got up that morning and drove to Midvale Idaho to visit some friends that moved up there from American Fork. He invited me to come back sometime and go Salmon fishing with him on the Salmon River. They are only 1 hour away and says I can come home with 70 lbs of fish. Sounds like fun. We then traveled to Redmond, Oregon and spent the night.

The next day we traveled to Creater Lake and visited the sites there and spent the night in Grants Pass Oregon. We then travel down into Northern California and spent some time on the coast and visted the Giant Redwoods National Forest site. The trees were amazing some were over 15 feet in diameter and 300 feet tall.

We then traveled up the coast to Golden Beach Oregon and spent two nights there. One day we took a jet boat ride up the Rouge River for 64 miles round trip. We should have taken the white water trip. We were disappointed with this trip. Next time we will be a little more daring.

On Friday we travel to Portland, went to the Protland temple that night and got us a room right next to the temple. I was surprised it was quite resonable priced at $59.00 a night. We then drove to Boise and spent Saturday night with my sister Sheri and then drove home on Sunday.

Both of use were glad to get home.

Karen coming back from her hike to the top of the falls on the Columbia River Gorge.

The actual falls on the Columbia River that Karen hiked to.

Oregon Coast Line picture

Light House in Newburg Oregon

Arch Rock on the California Coast

Pictures of the Pacific Ocean off the California Coast.

Karen in the Redwoods Forest National Park stading next to a giant Redwood.

California Coast Line

Creater Lake looking form the South side to the North side.

Karen and Elden at Creater Lake in Oregon.

Redwood Forest in Northern California

River boat tour of the rouge River at Golden Beach Oregon.

May 15 & 16 2009
We made a quick trip to the San Rafael Swell to take in the sites and see some interesting old mines. We were able to see about 15 head of wild horses on this trip at the bottom of Link Flats below the Copper Globe Mine. I (Elden) any time we can see wild horses then the trip has been worth while.

I have been wanting to go into this area for a long time and invited three other couples to tag along. We cut the trip short and did not make it to the Hidden Slendor Mine and Behind the Reef ATV Trail but vowed to came back at another time and finish the trip.

We spent our first day traveling to the Moore Exit and then went on a short 50 mile trip to Copper Globe, then to the top of Red Canyon Buttes looking down on Red Canyon, then to Link flats This is here we say the two bands of Wild Horses and tried to make it to the Muddy River but gave up due to lack of time and it would have ben at least another 30 - 40 miles added to the trip.

We had a great Ductch Oven meal of Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallions, baby red potates, baby carrots, corn bread and blackberry cobble and ice cream. This is the way to camp. Good food and good friends and seeing great scenery.

The next day we drove over to Justeson Flats and dropped down into Eagle Canyon. We then made our way up the canyon to Swasey Cabin an old cowboy who tried to eek out a living in the Swell in the early 1900's.

We traveled from there to Reds Canyon and visited a couple of old ghost towns and mines. The Lucky Strike mine, and another mine at the bottom of Reds Canyon. We then decided to return back to camp and pack up and leave for home. This ended up being a 75 mile trip. Some of the group was not feeling to well so vowed to come back at a latter date and see the rest of the mines and ATV trails.

We came home through Rods Canyon and made a side trip to Eagle Canyon passing up Swasey's Cabin on a true ATV trail. Some in the group really enjoyed this trail since most of the other roads were just that - Roads.

I have not got pictures from the rest of the group but will add these as I get them. Eddie and Ken got some good pictures of the Wild Horses.

These pictures are taken in Red Canyon about 30 miles south of Exit 131 in the San Rafael Swell.

Eight old people out for a ride in Eagle Canyon. The Karen and Elden, Albert and Pat, Eddie and Margo and last Jeanette and Ken. It was a delightfuil day for a ride.
Karen & nElden at the Copper Globe Mine.

The whole group at the cabin at Copper Globe Mine

Sunday May 3, 2009
We had mothers Day dinner a week early right after church. All the kids were over except Kyle's family since they live in Texas. We had a great time visiting with all the grandkids, and parents. We had marinated barbecued pork chops, rice, salad, vegetable, and homemade wheat rolls. For dessert Maren brought a Key Lime pie and Karen had a Strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. Everyone had way to much including grandpa who is watching what he eats.

I will have dessert 3 hours after dinner but, 1 hour past my sunday night bedtime. Monday morning I get up at 10 to 4 AM and go to work. I guess I will drive today and get ready for my big day of doing training for the staff. We have ESS Traing for the next three days. I have to give three presentatations each day for a total of three hours and then I am through for the day.

Just a note that we kind of taught Paxton how to work my little camera and some of the pictures he took were actually pretty good. While others were of the ceiling, floor or peoples but. These I did not post. He sure had fun taking pictures.

Sorry we missed Kyles phone call and will try and get with him on Monday or Tuesday.

I took this picture of my daughter and her baby Ryder we are playing Gestures.

Paxton took these pictures. I mistakenly taught Paxton how to take a picture with my camera and now when ever he see's it and gets his hands on it he knows what to do. Some of his pictures are pretty good. He really gets to laughing hard when ever the camera flashes. I guess we need to take a picture of him taking a picture.

Paxton's photo

I took this picture of Kurtis's little boy Mason, we are all playing Gestures.

lPlaying Gestures with the Grandkids - Madison and Kara with grandma.

Grandpa with Paxton, he knows his job to press the button after it has been guessed. He gets really mad if we do not let hime press the button.

Austin and Elise playing Elise is only 5years old and can read and does a great job of playing Gestures on her own. It was fun to here her do her times tables too.

The whole crew after dinner playing Elise's favorite game - Gestures.

Baby setting the boyz

May 2, 2009Our daughter called and asked if we could tend their kids tonight so the could go to a movie. It was nice to have something other to do than watch tv or work on the computer.