Timothy Lake, Oregon - May 30, 2015

 Timothy Lake is in the Mount Hood National Forest.  It is 1,500 acres.

 It was even more beautiful than the pictures show.

 This is me kayaking....  I was a little nervous as the water is 45 to 80 feet deep.  Mount Hood is in the background.

 

 I was washing dishes...

 I loved the hammock!

 We had fun watching the mother ducks with their ducklings.

 Jeff and I kayaked from one end of the lake to the other.

 I was so tired!

 This woodpecker was so cute!

There was a marathon when we were there.  Two laps around the lake for the race so I assume the trail is about 13 miles around the lake.

Here's a picture of Jeff.  We had a great time.  I'm so glad I went.  It was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing.  He took most of these pictures because I didn't take my camera with me.

Trillium Lake, Oregon - May 31, 2015

On the way home from Timothy Lake today, we stopped at Trillium Lake.  It was so beautiful with Mount Hood in the background, 7.5 miles away.  The lake covers 63 acres.  This was my first panoramic picture with my cell phone.

A Sunny Day in Chico, California - May 23, 2015

 Nate organized a get-together in Chico for our family for the day.  Unfortunately, Jason and family had other plans and weren't able to come.  I was happy that Casey and family, and Charity were able to meet us in Chico.  I drove to Grants Pass and then rode with Nate and family to Chico and back.  The picture above is Isaiah going down the slide.

Allison on the slide.  The kids had so much fun on the playground.

Nate and Casey took the kids on a bike ride.  The rest of us walked.  This is Brielle with her scooter.

Weston with his bike.

Elijah with his bike.

Benson with his bike.

Here's a group picture before the bike ride/walk began.  On the left, Benson, Adalei, Weston, Brielle, Elijah, Misty, Isaiah, Nate, Charity, Allison, Casey, Jenna, and Dalton

We had our picnic lunches on the grass.

Casey and Weston playing catch.

Nate and family eating lunch.

They played croquet.

Dalton was having fun with the balls.

It was fun chatting.

We celebrated Casey's 33rd birthday! 

This was Casey's birthday card.  His birthday gifts had been sent to his house.

Watermelon for dessert.

More croquet - Elijah, Adalei, Weston

Watching the baseball game

Talking.....

Benson

Allison playing with a Frisbee

More watermelon

Baseball

Watching

Casey pitching

Hanging out

Benson and Dalton at the park

Allison with her new necklaces

It was so fun to spend the day together.  Thanks to Nate for organizing the event and for Charity's suggestion to meet in Chico.  I'm so glad they could come.  I hope Jason and Ashley will be able to come next year if we do it again.

Before and After the Chico Trip in Grants Pass, Oregon - May 22, and 24, 2015

 Elijah showed me his corn growing in the greenhouse.  I was impressed how big it was.

 Brielle and Isaiah were chasing what I thought was a wild rabbit.  I couldn't believe how plump the rabbit was but then I found out it was their pet rabbit that doesn't stay in a cage.

 Elijah climbs up the door jamb!

 Isaiah loves this rocking horse.

 This is a wild rabbit that they caught.  I think Adalei said they call the rabbit, "Spot."

 Nate playing games with Elijah and Adalei before church.

 Isaiah all ready for church.

  Such good sports playing games together.

Brielle all ready for church.

It was fun to see them and make the trip to Chico together.

Mount St. Helens, Washington - May 2, 2015

 Mount St. Helens is so beautiful.  It was 35 years ago this month that it erupted.

 

Ape Cave was formed by the volcano eruption.

 Jeff and I hiked two miles to the end of the cave and back.

 Outside the cave was this cute chipmunk.  He came right up to our feet.

 Then we went to Lava Canyon and hiked another three miles.  The main Lava Canyon Trail continues along the wild gorge of the Muddy River. 

The Muddy River cuts through the heart of this basalt canyon, which was scoured clean by the rushing mudflows during the 1980 eruption. 

 Jeff on the bridge over the Muddy River

The water rushes through the lava.

 This valley was carved in part by a massive lahar, or volcano-induced mudflow of massive proportions.  Massive lava remains in columns.

 Mount St. Helens in the clouds

 Volcano ash remains today.  It was so soft to walk on.

From a viewpoint, I got this beautiful picture.  It was a fun day!