Oregon Adventure

2014 marks the 7th National Parks trip we have made with our neighbors.  This trip was #nobleswilliamstrip and was tweeted and instagrammed as we traveled.  The history goes like this:
2002 - Grand Canyon, Zion & Bryce
2004 - Pacific Northwest: Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier & Seattle
2006 - Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons.  This was Aaron's "senior trip".  This became the new norm.  The graduating senior chooses the location and we plan accordingly.
2008 - New England:  Acadia, Vermont, New Hampshire & Boston.  Alyssa
2010 - California: Redwoods, Lassen, Yosemite & San Francisco. Emily
2012 - Colorado: Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs, Boulder & Denver. Carrie
2014 - Oregon: Newberry Volcanic National Monument, John Day Fossil Beds, Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, Oregon Dunes on the coast, Bend & Portland. Brandon

Oregon has only one National Park - Crater Lake. It has a short season, thus our trip started on July 7.  Our goals on these trips is to enjoy Creation, learn about our beautiful country and see new places. Since 2008 there have only been 9 in our traveling party.  Aaron didn't go in 08 and 10, Emily didn't go in 12 and 14. It can be challenging to journey with nine or ten people, but we manage to have fun and not kill anyone.  Galatians 5:22-23 was presented to the Nobles clan before the trip began, but we still struggled in our demonstration of the fruit of the spirit.

Landed in Portland

Evening swim

12 passenger van is our magic school bus

 The Williams pastor at Westminster Presbyterian moved to Rome last year from Portland.  The Lund's were visiting their new granddaughter and we visited them before we set off on the Oregon trail!

Getting directions and trip tips from the Lund's.

Lunch at Cobra Dogs in Government Camp near Mt. Hood

Side trip to the base of Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge

Snow in July - Mt. Hood

Sandal of choice is Chaco, even in the snow!

Cooking dinner in Bend Oregon, VRBO Milky Way

Stephen and Beth

Lava Butte south of Bend.

Lava fields

Picnic lunch at Newberry Volcanic National Monument

Upper Falls at Newberry

Paulina Lake was cool and clear