Elder Terry Loves To Hike!

Let me set things straight... Sister Terry is not a fan of hiking. Being the good sport that she is, Sister Terry accompanied her companion on quite a few hikes over the past year. She must admit, that although she is more of a stay at home and read a good book type person, being out in nature, in spite of being half out of breath most of the time, allowed her to have time to think, to reflect, and to be able to enjoy the beauties of the world that were created for our enjoyment while on earth.

Amazon Trail is a fairly easy hike that we took quite a few times. Once Sister Terry got used to it, we were able to make it up and back in about an hour and a half.

Elder Terry at one of the bridges, most likely waiting for Sister Terry to catch up with him!

Taking a rest before heading back up one of the trails.

Elder Terry was amazed at the height of the trees. This one rose up hundreds of feet tall.

This shows the roots at the base of a tree that had become uprooted. Amazing.

It's hard to tell from this angle, but this tree actually has another tree growing out of the side of it.

At first we thought this was bamboo, but examining it closer, it is some kind of tubular plant. You can pull it apart in sections and they are hollow inside. I have no idea what they are called, but they sure are pretty.

This is a pretty view heading up Spencer Butte, a prominent butte just outside of town. Pretty view, but hard hike for Sister Terry!

Elder Terry loving the outdoors.

Seeing Poison Oak for the first time for Sister Terry. Pretty leaves, but very dangerous.

It was quite a hike, but she made it to the top.

Elder Terry waving from the very top!

Hell's Gate Jet Boat Trip

One of our most favorite activities was the Hell's Gate Jet Boat trip. We got up really early on a Saturday and drove to Grant's Pass to get there in time. It was worth it...

 Waiting in line and anticipating the excitement ahead.

Our boat. Looks pretty tame, don't you think? Wrong!

There's nothing more exciting than racing down the river at high speed, getting wet as the driver spins the boat!

Does this scene from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" look familiar? Well, it was filmed in Hell's Canyon along with scenes from "River Wild," "Rooster Cogburn" and "Gunsmoke."

The building behind where Elder Terry is standing is where we had lunch. It was pretty good. We were assigned seats and had the chance to get to know other couples as we ate.

Sister Terry in front of a decorative wagon.

Waiting to get back on the boat after lunch for an exciting ride back up the river.

Just as much fun going back up the river as going down!

Pretty scenery along the way.

A Visit From Family

The first weekend of October we were visited by Michelle, Clayton, and his friend Isake. It was a fun weekend!

Michelle was able to come and spend part of a day with us in the office. This mission sign has had a lot of pictures taken by it.

No matter how old you are, you are always your mom's baby.

A day on the coast. Girls rule!

Father and son

A day with Dad!

And let's get one with Mom. The wind played havoc with my hair!

See that lighthouse waaaay out in the distance? Want to hike over to it?

Walking along the shoreline. It was pretty rocky in some spots.

I love this picture of Michelle and Clayton. 

A contemplative Elder Terry.

 Heceda Head Lighthouse

Clayton and Isake

Mom and Clayton

Relaxing after the long hike.

We spent a lot of time driving in the car. Mostly laughing and having fun together.

Mom and Michelle being silly at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Cape Meares Lighthouse near Tillamook. The shortest one on the coast. We were able to go inside this one.

Way out in the distance is Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. The last of the 11 coastal lighthouses we were able to see.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. If it looks familiar that is because the end scene from the movie "Goonies" was filmed here. 

Wouldn't it be great to be able to live at the beach? I would choose the house in the middle.

Octopus Tree. Very unusual.

Fun times together. We are so glad they came!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

These blog posts are way out of order, but that's because I am way behind and want to catch up all that I can before we return home in a month. So, here is one from last summer....

This was a two part couples get together. Elder and Sister Terry planned the main event, but Elder and Sister Rout suggested our dinner restaurant which turned out to be a fun diner called Buddy's. Fun music, good food and yes, that is the front of a real car sticking out of the wall! This was our last activity with the Caldwell's (Sister Caldwell is in the pink shirt) as they left for home shortly after this activity. 

Part two of the night was spent at the local baseball game. We had pretty good seats close to the dugout. Football may be all about the Ducks, but baseball is the Emeralds.

Great close up shot! And we were happy that the Emeralds won the game.

A nice picture of Elder and Sister Rout who will soon be going home. We have enjoyed getting to know them over the past year. Seated next to them are the Oliphants who were intently watching the game.

And here we are seated next to the Mangans. It was a fun evening for all!