Oregon – Over the River and Through the Woods

A few weeks ago, my mom, brother and and I flew to Oregon to spend a long weekend with my Grandmother. We arrived in Medford and drove through the redwoods to Brookings where my Grandma lives on the coast. We spent most of the time talking, watching her favorite shows and looking through old pictures of when she was young. Brookings is a bit of sleepy town, but the slower pace was welcomed break from life at home. My brother and I went for a morning run everyday. It was nice to spend some quality sibling time together…even if he ran ahead of me (too cool to run with his little sis). We watched the waves, drove out to Lobe Park to skip rocks in the calm river, ate burgers at Fely’s Cafe and spent some time at the public library. It felt like a weekend from the 90’s and I loved it.

Flying over Mt. Shasta in all its glory.

I went for a morning run on the beach infront of Grandma’s house. She had a big storm roll in few weeks prior and massive waves brought giant logs onto the beach….just a 100ft or so from the houses along the beach.

OR Run
Morning runs with my brother. That tiny black figure on the road in-between the trees is Bran. He amazes me how fast and far he can run without taking a break.
Red pyracantha
Brookings OR coffee shop
The Bell & Whistle Coffee House
We picked up some coffee-to-go before we drove out to Loeb Park. It’s a cute little coffee house near the docks in Brooking harbor. I tried the toasted coconut mocha and Grandma had the kahlua latte. Both were fantastic.

Loeb Park ^^^The park is nestled in a grove of myrtlewoods and evergreens, many of which are well over 200 years old.  The icy blue Chetco River run through it – crystal clear and prefect for skipping stones with Grandma 😉

^^^Back to Grandma’s beach to enjoy a sunset walk with mom.

^^^My mom admiring the view of the mossiest tree we ever did see. We were on our way back to Medford, when we pulled over to check out a little trail leading to the river. We found this beauty at the bottom of it.


An Oregon Farm Wedding

 I posted a few weeks ago about our family trip to Oregon. We stayed with my Grandmother on the coast for a few days before we headed to Halsey to help our friends with their wedding. Here are some pictures from that beautiful day. This wedding was a dream. It was perfect — a true farm wedding where the community came together and everyone rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. It was so great to see it all come together.
^ Hay bale seating and a handmade wooden arbor. More than 350 friends and family came to party down!

^Setting up the dessert table

^The local coffee shop owner came to make lattes and coffee for everyone. What a love.

They Do!


^ Kids table with milk, cookies and reusable cartons.

Pink peonies and tiny dancers^

^ Feasting time!




^A sweet moment


I love this guy^

 
^My mom and dad and the lovely little flower girl
Farm Wedding
Sunset

Golden grass on my Great Grandparents farm in the distance ^

Sleepy babe^

We had so much fun in Oregon. The wedding was gorgeous and I loved the small town love.

Over the River and Through the Woods

My Mom, Dad, Dan and I hopped into a mini motorhome last week and made the 12 hour trek to Brookings, Oregon to visit my Grandmother for a few days before heading to Halsey for a wedding. Here are some fun pictures that I took along the way. Wedding pics are soon to come…

^Dan relaxing in the motorhome like it’s his job.

^The things you can make on a loooong drive.

We stopped at a little cafe to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. I love this picture that I snapped of my mom while we shared a piece of rhubarb pie.

The Human Bean has the cutest coffee ^ complete with a chocolate covered coffee bean on top!
 

Dan skippin rocks


Grandma’s new car…it’s going to be a metallic gold with glints of green. She’s a wild one.

Burgers on the beach and our last evening with Grandma and Don.

We loaded up the motorhome and hit the road for Halsey, Oregon to help our friends get ready for a wedding on their farm.

My parents rented a little trailer so each of us could have our own humble abode. I loved waking up to a cup of coffee and views of the grass fields — it’s so different from home. Don’t get me wrong…I love home, but there is something special about the smell of sweet grass, silence and open land!




I love the 2nd story barn door…one of my funniest childhood memories was when Josh bet Pat that he couldn’t pee into a fishbowl on the bottom floor. Josh lost, Pat won. And I was bummed I couldn’t partake in this hilarious game…oh to be 6 again. Where were our mothers?

Farm

^My great grandparents lived in a farm house next to the grassy hill on the right. He passed away before I was born and she lived to be 99. I love hearing stories about Great Grandma Dodd. She sounded like quite the character. She would hike the hill every morning, can homemade blackberry and strawberry jam by the 100’s and crack open crab shells with her bare hands. What a woman!

These little ladies were so sweet. We all became fast friends and enjoyed braiding each others hair, talking about school crushes and taking silly pictures in the sheep run.

We helped prepare lamb and pig for the wedding.

^Snuggles with Rosco

Scrubbing potatoes for the wedding! Check out the Wedding pics!