This is summer in Oregon

It's sunny and beautiful...but it can also be pretty cold (but still beautiful). We spent a chilly weekend on Mt. Hood and enjoyed the lovely scenery, the alpine slide and catching crawdads at  Timothy Lake with friends.
Some of the photos are from an earlier trip to the Oregon coast.

The view from Vista House

This was a brief stopping point on our way back from Hood River.

So he doesn't feel left out

The new issue of Runner's World had a section all about dogs who run with their owners. Most of the featured dogs were 2 or 3 years old...I think there was maybe one 7 year old dog. But, none of them were almost 10 and still running 6 miles with energy to spare!!

The Fort and a swim meet

The fort is well underway. As I write this I hear hammering outside...the sounds of the last 2 walls being put on. Sleepovers in the fort are already being planned!!
Our last swim meet for summer was today...only Jackson swam since this was age 8 and up. He's in lane 3 in the freestyle start and lane 4 (I think?) in the backstroke start. Clicking on the photo makes it easier to spot him. He has a great backstroke start!! He won his heat in backstroke and got a pair of goggles!  

Vacation Summary

It was a great vacation! We spent time in Seattle and enjoyed the urban atmosphere (plus great food and  time with fun family)  we spent lots of time on the water (duck boat, ferries, sailboat, kayaks, paddle boats), we stayed in a more remote spot on an island (and learned that maybe we won't rent an airstream trailer and travel cross country), and we enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest. There is no place I'd rather be in the summer! In February, I will gladly seek out other destinations, but summer here is perfect.