Spring Break Part 4

The next day we headed inland again.

We hit the Oregon State capital first. A little plain compared to Washington's.

 

 

 

From there, we went to one of my all time favorite places on the planet. Silver Falls State Park.

 

This is just a little state park tucked in the hills surrounded by grass and onion farms that has over 10 beautiful waterfalls.

 

 

The kids and Shane all sucked it up and went on a 5 mile hike to see most of the falls with me. It was my birthday present from all of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, the pictures don't do these woods and falls justice. They are like something from a dream or a science fiction movie with the moss covered trees and the tall tall pines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a old photo re-make. Crazy what a difference 13 years makes.

 

After wearing everyone out, we headed north to Portland.

We stopped at the Portland temple for quick stop.

 

 

Drove through the city in rush hour (smarts).

 

We made it to our hotel and enjoyed a two hour swim, soup, yes soup and cookies.

The next day we drove straight to Multnoma Falls. Because of the fires last summer, we weren't able to hike up to that super cool bridge half way up the falls but it's still just so pretty! The kids were thrilled that we only had to walk a tiny bit from the parking lot.

 

 

 

 

From there we headed to Bonneville Dam and the fish hatchery.  It was rainy and cold, but we got to see this guy.

 

 

 

From there it was just get to Idaho.... Only we got stuck behind a wreck that closed the highway.

We turned around, crossed into Washington again and headed up the Columbia River Gorge from that side. I think we ended up not saving any time after all that, but at least we weren't just sitting there.

We were happy to finally get to Idaho where we went to Olive Garden to celebrate my birthday.

Then we swam at the hotel for two hours. Yes, the kids swam EVERY night.... for HOURS! Little Fish!

The next morning we trekked the rest of the way home. We stopped at the Meridian Temple, the Boise Temple and the Idaho State Capitol where we found pictures of my Grandpa from when he served as a legislator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we went to the Twin Falls Idaho temple. And the Shoshone Falls. SO COOL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was home from there. We drove over 2400 miles over 7 days, stayed in 6 different hotels, swam in 6 different pools for hours and hours, saw so many fun and beautiful things and made some fun memories (yes, even the barfing will be one of them).