The Socialist State of Oregon

Oregon is really very beautiful.  However, we noticed more of a difference in culture once we crossed the Washington-Oregon border than we did the Washington-Canada border.  Compared to every other place we’ve been, coastal Oregon ushers you into a new experience.

1. There are young homeless people everywhere.  Twenty-somethings.  They all have dogs.  Apparently, being heavily tattooed and pierced is an important piece of the homeless image.  They seemed to spend a lot of time deciphering the profound meaning of each other’s tattoos.  Dreadlocks and cigarettes complete the look, and you can spot them peppered all about Oregon coastal cities.
2. It is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon.  Yep.  This government initiative aimed at job creation allows only those who are employees, certified station attendants, to handle the pumps within Oregon boundaries.  Though you are not required to tip, it probably wouldn’t occur to you to do so anyway, as there is usually a considerable wait at the pump.

The guys in the yellow vests are the only ones allowed to pump your gas.

3. There is a fee for purchasing plastic bottles on top of the item’s retail price.  So, if you purchase bottled water or soda, you'll be charged five cents per bottle on top of the shelf price.  The only way to recoup your fee is to recycle.  We tried this.  The recycling machine (attached to the side of a grocery) broke down three times during our use, each time requiring us to go inside and ask for the manager.  Then, we wait for the manager.  He casually mentions how this happens all the time.  Shoppers are waiting inside the grocery, and recyclers are waiting outside.  Once our recycling ticket prints, we go inside the grocery to wait to collect our money.  It takes 37 minutes to recycle.

I'm glad we didn't leave the car running while recycling.  It took so long, we might have had to go back to the gas station and wait in line to have our gas pumped.

Not one of these oddities affected our stay in Oregon.  It truly is a beautiful state, and we enjoyed one of the most relaxing stays we've had in a while!  We camped at another beautiful RV Resort outside Lincoln, Oregon.  We overlooked the Pacific Ocean, and watched the forceful waves crash against the steep cliffs.  We loved playing on the beach, and resting in the sun.

This is my favorite.  I love the beach on chilly days.

The water was freezing, so the kids contained their play to the sand.

CBR loves Billie Jean.  They're never far apart.

My personal driver and I spent nearly the entire afternoon just laying in the sand while the kids played.  Talking.  Napping.  I'll never forget this day.

After dinner, we would soak in the hot tub, and of course the kids would follow up with their new routine of showering in the on-site facilities. 

Truly, they were way too wound up for this.  They were jumping around and treating it like a wave pool.

Usually, we prepare all our own meals in the RV.  If we're going to be out for lunch, we'll pack sandwiches.  On the rare occasion we dine out, we opt for pizza or Mexican food.  We found a little pizza joint down the street from our campsite, and decided to treat ourselves one night.  The kids found a little corner of the pizza parlor with some books and games.  We suggested they go busy themselves while we waited for our pie . . .

LAR chose this book.  It was gigantic.  She never even mentioned the size.  She just seated herself and began reading.

I've been playing the role of barber on this trip.  Mr. Fix-It shaves his head, so he needs no assistance, but I take care of everyone else regarding all affairs of the hair.  I have even been trying to give myself a trim when necessary.  While in Oregon, I declared myself in a state of "hair emergency."  My gray had gotten a little obvious for my taste, so I loaded the entire family in the car and took them to the nearest drug store.  I bought a few boxes of hair color, and three hours and $25 dollars later I had achieved a passable replication of what my professional hairdresser back home effortlessly accomplishes.  I figured that even if it bombed, my kids would've had a fun chemistry experiment.  (I let them mix the color.)




As usual, we did plenty of driving, and plenty of sightseeing.  Honestly, the Bonneville Lock and Dam and Fish Hatchery had to be one of my favorite things we've learned about thus far.  The facility, the tour, the guide, the location -- all of it was super great for kids . . . and adults.  I learned so much about hydro-power, more on the life cycle of salmon, the Oregon Trail, and the Lewis & Clark expedition.  This place is a must see if you're traveling, and especially if you're traveling with kids.

We had an awesome guide on the dam tour.  This lady simplified the process of how hydro-power is turned into electricity in a way that even made sense for me.  After her lecture, she picked several people out of the crowd and handed them an instrument involved in the chain of events that brings hydro-power to the point of lighting up the bulbs in your home.  Each person had to come forward, with their manipulative, and line up in order so as to complete the cycle.  It made so much sense!  I hope my kids learned as much as I did.

Inside the powerhouse.  This is one of the huge turbines that turns water into electricity.  Genius.

The salmon fish ladder.  So fun to watch the salmon jump over the ladder as they swim against the current to go home.

The fish hatchery.

Herman the sturgeon.  He's their prize fish.  Approximately 450 pounds, and over 10 feet long.

After the lock, dam, fish hatchery, fish ladder, and powerhouse tour, we watched a Lewis & Clark film, (exhale, inhale) and then decided to hike up and see Oregon's tallest waterfall.

620' Multnomah Falls, Oregon.  Truly, one of the prettiest we've seen.

This journey has been much like normal life . . . with a few added bonuses.  Like normal, we have our good days and days that are absolutely hard.  But sometimes I want to pinch myself.  Did we really drastically downsize, walk away from everything familiar, and take this leap?  Normally, I don't think about it.  But every now and then, there's a moment that just smacks me.  One ordinary day we were driving.  Well, my personal driver was driving, and I had my seat turned backwards and I was teaching CER school on the card table that we put up and take down every day.  I looked up at her, and the scenery around us gave me chills.

She was reading, and I don't even think she knew I took this picture.  But I had to take it -- I was so afraid I would forget this monotonous, yet meaningful, moment.  We travel all the time, we do school all the time, we're with the kids all the time, we see new places all the time.  But God pulled me out of the minutia in this moment.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude while taking this picture.  How did I ever land the privilege of teaching my own children?  How gorgeous is this free country we live in, and explore every day?  I mean, look outside!  This is her classroom.  I glance over to my personal driver.  The very fact that he capitalized on this opportunity to live a life with no regrets - no matter how random -- has  grounded me, and reminded me of what matters most.  We have chosen this weird path.  But in this very moment, I am confident God led us to it.  I am so very, very glad.

LAR lost a tooth in Oregon.  It was the tooth that got knocked in Montana by the frozen brisket that fell out of the freezer.  We suspect there may be a different tooth fairy for each state.  The tooth fairy in South Carolina brings one dollar and two Sweet Tart candies.  The tooth fairy in Oregon only brings the dollar.  Oh well, she loves to eat carrots and hummus, so we scored interesting carrots at the local grocery.

LAR and her missing tooth.  I'm thinking this carrot is packing a lethal dose of synthetic growth hormones.  It's as long as her arm.

Before we left, we made the time to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  They have an interactive exhibit for children called the "Sea & Me."

Our favorite sighting was the sea lion and seal exhibit.  We arrived when they happened to be feeding them.  If we'd been at Sea World, I don't think we would've received a better show.  These sea lions were trained to do all sorts of tricks, and performed flawlessly for us.  They'd bark, wave, and spin around. 

He was barking so loud, but doesn't it look like she's saying "talk to the hand."

Another favorite was the underwater tunnel into the shark exhibit.

This may have been my first ever close up of an octopus. 

Pacific Sea Nettle.  Popular off the coast of Oregon and California. I felt like I was watching a lava lamp.

Our visit to Oregon was exactly what we needed.  A nice, clean campground in a gorgeous location,

plenty of opportunity for rest and fun, wonderful educational opportunities,

and loads to be thankful for.

Philippians 1:3