Boys Fall Camping - 2025 (10th) Steins Mt.

While it’s been actually been 12 years since starting the boys fall camping trip we missed 2022 (Family rafting on the Main Salmon - Idaho), and 2023 due to fire and bad weather.  So this year was our 10th year of an official boys trip!

Our plan was to travel through the hart wilderness antelope wildlife refuge in Deep South central Oregon that is only open a few months from aug - Nov.    We got into the refuge as far as the hot springs but the gate past that goes deeper into the refuge was blocked … I thought after last years fire it would be open but seems like this closed it again this year for some type of herbicide spray. We changed plans and headed east over to Steins mountain to explore that area.   

Our first stop was by hart lake and the warner wetlands with another stop up higher to overlook the wetland areas.  (interesting to see this much water with desert all around)

From here we entered the Hart wilderness antelope wildlife refuge.  We actually saw a heard of antelope along the road which was fun to see.  We drop in to a hotsprings that was marked.  We all agreed the most fun and interesting hotsprings we have ever been too!  It is a rocky hole beside a creek that a stone structure and pool edge was built around.  The temp was perfect -  not too cold or hot - around 100 degrees.  We had lunch here.  

From here we backtracked to the junction that would take us overland to hwy 205 further east by Steins Mountain.  We drop up from frenchglen (where hunter and I stayed a number of years ago).  The aspen groves were beautiful this weekend with many groves even up high still yellow.  We stopped in at fish lake for a break.  

From there we continued on to the summit of Steins Mountain.  A beautiful and deceptively high peak at over 9700 ft at its summit.  Some photos on the east rim and from the summit.  The weather was clear but cold and windy near the top.  I have always wanted o hike wild horse lake near the summit.  We didn't go down since it was getting later in the day but next time.  

From there we did the full loop on the road and decided that best place to camp would be back at fish lake that we visited earlier in the day.  We found a great camp site in the aspens.  Noah also did some tree climbing in the aspens to share.  He said he likes climbing these better than junipers :)


Sunday, we woke to clouds wind and shortly followed by rain so it was a hasty pack up to get on the road unfortunately but that is sometimes what you get at this time of year.  

Previous trips

 


HOCO 2025

I was homecoming dance last night and Abbie and her girlfriends all went together. They took pictures down by Drake Park and dinner at Noi Thai. It was Rio theme and the girls had a fun time.

Little Crater 2025

The summer went by so fast and we didn’t get up to little crater campground on Paulina lake, so I booked a campsite for the last weekend in September. The weather this fall has been great and held through the weekend, even with the higher altitude/cooler temps. PJ, Noah and I all took a dip in the lake.  Likely the last lake dip of the season. 

PJ and I hiked the summit between the 2 lakes.

Tried some new recipes out of a book Kelly had got me. Lots of fun cooking and eating around camp. PJ found these 2 little cast iron pans we have had since they were kids so he was doing small food cooks on them too. 

See you next year little crater campground.

Noah Loomis comes to visit!

Noah, my cousin came to visit. He’s serving the Air Force and currently stationed in Okinawa. For the next two months he is in Washington on assignment. He brought his friend Braden along, and we had the best time together.

We’ve only had a a handful of times together over the years, so reconnecting was really special. Our boys loved every minute with him. Going to church, sitting around the fire, hiking on Sunday, grabbing lunch downtown, flips on the trampoline and playing games. They especially loved discovering how much Noah shares their love of the outdoors. It felt like they’ve known each other forever, even though they’ve only had a little bit of time together.

One of the things we admire most about Noah is how attentive he is. He listens to the kids, ask questions, and makes everyone feel valued.

The boys are hoping that after his time in Okinawa, he’ll be stationed in the northwest so we can see more of him. 

Until next time, Noah enjoy every bit of this next season and all that God has in store for you. Who knows maybe the Donaldsons might come visit you in Japan. 

CHS Cheer is starting

Abbie decided to just focus on high school cheer this year. With starting her junior year along with working and cheer, one cheer team is plenty. Abbie is working at a local coffee shop called Coffee Republic and works before school. She loves her job and we love all the yummy drinks she makes us. 

First day of school 25/26

Last “first day” vibes all around!

📚 Preston is kicking off his 8th grade year, and last year of middle school!


🎒 Abbie’s first day of junior year, here she comes!


🎓 Noah’s last first day of high school. Here

comes his senior year!


Proud of each of them as they step into this new season. 💙

Meet Duke!

Earlier this summer Hunter was at Walmart and as he was driving out he saw a puppy in a cardboard box that someone had abandoned so he rescued in and brought him home.  We encouraged him to give him up for adoption at the Humane Society, but he wanted a dog.  We have all fallen in love with him.  You will notice how he has grown over the past few months!



Holly and Duke get along great.  I think Holly has lost weight keeping up with a puppy. (biting her ears and tail all the time).  


Last trip of the summer

Abbie and I headed down to California for a last quick trip before school started. We got to be there for Charlotte’s 10th birthday, which was really special. We also got to see California Baptist University. This is the year we will be looking at colleges for both Noah and Abbie. While we were there, we got to see Bob and Nancy and Colleen who were visiting and also Jamie and WanYe, who are right up the road from CBU. It’s always so fun going home and getting to see family.