We got invited to go up boating for the day this past Sunday. Hunter and his friend Asher were tubing until their arms fell off.
Last year when my dad came to visit at the end of July we took a ride up the scenic chairlift to mid mountain on Mt Bachelor. It was a lot of fun so we decided to do the same with Pat and Sue on their visit this week. It was interesting to see the snow differences year to year. We went about 3 weeks earlier this year, but their is already less snow than when we went up last year.
The weather and snow conditions made for some great glissading with the kids.
The summer solstice is still a few weeks away but with the calendar turn to June, and some beautiful weather this weekend, we will call this the formal kick off to summer in central Oregon. Kelly was gone on girls weekend so it was the rest of the crew making the best of it! Campfire in the backyard Friday night and a day at Scout lake on Saturday. Ending of Saturday evening with a glorious sunset off the back porch.
Today Hunter’s youth group with Church did a snowshoe outing. It was also exciting for me as it was my first outdoor event since being in the hospital over a month ago. It was a great day.
To say that our summer has been busy would be an understatement. We have had lots of guests and have played a lot outdoors in beautiful Bend. Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves because we get to live in this wonderful place where people come to vacation.
Pappie arrived yesterday evening and we couldn't be happier to see him. The kids are enjoying every minute so far talking his ear off and just being silly.
We spent the day hanging out and visiting. We took a ride up to our ski hill, Mt. Bachelor. We rode up the ski lift, walked around and enjoyed the beautiful views, while still managing to throw a snowball or two.
We ended the day celebrating Pappie! Happy birthday, Pappie.... We love you!!!
Its wildflower season now in some of the lower peaks in the cascade range, so Hunter, Noah and I decided to do a 6.5 mile loop hike at Iron Mountain. You will notice in these pictures its a lot more green as this is on the western side of the cascades so more lush than our central Oregon side. We drove from Bend for about 1:10 min west on hwy 26 and parked at Tombstone pass. From the parking lot we headed east on the cone peak trail.
Within the first 1/4 mile we came to this beautiful meadow. The sign indicated it was a trading area for native Americans and a common stopping point for settlers heading west.
From hear we heading up a number of switchbacks to the flanks of cone peak where Iron Mountain came into view to the west (with the big rocky pinnacle on the left/south side.)
Next we headed down to the saddle between cone peak and iron mountain, and across the north side before starting switch backs up the north side. As we exited trees, wildflowers started again. We actually might have been a little early.. I expect things will really explode in the next 1-2 weeks.
Upon reaching the summit, we were treated to amazing 360 degree views! We spent a good 45 min up there eating lunch, exploring and enjoying the views. A quick 1.5 miles took us back down to the car.
Fresh off last weekends avalanche course, my neighbor, friend and fell classmate Abe, wanted to head up early and ski Tumalo (across the road from Mt Bachelor) mountain this morning for his birthday! Hunter was up at the hill yesterday, Noah had a friend over, so I was able to head up.
Here is Tumalo mountain in the summer.
A trip up Tumalo mountain last winter in Jan 2016 (snow conditions were much much better today)
We got up there at 6:30 and headed out just as we got some nice morning alpen-glow on Mt Bachelor.
It was a cold morning but clear and beautiful as we headed to the top. Note in the first photo down low that is the parking lot at the main lodge of bachelor still empty at this time.
Couple shots of the top before taking our first run down the bowl on the north side.
Shots from the bowl (our first tracks)
Video - me laying some fresh tracks on a section of the bowl
Over the presidents day weekend, I did the first 2 of 3 days doing an Avalanche course (level 1). Last day will take place in march. As I have started doing more back country skiing, it felt like a good thing do get some additional training on. Obviously best option is to avoid getting into situations where there is likelihood of one happening, and actually that's exactly what we spent a large portion of day 1 working on. Mostly training but still got out and a couple runs near the end of the day in some nice powder.
If you are wondering - the picture of me in the hole with the shovel - this is called a compression test, where you dig a pit, and test the different layers, and how well they hold together. Interestingly when we probed the snow to the ground we were standing on about 7 feet of snow.
I took these this morning as the moon was setting over the mountains and the sun was rising. The moon looks huge as it gets closer to the ground.
We all went to the mountain today. Hunter was boarding with a friend and we put PJ in a day lesson.
The remaining 4 Donaldsons skied together!
