Donaldson Crew Adventures

Memorial Day Long weekend 2016.

Saturday we did work around the house so after church today we decided to go explore a new location in the area.  We decided to head down to LaPine State Park, which is about 25-30 minutes South of Bend off Highway 97.  

Our first site was the 'Big Tree'.  It is the largest (by circumference) Douglas fir tree in the World.  It used to be the largest in girth and in height but a storm knocked the top over many years ago, so that honor is taken by a tree in northern California.  

After visiting the Big Tree we went for our first every family mountain bike ride on the Fall River loop that departs from the McGregor Overlook parking area.  A 4.75 mile ride mostly flat with a few ups and downs.  Along the way  Hunter, Noah and I did the small offshoot to see Fall River Falls.

Fall afternoon family walk at Shevlin Park.   

Our day started early with a 9 am pre-booked Jarvey Ride in Killarney Park to Ross Castle with Killarney Jaunting Cars.

The Jarvey ride took us to Ross Castle on the edge of the lake inside the park.  

After our jarvey ride we went and picked up some food for a picnic and headed south into the park in search of a good picnic spot.  We first drove down to a place called 'Lady's view' which of course had a nice view but little picnic spots.  We then drove back north and stopped at Muckross House and Gardens again still inside the park.  Muckross house is a manor house on the lake that is now a public garden.  We picked a nice spot on the lawn between the house and the lake.

After lunch we headed back to our hotel for Preston's afternoon nap.  After waking we drop up to a high point near Aghadoe church ruins and gives great views of the lake and park:

This evening was our second date night of the trip.  I had pre-booked a babysitter and the plan was to do dinner and go to a show called Celtic steps.  We had a nice dinner at a restaurant called the Smoke House.  From there we proceeded to the Celtic Steps show arriving just as it started.  It was Irish singing, music and dancing at its finest.  Highly recommended! 

After flying into Bend yesterday (Saturday) evening, with good weather predicted for Sunday a few of us from work decided to get up and hike Smith Rock this morning.  Plus, getting outside in the sun is a good way to reset your internal clock to reduce the effects of jet lag.  It was a spectacular walk over Misery Hill and then back along the river.  First time hiking over the top for me.  Great views of the snowy cascades as well as the famous Monkey Face rock formation.  We also saw a rattle snake on the trail too, which is quite rare.  One of the dogs in our party scared it out of its hiding place in the grass beside the trail.  No bite on the dog thankfully.