Labor Day

We got up early on Monday, Dad picked us up and we headed for the Coast, stopping in Sisters for breakfast at the bakery. We drove to Lincoln City and went for a hike on the cliff just north of town. The beginning of the hike was great. Downhill all the way. Such a beautiful trail and every now and then you could hear sea lions. It was almost 3 miles to the bottom of the trail and after we walked about a mile we decided to head back. I am so glad we turned around when we did. The hike back was torture. I am clearly out of shape. Although if I lived there I think I would try to hike it sometime, the whole thing.

Jayden found some slugs. And...

he picked one up.
The view from the top.
Weakened by our hike, we picked up lunch at Safeway and found a picnic table overlooking the beach. It was in the 60's which is pretty warm for the Oregon Coast.

This is so typical...but I love this shot.


We drove from Lincoln City down to Florence. One of my family's first trips to the coast, when I was maybe Jayden's age, was to Florence. We stayed in a camper in front of this cottage that belongs to my Dad's cousin. It was built by my Great, Great Grandfather. Jayden thought it was really cool "getting to see something my ancestors built".

Took this photo thru the window, Dad said it looks exactly the same as the last time we saw it.


And we had dinner in Florence at the Hot Rod Grill. Dad and Jayden love this kinda thing.
Our table was inside an old car.

We headed back home, but had to drive thru Eugene on the way. After seeing the cabin, Dad and I were enjoying talking about old memories. I asked if he still remembered how to get to my Great Grandmother's house and he drove us there. This is it. It doesn't look like it does in my memories. Dad said it used to be green and the garage used to be a carport. I also remember a mailbox attached to the front of the house and an apple tree in the back yard. Next we drove around some places Dad used to hang out at as a kid and I even remembered going to some of those places when I was a kid.
We drove to the top of Skinner Butte where you get an awesome view of downtown Eugene.
And Jayden sat on the big yellow "O" on the side of the butte.
And no trip to Eugene would be complete without a stop at Autzen. Go Ducks.
We got home late and the next day was the first day of school for Jayden. Most moms make sure their kids are in bed early the night before the big first day. I have never been real good at bed times.

First Day of School Post coming soon...and he stayed awake all day.