Oregon/Washington Trip

What a great 10 days back home! I flew out of New Orleans on August 12th bound for Portland, OR and returned to Florida on August 23rd. The main purpose of the trip was to pick up the kids and bring them home from their summer up in Oregon. I love getting back to my home. The weather, people and scenery can't be beat! The weather was perfect. I also took the kids along with lots of my family to some of the best places in western Oregon and Washington.

I arrived late on Wed the 12th. My Dad picked me up from the airport. I was amazed at how much cooler the weather was than in Florida. This summer has been a hot one in NW Florida. I had to get my fleece out of my luggage to keep from freezing to death. The temp was around 58f that night! As soon as we got to my parent's place I went to bed. I was tired from traveling.

The next morning my Dad dropped me off at Ham Radio Outlet in Portland, OR. I was waiting for my father in law to pick me up. He is a recently licensed ham. He is Mike KF7EFU from Eugene, OR. I had a good time looking around the store while waiting for him to arrive. I took the oppurtunity to show the guys my PFR-3 which they liked. Once Mike showed up we walked around the store and I explained everything to him. From there we loaded up and went to Eugene where the XYL's family lives.

I spent the next few days with the kids running around the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley. I always make it a point to head over to Florence, OR to see the beaches and beautiful coast line. The huge trees, hills and sheer cliffs above the ocean are an amazing sight. Ann has been hounding us to death for a couple of years to take her to the Sea Lion Caves. I finally gave in and took her. We also went to Bob Creek. This is a spot on the beach north of Florence, OR that has some great tide pools for the kids to explore.

Ann taking a moment to pose at the Sea Lion Caves.


Neat picture of the inside of the cave.


Heceta Head Lighthouse from inside the caves.


Bob Creek




Tyler and Daddy at the tide pools.


Ann posing again.


From Oregon the kids and I went back to Washington where my family lives. We spent the next two days in Woodland, WA on the Columbia River in their RV. The RV site was very nice and it was located right on the river. I was able to get on the air twice while there. While the conditions were tough the following pictures will show you how much fun it was to get on the air.

Tyler and Daddy making contacts on the Columbia River.




Sunset on the Columbia River




During the two days that we were in Woodland my Dad and I took the kids to the Johnston Observatory at Mount St. Helens. More info is located here http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/NatMonument/PointsInterest/johnston_ridge.html . What a truly amazing place! We also took Ann & Tyler to the Portland Zoo. The kids had a great time and Tyler had a chance to see his favorite animal of them all. The elephant.

Mt St. Helens from the Johnston Observatory






Elephants at the Portland Zoo.


Tyler on the train at the zoo.


From Woodland we went up to Forks, WA. Forks sits way up on the NW side of the Olympic Penninsula. If you like rain, rivers, trees and everything green then this is the place for you. It is truly an amazing place. My Dad and I took the kids to Rialto Beach and The Hoh Rainforest while we were there. More information on the Olympic Penninsula can be found here http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and here http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/ .

Driving through Aberdeen, WA.






Me and the Welcome to Forks sign.
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Main St. Forks, WA


Ann & Tyler in front of the truck used in the movie "Twilight"


Pictures of Rialto Beach.








Ann posing on a HUGE piece of driftwood.


Ann showing off her driftwood house.


Tyler enjoying the driftwood.




W6EOD at Rialto Beach.


Sunset at Rialto.






My Dad and Tyler the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center sign.


Hoh River




Tyler trying to climb a 200' spruce tree.


Phone booth at the Hoh Rainforest visitor center. Remember that this place gets 100+ inches of rain every year!


Pictures of us on the Hall of Mosses trail.










This trip was definitely about being with family and having a good time. I did enjoy the small amount of time I spent on my PFR-3. I managed a few contacts into Texas and the midwest. One thing that really supprised me about making contacts up in the NW is how much quieter the bands are than back home in Florida. I know that the Pacific NW doesn't have nearly the amount of hams as 4 land, but I never expected there to be that little activity.

Awesome trip back to my home state. It was also a great opportunity to spend the time with my family that I don't get very often. Hope you enjoy the read and hope to work you soon. 72!

Steve