Hammond Trip 2013: Oregon

We've made a habit of taking extravagant yearly trips in my extended family (extravagant compared to staycations, that is,) and I'm afraid the blame is all mine.  I broke prior tradition and planned a rafting trip to Moab years ago, and our reunions have never been the same since.  This year, it was the Oregon Coast.  We missed a few of the annual trips while we were back East, so I exerted my influence yet again for this trip now that we're home.  I cringed a bit during the 40 hours of road travel on our itinerary, but in the end, I think we all agreed that this epic trip was actually worth it. 

35 people in 8 cars choo-chooing  along through Utah, Idaho, Oregon, California and Nevada over 9 days.  We tacked on the California and Nevada segment so we could visit my Dad's boyhood home in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California on our way home.  This also happens to be where my parents spent their honeymoon, so we heard plenty of stories with a wink and a smile.  Such a fun part of the trip.

I'll let my sampling of pictures speak mostly for themselves, beginning with the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls, outside of Portland, then on to the Coast...

 

 

 

 

 

I'm still not sure how many pictures can fit on one post.  Let's keep going...

 

 

(oops, blurry, but one shot of most of the gang)

No, I'm not expecting.  Neither is Creighton... (I'll be donating this shirt. ;) )

 

 

 

One of my favorite parts about family trips:  helpers.

Ahh, the refreshing Northwest.  So good to be back.  This forest reminded me so much of our yard in Washington.

 

 

To be Continued.