Well, I've been a slacker about posting lately and have a lot to catch up on. So, here goes...


Late April, we went camping for the first time this season. We decided to go on a hike to Mt Thielsen.


As you can see, Keizer loves water in all its forms.

In May, I attended a teacher workshop for Project Learning Tree, an environmental education program, on the coast for a couple days. On my way there, I stopped at an elk viewing station. I was surprised by the number of elk I saw there.




Next, I stopped to get a glimpse of the Oregon Dunes, which extend about 40 miles along the OR coast. Sadly, these unique formations are frequented by many ATV's, which make them a poor site for peace and quiet.

The workshop was held at a Girl Scout Camp next to a lake. While waiting for the other participants to arrive, I had a chance to meander on a few of the hiking trails.


Lake Cleawox


A Stellar Jay


The blooms of the beautiful but invasive Scotch Broom

The infamous Skunk Cabbage


Shelf fungus


Osprey nest with two chicks


Sunset over the lake

Not long after, I flew to Boise for a Zoo Alliance Meeting. It was held at Zoo Boise. Following the meeting, I had the opportunity to get a look at the city.


This is the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Even though I have no idea what Anne Frank has to do with Idaho, it was a beautiful memorial none the less.

The walls of the memorial were inscribed with famous humanitarian quotes, like this favorite of mine…

Capital building


Egyptian Theater


"City of Trees" - ah I love Art Nouveau


Not sure about this one…

Nice to see in such a conservative area

Old Boise train depot

The Boise Mountains overlook the city.

I returned from Boise to find our beautiful rose bushes in full bloom. Its not call 'Rose'burg for nothing…

For our birthdays, we had a failed backpacking trip to the coast (we went to hike on a trail that didn't really exist… who knew?). So instead, we just spent the day on the beach. As you can see, Keizer was all for that idea.


We intended to hike to this mountain, Mt Humbug (1,670 ft), the tallest mountain in the continental US that directly descends into the sea.

As the tide went out, we got a look at some cool sea creatures, muscles, starfish, anemones, etc.

These are gooseneck barnacles, which were slowly drawing back into their shells as the ocean water receded. Apparently they are considered a delicacy in several Mediterranean countries… if only we had known…

On my birthday, we hiked to Grotto Falls in the Umpqua Forest. This beautiful, multi-tier falls gets it name from the deep hollow behind the lower 2 falls, seen here and below.

View from behind the 2nd falls.

It was a drizzly day and we had to hike a steep, slippery, pine needle covered trail to get to the upper falls, but as you can see, it was worth it.

In June, my Mom came in to visit us. Keizer loves it when his grandma comes to visit, she always brings him goodies…