Our September was great. After their 3 week chemistry class at OSU the twins came home until they needed to leave for their fall term on September 27th. We had a lot of fun with our last few weeks of summer before everyone left for school. The twins friend, Aiden Duncan, came to Oregon for a visit. The boys met him in 6th grade and were friends for a few years before his family moved to Australia so it was fun to catch up with him again. Every year a swarm of migrating swifts fly through Portland and for some reason one of their rest stops is this giant chimney at a school in Portland. We have heard about this for years but we finally made it work to actually go see them. It was so cool! The birds circle around in the sky and then all of a sudden they all shoot down into the chimney and make a really cool black funnel cloud...I hope we remember to go again, it was really neat. My hiking buddies have talked about the "fruit loop" before but I had never gone so we finally got a chance to go. We drove out to Hood River and then you drive from farm to farm and they each have a cute little farm store to buy things or taste test things. It was really cute and super fun. We also did a great hike up to a waterfall! Like I said, it was a great September:)
We rode a bike trail that goes from Scapoose into Vernonia. We didn't do the whole trail, just the last 6 miles or so into Vernonia. Most of the trail was just fine but some of it was very steep! I had to get off my bike and walk up the hill. It was a beautiful day and I got fish tacos in Vernonia so I guess it all worked out:)
One of the beautiful views on the bike ride.
Not only was it steep, it was also on gravel so I just didn't feel very safe. Luckily Hyrum took pity on Julian and I and he rode his bike back to the van and then drove into Vernonia to pick Julian and I up:)
We spent a day at the Tillamook Forestry Center. I have always wanted to come here and we drive by it every time we head to Tillamook so I'm really glad I finally got the chance to check it out. This is Julian and Hyrum on their way up the lookout tower.
View from the top of the tower. Back in the day they used towers like these that were scattered throughout the forest to watch for wild fires.
We did a short hike to see Wilson Falls, it was a lovely little walk through the forest
More hiking, it got pretty steep in some places
Wilson Falls, it wasn't much to look at really but I'm still glad we found it:)
Julian's first day of high school. My babies are all so grown up. I know he will do fantastic this year, he is just like his brothers and wants to do well in all his classes.
I had to report to the county courthouse for jury duty. Luckily I wasn't selected for a trial, but I'm happy I could do my part for our justice system.
My friend, Sherry Work, and I went to see John Oliver stand up comedy. It was a blast!
Our boat still didn't have a mast but one evening we just went down to the river to motor around a bit and jump in the water for a swim.
We like to motor over to the Sauvie Island light house and swim around the little cove and beach.
The school chimney where the swifts rest for the night. This was a photo I took before any of the birds showed up. We had to wait until a little past sunset for any of the show to start.
All those little black dots are birds diving into the chimney. It was so crazy to watch! How do they not just crash into each other as they all fly into that small space? There must have been thousands of birds!
Enjoying a sushi lunch with Aiden
Hyrum finally got the mast put back up and we went for a great sail with Aiden and the boys.
We stopped at Camp 18 for lunch on our way to the coast for the day.
Playing on the swings at Seaside
The weather was amazing! We are so lucky to live so close to the ocean:)
We played a few rounds of fascination. The twins each won a round of "blackout"
We drove Aiden to Corvallis to see where the twins go to college
All of the boys playing at the new park in Hillsboro
Our first stop on the Fruit Loop. The asian pears were delicious!
It was such a beautiful day and being out in all that farmland was so pretty!
At the start of our hike to Tamanawas waterfall
The leaves were just beginning to change color
We made it to the waterfall:)
We spent a whole day in Corvallis "trimming" this giant apple tree in our yard
There were about 1 billion apples that fell onto the lawn so we had a great time hauling branches but also picking up apples. Landon Child came down and helped us out:)
By the end of the day this entire dumpster was totally full! We probably cut down about 15 feet of apple tree...I guess we will wait until next year to see if it survives or provides any fruit.
These two packed up their car and headed off to Corvallis for another year of school. I can't believe they are Sophomores in college! They are doing so well with their school work, I'm so proud of them:)
Julian led the stretching exercises for his fencing class
Went for a pretty crazy sail. The wind was gusting up to 20 knots and the waves were pretty crazy crashing over our boat. The new mast held firm. I think if it could survive that day of sailing it must be secure!
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