Belknap Hot Springs

The second half of our Oregon summer vacation began in the beautiful Belknap Hot Springs Resort, with Brant's extended family, for their annual reunion.  We were happy to be able to join them this year, which was the first time our kids have experienced the "Mitchell Family Campout."  The weather was not in our favor, but we still had a great time and made the best of the rainy cold, which included several dips in the pool that is heated directly from the hot springs source next to the McKenzie River.

We had a great time reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters -- the whole crew!  It was fun to be together again, playing board games, floating boats Grandpa Dale made, swimming in the hot springs, eating yummy food, playing field games, even enjoying ice cream - despite the cold weather!

Grandma surprised the kids with new blankets she made!  They were elated!

April, my SIL, and Adalie, my oldest niece, playing in the rain!

These fun umbrellas came out to play -- originals from Amber and Justin's Valentine's Day wedding a few years ago.  My kids had never seen them before, make them even more of an exciting, novel thing!

The kids loved playing on the tire swing...and I loved that we weren't in the camper right.next.door to this swing!!

There is a "Secret Garden" located on the property of Belknap that became the favorite go-to destination, both for the fun of walking the trail to get there, and for floating the wooden boats Grandpa Dale made for all of his grandkids!

This boy insisted on going to the Secret Garden just about every waking hour -- and yes, he even managed to fall in during the first visit!

Isn't it enchanting?

We took a break from the Secret Garden, to enjoy a rousing game of softball.

April and Zoie, ready to hit.

The grounds of Belknap were so enticing to explore and venture out upon, particularly when the sun would come out!  Adalie, Maddie and Savannah (who is Brant's cousin's daughter).

The McKenzie River

The main hot springs source, that heats the pools!

My eldest niece, Adalie, and I really enjoyed the moments we could connect and have more "adult" conversations.  She's growing up into such a beautiful young lady.

Grandpa Dale, with Adalie and Geoffrey -- who was fixated on making it back to the Secret Garden!

More fun with boats!

April, Kylia and Adalie

It was raining, but when a pool is heated by hot springs, it doesn't matter!

Geoffrey and Brant

The Belknap Lodge -- so much greenery!

Apparently, this is what he looks like when he is jumping.  Who knew? 

Sweet Leilani, watching all the jump-rope action.

Kylia and Grandpa, having a double jump-off!

Now that's what I call a happy, enjoying-camp-food, girl!

Seth, roasting hot-dogs on a stick, like a pro.

Our final morning, before packing up and departing for our week-long camping trip in Union Creek!  We enjoyed coffee and breakfast indoors, away from the rain outside.  We had such a great time being back at the annual campout, even with the rain! 

Vacationing in Central Oregon Part 3 of 3

While on vacation in Sunriver, we spent an afternoon exploring the nearby Lava Cast Forest, walking along a paved trail that allowed us a glimpse into the strange world of tree molds formed 7,000 years ago by molten lava.  It was a fascinating hike and definitely enjoyed by all!

We had "the cool car," because it held all of these wonderfully animated little humans, on all of our outings. ;)

The trees were twisted like this, whether lying on the ground, or sticking up into the air.

Another selfie with my dad - he's such a willing subject!

It was beautiful to see pops of color and "life" throughout the lava rock. 

The little explorers!  I was impressed that we made it out of this hike without a single scraped knee!

An example of a tree mold.  As we were all telling the kids not to get too close, Brant proceeded to climb into the hole,  bringing each child down with him, one by one.  They were in heaven.

But the fun didn't stop there.  He found many more.  This one, we managed to keep the kids out of because it was too narrow and deep, and he wouldn't be able to carry them down.  It even had a tunnel at the bottom where a root had once been, and he climbed out the other side! 

Peek-a-boo!

Popping out the other side.

So curious (and jealous they can't join him).

Pop goes the weasel! 

Grandma Kris with her happy companion, Joy.

Some of the men. 

Ellie and Maddie found a tree mold they could climb into on their own.

So did Grandpa Pat! 

The Cascades, dominating the backdrop.

Awe. So sweet.

And then this happened. 

As we're taking a mommy-daughter picture, Brant is taking the opportunity to find a high rock and climb to the top.  Typical. ;)

They are always watching, wondering when it will be their turn.

What you can't tell from this picture is the dramatic drop-off on the other side of this boulder.  It was quite high. 

Sort of an obligatory pose on top of a giant rock, don't you think?

I just love these two together, leading the way.

Prior to our hike, Brant and I rented a tandem bike for 24 hours, which was great fun!  We've done it in the past and always really enjoyed it.

After our hike and dinner, several of us went for an evening ride around the river loop, which is a favorite anytime of day.

Taken while riding, but still a pretty shot.

We also celebrated my sister's birthday while we were on vacation!  In order for the big kids to have some time together, my parents' had planned to take the grandkids out on my dad's boat for a few hours, while we went out for lunch.

Raring and ready to go!

Just 5 minutes after this picture was taken, my dad received a phone call saying that his father was dying, and he should try to make it back.  They all returned, my dad left, and my mom graciously remained with the family, and even took the kids swimming so our lunch plans could still happen.  It was a blurry afternoon, but one that was covered with good memories, and celebratory moments with my sister.

 Happy Birthday, Sarah!

The night Grandpa Pat was away, we played at a fun rock-climbing park.

My little one.

Buds.

Even Sarah got in on the fun!

My dad was a trooper, and arrived back less than 24 hours later, which equaled quite a bit of driving on his part.  We were happy to be together again as a family, and embraced our final day by taking the boat out on the water.

He's in one of us "happy places"--- the boat he built. 

We opted for rowing rather than sailing, particularly because the little kids were with us.

They all fit and had a grand time in Grandpa Pat's boat!

Sisters.

Brant enjoyed rowing, too (the kids are behind him).

And so concludes the first half of our Oregon vacation from this past summer.  This particular trip will be remembered for more than a few reasons, filled with emotional highs and lows, and even defining more of what our soon-to-be-future was/is to look like, living in this area.  What a great week we had!