Oregon Tour

              

Amazing hiking trail on Mt. Hood

 

It is hard to decide where to start, where to resume our story from our last post. We have had an adventurous and exciting tale since our move back to Sitka. We spent June house sitting for our friends the Adams in Sitka and looking semi-aggressively at housing. We realized we had our hands full with the housing search. Prices are high and the options are limited.

Sarah and Emily on Mt. Hood

As July arrived, we ended our house sitting and decided to venture south, to Oregon to visit family and escape the uncertainty of where we were going to live. Our trip in July was the relaxation and family time we needed and desired. We spent the days deciding what our adventure would be and then eating delicious food cooked by Mary Ann. The weather was amazing, sun and warmth filled the days and the nights were comfortable and clear. We were able to squeeze in trips to Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge. We jumped in multiple creeks flowing down from the mountain and peered at waterfalls throughout the Gorge that flow towards the immense Columbia River. It was my first time in Oregon during the summer and I was enamored with the abundance of fun and exciting things to do. And of course we had the ability to hang out with family and friends, making the visit even sweeter.

Us with the Loeb clan--before we got soaking wet!

                Along with the countless days of mountain hopping and waterfall spotting, we had an EPIC water balloon fight with Mary, Lucy, and even Ryan at Megan and Curtis’ house. The boundary of the battle consisted of the fenced-in backyard, which made for opposing sides to be close together. With the proximity, strategy was a key component for one to stay dry. But, none would be dry by the end of the hour-long balloon battle. I do want all to know that I was teamed up against by Emily, Lucy, and Mary. I felt that the Buck blood boiled still from the Triathlon in Sitka. Their competitive spirits overwhelmed their rationality and decided to take it out on my poor unsuspecting soul. But, as many Clarks know, we are a smart and resourceful bunch. Although I was clearly outnumbered and out ballooned, I made sure none of the girls went home dry.

Going for a walk with Chena and Mary and Lucy

Jim and little Ryan! 



Em and Mary Ann



Ramona Falls



CHENA turned TWO!  Mary Ann baked her a dog treat cake for her special day!

Sunset at Crater Lake

                The balloon battle was not the only epic adventure. Emily, Mary Ann, Jim, and I drove down to Bend, Oregon where Tom, Amy, Chiara, Liesl, and, now, Pascal live. Jim had a bike race and we spent a long weekend enjoying the dry, warm climate of Bend. Emily and I visited Crater Lake National Park, which is a spectacular park with an amazing crater ridge drive that allowed us to drive around the entirety of the lake and view the surrounding mountains and terrain. We loved the visit but we struggled with sleep at the National Park’s campground. It seemed that the natural beauty of Crater Lake sunk deep into many folks, inspiring them to visit the campground. That inspiration also encouraged them to drink heavily in the campground. We had multiple groups around us having parties and drinking, while being loud and rowdy. Someone next to us ended up getting arrested. What was even more ironic was that we slept in the backyard of Amy and Tom’s place a few nights, located in a developed neighborhood of Bend, and woke up to a deer walking past our tent and slept with ease and quietness.

Beautiful Crater Lake



                When returning from Crater Lake we were met with even more water balloons. As Emily and I unsuspectingly walked into the house, from the balcony above the garage came water balloons whizzing by. Splash, splash by our feet. We tried to combat back, but with the high ground Liesl and Chiara had the upper hand. We could only try to hide and stay dry. The two girls showed us their biking skills later and also took us to the local playground. We had a wonderful time with the Bahrman crew and were ecstatic to be able to visit so much family!

Bahrman biker gang

Chiara, Liesl, and the newest addition- Pascal!

                After our visit to Oregon, which was hard to leave after family, fun, and delicious food, we came back to Sitka. Without a place to rent, we moved in to our friend Matt’s house. Matt Hunter has been both of our friends since we separately arrived in Sitka. He lives with our other friend Patrick. The two were so flexible and understanding of our situation that they opened their doors to us. We were so thankful to have friends like these two, no matter where we lived.

Smith Rocks- where all the German tourists are!

                We spent the next month living with the two and showing Chena her new home in Sitka. We were afraid of how Chena would adapt to the Southeast, but with each day she seemed more and more comfortable with her new surroundings. She seemed ready to be a wet, muskeg jumping pup of the Alexander Archipelago.

One of the many times, chena has fallen face first into mud puddles or muskegs

                From mid-July to mid-August we spent most of our time with the apprehension of the start of school looming. Not that we were not excited, but both Emily and I were nervous to start our positions at Sitka High. We knew how busy we were about to be and tried desperately to enjoy every last second of our work-free summer. But, as school has been going for a month now, we are definitely busy but we are definitely in high spirits and loving what we do. It is hard work but rewarding. Emily is teaching three Health classes, two College prep courses, and a Shape and Tone class. I am teaching three sessions of Freshman history and English block classes. It is great to spend our lunches together and keep each other motivated about the day.

                As the summer ended we talked about what to do next summer. But with so many adventurous days ahead at the school and at our new apartment, we will enjoy each passing day and put our energy into our new work one day at a time, all the while, of course, walking and hiking with Chena in her new stomping grounds.   More posts to come about some of our other fun summer adventures in Sitka.