This will be a BIG post, with plenty of pictures. In mid-August, we took a 1.5 week vacation in Oregon. On the way there, we stopped in the Tri-Cities, WA, to take a little lunch and Iris-exercise break, and Iris discovered Kennewick's outdoor, free, water park. There was no keeping her out of it, so she just went ahead and got soaked.
Our first destination was the John Day area of Oregon's central desert. We stayed in Antelope, in a house owned by Deb's cousin. The area was beautiful and quiet and very interesting, both topographically and historically. Antelope wasn't much for news until the Rajneeshies essentially took over the town in the mid-80s. The photos show a short hike in the desert, and Charles and Iris at the county fair/rodeo we stumbled upon in nearby Fossil. Iris especially liked the chickens and the cookie displays, and was quite the celebrity at the BBQ in the community center. The ice cream was Iris' first ice cream CONE, which the vendor in Shaniko insisted was an important experience, and so Iris got her first cone, free.
We then traveled to Portland and stayed with Deb's Aunt and Uncle. We took Iris to the Children's Museum, and a nearby playground, using the wagon for transport.
The last part of our vacation was on the Oregon Coast, so Iris could see an ocean again and enjoy the sand. Splashing is about Iris' favorite activity. In the 'screaming' photo, she is simply beside herself with joy, as she swims in Tillamook Bay. She also liked seeing kites and shells and sand dollars.
Deb
