Communication

The only way I see my husband these days.

My jokes aren't as funny via Facetime.

I'd like to think this is what Jay-Z and Beyonce do when B is on tour.

So, yeah, it's pretty much like I'm Beyonce.

How to Beat the Heat on a 104 degree day with no AC

Go to Pacific Coast, sit on a rock. Feel very cold.

When you decide that it is too cold on the beach, hike down a trail and find a creek. Don't forget your chairs and beers.

And dogs!

Submerge feet in cool stream.

Drink a giant cold beer while feet are in said stream.

Hug someone you love.

Watch the stream and your dogs.

Realax, you feel much cooler now.

Enjoy!

Have another beer.

Fall asleep in the car on the way home.

Just a Little Camping Trip

I'm beginning to feel a bit like Jack Kerouac as its been well over a week since I've been "home", which at this point "what really is home?" since I'm moving in 2 weeks.

Upon returning to Oregon, Jason, Nate, Chloe and I set out on a little weekend camping adventure at Timothy Lake, near Mt. Hood.

Timothy Lake

Our Tent and Jason: we've got camping down at this point. Our little tent, our blow-up camping pads, and our double flannel sleeping back make sleeping a tent muy enjoyable.

A selfie, a tent, a walking stick

Jason carving sticks for smores

Sunset on Timothy Lake

Pretty Colors

Nate and Jason play ukulele by lantern light

Burnt mallow

We did a nice little 6 mile hike in the Mt. Hood wilderness area on Elk Meadows Trail

Pretty hike scenery

The crew

Me on a bridge

Dangerous crossing!

Don't fall in, Chloe!

Little Crater Lake

Quesadilla game on fleek

Sleeping good in the tent

Breakfast Tacos!

Marissa!

Marissa was here (or there, rather, because I am not in Oregon right now. I am in Pittsburgh; and more on that later) a couple of weeks ago and we had some good times exploring and laughing and generally having a good time.

Road Trip to Mt. Rainer Wilderness

Camping at White River

Marissa and some mountains

Me and Mt. Ranier

Yay!

Oh, no big deal, just a mountain and an alpine lake with a reflection of a mountain glacier in it

Animal tracks! Do you see them?
I'm thinking big cat or baby bear.

Such a beautiful time at Mt. Ranier- the wildflowers were popping' off!

Cheesin'

A baby alpine tree

I held my first chicken that week too.

We also went to the coast! I love little day trips to the ocean.
 However, I am thoroughly terrified to return to the coast any time soon before I leave OR, due to the recent New Yorker article that details the natural disaster predicted to devastate the Pacific Northwest sometime in the next 10-30 years.

Love these guys

Our little family 

Marissa and I also took a day to go wine tasting! We are quite fabulous

What a treat!

Not pictured: laughing, drinking, eating, a Eugene  butte hike, coffee, impressions, and a little trip to see Magic Mike XXL.

No AC

Normally the problem of no AC wouldn't really be a problem in Eugene like it would be in NC. However, no AC becomes a problem when the Northwest experiences an unprecedented heat wave with temps nearing 100 degrees.

When you have no AC you start to learn the ropes of keeping the house somewhat cool. Things like opening the windows at night but definitely not during the day, not cooking very much, closing the blinds, and not turning on any lights. I must admit this has taught me a few things, most notably, how to appreciate a dark house and how sweating in your house is quite different than sweating outside during a run or even in the hot room doing yoga.

I've grown accustomed to this view

Cool spot