Our California Vacation

Santa Barbara, California was calling our name this last weekend. We headed there for a wedding and some fun with great friends from Alaska. I, of course, worked a hike into the trip. We did a hike called the 7 Pools, and made it to that location. The water level wasn't very deep due to lack of rain in the last week, but it was still really beautiful.

Brian on our hike

The landscape is a little different than Oregon. Very dry, no tall trees in this area.

While hiking, Brian was desperate to find and catch a lizard. When he finally did, we were all surprised when the lizard did the only thing it could to escape...release it's tail. We all laughed and watched the tail twitch for a few seconds without it's owner.

The lizard's tail

We made it to the beach just once on this trip. Brian and a friend, Daniel both went and played in the waves. Just a little too cold for me though!!!

Saturday morning before the wedding Brian and I headed out to a park about 5 minutes from Solvang, California. Solvang is a beautiful little town surrounded by wine country. Quite the tourist destination.

Here is some of the countryside.

Dan and Brian, we are waiting to meet up with friends. 

A picture of one of the many cool buildings in Solvang.

I will blog next about the wedding and the amazing venue. Although I just realized I don't have a picture of the bride and groom!!

Weekend at the Beach

A few months ago, two girlfriends and I (Wendy) decided we needed a weekend at the beach. So, we planned the date, secured a little A-frame home, and waited. Unfortunately, one friend, Sarah couldn't make it due to some unplanned, early contractions. But, Darla and I enjoyed two nights in Oceanside, Oregon.

Lovely beach weather. Oceanside, OR.

We checked out some touristy sites around our area. One of them being this very large tree. 

Here is Darla next to the tree. 

 Cape Meares Lighthouse

We really had some great weather. God took care of us and provided the sunshine and dry skies. 

1st Hike of 2012

It is a beautiful day today! Sunshine and blue skies!! So, I (Wendy) decided to go on my first hike of the year. I've decided that I need to do one a month for this whole year. (At least one a month.) I'm sure in the summer I will do more than the one. So today I chose to go on a 5.6 mile loop past Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls. I've been to the majestic Multnomah Falls more times than I can count, but have never seen the Wahkeena Falls. 

Multnomah Falls and bridge

Lovely sunshine on the trail. 

Wahkeena Falls