Category Archives: Photography

Signs You Might Be in China

You wonder why you wake up in the morning with legs so sore that you can barely walk and then realize that, oh yes, it’s because you hiked  part of THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.

You risk your life every time you catch a cab… and cross the street. You may even get kicked out of a cab because the driver doesn’t want to take you to your destination and then find yourself doing the foreigner walk of shame down a busy street in search of a much more friendly driver (and yes, we did eventually find one).

You both appreciate, and question, the local architecture.

You’re tempted to eat PROBABLY the best steak in town but decide to look for something more definite.

The restaurant menu is bigger than your head.

Peking duck!

You resist buying a few questionable souvenirs

But you make sure you haggle for the ones you do buy (and then discover later that you were negotiating for ten minutes over a 10c difference).

You unexpectedly discover what a pre-dried date looks – and tastes – like.

Surprisingly tasty – especially when they come dipped in sugar.

You happen upon some interesting building art (no further comment).

You find yourself hoping FedEx takes a little more care with your packages.

You see splashes of red around almost every corner.

Beijing! What an incredible experience.

Back soon to share about a thousand photos of the Great Wall of China and more.

Post-Travel Fog

Two weeks ago…

Last week…

Today…

  • Back at work and existing on three hours of sleep thanks to some lingering Jet Lag.
  • In denial that Xmas is three weeks away (and Kei’s birthday is next week)!
  • Proud of myself for remembering to put out Happi the elf (being unable to get back to sleep at 2:30am has some advantages)
  • Coming down from the lingering high that follows three weeks of travel to two amazing countries and the wonderful experiences that are too numerous to count.

Back soon with more stories and photos.

Great Oregon Road Trip: Heceta Head Lighthouse and Home Sweet Home

Read all Great Oregon Road Trip posts here.

After 10 days on the road, it was finally time to head back home. Our comfy beds were awaiting us and I know the boys were eager to get back to their toys. Absence makes the heart grown fonder, especially when it comes to Lego.

On the drive up Highway 101, we made one final stop at the Heceta Head Lighthouse, a beautifully historic landmark just North of Florence. Kei and I walked up to the top with the boys while Mum and Dad took in the ocean view from the parking lot.

After the walk back down the hill, Thomas and I spent some time on the beach.

 

It was a fitting farewell to a wonderful vacation. In a few hours we’d be home and then, in just a couple of days, my parents were headed on the next part of their adventure. We soon headed back to work and school, but with the satisfied feeling that comes from a vacation well spent. Thanks for the memories, Oregon.

Great Oregon Road Trip: Goodbye Florence

Read all Great Oregon Road Trip posts here.

We spent our final few hours in Florence enjoying a little shopping on the main street (salt water taffy!) and just taking it easy. Our vacation was coming to an end and it was time to head home. But, first, a few more photos and one last Pacific sunset.

We visited the Books and Bears store (which sells exactly what the store name promises) a couple of times. I love it that my boys were more excited about the prospect of browsing a bookstore than a toy store.

After a sadly unsatisfying meal at the Maple Street Grille (frozen shrimp, ugh!), we headed back to the hotel and one last sunset over the dunes.

Then Samuel came outside and blessed me with a couple of photos in the gorgeous fading light.

Goodbye Florence. Tomorrow we head home.

Great Oregon Road Trip: Dunes National Recreation Area

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On day two of our stay in Florence Oregon, we decided to explore The Dunes. Thankfully, we were there on a weekday toward the end of Summer so we had them almost entirely to ourselves, but unfortunately, my Dad and my Husband were feeling under the wether so we didn’t spend as much time there as I would have liked. It was also very windy and cold on the beach side of the dunes so our visit was short.

The dunes still made an impression though, even if we didn’t jump in a dune buggy. A walk was enough adventure for our little group… as well as a few photos, of course.

Great Oregon Road Trip: Florence, Oregon Coast

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Florence, Oregon was our pitstop of choice on the drive back up the Oregon Coast to Portland.

It’s a pretty little seaside town that just happens to border the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. We stayed at the River House Inn which was reasonably priced, very clean and only a short walk from the historic district and boat docks.

We spent the first evening walking around the historic district before getting dinner at 1285 Restobar which I would highly recommend for their Cioppino (seriously delicious!). Although I wouldn’t recommend sitting outside if you can help it. It was a little chilly for the adults in our group who were feeling under the weather.

Our hotel was located near the bridge so I spent some time after dinner photographing the bridge and the surrounding area in various states of sunset.

Great Oregon Road Trip: Endert Beach, Crescent City

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Our our way back from the Redwoods, we decided to stop to explore some tide pools at Endert Beach. What we thought was going to be a short stroll down from the parking lot turned out to be a mile and a half, 45 degree hike downhill. I thought the kids would struggle after an already busy day, but they seemed to have an endless supply of energy. I can’t say the same for all of the adults in the group. At the bottom of the (very long) trail, we emerged onto a nearly-deserted beach. The tide was on it’s way in but we still managed to find a few shallow rockpools with some colorful surprises. After just a few minutes, the grandparents decided the tide was coming in too quickly and went to find higher ground. And then after just a few more minutes, Kei and decided that we should probably start heading for higher ground as well (note to self: check for low tides before heading in search of rock pools). It was a short visit, especially after such a long hike, but I think it was worth it if only for the good night’s sleep that we all got as a result. On our final our evening in Crescent City, the sunset, the lighthouse and the moon all bid us a fond farewell. Next: The final leg of our journey