After the night at the Loughmillers, we went on to the coast where we rented a house in Seaside. Loughmillers joined us that night. We had a great time and the boys stocked up on their carbs with a spaghetti dinner. Then early the next morning we all drove back to Portland where Russell and Terry raced. Here are some photos:
These pictures are ordered backwards, but I am too lazy to switch them. So here is the end of the race.
Terry starting off on the run.
Terry finishing biking
Terry finishing swimming in his groovy women's wetsuit.
Just before the race began. I thought this looked cool. I love the atmosphere at races. And this lake area was really pretty that they were swimming in.
After the race we drove back to the coast (I know it was a lot of driving) and stayed another two nights. Our friends the Westovers drove over from Eugene and stayed a night too. We had fun getting together with our old friends. And the kids were really entertained--especially because in the garage there was a big dog cage and they loved pretending they were animals and they were locked in the cage.
The Loughmillers and Westovers left Sunday afternoon and my family drove up to Astoria and over to Cape Disappointment. I like that area a lot because you drive over this really long bridge and it feels really daring to me. :) This area is where the Columbia dumps into the ocean and it is supposed to have some of the most dangerous waters in the world. We went on a little walk through the woods to get a view of Cape Disappointment and the kids liked that alot--not. Sam and Ainsley were at meltdown point because they were soooo tired. But they cheered up part way through. On the way back to the house we all sang along to The Music Man.
Monday we drove to Boise where we stopped in a hotel and swam (the Holidome--where I remember swimming as a kid and I think we even may have stayed in the same hotel room with the same sliding glass doors). Previous to this experience I have dreaded staying in hotels with my kids because they were so hard to get to sleep when they were all in one room. But the kids were all so tired that they all just laid down and went right to sleep. I didn't hear a peep all night.
Tuesday we drove the rest of the way and were happy to be home. That was our great vacation to Oregon. Our camera broke while we were gone so we didn't get a whole lot of pictures.
One last story. Terry and I had one little arguement while we were gone. It all started when we had to stop in downtown Portland so Terry could try and find a wet suit to rent. I hate driving in cities--really hate it. Especially in a big suburban with bicycles hanging of the back on very narrow streets. Terry parked our car in underground parking that was very crowded. I asked if we would be blocking traffic because we stuck out. He said, it might be tight but we were okay. He hopped out and left. So in comes a car and stops right behind us and I got out to go apologize and see if I could direct the person through. It was a lady who was not pleased with us. But she was able to barely get through.
I got back in the car and two more cars drove in and stopped when they saw us sticking out so far and then they backed up and left the garage. Maybe I am weird to get so stressed over this, but I was VERY STRESSED. And I was really mad at Terry for putting me in that situation. So I ended up leaving the garage and driving around in downtown Portland in my big huge car. The kids were all crying because I was so mad at Terry (I let them know I would get over it fast) and Terry ended up being mad at me because I was so mad at him. But once he got back in the car and we got on our way, it all blew over and we were happy again.
