Arago State Park and other things

We are in the third week of being here! It is starting to feel more like home. We have visited Arago Beach a couple times this week. We went on Monday to grill some veggies and then I really wanted to see me some star fish so we came back a different day when the tide was low. Unfortunately I did not find them, but we saw a lot of hermit crabs. 

View from our window.

I know this makes me a cat lady, but I really want one. We have at least 3 that hang out in our parking lot all the time so this makes it better.

It's always colder than I think it's going to be.

Looking at tide pools

Lots of Sea lions.

 I've wanted to make strawberry pie since I got Grandma's recipe in Elko. It only seemed fitting since we live in a place so abundant in berries.

Elko for the 4th

I know this is late, but we finally have internet! So the Oregon posts are before this one.

We spent a week in Elko for the 4th. It was fun to do all the normal things we used to do. We watched the parade, took a hike up Thomas Canyon, watched fireworks and visited with Grandma. We were able to record some of her stories and it was very interesting. I am glad I get to know her life better.

Grandma and Phil in front of Grandma's always well kept flowers

We took a cruise in Dad's 71 Chevelle up Lamoille Canyon.

I like the light here :) Dad in his "English" hat.

Some really cool waterfalls! I was surprised we hadn't done this hike before.

There were beautiful wildflowers. It inspired me to do more painting.

Snow at the top as usual

And Jamir cutting down the tree he cut from last time. Chores are part of the Elko experience :)

Sunset Bay/Shore Acres

We got to spend some time at Sunset Bay the first week we were here. It is beautiful. Jonathan and Timothy, I think I found where you camped. Was it a meadow with a trail around it? This place is really fun to explore. I need to figure out when the tide is low so I can go see the sea creatures. We got off the trail a little which turned out to be kind of scary. I ended up trying to get over a ledge and accidentally throwing the camera over the cliff instead of to Jamir. Luckily it still works. We will be coming back for more exploring.

It doesnt look very steep, but when the dirts isn't solid it is easy to slip

Goodbye camera

 Choco, Maren and Oliver came the first Saturday and we walked around Shore Acres. It's a nice place with some gardens. Im told they put Christmas lights up in winter so we will be going back. It seems like it has trails that go farther so we will be exploring more next time we go.

And Jamir dropped his phone in the water. Luckily there was a nice boy there willing to go completely under to get it for us.

We Made It!

We made it to Coos Bay! Can I just say I HATE driving? Especially on deserted roads with a trailer strapped to our car. But we made it here and are settling into life here. We like our apartment. I am getting used to the humidity (meaning more mold to clean...yay) and the view is great.

One of my favorite things is running here. It is very hilly and the weather is alway a perfect temperature for it. We've explored several parks but there is so more more I want to do, I can't wait for Jamir to come home so we can do it together :)

Beautiful hydrangeas. Sooo bright colors.

The Medford Temple. Hopefully where we will end up.

All of our possessions. Can we keep it that way?

The new apt. I looove the white couch we found at a thrift store down the street.

Mingus park

A cute kitten that tried to run with us. It was acting like a dog.

The view from the bridge while running one day. Looks pretty grey doesn't it?

And I found this at the thrift store also. I love it! And it was only 5$!

Goodbye Paradise/ Adios Paraiso

Or so our little branch was called. The last Sunday was a sad one in the Paradise branch. Jamir especially will miss the young men. I am impressed by how much the young men looked up to him and were sad when he left. We will miss our friends there too. Hopefully there will be opportunities to serve in Coos Bay.

Jamir surprised me the Wednesday before we left with Little Mermaid tickets in Tuachan. It was amazing! I would say one of the best I have seen. Maybe better than Lion King. They had water special affects and the costumes were very showy and bright. It is outside so the backdrop has an amazing affect with the stars, rocks and fireworks at the end. I was so glad Jamir bought them because it would have been sad to live in St George and never see a show.

(En espa~nol)

Paraiso se llamaba nuestra rama. El ultimo domingo fue un domingo triste en nuestra rama paraiso. Personalmente voy a extra~nar a los jovenes con quien me toco servir. Vamos a extra~nar tambien a los amigos que hicimos durante nuestro tiempo en la rama. Esperamos que tambien haya oportunidades de servir al lugar a donde vamos. 

Nuestra ultima semana fuimos al musical de La Sirenita en el teatro al aire libre "Tuahan" en St. George. Estuvo increible, definitavemente una de las mejores obras de teatro/musical que hemos visto, mejor quiza que la del Rey Leon. La obra tuvo muchos efectos visuales, color brillantes y agua. Lo mas impactante tambien fue ver las estrellas y las monta~nas que el teatro tiene de fondo.

Before we left we ate at our favorite pizza place Riggattis, wood fired oven. We happened upon it when we came last August and it is hands down the only pizza place we will eat at. And of course we had one last meal of Kneaders. I will miss those places!

The big mess. I HATE packing.

We took a ride on the carousel in downtown. I have always wanted to so we finally did the last Saturday.

And the young women and young men. We were happy for the opportunity to serve!

Good bye apt 107! We loved that cute little place.