Our first van trip of the summer during the summer solstice! We had two weeks off but we left 3 days late because most of us (not me, thank goodness) had barfing sickness. Yuck! Poor little man got the worst of it but thankfully they all got through it without needing any medical interventions. So, we somehow managed to pack the van through all that and head off to the Rogue River area first.
We camped out right on the Rogue for a few nights where there was a great little beach with lots of rocks and the kids could play and roam. It was quite peaceful and very quiet. Close to the Rogue River trail which is famous. We went on a couple of hikes with the kids, who did great, considering it's not the easiest trail to hike on when you're 3 or 1!
The day after we got there, our good friends, Paul, Dana & Paige came and we had a blast camping out with them for the next several days at this campsite and at another. From here, we took a paved forest road called Bear Camp Road that was incredibly beautiful and would be an excellent ride! I rode a short way up it and Paul rode up to the summit. We took it all the way down to an area on the Illinois river which is where we camped for a few nights (Oak Flat campground). It was hot but the river was welcoming. While there, Paul & Scott went on what I would call a pretty sketchy mountain bike ride but when they got back, there were pretty freaking happy. They were going on and on about it so I decided to trail run it the next day to a spot called 'Indigo Canyon' (about 10 miles round trip), it was the Illinois River Trail. And wow!
By this point in the trip the girls (Paige & Lucia) were getting pretty goofy and having some good times in the van. I think they ate their own weight in carrots. Yes, carrots!
Paige is 8 years old and very fun-loving. Lucia adores her and tends to follow her around everywhere, with lots of questions, of course and Paige has lots of patience and is very kind. Lucia would love to be able to keep up with her on the bike and she sure did a lot of 'skuuting' to try to keep up.
The trip was a great balance of getting some regular physical activity but also having some hang out time. Oscar and I practiced our 'lion roars'.
And Lucia and I practiced hugs...
From here, we made our way over to Gold Beach which meant that Paul and Scott went mountain biking on the 'Rogue River Trail' and we met them at a planned spot close to the coast. Dana and I and the kids hiked a couple of short old growth hikes, which were quite beautiful while the boys 'mountain biked' trail. It was quite an adventure for them and I still giggle when I remember the looks on their faces when we saw them at the end. Let's just say, I'm glad they made it and didn't have to hunker down in the woods.
We had a great meal at Gold Beach and stayed in a not so shabby hotel that night. Paul, Dana & Paige headed south while we started making our way north. That night, we stayed at a larger, very established campground, Sunset Beach, which was actually really nice given the size. It had an incredible beach which we will definitely hit in the future. The next day, we hiked on the "Oregon Coast Trail' which we had heard of but didn't realize how incredible it is! We found some really, really sweet beach spots that we MUST return to.
Above is Sunset Beach and below is a more remote beach off the trail.
Lucia really did not want to leave this spot and could you blame her??
We also visited Shore Acres botanical garden which is along the trail, also a sweet spot worth seeing again!
From there, we headed home asking the kids, 'raise your hand, if you like to take trips in the van!'
Look how adventurous you are. That picture of you and Lucia is adorable!
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