Days 48 - 61 Corvallis Pt 2

Days 48 - 61   16 -29 July   Corvallis Pt 2

Day 48 - 16 July Corvallis


After three days of camping it was time to get back to the comforts of civilization, including a good movie.

Day 49 - 17 July Corvallis

Midge and I re-designed the cover for the matress we use in both our tent and on the sleeping platform in the mini van. Cassie's sewing machine made quick work of seams and zipper installation.

We had lunch at Gathering Together Farm in Philomath. 

Kiana feeling happier after lunch.

Day 50 - 18 July  Corvallis

Today Sophie celebrated her birthday with her friends. Her sign suggests an exclusive event, though in the end Ansel was included.

Ansel, Kiana and Sophie decorated the house.

Ansel tied baloons together.

The first stop was a swim in the pool

Which provided the perfect opportunity to talk

Kiana did more swimming than anyone.

Ethan, Kiana and Cassie made a chocolate cake. Grandma Midge was elected cake bearer.

Sophie got all the candles out on the first blow.

Sophie was a generous hostess and graceous in thanking everyone for their gifts.

After chocolate cake there were s'mores over the fire pit. There was no excuse to go home hungry.

Day 51 - 19 July  Corvallis and Ona Beach

Today was Sophie's real birthday so there was a bit more wrapping and unwrapping of presents.

The big event was a trip to Ona Beach on the Oregon Coast. Ed got to fly the kite he'd brought from New Zealand.

Kiana held tight to her kite string.

Ansel and Sophie worked hard as civil engineers 

with occasional oversight from Ethan and Lucky.

Cassie and Midge took a stroll down the beach

Lucky and Ethan were more energetic

but needed to catch their breath.

Kiana, Sophie and Ansel kept going the whole time.

Everyone was ready for ice cream from Nye Beach Sweets in Newport OR.

Day 52 - 20 July  Corvallis

Time to try our own ice cream making. Kiana shows Dada Ed how it's done.

Ansel is playing the violin like a cello. He says he likes cellos because "the high notes are low and the low notes are even lower."

Kiana employs an alternative technique

Enough culture. Ansel and Kiana race around the back deck on their bikes.

Day 53 - 21 July Corvallis

This is our last full day in Corvallis with the family. Tomorrow they head for Escondido. In the morning we went to Blueberry Meadows to pick blueberries.

Grandma Midge carried Kiana back from the swimming pool.

Ansel and Dada Ed take turns reading alternate pages from a book

Ansel and Grandma Midge take a selfie.

Days 54 - 61 -- 22-29 July      Corvallis

We had intended to take off when Cassie, Ethan and the kids headed to see Cassie's parents in Escondido CA. However, Lucky needed dog sitting and the thought of a comfortable bed was compelling. So, we were a bit idle, but still got to the Corvallis open market for fresh produce

and fresh music.

We did a lot of walking with Lucky. Lucky was a great conversation starter with people we met. We also passed 

Willamette Riverwalk through the downtown area of Corvallis -- a great place to take Lucky for a walk.

The American Horn Quartet was on it's farewell tour before a final performance in Los Angeles. We got to hear them in Corvallis.

Le Patissier is our favourite coffee shop in Corvallis almost as good as Alexandre Patisserie & Chocolaterie, Palmerston North, New Zealand.