In the decade or so I've known Lester, we've celebrated an awful lot of birthdays together. Some for each other, some for our kids or other family members, etc etc. Some have been huge successes, spent with parties or fun special date nights, some have been lower key depending on where were at or whats going on in our lives. But without fail, every single year when Lester's rolls around I've been at a loss as to what to get him! This is mostly because if he wants something, he gets it-which leaves me with few options when holidays roll around. Still, it kind of limits me. So, in 2014 when I finally had plans to make him his a special dessert and take him out for a great date night, that all changed, when I gave him the best birthday present of all-Ms. Isla Jane!
So far, I think he's enjoyed sharing a birthday-he still gets all the gifts and yummy food, but without being the centre of attention [which he generally avoids]. But I still wanted to get him a gift he'd love. So this year, when he ACTUALLY gave me an option I could get behind, I was ecstatic. He asked if we would be ok with planning a Crater Lake Trip as a gift. Visiting here has been on our bucket list for a while now, so all in all it was a great option. We planned it out, and looked forward to it for months, and on the day of, we packed everything up and headed out.
It was a fairly quick trip-we spent more time travelling to and from our destination then we did actually BEING there. But it was beyond gorgeous-and so much fun camping, spending time in nature without any kind of distractions, playing and getting dirty with our kids. I have never seen water as blue and lovely as the water here. We loved taking little hikes, playing in meadows, making campfires, exploring caves, colouring and listening to Hamilton in the car and so much more. And although the drive was long, we are all ready and rearing to start planning our next camping trip because it was so fun.
The birthday buddies at our campsite, and dinner our first night. Word to the wise-NEVER get the Thai food dehydrated food packets. NASTY. But the lasagna one is good, and some of the dessert ones are fine.
This was Isla's favourite place to perch. She has become quite the adventurous little girl these days, and would repeatedly climb on this stump, spread her arms and say 'Look, I tall tall TALL!' before jumping off and exclaiming did it!'. She is so not a baby anymore!
This was one of our first views and Addy begged us to make a pit stop so she could touch/play with the snow. We were happy to oblige. Also, look at my hot husband with his girls. I LOVE that man.
This is called Wizard Island in Crater Lake. Lester took two pictures, one with his glasses on [that have a polarising effect, and allowed you to see a bit of what was under the surface] and without, then combined them. The crazy thing is, even though this looks highly edited, I feel like it better captures the grandeur we saw with out own eyes there. Gorgeous.
After spending so long in the car, we let the kids run around to pick flowers, etc. They loved it.
My birthday boy.
Finding a hiding spot in one of the meadows.
Playing hide and seek in a meadow.
You can see what they call the Pumice Castle here, jutting out from the rock. Also very pretty and different looking!
This is what they call 'The Phantom Ship' in Crater Lake-its reminiscent of the ships of old, with shadow like cover.
These were on the path called The Pinnacles..they are made from 'hot gas that moved to the surface and slowly cemented ash and pumice together,' eventually coming out and forming these after erosion. I guess in my mind I assumed they would be the size of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon but they were much bigger-huge in fact! Definitely interesting.
She was so tired by the end the day she feels asleep in the middle of gnawing on this breadstick.
A breakfast waffle stop on our way to the caves.
On our way home, we took a detour to stop at Lava Beds National Park. This was the strangest, most interesting place to me-covered in volcanic rock and ash before you hit the caves [where there are over 800 ones, some of them of course being more large and developed]. It was a different world, I've never seen anything like it. Very worth the stop!
This was the first cave we explored, called Valentine Cave. It was long, and had spots where it was easier to rock, and more difficult and parts where you'd have to crawl, It was pitch black in their, and the kids were intrigued-but we were prepared with head lamps and it was a lot of fun. We love caving!
I love this picture of my little adventurer's. They are such good sisters, friends and daughters. They were scared of the intense darkness for a second, but eventually embraced and enjoyed it. They are the best!
A view from the other side where we came out of Valentine Cave.
The second cave we explored was called Skull Cave and was totally different then the first. Much bigger, with huge rocks and boulders and very deep. After taking several extremely steep stairs down several landings, we reached the bottom, where the floor was covered in ice. It reminded us of our caving days in Idaho-those were fun times, but definitely not toddler friendly! It was amazing!
So it was a great birthday, and a wonderful chance to spend time making it all about Daddy-we are planning on having a little party for Isla and cousin Audrey's bdays very soon, so its all win win. Life is so, so good and we are loving it!
