Summer 2012 Vacation, Sawtooth Wilderness

Thank you for bearing with me, as these posts not only come few and far between, but also very late.

Our second stop on our summer road trip en route to Red Lodge, MT, was Stanley, ID and the Sawtooth Wilderness.  This area had very few year round residents and was very beautiful.  I always thought John Day was tiny, but we've got little to complain about in comparison to the 63 residents of Stanley.  We spent two nights in the area, and looking back on our trip should have spent at least another.  The Sawtooth Wilderness offers plenty of recreational opportunities.  We spent the evenings at a campground on Red Fish Lake, and spent our afternoons hiking.  

 Sawtooth Mountains, hiking up from Stanley Lake to Bridal Veil Falls.  Hannah's hitching a ride with Daddy.

Hannah was rock climbing, and struck a pose.  I think she was mocking me with her hands on her hips.

 A family photo in front of the falls, but I didn't position the camera correctly.  We got a nice family shot either way.

 Hannah stretching her legs, and hiking along with us on the trail.

 Beach combing at Red Fish Lake.

 Hannah and I saying "cheese." 

Robbie and Hannah hanging out and enjoying the view.

The next few shots are a bit messed-up, as the camera has a few issues occasionally.  None the less, I've chosen to include them and represent our travels anyway.  We did a day hike, to Bench Lake, about 8 miles round trip into the wilderness.  

 Break time, we were starving for lunch by the time we arrived to the lake.  Luckily we had the view to ourselves, just like wilderness is supposed to be.

 This photo reminds me of the quality of some photos I was in as a child.  

 Robbie having us pose for the camera.

Hannah hitching a ride on the way down.  She actually fell asleep in the pack, she was like a limp noodle bopping around in there.

I got the camera positioned right this time.  Much easier to stand behind a sign, then in front of the falls.

Summer 2012 Vacation, Idaho City

*This entry is just a few months late.*

 This summer we were fortunate to take another two weeks off and travel to Red Lodge, Montana for a college friends wedding.  Our first stop took us to Idaho City, Idaho; to visit our wonderful friend Chad Hood.  Here are a few shots of us trying to find, and then enjoying some of nature's wonders - Hot Springs.

 

Robbie and Hannah wading the  very frigid creek to get to the hot spring.

Naomi, Hannah, and Chad taking a snack break before the work begins.

The hot spring was blown out from the high water of the creek.

Robbie and Chad playing the role of Engineer.

Good times with great friends.

Chad, as usual, never lets us down. 

We made our way to another hot spring, and all were happy.

California Visit

In July I had a High school class reunion to attend in California, so Hannah and I drove the 11 hour trek. It was great, we stopped in Lakeview, Oregon, the first night. As 11 hours is way to much time for an infant to spend in a car seat, in my opinion. She and I stayed at cheap hotel and spent many hours watching too much T.V., something we don't have at home. Man even the stupid reality shows are addicting, I think I need help!

The next morning we drove to Sacramento, CA and stayed with Grandma Coni. I was able to introduce Hannah to her Aunt Andrea, Aunt Marcy, Uncle Brian, Uncle John, Uncle Tony and her cousins; Sydney, Andrew, Theodore and Riley.

I was happy to have Hannah meet everyone, as we don't get down that way often, even now, living in Oregon.

We also made a surprise visit to see Hannah's Great Grandma Alberta in her retirement home.

As most of our trips go, quick, we only stayed in Sacramento two days, and then headed down to Modesto to see the rest of the family.

While in Modesto, we visited Great Nonna and Papa D'Accardo, Nonna Renee, Aunt Linda, Uncle Gary, and cousins: Brianna, Athena, Big Ed, Edwin, Emani, Amina, and Amira.

Nonna Renne watched Hannah the evening of my reunion, and got to have some bonding time, while I was out playing.

The reunion was very nice, and it was great to see many of my high school friends.

I enjoyed seeing my girlfriends, and chatting like old times. Not much had changed, and many of my classmates were still the same in both personality and appearance.

I won to awards that evening, The person who traveled the furthest, and also the individual who had a baby most recently. I thought I should of also gotten a free drink or something for having won the most awards. Oh well maybe in another fifteen years.

Hannah and I made the trek back up north in two days, again stopping midway, as not to take advantage of Hannah's good attitude in the car. During the trip, I broke off my food restrictions/diet that I had been doing for two months to help Hannah's digestive system. How, one might ask did I fully initiate myself back into the world of food, other then rice this and rice that? I had a vanilla milkshake and bacon cheeseburger, of course. Also on the return drive, I woke early in the morning to beat the heat and accommodate Hannah's sleep schedule, I broke down and got a fancy coffee - a mocha with whippidy and chocolate syrup. I can't wait to include Mexican and Thai food back into my diet in the very near future.

Juneau in June

In late June I had to go to AK to take a course towards my Masters Degree. Robbie, Hannah and I flew up there for a two week adventure. (Robbie was only there the first week.)

Juneau was just as we had left it 6 months earlier. It was wonderful to be back and visit many of our friends we made while living there. If it wasn't for my class, I'm not sure we would have gotten back there so quickly since the move.

Robbie watched Hannah during my class the first week and the second week Hannah attended college with me. As usual, she never seizes to amaze me. She did superbly during class, and believe it or not, I even completed my assignments on time and received an A in the course.

Although I couldn't of done the second week on my own, thank goodness for our friend Carol. She helped out each evening with Hannah so I could accomplish my homework.

We got out Halibut fishing on Chad and Monica's boat early in our stay. Hannah didn't catch the big one, but maybe next time. The fishing wasn't great, but it was wonderful to be back out on the ocean. Robbie got out fishing several more times in the evenings with Chad also. In the future though we won't be mixing business and pleasure again. There's just so much we wanted to do, but I had to be responsible and leave the playing to another visit.

Hannah's May Visitors

During the month of May Hannah got to meet some more family and friends.

Grandma Coni came to visit Hannah for a week.




Papa and Nonna came to Redmond, and we got to enjoy a vacation too.



Hannah also got to meet Uncle Lance and her best pal Giddy.

Christmas Photos

Uncle Robbie with our Niece and Nephew Olivia and Rowan.


It was defiantly a white Christmas.


Grandpa Bob modeling a Krusty Hat Original.


A star in the making. Olivia shows off her new guitar.


Rowan's my name, and "Da Da's" my game.

Christmas Morning!