Oregon Caves Anniversary Trip

Dave at the beginning of the regular tour

Hiking back to the chalet after the tour
In front of the chateau
In front of the chalet
At the base of one of the waterfalls in the chateau courtyard area

For our 8th anniversary this year we decided to stay at the Oregon Caves Chateau. It is also the 75th anniversary of the Chateau (open 1934) and the 100th anniversary of Oregon Caves. We went on both the regular tour where the caves are lit and then the candlelight tour where each person takes a candle lantern. The chalet building is where they schedule the tours, has a movie showing during the day, and a gift shop.
The chateau is the lodge and it also houses a restaurant, 50's style diner, gift shop with work from local artisans. There are also tours of the chateau. It is actually located in a ravine. There is a series of waterfalls and the stream actually flows inside through one of the lodge floors between the restaurant and gift shop. Our table at dinner was alongside this indoor stream. Our corner room actually had views of the waterfalls, cave entrance, and the chalet. It was a nice and much needed getaway. It had been almost seven years since we went overnight without any children!

Meadows and Lake Kathleen Railroad Part II

The kids were given the privilege of sitting in the main engine as the volunteer conductor stood by.
Annalie waving from behind the steam engine. Several people were taking her picture at this time.
Here we were approaching the tunnel.
This watertower was made to scale for this railway line. Yes, there was water in it!

Meadows and Lake Kathleen Railroad in Deadwood, OR Part I

Railroad Ray fed the trout at Lake Kathleen during one of our train stops. What alot of thrashing!
Of course after seeing this we had to keep a look-out for anyone resembling Clark Kent.


I couldn't pass up taking the kid's picture in this mining cart.

There were many neat collectibles on the property including this sign.

Jason's turn as conductor! Great smile Bubby!

I don't know why I have an interest in trains and railroads but for some reason I do. Several weeks I chanced upon an online article about Ray Robinson, a guy who turned his 30 year dream of having his own railroad into a reality. I learned that he shares his hobby with guests on Sunday afternoons by invitation only. I emailed him about our interest in railroads, our son's autism, and his love for being on moving objects. Ray promptly sent us an invitation so that Jason could experience his railroad. He sent me a map because nobody is going to stumble onto his property without one. The closest town to him is Deadwood between Florence and Eugene and he's another 8-12 off the beaten path beyond Deadwood. Anyway we found the place fine and were able to catch a train ride immediately upon our arrival. I think it's a 1/4 scale so we occupied 2 rows of seats. The engine running that day was diesel powered but he also owns a steam powered engine as well. That one doesn't run as often since it takes several hours to build enough steam. Father/Son friends from
Eugene dressed in railroad garb for Father's Day ran the train. They made several stops on the loop so people could get off to wander the beautiful property and then simply climb back on the next time it came back around. There were plenty of points of interest including a creek, tunnel, a trestle 18 ft above the ground, and a small lake (Lake Kathleen) full of some very hungry trout. The only sad part is that the private railway may have to be dismantled in the fall due to an ongoing assessment issue with Lane County. Hopefully that won't happen --so much work and love has obviously been poured into Railroad Ray's hobby. Our hosts were very friendly and gracious. We appreciated their hospitality toward our family and their other guests! We thank them for opening up their home so that our disabled son (and his dad) could have a special activity on Father's Day!

Dave and Laurie

The Oregon Coast Aquarium

Annalie with her new puffin friend
Dave found this staring fish amusing. It appears some of the fish enjoy watching us as much as we do watching them!
In one of the three tunnels. Jason is watching something above our heads.

In the children's outdoor play area

We decided to visit the aquarium for part of Father's Day weekend and stayed at the Waldport KOA nearby. This trip Jason was able to settle down for the night thanks to a little dvd player in the camping cabin.

Heceta Head and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse visits

The Newport bridge is in the background of this photo.
Heceta Head Assistant Lightkeepers House which is now a bed and breakfast.
In front of Heceta Head Lighthouse before our tour. It is a hike up to the buildings.
In front of Yaquina Bay Lighthouse in Newport, OR. This is only a few minutes drive from the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
A parting shot of Heceta Head outside of Florence, OR

Annalie got two more stamps for her lighthouse passport!

Annalie- One of the "Wild" Flowers

Dave took some nice pictures of Annalie in the wildflowers when we visited the Cape Blanco Lighthouse.

Our pretty girl in the lupine

Notice the lupine covering the hillside behind Annalie

I believe Annalie learned this sign from the Indian's in Disney's Peter Pan (She likes playing she is Princess Tiger Lily). Notice she is in a wild iris patch.

Camping at Cape Sebastian

Out on the bluff near the lighthouse

This was the kids first time "camping" as it is very hard to do anything like this with Jason's disability. We may wait awhile before we do it again as Jason had a hard time spending the night.

Jason seemed happy to be on his bed....until it was actually time to go to bed. Then he didn't want to be in the cabin at all...We didn't get much sleep.

Annalie was very excited to be sleeping on a "top bunk" for the first time!

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

Saturday was State Park Day and we spent part of it at Cape Blanco. It is located about thirty miles north of where we live and is on the most westernly point of the continental United States. It is also usually very windy there, but was milder than usual on this visit. Perfect for flying a kite!

This is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. It's tower is 59 feet high and is 245 feet above the ocean.

Climbing up the circular staircase...Jason thought the echoes were great except it disturbed a group of people at the top learning about the lens...

At the top of the tower. Beautiful view of the ocean!

Dave snapped a shot of our upstairs tour guide waving goodbye to us as we walked away.

Coquille River Lighthouse Visit

Laurie had a couple of errands in Bandon and Annalie asked to see the "little lighthouse". It actually was open, but the ladder to the top was only accessible for those wearing close-toed shoes, so we'll have to remember that next time! Annalie got a lighthouse "passport", so we will try to visit some of the Oregon lighthouses so she can get her stamp at those which are open to visitors!