memorial day weekend: On the last day, they motoed.

Monday was a slow to start day. After a weekend of off and on grey skies we were lucky enough to have one really nice day (I even got sun burned)! The day was so nice my Dad had suggested possibly flying (my Dad has his pilots license). We lally gagged too much so we didn't have enough time to fly. Somehow we started getting out some of the motorcycles my Dad has around (the man typically has 13 or so on hand). Now, let me give you a little back story on me and motorcycling.

A few years ago a friend of mine suggested we take her Suzuki 125 out for a spin. Being the daughter of an avid motocross racer who had been racing since he was 13, I said sure! Only thing is my Dad never taught me to ride, let alone shift. Well I was doing just fine scooting around in first gear when I hear my friend holler " take it to second!". I got ballsy and shifted. Well it caught. I flooded the engine and the thing bucked me off the front! I don't really remember what happened after I gassed it. One second I was giving it gas the next I was dazed on the ground.

I now have a dent in my leg where you see the crescent shaped wound. I haven't been on a bike since. Until memorial day weekend. I saw my Dad taking those bikes out and panicked! I thought " what am I supposed to say to my Dad?!" "I can't tell him I am SCARED to ride!!" "I can't NOT ride!" So after a few tries I was off in first gear. I was doing fine! Then the dreaded "Shift Caitlin!" Oh no! Shane pulled up next to me and showed me how to do it a few times on his own bike. Of course I didn't believe him. Then my Dad pulled up to show me. And I did it! From then on riding was a breeze!



I even shifted using the clutch! After hours of "just one more lap" we finally hit the road. Before I met Shane I usually drove to Oregon on my own. I would always drive by the vista points wishing I could take some rad picture but had no one to take it. This time I made a point to stop. It was freeeezing!!!!

I need to work on my jumping face. I look kinda tarded. 

Shane's is waaay better than mine.

We'll be back for 4th of July weekend I'm happy to say. Ideally I'd go up any three day weekend I had. Well, I am glad to have this series over. Now I can get back to regular posting. Already so much to post about! New friends, Cousin's graduation, Shane's new teeth and new hair cut! Math is going well. I am somewhat seeing a faint light at the end of the tunnel. Slumber party on Thursday with cousin. Delicious dinners planned all week. My oh my!

Memorial day weekend: day two

Day two we made the ceremonial trip to the North Umpqua Fish latter. My Dad was telling us how he stopped by there a few days before and saw a ton of fish!

 When we arrived we waited around for a minute and there was not ONE FISH! We did however see a few hopping out of the water while we were walking up the stairs.

Then my Dad had us stop at this random place on the road home so we could check out the river up close. We found a mini trail down to the river and made our descent. Shane and I found a million skipping rocks. I managed to skip two! 

On the way back to the car we noticed A TON OF POISON OAK which we couldn't remember if we touched on the way down. I was pretty nervous the entire drive back to the house that it was on my clothes. Shane is a freak and is immune to poison oak/ivy. Thankfully I don't think any of us touched it. Sunday was the most relaxing day by far....as you can see...

Memorial day weekend: day one

Shane and I have both never been to the Oregon coast. I was super excited when my dad suggested it. There is this theory that if its raining inland then its nice on the coast. We decided to test this theory out...

I'd say the theory was validated...

There were baby seals. I swear the one in this picture was looking right at me! 

SEA ANEMONES!!!! They were so cool! When you poked them (ok, maybe I shouldn't have been poking them) they would curl up. Plus they were this cool green color.

Big giant tree stump. The signs said no climbing on rocks....

I had a bunch of fun. We walked around the downtown area and picked up some crab and cod for dinner. I came home with a TON of awesome driftwood I plan on using for crafts. Not sure what yet.

Memorial day weekend: The trek to Oregon

I'm going to have to split these up because I took so many pictures. If you follow me on Instagram then you've seen some of these. The last few days have been freaking insane! I have been in a total of three states (including my home state) and in a car more hours than I'd like to count. Prepare yourself!

I was thoroughly impressed at my packing skillz 

The day we left was INSANE! I was dealing with some craziness due to work and cleaning my house (am I the only one that cleans before I go somewhere? Coming home to a clean house is the best!). We rented a car (Shane and I's first as 25 year olds!) as to avoid putting miles on either of our own cars. Let me tell you the car shuffle is insane. First we had to pick up the rental car. Then drop Shane's car off at my moms then my car off. I'm tired of driving just thinking about it! I was so excited to get onto the road!

See, excited.

We made the mandatory Olive Pit stop. Shane had never been and OF COURSE doesn't like olives (add to the list of 483920 foods he wont eat or doesn't like).

While we were stopped we popped into a Shell to grab snacks. This is what $20 worth of complete crap looks like (not pictured are energy drinks, and two bags of sour patch kids). What else are you supposed to eat on a road trip? Well, ok, I did make a few sandwiches and brought carrot sticks (that I did not eat).

The driving continued...

The new sunglasses I mentioned a while back

By the time we hit Oregon the novelty of driving had kind of wore off. Shane was stuffing his mouth with a ton of sunflower seeds so he wasn't really talking to me or participating in car dancing/ sing-a-longs.

Sunflower seeds addiction exhibit A

They got a new sign since the last time I was there. Nice one Oregon.

So the last 3 hours to my Dads house from the border was quite a marathon push...

And of course there was beautiful scenery to be seen....

I think we got to Oregon around 10:30pm. I was completely whipped! We chatted with my dad and step mom for a few and hit the pillows HARD! The next day we planned to go to the Oregon coast for the first time! I was pretty excited.

To be continued....

Lastly, I am sad to announce that Shane sold his beloved Subaru. I am really proud and thankful that he took one for team "us" (I know way more puking happening right?). I almost got a little teary eyed watching the keys change hands and the papers being signed. I know more than I ever thought I would about bug and hawk eyes thanks to that Buru, Shondra. I remember when Shane picked me up in her for our first date. Ahh the memories. She will be greatly missed.