A Look Back ~ and Forward

Time is always surprising; It seems like just yesterday, not nearly 27 years ago, that I first locked eyes with Jim, in Ken’s living room. Jim, full-bearded and scruffy, just off the boat from Alaska. Myself, fully focused on going to … Continue reading →
A Look Back ~ and Forward is a post from: The Next Big Adventure

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Revival at the Beach

The forecast said 50-70% chance of rain. Perhaps high winds. It didn’t matter. We were going to the beach. Some are drawn to the vast, dramatic vistas of the desert. Some feel more attuned to lush mountains. While we love … Continue reading →
Revival at the Beach is a post from: The Next Big Adventure

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Taking a Walk on the Wild Side

We spend a lot of time exploring Oregon’s many state parks. A LOT. So we were beyond thrilled to finally make our way to experience Cottonwood Canyon, Oregon’s newest state park, and check it out for ourselves. Opened in 2014, … Continue reading →
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The Joy of a Mini~Adventure

We have, quite simply, been really busy lately. Busy at work, busy at the house, busy with friends. Simply busy. While this keeps us, somewhat, out of trouble, it also means we have been able to indulge less often than … Continue reading →
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A Year in Pictures ~ 2014 Remembered

Rather than write a long narrative on the year that was, I wanted to simply look back on the photos. Reminisce on the thousands of memories, and countless adventures that emerged on this past trip around the sun. In no … Continue reading →
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A Chance for Gratitude

“Oh crap, she did it again!” Jim hastily rolled down the windows for a refreshing breath of fresh air, intent on dissipating the overwhelming scent of Aspens seemingly never ending gaseous emissions from the back seat. Our little family was … Continue reading →
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A Leap of Faith

The drive west on Highway 26 appears paved in gold. Lined with thousands of trees displaying a dozen shades of red and gold, the wet road reflects the multi-hued colors, creating the appearance of  a golden pathway leading to weekend … Continue reading →
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A Getaway with the Parents

What do you get your parents for Christmas? That baffling question that rolls around once a year, just about this season. By the age of 77 and 80, Jim’s parents have acquired everything they really want or need. In an … Continue reading →
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Clear Lake

The silence was deafening. And exactly what we were looking for. Day to day life had, in recent weeks, become exhausting. Yes, a certain amount of angst is simply due to restlessness in our quest to return to the road. … Continue reading →
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Happy Birthday Porter!

Two years ago today, while still reeling from the loss of Maddy, and completely unsure we were ready for another dog, I nonetheless sent Jim to the Humane Society to look at a black dog named Jones. I then received … Continue reading →
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A Weekend Away

“We’re sorry, but we’re not going to make it this weekend”. The words rang hollow as we prepared to head to the beach for a weekend of camping with friends. Barview Jetty was the destination to join our dear friends … Continue reading →
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RED ROCK BURNOUT!

It can happen at anytime to anyone. Long term travelers succumb most easily because of the sheer intensity they experience regularly, but anyone can experience burnout. Whether it be cathedral/museum burnout on a two-week marathon through Europe, or, in my … Continue reading →
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Hiking Moab

Ahhh, Moab. That fabled adventure town in Utah. Traveling in the heat in late May with two black dogs, we longed to hike the famous red rock canyons, but knew we needed to find something that allowed for shade and … Continue reading →
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A Day at the Beach

As I stepped out of the camper, I saw Jim already had a warming fire roaring. Porter, luxuriating in the warmth of his new coat, lay curled up on his camp pad asleep. Aspen inched closer to my chair, ever … Continue reading →
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LePage in photos

We escaped rainy Portland for points east, making one of our favorite drives along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway, destined for one of our favorite camping spots, LePage Park. A mere two hours east of Portland it is a whole … Continue reading →
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Countdown to Overland Expo 2014!

Only 40 days to go until we attend our first Overland Expo! To say we are beyond excited is an understatement. Started in 2009 by Jonathan and Roseann Hanson, Expo has become THE event to attend each year in the … Continue reading →
Countdown to Overland Expo 2014! is a post from: The Next Big Adventure

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UP ~ A Love Story

Two young kids, longing for adventure, meet up in an abandoned house, the lone members of the “Spirit of Adventure” club. They grow up, marry, and dream of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America. But, reality intervenes, and each … Continue reading →
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Snowy Days to Relish

Snow days. A rarity in Portland. Having grown up in small town Minnesota, I am familiar with bad winter weather. It’s a big part of the reason I no longer live there. Here in Oregon, where we are quite famous … Continue reading →
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Cape Lookout in Pictures

We have been busy getting the Black Dog Chronicles up and running in the last week or two, but I wanted to get a brief post off showing a recent weekend at Cape Lookout in pictures. A more detailed post … Continue reading →
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Autumn Magic

Fall in Oregon is a magical time, and our favorite camping season. With warm days, cool nights, and half filled campgrounds, it’s a campers heaven. Labor Day weekend found us at the beach. Long days on the beach, miles of … Continue reading →
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