Winter Activities

Since we moved to Bend several years ago, we've enjoyed playing in the snow, skiing, and even snow shoeing. 

My son has also been involved in Scouting since we moved up, and last month his Boy Scout troop held its annual Freezeree, where they camp in the snow.  

Today I took the kids up to Mount Bachelor to ski, something we used to do a lot when we first moved to Bend, but haven't done as much since Susan broke her leg in 2003.

Hawaiian National Parks

We visited several National Park Sites while we were in Hawaii, and the kids earned Junior Ranger badges at each. On the northwest edge of the island, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site protects the ruins of the last major ancient Hawaiian temple and the home of King Kamehameha I, who united the islands under his rule.  

Kaloko Honokohau NHS protects the site of an ancient settlement. Ruins of early fish ponds & petroglyphs still remain in this historic beachside wildlife refuge. It's located north of Kona town and south of the airport.

Pu Uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, south of Kona town, preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge. We were planning on spending a day at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but ended up having to fly back early.

Big Island

After Christmas, we flew to the Big Island of Hawaii. We flew on Delta, and were able to upgrade to first class for only $150 each. It was our first time flying first class, and we really enjoyed it.

We spent some of our time exploring Kona town and swimming in the pool.

We also checked out some beaches. Earlier today we drove north to Waimea, where we could see the Mauna Kea observatory.

Mauna Kea is an inactive volcano, and the highest point on the islands of Hawaii. The active volcano is Mauna Loa, located on the south side of the island.

Utah

Our last set of parks were Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah. Although both parks are worthy of at least a whole day's visit, we only spent half a day at each. We went to Arches first, checking out the visitor center and driving part way into the park so we could hike out to delicate arch. After eating lunch in the RV, we headed out of the park, stopping so the kids could get their Junior Ranger badges and drove to Canyonlands. The two parks are close to each other. 

Canyonlands is divided into three areas, two of which are accessible by car and have visitors centers. We went to the northern one, Island in the Sky. After touring the visitor center we attended a ranger presentation, then hiked out to the overlook of the park. Once the kids earned their Junior Ranger badge we headed north.

Tuesday we stopped near Salt Lake City to visit friends, and yesterday we made the long drive back to Oregon. We visited 18 new states during our trip, bringing our total to 35 states. 

Colorado

On Saturday, we drove up to Rocky Mountain NP. We stopped at the Estes Park and Fall River visitor centers so the kids could earn their Junior Ranger badges, then headed south to Golden Gate Canyon State Park, where we stayed the night.

Sunday we headed west toward Grand Junction, and stopped at Colorado National Monument. We drove up Rimrock Drive to the visitor center, admiring the views of the canyon and rock formations, then hiked on a trail.

 

From there we drove into Utah, and stayed the night at a campground in Moab.

Nebraska/Wyoming

Thursday morning we turned north into Nebraska. Our first stop was Scotts Bluff National Monument. This natural landmark was used as a reference by wagon trains on the Oregon Trail as well as the Pony Express. It marked the end of the long trek across the plains, and the beginning of the ascent over the Rocky Mountains. The visitor center contained exhibits on the Oregon Trail, as well as the geology and animal life of the Butte area.

 

In the afternoon we visited Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Formerly part of the Agate Ranch, these fossil beds contain remains of early mammals who flourished during the ice ages. The visitor center contains many Native American artifacts, given to James Cook, who once owned the Ranch, because of their friendship with him. Besides those and some fossils, there's not a whole lot here. After completing the Junior Ranger program, we turned west into Wyoming, where we stayed the night.

This morning we visited Fort Laramie NHS in Wyoming, located at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. Originally a trading post used by trappers and native Americans, this fort was the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains until it was abandoned in 1890. Like Fort Scott, the grounds contain many buildings that have been preserved or reconstructed.

 

We then drove south into Colorado, stopping to camp for the night in Loveland north of Denver.

Kansas

In the afternoon we drove west to Fort Scott in Kansas, which was pretty interesting. This fort served as a military base for the US Army, providing security to the surrounding areas during the middle of the 19th century, a period which included Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War.

Lastly, we hit Harry S Truman's house in Independence, MO. We were in the last tour of the day. Since I knew Truman served as Grand Master of Masons in Missouri, I tried to see if there were any Masonic books in his library but couldn’t get close enough. It was a very long day, but we managed to finish four Jr Ranger programs.

We stayed the night in Lawrence KS, and in the morning hit the Brown vs Board of Education site in Topeka, and then drove across Kansas into a thunder storm. By the time we got to western Kansas it was dark but the lightning looked really cool.