Hiking the Volcano

admin July 4, 2021 0 Comments

We hiked up the volcano!

Sometimes the timing just works out, and that was the case with Mount Fagradalsfjall erupting during our trip. When we started planning this trip it was not there, but in March the volcano opened up and it was relatively accessible (aka a very difficult but doable hike). It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so we brought our hiking gear and went for it. The day we hiked up, the volcano was not as active as it was initially, but it was still very much alive. It was a tough hike, up an incredibly steep mountain at some points, and very very windy at the peak. But we made it. Our goal was to roast hot dogs on the lava flow, and we did it! It really was an amazing experience, and this alone would have been worth making the trip.

Full disclosure, the 2 beautiful pictures of the eruption were not ones I took. The day we were there it was not this active, but I had to post them just to show what it looked like at peak eruption and how accessible it was. Amazing day!

Iceland!

admin July 2, 2021 0 Comments

After over a year of being grounded from international travel by Covid, we were finally able to get out and take a trip. Iceland seemed like the perfect choice. Iceland has been on our list for a while, and the chance to go to a country that had a handle on Covid and do a trip mainly in a motorhome on our own seemed like the perfect combination.

Kenzie decided she really wanted to visit her grandmas, so it was just Jodi and I.

After jumping through a few new Covid related hoops (I guess that’s the future of travel at least in the near term) we got the all-clear from our test and were free to start our trip. We took our motorhome and headed right to the Blue Lagoon to get our first Icelandic “soak” on. The water was amazing!

Iceland 🇮🇸- Day 2

admin June 22, 2021 0 Comments

Brad still hadn’t received his Covid test results so we went to the testing site at the airport. They seemed a bit perplexed untold Brad he could move freely about the country and have fun. First stop- the Blue Lagoon! It was beautiful and so warm!

After the Blue Lagoon we went to check out the volcano. We hadn’t planned on hiking up the mountain to get a better view but then we decided to do a little at a time. We were able to see the whole lava field which has grown significantly over the past several weeks. We stopped before we could see the red flowing lava because it seemed that the we would need to hike a long way (all up hill). Later, we found out it may have only been another 20 minutes or so.

Iceland 🇮🇸 – Day 1

admin June 21, 2021 0 Comments

We landed in Reykjavik around 6am and had to get COVID tests before proceeding. Once the tests were done, we met the gentleman who was renting us his RV in the parking lot of the hotel. We needed to wait for our test results before going into any stores so we parked in front of Costco and took a nap. Jodi’s results came back negative around 2:30, so she ran into Bonus (a local grocery store) for some basics and Costco for pizza and hot dogs.

When Brad’s results still hadn’t come in, we had to reschedule our reservation at the Blue Lagoon for the next morning but we drove by so Jodi could walk around that evening.

Covid vaccine

admin January 4, 2021 0 Comments

Almost 13 years ago, Brad and I had a “hot date” in Canby…. on our first burn to learn. Tonight, we had another hot date at the Canby Fire Station to get our Covid vaccine. A huge thanks to our medical directors, the Canby crew, and everyone working together to make this happen. So humbled to be part of the process to combat the pandemic.

Also, a huge thanks to all the scientists and the volunteers who made this possible. I trust the science and I hope others will too when the opportunity becomes available.

PS. Brad gets bonus points for planning the best date nights!!

Getting her laps in…

admin June 22, 2020 0 Comments

Even though swim team practice had been canceled for the last few months, Kenzie has figured out a way to get her laps in. A long bungee cord and a stock tank are all you need!

Eastern Oregon Boondocking

admin May 20, 2020 0 Comments

We were trying to figure out how to get out of the house while still staying away from people, so last weekend we decided to head to eastern Oregon and check out some ghost towns. What better place is there to stay away from people than a ghost town!
We had a few ghost towns in mind, but other than that we were just headed east and figured we’d end up wherever we ended up. We love wandering without a plan, and this time we stumbled upon some great finds.
We headed to Shanico and along the way ended up on the Warm Springs reservation and saw people fishing with traditional dipnetting, found a quiet spot to play in the river, and camped overnight by ourselves at the back of a truck stop. Great weekend!

Social distancing drive in

admin May 8, 2020 0 Comments

Drive In at JB Ranch

We’re going on 4 weeks of the COVID stay at home order. Kenzie has been Skyping with her friends but it’s not the same so Brad planned a drive in night for her friends! Everyone stayed at least 6 feet away but it was still great to see everyone!















Trampoline in the Rain

admin April 26, 2020 0 Comments

After this long in lockdown, not even a massive downpour stops Kenzie from jumping on the trampoline…

Molalla Kid Parade Pandemic 2020

admin April 12, 2020 0 Comments

After several weeks in isolation, one of the parents at MRA organized a parade for the kids to drive through town and socialize from a distance. It was a great way for the kids to see friends they have not seen in weeks. Where we live we’re pretty well set up for isolation (maybe too good) so Kenzie really needed this!

We decided to bring the fire truck (every parade needs a fire truck, right!) and Kenzie got to work the siren the whole time. I think she’s hooked…