GETTING THERE
We stopped at the Salt Flats in Utah since Rachel had never seen them during the day. It was like walking on really crusty snow and it was just as blindingly white. Benjamin had a great time trying to break his land speed record!
This photo inspired by Asian tourists. Kami wanted to pose for a picture and Ben just had to join in.
In Nevada we saw a WILD BURRO! Who even knew there was such a thing (besides Dennis and Kami who waited patiently in the car while Rachel hopped out to take pictures).
KLAMATH FALLS
In Klamath Falls we visited with Dennis' Grandma Shaffer who was in a rehab center. We got to stay at her house even though she wasn't there. Benjamin enjoyed seeing his Great Grandma, but he also loved running through the halls, being noisy, and watching people play the Wii the center has. Luckily most of the other residents didn't seem to mind too much...
The last day we were in Klamath Falls we stopped by to say goodbye to Grandma while she was at physical therapy. Benjamin was very concerned we were going to leave him in that strange place with those strange people. He was NOT happy for this picture so we tried again...
Ben refused to give Grandma a goodbye hug, but he was more than happy to give her a high-five!
ROSEBURG - FEEDING THE DUCKS
Benjamin had a great time at the duck pond. Most people who know him know how much Ben loves ducks! The only issue with feeding the ducks was that we tried to go around lunch time and Benjamin didn't think it was fair for the ducks to get ALL the bread; he wanted some too!
Ben and Dennis walking down toward the ducks. Benjamin was so excited he pretty much RAN.
Dennis gave Ben bread to feed the ducks and Ben would alternate between throwing the piece of bread to the ducks and popping it in his mouth. Sometimes Ben would fake us out into thinking he'd thrown his bread only to put it in his mouth after making a throwing motion. What a silly boy!
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Dennis' family lives about 15 minutes away from a wild animal park! It has two parts: one where you drive your car through the park and look at the animals (really expensive) and a "petting zoo" that still has some really cool animals like a cheetah, flamingos, monkeys, and ducks (free). We only went to the petting zoo and Benjamin had a great time. We paid a little to ride a train that took us on a tour of the petting zoo and we even saw some lions and rhinos from the car-driving part of Wildlife Safari. Ben also really enjoyed feeding the goats.
Ben loved to have his picture taken and after Uncle Devin and Aunt Kami showed him how he was more than happy to pose for us!
Rachel was nervous that Ben would be intimidated by the goats, especially with feeding them. Benjamin doesn't really like people touching his hands and has a very big personal bubble with unfamiliar people/things especially in new situations. There was no need to worry though! As you can see from this video Benjamin was not at all afraid to be near the goats! He actually fed them by taking each pellet in between his finger and thumb and sort of shoving the pellet into the goats' mouths. He even felt comfortable teasing the goats!
FISH LADDER
Another cool free thing we did was to visit the fish ladder. There is a dam on the river that several species of fish use for spawning. They built a series of locks that even the smallest fish can navigate and put (thick) windows up so people can actually go down and watch the fish as they traverse the locks. It was really neat to watch all the different kinds of fish, some of which were pretty big!
The lighting was pretty weird so this was the best picture we got of our family in front of one of the windows of the fish ladder. If you look closely you can see the fish in the background.
Benjamin enjoyed watching the fish, but more than that he liked playing with the little puddles of water on the floor. Oh the joys of a two year-old.
HIKING TO A WATERFALL
Rachel did not participate in the hike and took a much-needed rest, but those who went had a great time. Benjamin loved throwing rocks into the water and had fun getting his picture taken as well.
Kami, Devin, Benjamin, and Dennis at the falls
Benjamin and Grandma practicing Benjamin's newest trick, which Grandma taught him,: Standing like a flamingo
What a cute boy!
GENERAL FUN
Benjamin has so much fun spending time with family while we were in Oregon. We weren't able to capture everything on film, but we went to some American Legion baseball games, watched 4th of July fireworks and set off a few of our own (on July 8th...), baked cupcakes, set up a train set, played outside, helped Grandpa in the garden, and just enjoyed being together.
Benjamin loved to "help" Devin play the piano. Ben actually played pretty gently for a two year-old and after each of his performances he demanded applause from everyone in the room.
Grandpa spoiled Ben by making him a big mud puddle at the edge of the driveway. Benjamin played in it for hours and loved every minute of it.
Grandma took Ben with her to go get the mail at the end of the lane and they got side-tracked looking at bugs and bees, both words Benjamin learned that day!
Going to Oregon was a great vacation and we had so much fun.
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