Well, it happened just like that. H is 4 and I cannot believe for a moment that it can be possible. Thank the Lord he still loves to snuggle and hug and kiss.
Henry turns 4!
B made a couple of videos to celebrate:
xoxo
J
Henry turns 4.
Author Archives: blakesontheroad
Olympic Peninsula, Lake Quinault and Ruby Beach, March 2014
Father and Son at Lake Quinault
Quinault Lodge, Est 1926
This trip started out like a scene straight out of Vacation. Our first day was fraught with bad decisions and miscalculations, but that night as we sat by the fire having a lovely quiet moment with our toddler it all melted away. Then the beautiful unwinding started that allows you to step outside of everyday and life in the city and just let your whole being breathe. How glorious is this place we dwell.
Our first night on the road, we stayed at Lake Quinault, a serene lake on the edge of the rain forest. The campground was right on the shoreline with towering trees and lots of privacy. We just stayed the one night packing up early in the morning for more adventures and an amazing breakfast at the Quinault Lodge. Sweet potato pancakes with hazelnut butter and eggs Benedict really hit the spot after a rainy night in the tent. In packing up that morning we noticed some damage to our tent(see earlier Chevy Chase reference) so we had to be a little more spontaneous with rest of our trip, the search for cabins was on.
We made our way towards the coast after a VERY wet hike in the rain forest and stopped at Ruby Beach. It was raining pretty steady there as well and B and I decided to take turns hiking down to the beach for a little quiet time while the boy stayed warm and dry in the car. We are starting to understand the ins and outs of traveling and adventuring with a toddler. Sometimes sacrifices are made on both parts and the result is a much more peaceful experience exploring together.
Ruby Beach
Waldport & Cape Perpetua, OR August 2012
It ‘s summer and the boys and I decided to take a last-minute trip to the beach and go camping. We quickly realized we had no idea where our tent had gone and decided instead to find a cabin at the KOA. We made the long but beautiful drive and were rewarded with sunny skies and warm sand when we arrived. As we drove along looking for a place to stop, we spotted Ona Beach and took a chance. It was quite beautiful and the beach itself was empty. It was glorious to sit and relax and let Henry have the run of the place. There was a makeshift arbor and aisle where someone had certainly gotten hitched recently.
After a nice afternoon we headed to the cabin at Walport. Since the trip was spontaneous, I went with easy, not a tent(ours was missing), affordable, and close to the beach. The cabin was nice and the KOA had a playground which helped with the restless one and a half-year old. Camping with a toddler is never what you think it will be, no relaxing fire and slow roasting smores while my husband plays the guitar. Instead we were chasing. Chasing him into the car, out of someone else’s tent or RV, and not really relaxing at all. That didn’t matter when piled up against all the moments of him discovering new things and climbing over driftwood and the endless exploration that reminds us that childhood itself is magical even when nothing is really happening. We did make the winding drive down to Cape Perpetua and climbed out and braved the rocks and wind to see the views. I would highly recommend this stop next time you are headed south on the Oregon coast.
On the way home we stopped off at the YWAM base in Salem where my husband lived when he was a kid. It was fun to see all the places he ran around and for him to see what had changed and what was still there. I am so thankful for the full childhood that he experienced.
Family Fourth of July 2012
Blake and I drove up to Everett, WA to be with the family for fourth of July last summer. It was a joy getting to relax with Mom and Dad and the Allens(all seven of them). We played in the yard, went to the beach, made ice cream, and even ventured into Seattle with the whole bunch. The island in Mom and Dad’s kitchen is the hub for all life while we are there. The adults stand around it making a constant supply of snacks and meals(and drinking and eating), while the kids get to be kids and enjoy running in the grass or playing in the water. Occasionally, Blake will break out the banjo and make them all laugh and dance. This time he even brought an old trumpet. I love these moments and memories being made. 
The Bus at Mt. Hood (thinking back)
As B and I start the process of traveling and exploring the Northwest more, I am reminded of past trips that are so dear. This particular trip comes to mind and since Laura has such beautiful photos, I will share a story here.
I am profoundly lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring people and equally to be able to call them friends. This trip was a short getaway up to The Bus in Hood River with Laura and Amos. It is such a nice place to escape, just an hour from the city you are free. No electricity. No running water. Just the old bus on the side of hill facing a mountain. We had laughter and tears(Henry 10months at the time) and ideas shared about travel and living simply. Blake played us music and we made a fire in the old wood stove. Laura and Amos shot this video of B there the next day:
and here is the link to Laura’s blog post:
http://dartphotographie.com/blog/early-november-hood-river-or/
This was the beginning of so many more adventures. Here is little H not letting me(or anyone) sleep late on the bus. 
A Past Adventure
Here is a photo story about a dinner and camping adventure to the coast at Cape Lookout State Park when little Henry was only eight months old. Lucky for us we were able to stay in the cozy vintage trailer for the night instead of camping in the rain like the rest of the folk. One of my favorite memories of the Northwest so far. Thanks to Laura Dart and Kinfolk for the beautiful night and dinner.
The Long and Winding Road.
It was 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Our car was packed (literally. I could not see out the windows ) and we were leaving my home state of Texas for good. We said our goodbyes to my family and headed west. Thus began our thirty eight hour trip in the car. Blake slept for the first part and then we started taking shifts. The drive went pretty smooth until around 5 a.m when neither of us could stay awake even with the help of energy drinks and coffee. We decided to try and catch a nap in a parking lot only to be woke up by the security guard fifteen minutes later. I decided to walk over to the nearby diner and refuel with coffee once more. West. West. West. The rest of the drive went easy and B and I had fun laughing and talking and generally feeling quite delirious. We finally pulled into Portland and made it to B’s big brother’s house. Welcome home to Portland, adventures await. Four years later and we are revisiting the idea of family that travels together and documenting the process, good and bad. We are now toting along a two year old named Henry who is our greatest adventure so far. Read and laugh with us as we share our lives with you.
Days 26-28:Angels Camp and beyond!
We arrived in Angels Camp around midday. It is hot!!! Angels Camp is in Calaveras County and home of the jumping frog. It is one of the many mining towns left behind by the Gold Rush. The country side here is golden with summer and green trees dotted across the hills. My Uncle Jack lives in an old retort building left behind by one of the mining companies. When he first “moved” into it some eighteen years ago it was full of junk and had no electricity or water. Over the years he stayed with friends and camped out. Finally in the last ten years he has put in electricity, water, a kitchen and a bathroom to the 500sq ft one room building. He also landscaped the entire hillside surrounding the house. Not an easy feat considering he will be 75 next January. Jack is a story that would take far to long to tell. He has LIVED and he is HAPPY. He is hoping to sell his bit of land and house and begin traveling again this fall. He is not without a place to stay just about anywhere in the states. We put up a tent in his yard and spent the next two nights. We mostly listened to his stories and went to the local hang outs. I cannot wait for him to come to Austin and met all of you!
After a fun day and half and an eleven hour drive we are off to sleep and the Grand Canyon tomorrow!
Days 24-25: Redwood
Left the lake with much sadness and headed southwest to the northern coast of California. The drive was easy and not without some scenery. We did have to drive down a long, windy, dirt road through the trees to reach Gold Bluffs Beach. The drive was not unlike something you would see on a National Geographic program. A secret passage that lead us to a VERY secluded beach. The campground was right on the beach with enormous gold and green bluffs behind us and the roaring and rocky beach in front. We walked down to the water and took it all before setting up camp for the night. Had a quick meal and a raging fire, before turning in to the tent for some reading.
Woke up the next morning to the birds having a gossip session around the tent and I felt so rested. The waves were crashing and the sun was just barely up. The fog was so thick over the beach and the bluffs that I couldn’t believe we where in California. It was magical. We gathered ourselves for the day and packed up the stuff for another day.
We drove a little further down the road to Fern Canyon. Oddly enough we ran into three motorcyclists that had also been at Crater Lake. They were all on BMW’s and had been up to Alaska and back. Very Long Way Round. We all hiked into the Canyon. Again pictures will not do this place justice. It is a quarter mile long or more and about 30 to 40 up. The whole canyon is covered in moss and fallen trees and ferns. I felt like we were in Lord of the Rings. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I would recommend this trip to anyone and I certainly will go back and spend more time.
We headed south towards the Sierra Nevada and found a place to stop for the night. Tomorrow we head to Angels Camp and stay with my Uncle Jack.
Days 22-23: Crater Lake?
The drive down to Crater Lake is mostly highway until the end you break away into a heavily forested area with long tunnels of road stretched out before you. This should have been the first sign that where we were going was magical. The trees grew taller and thicker the closer we came, and the temperature began to drop to that in between cool and cold stage. We drove into the state park and the anticipation to see IT was palpable. The road was never ending and winding into the sky. Finally, we broke over a hill and there IT was. You really cannot describe this place in words. Maybe other worldly is the best way to say how the Lake seems. We pulled over and stood there in awe..speechless. I think I may have giggled a little in a hysterical way. It is soooo enormous and BLUE. Pictures will never do it justice, being there standing on the edge didn’t. We tore ourselves away long enough to find our way to the campground and set up for the night. It was already later in the day so we settled in and dreamed of the trip around the lake the next day.
In the morning, after a very chilly night(48 degrees when we woke), we made some hot tea and breakfast. Then we set out on the journey. It took all day to drive around the lake…stopping along the way at all the overlooks and points of interest. We took lots of photos but again..they won’t really be right. It was a magical day and we did not want to leave the rim, but we wanted to get back to camp in time for a fire. We had a nice evening, a fire and better sleep. Tomorrow is the drive to the Redwood National Park on the California coast.
Blakes On The Road 