Brake Lights & Bug Bites

We made it to California and back in our rig! It’s been six long weeks since we dropped the camper off in Idaho, and Sunday felt like the sweetest reunion. The boys jumped out of the car before it had even stopped and ran straight inside to leap onto their beds. Tate pulled out all his toys and didn’t stop playing until we finally tucked him in for the night. I didn’t realize just how much we’d missed our camper until that moment. It feels so good to be home again.

We spent most of October exploring the incredible state of Oregon—the cities, the beaches, and the mountains! What a beautiful place. From rugged coastlines to misty forests, Oregon captured our hearts, and we can’t wait to return someday.

Here are a few snapshots from our October adventures:

Astoria, Oregon — This charming coastal town is the backdrop for so many classic movies, including The Goonies (we thought of you, Aunt Kelly!), Free Willy, and Kindergarten Cop. It’s also home to the mighty Columbia River Bar, the treacherous meeting point of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, often called the “Graveyard of the Pacific” for its more than 2,000 shipwrecks. We loved visiting the fascinating Maritime Museum and exploring nearby Fort Clatsop. Just down the road, we toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and spent an afternoon at the iconic Cannon Beach.

Portland– Our time in Portland moved at a slower pace, which was just what we needed. We stayed in a cozy Airbnb on the east side of the city that had a secret playroom for the kids! Those days gave us a chance to rest, catch up on school, and simply slow down. We also took a day trip to explore Mount St. Helens and drove the stunning Columbia River Gorge, where waterfalls tumbled down cliffs and every turn revealed another breathtaking view.

Bend — We absolutely loved Bend and can’t wait to return one day! After leaving Portland, we made a detour to drive past the Oregon Ducks stadium. We had no idea that our one-hour detour would turn into one of the most stunning drives of our trip. The road wound up and over the mountains, revealing one spectacular view after another. With Ken traveling for work, the boys and I checked into a hotel and made the most of our time exploring. We discovered the incredible High Desert Museum, hiked around a cinder cone and its vast nine-square-mile lava flow, and even treated ourselves to ice cream for lunch. 🍦

Crater Lake — Our 2.5 hour drive to Crater Lake did not start off smoothly. Tate was fussy, which set everyone a little on edge, and the older boys were bickering in the backseat. Most of the park was closed after its first snowfall of the season. We had to make a quick stop at Costco in Bend since all our winter gear was still in the camper. The visitor centers were shut down because of the government closure, and as I watched the thermometer dip lower, I felt anxious about how the day might go.

But then we turned a corner and saw Crater Lake for the first time, and I was brought to tears. The beauty was unbelievable. No photo, video, or description could ever prepare you for how surreal it feels in person. The lake is vast and perfectly still, with Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone, rising from the center like something out of a fantasy novel. Towering all around are the dramatic cliffs of the caldera, the remnants of the collapsed volcano that give the lake its shape. And somehow, the snow only made it more magical—not just a light dusting, but thick, white snowbanks that sparkled against the blue water. The kids forgot the cold and had a blast throwing snowballs, laughter echoing through the air.

In that moment, I was reminded of God’s incredible beauty and His invitation for us to be a part of it. Standing on the rim of Crater Lake, I felt so small and yet so full of awe. Crater Lake was born from the collapse of mighty Mount Mazama, and it stands as a stunning reminder of both power and peace, destruction and creation, all held together in one incredible view.

Did You Know?

• Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet.
• The lake was formed about 7,700 years ago when the massive volcano Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, leaving a huge crater that later filled with rain and snow.
• Because no rivers flow into or out of Crater Lake, its water is among the clearest and purest in the world.
• Its brilliant blue color comes from the way sunlight shines through the clear water
• The lake holds around 4.6 trillion gallons of water—enough to cover the entire state of Oregon in about 10 inches!

Lassen Volcanic-Call us crazy, but we were racing against dropping temperatures, which can cause park closures. The next day was supposed to be beautiful so moved on to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Tucked away in Northern California’s rugged landscape, Lassen feels like a mini Yellowstone!

We started the drive with a stop at Manzanita Lake to stretch our legs and then followed the winding road framed by pine and fir trees up to an elevation of 8,500 feet. The boys hopped out often to read the signs and take in the views of a landscape forever changed by Lassen Peak, one of the world’s largest plug dome volcanoes.

Our hike on the Bumpass Hell Trail brought plenty of laughter — with three boys, the jokes about that name were never-ending! The trail led us to the park’s largest hydrothermal area with boiling pools and steaming vents. It felt like walking through a living science lesson. The colors, sounds, and even the smell reminded us that this world is still being shaped.

As we made our way back, I couldn’t help but think about God’s incredible creativity. Only He could make a place so wild and yet so peaceful. Lassen felt like standing in the middle of a story still being written, and we were grateful to be a small part of it for a day.

After one last night in a hotel, we finally reunited with Ken in Redwoods National Park. He had flown to Spokane after his business trip, picked up our camper, and then drove fifteen long hours to meet us in Northern California. Seeing the camper felt like a deep breath after six whirlwind weeks—weeks filled with challenges, sweet memories, stunning scenery, and so many unexpected lessons. We’re beyond grateful to have our home back and can’t wait to see what new adventures await us here in California.