Summer High

Yesterday Garth, Marissa and I woke to a beautiful sunny day with nothing on the agenda. If you know Garth at all, you'll understand how rare this is. (Intel vacation day + no classes at the moment + no volunteer hours scheduled= "Family Fun, Here We Come". We began our day with a leisurely breakfast out back in the morning shade. Cornbread with honey and butter, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, Marissa's yummy "Orange Julius's" and to top everything off, a game of Labyrinth. =)
After packing a small cooler with liquid refreshment we hopped in the toaster and headed for unknown destinations. Our goal? To get lost on the backroads and just explore for a bit. Note: If Danielle had been with us, this plan would have been shot down REAL quick! She still reminds her dad about the "short-cut" we took across the desert long ago with no sign of civilization for miles. Thus, to this day, it's always "Dad, are you SURE you know where you're going?!"

Driving west through the countryside we came upon the Willamette Valley Soaring Club. Having seen the glider planes on our way to the beach many times, we decided to stop and watch for a while. Wow. That looks fun!!!

Here's a glider taking off now.

Hey, wait a minute! Is that Marissa climbing in one?! Garth, you sly dog. We should have seen this coming. Bungee jumping, skydiving, mountain climbing, "kama kazie" rock repelling, race car driving...need I go on? Never one to pass up a little action.....
Marissa, it's your L-U-C-K-Y D-A-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buckle her in.



Look over the controls.
Remember Marissa, you can touch anything you want except the yellow knob and the release handle for the canopy. Especially the release handle!


Check the seatbelt once more.





My, what BIG wings you have Marissa. ;)

Ready....

Set (one last quick adjustment)......

GO! she and the co-pilot are OFF into the sky. Weeeeeeeee!!!!!




Circling back and over us.

Landing, about a half hour later.





Here they are just touching down. It kinda looks like a plane that forgot to put it's landing gears down, doesn't it?

Marissa is riding along in the golf cart as they tow the plane back. What an amazing ride. She loved it! =)



We took a beautiful drive afterwards. Here are a few pictures I snapped along the way.
I LOVE the outdoors. Thanks Garth for stopping while I hiked around.






On our way home we detoured through Beaverton and stopped here for dinner.


While waiting for your food to cook they have big boxes of roasted peanuts sitting around for you to munch on. Need I say the floors are covered in shells. Very fun and tasty too!



But the "piece de resistance"?
TO DIE FOR ...
Thanks Garth and Marissa for such a fun day.