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Summer break has finally arrived here. It feels like it’s so late in June to just be finishing up but better late than never. Unfortunately the weather has been gloomy the past couple days and we’ve had sickness here again. I don’t remember the last time I was healthy at the end of a school year. I spent most of yesterday on the couch or in bed feeling crummy. Boo to that.

A couple months ago we planned that the first Saturday after school was out we would do the 4T Trail. I decided that clouds and a cold couldn’t keep this from happening. Sometimes you just have to push through the pain, press on, and so we did.

The 4T Trail is an urban trek through the city, into the wilderness and back to the city. You use the Train (MAX), Trail, Trolley (street car), and Tram.

 

We started out from our house and walked a block to the bus and road downtown. Public transportation is always exciting for the kids because we don’t do it often and I needed a refresher before our summer project students arrive this week. I need to at least appear to know what I’m doing. We boarded the bus and 10 minutes later we were in Pioneer Courthouse Square and ready to board the MAX Train. We headed Westbound to Washington Park and followed the signs that lead us over HWY 26 to a switchback climb up the rugged West Hills to Council Crest, the cities highest point.

Unfortunately, the clouds didn’t burn off so we couldn’t see the beautiful mountains above the city but it was lovely none the less. We ate some snacks and of course took a few photos. Jenna and I didn’t plan to match but we kind of did. Aren’t we adorable?

After re-fueling we continued along our way. We descended through miles of trail to the Marquam Nature Park and then began our last section which climbs up to OHSU where you catch the Aerial Tram down the hill. It’s a beautiful view from the Tram and none of us had been in it before so it was a fun ride. I don’t love heights but it wasn’t as scary as I had envisioned and I loved seeing the delight on the kids faces as they road through the sky.

When we exited the tram we then waited for the Trolly (a.k.a. the street car) to take us back to PSU. It conveniently drops you right on campus and about 50 feet from the front door of Ben & Jerry’s so we treated the kids to small cones. We figured they deserved it after hiking 4.5 miles. It’s the longest hike we’ve done as a family and they were total champs. I think I may have been more tired than they were. I blame it on the cold (or getting old, or just being out of shape).

Tired but feeling like we’d conquered the city and nature all in one swoop we got back on the bus and headed home. It was a great way to kick off our summer break. It may not have been sunny but we had a great day as a family. Now we can check that one off the summer bucket list. If you live around Portland and you haven’t done the 4T Trail it’s a great afternoon activity.

I’m sure you’re all wondering how I’m coping with my classes. Well, lets just say that on Friday night (after only two days of class) Matt was having to talk me off a ledge. I was miserable, tired, my insides were acting like they were trying to turn inside out from the nerves and I was not a happy camper. Between taking classes in a very intensive way and living with another family of four in an apartment this summer my introverted, mom (not student) self was ready to die a slow death. You think I’m dramatic? So does my husband. I’m glad to say today after day three I’m a little more settled into this routine. I won’t go so far as to say I’m liking it but I’m trudging through. For some reason I’m in a sort of pressure cooker environment this summer and I’m just hoping that I come out better in the end.

I pressed through my homework on Friday night so that I could breath the rest of the weekend and I’m so glad I did. We had much time away from the apartment complex which was so needed for my soul. It began with coffee with Sally, a student here on the summer project and my sweet Jenna. We talked, sipped coffee, and meandered through the Farmers market (making me feel like I was back at home). The middle of our day was spent at the pool with some dear friends from Bozeman and after two hours had to pull Isaac kicking and screaming from the water. The boy is a serious water lover. The late afternoon and evening we were blessed to go to some friends house to just hang out and use their washer and dryer. They weren’t even there and they let us make ourselves at home. I don’t know if they know what an incredible gift that was. It was quiet, comfortable, just us 4 and Jenna did not want to leave. I think she’s missing our routine of home life as well. The evening brought incredible sunsets, a fabulous lightening storm and it felt like I was able to catch my breath again after feeling like I was drowning.

Sally took that picture. Isn’t it incredible?!

Sunday we decided to celebrate Father’s Day in the Rocky Mountain National Park. I think that we’ve become too accustomed to living in the temperate weather of the city and forgotten everything we learned while living in Montana. We were very unprepared for the weather in the tundra that’s for sure. It was a beautiful, blustery day in the mountains. We did a couple short hikes taking in breathtaking views, wild life, high alpine flowers, and enjoying the presence of each other. We had a great time even though we got rained on at the end of the day and a were cold much of the day. Our kids did a great job and loved being in the great outdoors. Most of the time I don’t miss living in Montana but I do miss the incredible beauty of the mountains. For some reason, it’s as though you can breath a little deeper and longer in the wilderness. I think we all needed that this weekend.

I loved this sweet older man walking on the road. I hope that when I’m his age I’m still tromping through the National Parks.

My amazing hubby. It was so fun to celebrate him yesterday. He’s such a great dad to our kids!

We had a picture taken here 6 years ago at Bear Lake. Jenna was only 6 months old then; My how she’s grown!

I hope that you all had a great weekend as well. It’s time for me to return to my homework. Pray for me.

Well, things don’t always go as planned and sickness is never convenient. My poor girl has been sick since Friday. It just doesn’t seem fair in May and instead of roasting marshmallows for our s’mores party with some neighbors Jenna was in bed. The rest of us had a great time. Isaac and a neighbor friend thought the was event totally serious business to start with, until the sugar kicked in and they had an amazing time.

Too bad that sugar high didn’t last all night because we had a long night ahead with Jenna being sick. Plans to go for a hike Saturday were canceled and instead we did yard work. Not so fun but it was productive. To add a little fun to the day we made a rope swing out of the skate board that we got at the Timbers game. It’s awesome.

This doesn’t look dangerous at all right? Nothing but good times. We were trying to swing away the fever. Unfortunately it didn’t work; But it did bring some smiles.

Today we enjoyed the sunshine and I literally wiped the cob webs off my bike (see them in the picture?) and Matt, Isaac and I went for a lovely bike ride while Jenna got some alone time with Grandma. It was so glorious. Some of our neighbors have two kids and they only bike and use public transportation . While out riding all I could think of was how hard core that is. I just can’t imagine doing it that. Props to them that’s for sure.

Matt, Isaac and I even got time away to get a few needed items for the summer. This is one of my favorite moments of the day. I love these two!!

This wasn’t the weekend that we had planned and my sweet girl is still not feeling well but we made the best of it and enjoyed time together and with our neighbors.

I hope you all are having a delightful long weekend.