On July 30th we went to Sacramento where we stayed overnight at the Gallaghers. On the 31st we set out for Oregon with Ian and Fiona, arriving late in the afternoon.

First thing was horse riding lessons. Here's Ian and Fiona astride their broncos. Here's a little closer shot of Ian. Then it was home for lunch and off to the Y for swimming.

The next day was a big one. We left as soon as we could get around to head for Howard Prairie Lake. There we had a "patio boat" reserved and also got a tube for towing behind it. Here's Fiona and Ian ready for the takeoff. Soon they were riding the waves with Tate keeping a close eye on things. Eventually they got dumped and made their way back to the boat. That looked like so much fun that Hailey and Tate decided they should go with Ian. And they're off! And then, they're really off. Tate didn't actually think it was that much fun after it started moving. But the threesome looked like so much fun, we tried it again with a different crew, and that worked better. Meanwhile, Tate and Grammy kept a close eye on things. Going back in for the morning, Ian took a turn at the wheel, while Fiona and Grammy indulged in a little refreshment. Sufficiently restored, Fiona took a turn at the wheel. We took a little turn around the lake before going in, and we spotted a bald eagle in the top of a tall tree (tallest one around). Not having a high powered telephoto lens, I did the next best thing, and took a picture through one side of my binoculars. Here is the rather interesting result. After lunch we went down to the lakeside from our "schooner" (oh yes, HP rents out some permanently located vacation trailers, and we got one for Thursday night and were fortunate enough to get into it early). A neighboring camper had their new five week old Chocolate Lab down at the lake. A little later we took a second trip on the patio boat. This time we concentrated on jumping off the boat roof. (I don't mean we in the completely inclusive sense.) Tate was ever at the ready in case of any emergency. Fiona had lots of fun, but they were ready for a bit of quiet time.

Up and about in good time on Friday, because it was time for a trail ride at the Box R Ranch. Well, the younger set did, anyway. The group included Hailey, Fiona, Ian, and neighbor Jarred. Here Ian and Fiona get a bit of warm-up time before the ride, and Jarred and Hailey are ready to go. Finally, they all join up with the leader and off they go. After the ride, there was a bit of horsing around, and for a "tough cowperson" shot.

Saturday, it was back out for another riding lesson. Here they are doing a few barrel racing turns. Ian picks up the speed a little, as does Fiona. Finally, here they both go around the arena at a trot. That evening the aunty and grammy went to the Britt Festival while the Grandad and the kiddoes went in the Dart to see Ratatouille. No picture of us in the Dart (ah darn, miss some shots). But here's a shot of Fiona and Hailey ready to go to the Britt. Re Tatatouille: I'll never eat French food again.

Sunday morning, Hailey, Ian, and I took the hike to Hobart Bluff, east of Ashland and overlooking the Valley toward Ashland and Medford (but alas, not so we could see our house). Here's Hailey and Ian on the overlook with Emigrant Lake in the backgound. Then Tate and I joined Ian. Here's another of Ian and I. Finally, a shot to the sky with Ian, Hailey, and Tate. In the meantime, Grammy and Fiona were playing Mexican Train (loose rules) and then headed to the Y for a swim session. Back home, we rested for a while, then got out the "rubber band" airplane for a trial. Turns out it was a one shot success before repairs were required.

Monday morning, we were off for the horse riding lessons for the last time in Grammy's convertible. At the arena there was a good bit more trotting. Fiona looks like she is enjoying the whole thing, as is Ian, who keeps the bridle high. After lunch we had a little "trebuchet time". Here's Fiona getting off a shot. Ian followed with one of his own. Then Jarred, with Tate ever at the ready to chase the ball down. Then Hailey launched her shot (caught by Jarred in his ball glove - as were many others). Finally, I got a chance to hurl. Then it was off to the neighbor's pool for a little cooling off and hi jinks (did that smart?). Didn't seem to catch Ian at anything, but he was there. Right after the cool (70 odd degrees) dip, it was down to the hot tub for a warm up.

Next day it was off toward Sacramento to the other grandmother, Bubbles Gallagher. I'mn sure they went with fond memories of horse riding, camping, boating, swinging, trebucheting, to say nothing of Mexican Train and Rummykub. A week later, and Grammy and Grandad are almost recovered.