The Redwoods & Crater Lake

Chris had one measly week off between spring semester and summer semester so we decided to go camping at the redwoods!

It. Was. AWESOME.

You already know how awesome we think Oregon trees are...

but the Redwoods kicked butt!!

We are in love. 

(With each other and now the Redwoods).

So clever.

 There were signs everywhere about bears...and how a bear had been going through camp every night looking for food. And how they can get aggressive.

So I was pretty much FREAKED out the whole time we were there!

Chris' favorite part of this picture is the reflection of my concerned face.

I wouldn't have slept a wink if we were sleeping in a tent.

Luckily we had already decided to be cheap and sleep in the back of my car.

I loved it.

This pretty blue river ran right behind our campsite.

 For the first time in my life I felt LITTLE!

 The biggest tree we saw the first day!

 We saw Spiderman! 

Oh wait, that's just Chris.

 Being dwarfed!

 

 Our campsite.

On our second day there we drove 45 minutes south to see some more of the redwoods and saw the ocean too.

 Chris dying to dive into the water.

 Ginormous. 

This is Big Tree, the only tree with stats: (clever name)

 Height: 304 feet

Diameter: 21.6 feet

Estimated age: 1500 years!

We watched elk at Elk Prairie. Go Figure.

 We stopped to check out Paul Bunyon and his blue ox Babe.

In the afternoon we hiked the Boy Scout Tree Trail among some old growth redwoods.

I kept expecting to see dinosaurs somewhere.
(or bears!)

The Boy Scout Tree:

Engagement photo?

sooooo big!

The tree...not Chris' butt.

The next day on our drive home we stopped at Crater Lake.

There was SO MUCH SNOW on the drive up and around the lake!

At the visitors center.

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and gets to almost 2,000 feet deep. 

Because of all the snow there was only one spot to view the lake from, but it was gorgeous!

I no longer feel like Utah gets the most snow ever!

It was the perfect way to spend some much needed time with the sun and with each other after such a rotten winter/spring and semester!

White Coat Ceremony

Chris' class had their White Coat Ceremony last night.

"The White Coat Ceremony is a "right of passage" for students beginning the study of medicine that encourages a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. The event emphasizes the importance of both scientific excellence and compassionate care for the patient."

In other words, Chris is now a 3rd year and will be working as an intern in the clinics twice a week for the next year.

 Chris donning the white coat.

(p.s. I need a new camera)

 Shaking hands with Dr. Smith (his favorite teacher).

The class reciting the Optometric Oath. 

 We are so happy that Bob and Minnie were able to be here for this momentous occasion!

 The guys that have helped Chris get through so far.

 The wives that have helped me get through!

Chris with his favorite teachers--Dr. Lingel and Dr. Smith (who happen to be married to each other).

Dr. Smith is also my "gym homie" as he calls it...we see each other at the gym almost everyday.

This man is amazing! 

It really does seem like just yesterday that we were at the Commencement Ceremony, scared but excited for what loomed ahead. 

I can't believe it's already been 2 years and we are half way done!

tulip festival

The rain and clouds finally went away AND it was warm outside last weekend so we decided to head to the Woodburn Tulip Festival.

It was incredible!
If it wasn't an hour away from us I would go back every week.
Afterwards we shopped until we seriously wanted to drop at the outlet malls down there and ate at Olive Garden at 9pm.
It was a good day :)
I could go on and on about how pretty it was, but I'll let the overload of pictures speak for themselves.

Considering that this didn't involve netflix, pizza or staying inside...this was the BEST date we've had in a LONG time!