a few pictures from an exciting week in oregon

Just back from a very fun week visiting Casey's folks in Oregon. Thought I'd share a few pictures as it was quite a memorable trip. It seems nature pulled out all the stops to test our flexibility in making second, and third, plans. Fire, lightning, rain, smoke. Very exciting.

Our week should have started off with three days of camping. But, due to a forest fire, we had to evacuate the camp on day one. All was not lost, however, as we got to watch the fire for a couple of hours, and the four helicopters fighting it with their big buckets of water. Anyhow, pictures say more so here you go.

Broken top. The mountain Casey, Steve and I hiked one day. See that pine on the right in the foreground? Almost directly behind the top of it is where the glacial lake is and the ridge where we picnicked.

The glacial lake with Casey and Steve on the trail. Casey swam here on the way down. He's crazy. I could barely stand to put my feet in it.

Mountain lupine all around the lake. The wildflowers were amazing!

View from the top, of the Cascades. We could see all the way to Mt. Adams in Washington, the mountain we lived at the base of the year Josiah was born.

These little flowers live on the ridge between the lake and the view of  the mountains in the previous pictures. Hardy little things!

Lupine and red paintbrush.

The bat cave at Round Butte that my six year old jumped out of the boat to go explore.

Tubing at Round Butte with a part of the Oregon wagon trail visible on the left.

Casey and I drove down to Crater Lake one day and were met with heavy smoke from another fire. Still beautiful. And it was fun day together.

Phantom Ship on the lake.

The Pinnacles. Fumaroles that were formed when the volcano erupted, many years ago.

So glad we hiked down to the water. Josiah was very impressed that Crater Lake is the "second clearest lake in the world." He told a lot of people that fact. FYI, Blue Lake in New Zealand is #1. The water was beautiful.

Casey couldn't resist.

Oatmeal Cake

I had little doubt that Casey would choose this cake as his birthday cake. It is, after all, an oatmeal cake. But despite the fact that it has oatmeal in it, it has enough butter and sugar and other good things to make it a real treat and I thought you all might enjoy it too. Sharing recipes is always a nice, cushy way for me to get back on the blogging bandwagon. 

This is another winning recipe from Rebecca Hainline, a dear friend in Washington state, who just last week I was able to catch up with over tea in Portland. Enjoyed our time very much. We all enjoy her recipes very much. Thanks, Rebecca! 

Oatmeal Cake
1 c. regular oats
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 c. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. oil
1 1/2 c. boiling water

Preheat oven to 350. 
Mix all ingredients together. Put into greased 9x13 inch pan.

Topping:
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. coconut (I prefer the unsweetened kind)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. evaporated milk (regular milk works fine too)
2/3 c. melted butter

Mix together and spoon over batter. Bake 45 minutes. 

Serve warm or cold, with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or ice cream. If served with fresh berries, can be categorized as a breakfast food and enjoyed in the morning with your coffee before your kids are up.