Four Days, Two Nights

A good portion of the last two months has been spent collaborating with our good friends, Michael and Sara, an end-of-the-summer backpacking trip. Plans were made, additional gear was purchased, we were ready to go. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had plans of her own. Here is how our original five days, four nights in the Diamond Peak Wilderness turned into four days and two nights....

Day 1:

Spirits are high as we enter the Cascade Mountains. Subway fills our bellies, we are ready for an adventure.




Fast forward to about 4 miles down the trail. The mosquitoes have spotted us and they are relentless. We can't even stop to take water breaks. Jake ends up with 38 bites on one shoulder. Mosquitoes nets, Deet, nothing works.

Another .5 miles and we are breathing in mosquitoes. The group vote is unanimous. Let's quit.


The lake was nice, but not nice enough to keep us going.



At the end of our 9 mile hike. Who doesn't love to go on a day hike with five days of food and gear on their back?


It's back to Eugene to watch the Olympics, drink some beer and sleep on the tempurpedic. With the Cascades out of the picture, we decide to take on the Columbia Gorge the following morning.

Day 2:

We're pretty sure we aren't going to turn around today.


Jake seems to know a lot about this part of the trail.














Enjoying some delicious Top Ramen at camp.




Day 3:


Beautiful waterfalls. You can't tell in the pictures, but the trail behind and around this waterfall was really narrow. One tiny little slip and you'll find yourself at the bottom. Jake was very aware of this fact and took about fifteen minutes to walk 30 feet. At this point in the hike, Jill was still very confident in her walking abilities and didn't think once about falling.


This is the last picture that was taken where Jill is confident on her feet. A mere five minutes later while crossing a stream, she managed to step off of a log and slip on the rocks. It wouldn't have been so bad if either her hands or knees, or perhaps even an elbow would have broken her fall. Instead, she decided to test out how strong her mouth was. It turns out that indeed her mouth is quite strong and she still has all her teeth. Her gums are quickly healing, her confidence not so much.


Today's hike was gorgeous.


We have now survived three days and one night. Jake victoriously enjoys some sausage log.



Day 4:

Our packs are feeling lighter, our legs are feeling weak. We've run into a few mosquitoes, but so far so good. Today we started off with a walk around the lake.

At the top of Chinidere Mountain. The view from the top was amazing. Jake tried to give Jill a heart attack by venturing out on the edge to capture the "perfect" picture. Also, while atop the mountain, Michael was bitten by a nasty spider. Jill would rather fall than be bitten.

Our original plan was to spend a third night in the wilderness. Benson Plateau was to be our home for the night. However, we were once again attacked by mosquitoes. Not wanting to donate too much of our blood we decided to hike the remaining six miles back to civilization. Unfortunately this consisted of:


Steep downhill switchbacks (they of course are much steeper in real life).

AND



Rocky paths- a great place to hike when it is 104 outside.


Back at the car anxious for fresh clothes and Burgerville.

Backpacks, Smoking and Music Etiquette

We're not quite sure how the following photo failed to make an appearance on our blog while we were in Japan. It is a classic.

Riding in Style

We thought it was time to show all of you just how cool we look when we are out riding our bikes in Eugene.

In this particular situation, Jacob definitely has the upper hand on style. His expensive sunglasses, and newer and flashy red bicycle really add to his look.

Jill struggles to keep up with her Target brand sunglasses and Huffy-like bike from the mid 90's.

The Five Days of Becca

Anyone who really knows me, knows that there was someone before Jake. Becca. Becca who Jake is constantly competing against for my love and affection. That might be a little extreme, but nonetheless she is my best friend and I love spending time with her and her two little girls.

This get together involved two 6-hour drives with her girls, a Jenks concert, relaxing in the sun in Coeur D'Alene and best of all, our good friend Brian's wedding. Check out the pictures to see the highlights.

Having fun with Abbie and Lauren. I must make a good seat.


Lauren teaching Audrey how to brush her teeth. What sweet friends!


Congratulations, Brian and Rachel!
The wedding was at the Jewett House with the ceremony taking place facing the lake. It was beautiful.

Audrey, Noelle, Jill, Diane and Becca with the handsome groom.



A few of my favorite girls. After having such a great time at the wedding, we have decided to have a college girl's reunion every year. I can't wait until Spring when we start our first official weekend away together.



This is Lauren on our ride home from CDA. This girl sure does love her Ranch.

A Success Story

As you can see, we have finally fixed our dwarf-like shower situation. We are very excited to once again shower on our feet. Who knew that was such a luxury!

While Jake was at school, Jill decided to not only conquer the shower, but to put handles on the new filing cabinet, and assemble the new TV stand. To some this might be an easy list to complete, but for a girl who once was confused about why her dorm room refrigerator was not working ("what do you mean have I turned it "ON?") and who once almost threw a lamp away because it would not turn on (turns out it was a "twist" switch and not a "push repeatedly" switch) this was quite the accomplishment. While she would like to take all the credit herself, Jill does need to give some credit to one Becca Stephens (who was also present during the refrigerator and lamp fiasco)for her encouragement and wise advice via the cell phone. Thanks, Becca!

Sweet Home

Just a little update on jobs and school...

I was offered and accepted a job in the Sweet Home School District. I'll be working half time as a extended day Kindergarten teacher and half time as a Reading Specialist in Sweet Home and Foster starting at the end of August. I will have a wee little commute of 45 miles each way, but am hoping to carpool with another teacher to make it a little more bearable. Neither kindergarten, being a Reading Specialist, or spending half my paycheck on gas is what I had in mind for the coming school year, but I felt strongly that Sweet Home was where I should be. So, here's to a year of blowing noses,teaching phonics, and singing in the car! Jake and I are definitely excited about the prospect of an income and health insurance, and I know that it won't take me too long to fall in love with my new little kiddos.

Jake is plugging away at school. He is really enjoying his Law class- especially all of the reading he has to do every night. Who doesn't love to read page after page of law jargon on a nice summer evening? At least by the end of the class, he will know exactly how to get sued as a teacher. If that doesn't get you ready to be a teacher, I'm not sure what will. He is also taking a very "informative" computer class that teaches him all about Googling and the who, what, when, where, and why of research. So if any of you are confused about how to use the Google bar, or have forgotten the 5 "w's", let him know. Can you believe he has to PAY to take a class on this?! Okay, there might be more to the class, but that's all I've heard him talk about. :)

Hope everyone is doing well!

366 Days and Counting...

It doesn't seem quite right that we are already celebrating our first anniversary. It seems as if it were only a short while ago we were two happy newlyweds who were suddenly thrown out on the streets in a foreign country with no job and no where to lay their slightly large blond heads. But, nope, that was way back on Day 112. Today is Day 366*.

We have definitely had an interesting first year- one that will be difficult to ever forget. As we have said many times before, Japan was a wonderful, crazy and at times very challenging experience for the two of us. While we loved the opportunities living abroad gave us, we are excited to see how year two shapes up for us as we try to settle into a more normal life in Eugene.

We are partially moved into our duplex. The shower head has not yet been fixed, but Jake has informed me that it works out okay if you shower while on your knees. We'll probably both need knee replacements by the end of the year.

I put together a quick slide show of our first year together. There's no music, but feel free to imagine my voice singing your favorite song while you watch it.



*Thanks to Becca for pointing out that we really have been married 366 days and not 365. Way to be on top of things.