Toregon

From Aug. 5-12, Lars, Tor, and I hung out with the Karpluses (and those entrapped by our wiles) in Three Rivers, Oregon, about 15 miles from Bend. It was an awesome week for unwinding, enjoying natural beauty, and catching up with/getting to know each other better.

Left to right: Christina, her fiance Caleb, me, some guy I know, Tim, his wife Caitlin, and my mom Karen

Needless to say, our little ham reveled in the attention.

The perennially popular Opa ride

Funny, Opa heavily censored Hop on Pop when he was the dad

Favorite aspect of the multi-featured Little Penguin: its tag

Great, now the hands are free for havoc-wreaking

Both Hansens remained skeptical of the
Lava Cast Forest's geological narrative

Repping for Tante Caitlin's med school--can we get some free pens over here?

"A stroll! Oh boy oh boy!"

We checked out a waterfall near our rental house and took a few family photos.

Oma and Opa brought along a sleeping bag that we parked Tor on while we had adult time. He's legitimately crawling now, though, and he was close then, so he tended to stray.

To cap off the trip, Lars, Tor, and I joined my dad in a long-realized dream of hiking up South Sister (10,358 ft; 6 miles and 5,000 vertical feet one way). Boy, do we need to get more exercise. Dad jogs five times a week and was fresh as a daisy. Lars and I were sore for the next five days. Tor did better than expected, but it still took us 11 hours car to car.

First water break

See that mountain behind us? It was tough to walk up.

For the final mile and 1,000 elevation gain,
the kid insisted on riding in the front carrier

With the summit behind us! (I'm saving the good view
photo for the Christmas card. Take that.)

Scree: even worse on the way down (note Tor
occupied by rattle attached to pack with dental floss)

Definitely the two happiest of the four hikers at this point

Working on the calorie deficit from his trek

Next post: Tor goes canoe camping with five dirty hippies! Styling his nautical best:

I

Pray for us.