I worked the Christmas holiday weekend this year but had New Years Day (observed on 1/2) and with schools closed, we decided to take the days off in-between for a little family winter getaway. Kelvin's parents came up to join us for their semi-annual trip to Humboldt and were excited to get their taste of winter with a few days away in Central Oregon.
We drove for about six and a half hours from home on Tuesday and stopped partway in Grants Pass for some "wintery" treats (I think this is Niall's first DQ Blizzard. He was a fan of the holiday "Candy Cane" flavor!).
We hit a winter storm a bit south of Sunriver and Kelvin did a great job navigating the icy roads despite being a product of the climates of Vietnam and coastal California.
Sunriver is a resort and residential community created in the 1960s and has many lovely cabins to rent. We woke up to snow on our deck almost every morning, a novelty which excited the kids...
... and the grandparents!
It was dark and warm in the bedrooms and they actually slept in until between 6:30 and 7:00 most mornings!
The kids didn't mind shoveling! We had to get some new snowgear for this trip but they were well dressed and warm!
On Wednesday morning, Iver, Kelvin, and I went on a snowshoeing tour up Cascade Lakes Highway with Wanderlust Tours.
The woods were so peaceful! The guide even pointed out some pine marten tracks in the fresh snow.
Even energetic Iver found it tiring walking in about four feet of powder!
Hot cocoa break
On Thursday, Kelvin and I headed up to Mt. Bachelor to ski/snowboard, while the kids stayed home at the cabin.
Unfortunately, I forgot to pack ski goggles, and there was a veritable blizzard atop the mountain.
Wind was high and visibility was terrible and Kelvin and I didn't last long out there-- it was exhausting! The powder was THICK (the mountain gets upwards of 40 feet of snow per season!) and I had my good share of falls.
We visited Sunriver Lodge for some evening holiday lights viewing.
Our cabin was a couple of blocks from SHARC (a recreation and aquatic center) and we passed time in the afternoons swimming (although it was a bit cold for N and me).
Our cabin had its own deck hot tub, which delighted the kiddos!
Next to SHARC was a a sledding hill and we headed there after some fresh snow on Friday morning.
The weather turned to a "wintry mix" and we found it a good afternoon to spend at Bend's High Desert Museum.
The Desertarium included a lot of desert species including rattlesnakes and this Chuckwalla.
A rescued gray fox was not shy and we loved watching different owl species and other raptors in the Birds of Prey exhibit.
Bend's Hardy's was good for some food and more wintry treats.
We took the family on a Sleigh Ride around Sunriver Resort on Saturday morning.
We saw a thirty-plus herd of elk.
We then tried Ice Skating at the Village at Sunriver which had a covered but outdoor rink.
It was the kids' first time on ice skates (and it had probably been two decades for me!), and the "skate helper" helped Niall a bit, although he tired easily.
Iver, who's gotten really coordinated after rolling around our neighborhood on some free skates we found on the roadside, was impressive in his first time on ice!
We really tried almost all of the snow sports this week, and these Cali kids (and the OC grandparents) had such fun getting some "winter fun" in!
(disclaimer: they found, but did not construct, this snowman!)
Until next winter! Happy New Year!
