Sun and Sand

"On the beach you'll find them there, in the sun and salty air..."
-Beach Boys

Record breaking temperatures this past weekend. I am not complaining, mind you, after our incredibly long, rainy winter. Shilo and I went to Portland on a girls shopping trip on Saturday. After five hours in the cool, air-conditioned mall we almost melted as we got back into the car. I would like to have had the sunroof open for the ride home, but Shilo was feeling a bit tired and whiny..."My legs are sore(soccer practice), my tooth hurts(new filing), I'm hot(wearing jeans), my stomach hurts(cheese on her sandwich), I don't know any of the songs on your cd's(not my problem!), I'm gonna have a sunburn on my forehead(which gets us to the sunroof!) All in all, we had a pleasant day.
Riff and Dustin got home on Sunday with Derek in tow. They are tired, sunburnt, beat-up, bruised and happy to be home. Riff confessed that they (him, Britt and Jared-not the others), floated a stretch of river know as "Staircase" at much to high of a level. (Class 4+ to 5) The guides had pulled off of it a week earlier because the levels had risen to much and they had actually lost a couple of people. They had a great week and everyone came home intact. Of course, they are already planning next years trip. Grande Ronde sound good?
Another exceptionally warm day for the Oregon Coast. After unpacking the suburban and starting the mountains of "camping" laundry, we loaded up and headed to the beach. It was Dereks first time, so he was very excited about the whole thing and entranced by the sand shrimp. 85 degrees at the house when we left, but only about 65 on the beach with a chilly breeze blowing. Seems to happen that way if we wait until the afternoon to go. We decided not to fight the wind, so went to Coffinbury Lake for our barbeque. I had made "Firecracker Burgers" to grill. Salsa mixed in with the burger, then wrapped around a cheese-filled jalapeno popper. After grilling you top the toasted bun with guacamole, lettuce, tomato and onion. Very good!! The dogs had a good swim in the lake, then a mighty shake standing right next to me. Why do they do that? I think they find it funny. Hannah always seems to be grinning after she drenches someone.
May you be blessed with warm days and grilled burgers....