Crater Lake 2009

So Crater Lake is so amazing. We just got back from a vacation there. We went to the Wildlife Safari in Roseburg, Oregon on the way down to Crater Lake. Paid big bucks to get in but my it was so worth it. A giraffe stood 5 feet from our car; an elephant named Alice washed our car by squirting us with her trunk and then wiping the windows with a sponge; a bear showed us a new sleeping position: the kids got a birds and the bees lesson from a black and brown bear; an ostrich followed us in our car, etc. What fun!
At Crater Lake we got to see the lake, swim in a fabulous lake called Lake of the Woods, spend time with our cousins (Scott's brother and his family), etc. We met some new friends because of a conversation I had at the time I made the reservations. It seemed that Heidi, one of the owners of the resort where we stayed was going to have a birthday while we were there. I told her that since it was on the 24Th of July that if she was in Utah, she could have a parade in honor of her birthday. They have a parade then to celebrate the pioneers entering the Salt Lake valley. She told me her "parade story" which was a great adventure where she ended up in a parade in her car by turning onto a street during a fiesta days parade in Colorado. We talked about having our own parade in our cars while I was there and how silly that would be.
Well, we got to Union Creek Resort and later in the evening, I was asking for advice on where to take the kids for a hike. A lady at the resort took me outside to show me which direction to go, etc. At the end of the conversation, I thanked her for her help and asked her what her name was. It was Heidi! I squealed and said "Heidi, it's Michelle, the parade lady!" She squealed back and we hugged each other and laughed. I am sure everyone around us thought we had lost our minds. It was as if we were old friends.
Well, we ended up at the ice cream shop to have her husband go check out a few issues in the cabin (light bulbs, etc) and while there, she gave me ice cream for the kids and then we "toasted" with spoonfuls of birthday cake ice cream for her birthday. Then these two older gentlemen entered the store and I asked them to sing happy birthday to Heidi with me. She cried, probably because the song was so bad. he he
The next day,we invited Heidi and her family to join us and Dale and Lisa's family for lunch. We had made Curry and we had enough to feed an army. The kids had so much fun together. Then later that evening, we were starting a fire to have smores, sing campfire songs, etc. Up the dirt road comes Heidi honking in her car, all her kids in their wagons, bikes, etc. They started throwing candy and laughing. It was a parade just for us! What fun! The kids ended up playing, having smores, etc. until late into the night. It ended with Lisa leading us in a camp song about not wanting the good time to be over. Something about "Ooo hoo, I want to linger."
The next day we had ice cream for lunch and spent the afternoon helping Laurel, a great girl who was offering horseback rides. All the kids got to brush horses, help get them saddled up, and then each of the kids, Katie, Ally, Rylee, Sarah, and I got to ride a horse for a half hour ride through the forest. A memory for sure. Especially for the two littles who had never ridden a horse before.
We are now home and awaiting the arrival of Dale and Lisa to our home from their adventures on the coast this week. They have never been to our home so hopefully we will be good hosts and they will enjoy their stay. With the heat this week at 102 and climbing, I think all of us are glad we have air conditioning. I know several friends who are hanging out at our house for the week! We love company and wish more friends and family would come visit.