The bi-annual Hunt Reunion was over the Fourth of July on the Oregon Coast - Depoe Bay. None of us have spent much time on the coast and we were excited for the adventure. I had to warn my kids that the Oregon coast was going to be very different - mostly in temperature - compared to the Hawaiian coast (which the kids vividly remember from last November).
We left Tuesday after swimming lessons and had an uneventful drive. It took me about 30 minutes to attach the portable DVD player to the back of the headrests and connect wiring....what a pain! Now I know why people purchase vehicles with DVD players already installed.
We stopped at a random replica of Stonehenge, located near the Dalles, on the Washington side of the state line. On a hill in the middle of nowhere, a monument to the WWI veterans, constructed by a local back in the day who loved Stonehenge and wanted to pay tribute to the soldiers. It had a beautiful view of the Columbia River Gorge and kids had a blast playing hide-and-seek. After dinner in an old school Mom-and-Pop restaurant we found our way through the tangle of Portland to our hotel in Hillsboro.
Wednesday was the Fourth of July and we had plans to visit a dear friend of mine from high school, Caroline. I haven't seen her since a veterinary conference when Mallorie was about 6 months old and had never met her husband and two daughters. In addition, her parents were in town. We had a great visit, got caught up, watched the kids play, and walked in the neighborhood parade. The whole celebration was like a carnival - churches were volunteering doughnuts and juice in the morning, venders were selling hot dogs and pop corn, a clown performed a little show, and there were bouncy houses every 1000 yards. Spencer was "off" that morning and just wanted to be carried for the parade. He wanted to bounce in one of the castles and when it was about our turn, he bailed (no matter that we had impatiently waited in line for 15 minutes). The crankiness lasted until it was time to load up in the car....the drive to Depoe Bay was a beautiful 3 hours south. It's so dense and green!!
The beach house was a white, large place with an ocean view. The stairs down to the beach had been damaged in a storm earlier in the season but we were able to manage the 2-foot drop from the last board to the sand without much difficulty. The kitchen was set up for large groups with an amazing amount of storage and enough seating for all 26 of us.
There were almost enough beds for the group and not quite enough bathrooms. For example, the master bath had an enormous tub, a bide for those so inclined, and two sinks. However, there was no door into said bathroom and the bedroom door couldn't be locked. We improvised and hung a sign on the outer door saying "available" or "do not enter." The other main level bathroom had a urinal in addition to the usual toilet. Quirky!
We lit fireworks on the beach that evening and were close enough to town to see some of their large fireworks. The air was smoky and smelled of campfire by the time we called it quits for bed. Thursday morning dawned cloudy - a large group went for a run on the beach and the adult twins, who ran barefoot, spent time later that morning popping the blisters they received for their efforts. The rest of the morning was spent in the sun, on the beach, building the most elaborate sand castle I've ever seen. The men outlasted all but a few of the older children in the endeavor and I think Mallorie was the only one knocked over by a stray wave.
They started by cutting off the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket and spraying the inside with WD-40. The bucket was placed on compacted sand for a base and sand/water were added until the bucket was tight and full. The grease allowed the bucket to slip off rather easily.
Finishing touches were painstakingly added with the tip of mechanical pencils and tiny spatulas. Artistry runs deep in the Hunt veins and this project was perfect for them. All wound up with burnt necks, calves, and tops of their feet.
And the whale watching was awesome! You could only see mist from the whale blowing but it was fantastic. More fun, I think, was listening to Tara squeal in excitement each time she spotted one. The lower level of the house contained a pool table and Foosball which kept those not inclined to sand occupied.
Did I mention that Sarah's fiancee, Alec, was able to join for the reunion?? They met initially while on their mission in/around San Diego and kept in touch. Normally, you have the chance to shake the groom's hand in the receiving line and note that he's a "nice looking young man." Rarely do you get to know him before the "I do." He was a great sport and jumped right into life with the Hunts. I was quite impressed with him.
Friday was an early morning for many of the group; many of the men and some of the older cousins signed up for deep sea fishing. They caught their limit within a few hours and returned for a quick nap before loading up for a whale watching tour.
The whales were quite active and we had some great shots and rather close encounters. Beth and Alec were queasy for the majority of the ride despite meds prior to the event. Most of the teenagers slept in the cabin and missed a chunk of the view. The rest of us bundled up and enjoyed the salty sea air. Dinner that night was an amazing clam chowder and fresh fish....delicious!
Most of us wandered down the coast to the Haceta Light House as well. It was blissfully chilly and such a relief from the 90+ degree weather we had been experiencing in Meridian the week before the reunion.
We departed Saturday morning, took a detour through Tillamook and their new cheese-making facility where we had cheese samples, walked through the barn with fake cows, and ate lunch at a taco truck.
We wound up back near Hillsboro to spend a few hours with my brother, Sean, and his wife and kiddo. Their little boy is a few months younger than Spencer so it was fun to see the two of them together. My crew was a little off, and Mallorie could not be convinced to smile....
Dinner was carry-out pizza and we left early in the evening to continue the drive home. It was uneventful and we arrived back to Meridian around lunch on Sunday.
The Hunts are amazing people. Hard-working, generous, strong in their faith, and loving. I miss them when we aren't together and enjoy the time we do spend together. I'm lucky that two of my brother in laws' and families live in town! We can't wait for my in-laws to return from their mission.
Chadwick and I are in charge of the next reunion in two years....time to start planning!
