Hood River has been on my PNW bucket list for a few years now, but I somehow always fizzle when planning the trip. Too far, too many other things to do, too many excuses… This year, though, I tossed out the idea to the Rusts, as they’re Hood River regulars, and then our friend Jordan wanted to join to celebrate his birthday and soon this getaway had taken on a life of its own. The text thread grew and calendars aligned and soon a whole gaggle of us had booked a few nights down there in mid-August. Best Western or Bust! We settled into our hotel room on a Wednesday afternoon and Juliette spent several minutes pretending that the phone was ringing, then picking it up and saying, “Hello there! Juliette Schnell speaking!” Corded phones…the novelty.
But when I offered to take her to the pool, the phone was quickly tossed aside. And look who we found there!
We laid low in the evening, eating at the hotel and then taking a soft serve sunset stroll.
More of our buddies trickled in late Wednesday night – we’ve missed these girls like crazy since they moved to Colorado a couple of years ago and it was so good to be reunited over Thursday breakfast!
Want to guess how Isaac slept that first night?! Naptime couldn’t come soon enough.
We settled into vacation mode with pool time and park time.
And then afternoon nap / hotel bed shenanigans.
Everyone convened at the river before dinner for a paddle and a swim.
Our crew took over this little cove and goodness, it made me happy to see us all together again.
Isaac, Mama needs a canned wine sometimes! You stop with that judgey look.
We picnicked at the nearby park for dinner, doing more catch-up while the kids frolicked on the playground.
The first baby of the group (who just turned FOURTEEN!) and the last baby of the group make for some very cute bookends.
I walked Isaac back to the hotel for bedtime and while I would have loved to hang out for ice cream with the gang, I did cherish this riverfront stroll with my boy.
Friday! Group breakfast…
More pool time…
And an afternoon hike to Tamanawas Falls with the little mountain goats.
These kids were such good sports – I didn’t have to bust out the gummy worms until we were over two miles in!
I hear water…
Made it! And so worth the trek.
We made record time heading back – these girls were pooped, but still smiling.
We all met at Ferment that night for hard-earned beers and burgers.
THE BOYS! The best of the best dads and sons.
It was back to the playground after dinner, as it proved to be a great place for the adults to chat while the kids roamed freely. Though let’s be honest, some kids (one kid) needed a bit more supervision than the others…
Isaac won’t ever have a biological big bro, but I gotta say, Gryff and Isaiah are the sweetest surrogates.
I took the morning shift on Saturday and Isaac and I got out for a sunrise stroll. We walked along the river for a bit and then decided to head into town in search of coffee.
Found it!
Post-breakfast pool time…
And then a jaunt out to the Gorge White House for berry picking, cider, and a stroll among the dahlias.
This kid definitely isn’t a great nighttime sleeper when we’re not home, but bless his heart for still being able to nap on the go.
Jack and La Verne invited me to tag along for their 2pm wine tasting, and while I initially declined, saying I should really hang back with Isaac, Juliette nearly pushed me into their car, saying “Go, Mama! You need a break!” I mean, if she says so…
We spent another evening at the river, doing all the water things.
How many kids can you fit on a single paddle board? A lot.
These kids have literally been hanging out since birth and are all of the age now that they want to/get to choose their own friends, but they still get along so splendidly.
Uncle Jordan won “Most Fun Adult” that evening, for sure.
We drove over the bridge to While Salmon for another picnic dinner. The kids rabble-roused…
Gryff played airplane with Isaac while Nance did backup…
And we just…hung, in that easy-going, fun-loving way we have of being together. We met these people in 2007, when we were all relatively new to Seattle and looking for community. None of us had family in the Seattle area and we quickly became each other’s support system, holding each other close through highs and lows and lots of kids. I still remember the night that Jason showed up at our small group wearing a sweater vest, looking extra mature as he shared the news with all us childless 20-somethings that Nance was pregnant. We were having a baby! And now that baby is a teenager and it feels like some of our other littles are well on their way… And yet, the adults haven’t aged a bit. 😉
I took another morning shift on Sunday, wanting to soak in one more walk along the river. I tucked Isaac into the Ergo and he fell asleep steps from the hotel. We walked for miles, his face nuzzled into my chest; I watched the sun come up and highlight his wispy blonde hair and sheesh, traveling with a baby is hard but sometimes so, so good.
Buddy slept all through breakfast. Making up for lost time, I guess…
He’s up!
We squeezed in one last pool session before hitting the road.
We kept saying, “We should go. We should really go.” But dang it, good byes are hard! Such a special group of people in such a special place. There’s comfort in knowing we can always pick up right where we left off, though. Also comfort in knowing how fun we still are! Some things never change.
