Farewell to a boy

And in two years we will say hello to a man, tried and true after serving as a missionary in Cambodia.

We went to Central Point on Tuesday, July 8th. Six of us went to Ashland that evening to see the play, "A Wrinkle in Time."  It was interesting how they performed it. Grandpa watched Gideon and Joseph while we were gone.

On the 9th, Neil's birthday, we had a privilege of going to the temple with Zachary. Eldon and I were asked to be the witness couple. It was joyful to see Neil, Pam, Emily and Zachary arm in arm in the celestial room.

Neil's birthday dinner was a joint effort--special salad by Pam, tofu and veggies by Emily, and a chocolate torte by Zachary! 

The next day we took off to the coast. We stopped at the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. It was amazing walking through those huge trees.

We stayed in Brookings for two nights. We walked at the Harris Beach where Eldon looked for driftwood.

The next morning we headed out early on the Oregon Coast Trail. It was wet with the morning mist and we got soaked up to our knees.

The Whaleshead viewpoint was cool.

We drove up to Gold Beach and visited a myrtle wood store and watched a guy making a bowl.

Then we drove up the Rogue River to the Shrader Old Growth Trail. It was a mile long loop that was self guided.

Not much further on up a steep trail was the largest known myrtle tree in Oregon.

Tomorrow we head back to Central Point so we can go to church and hear Zachary's talk. It will be sad to say goodbye, but we're really excited for this chance for him to serve and know that he's worthy to do it.