The Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017

In Oregon, we were lucky enough to be in the path of totality for the big Solar Eclipse.  Yes there was some serious hype about it in Oregon.  Traffic fears, wild fire fears... not to mention the fear of looking into the light.  But... all the hype was completely worth it and it turned out to be a once in a lifetime experience.  It lasted for over two hours from beginning to end and over two minutes when the moon was completely in front of the sun.  We sat outside with Lily, Dave and Venita enjoying some popcorn and good conversations while looking up with our glasses on.  When the moon was completely in front of the sun, the sky went black and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees (at 10am in the morning).  It really was cool.

The Beitels can throw some parties

Aunt Debbie (and Uncle John) are Lily's token Aunt & Uncle.  Uncle Dave's sister and husband, but they feel just like family and each summer we are lucky enough to get some hang out time with them.  This summer was no exception.  We started the summer off with dinner, some grass seed combining, swimming and some rock collecting.  John's dad had a huge rock collection before departing this earth that no one has touched since.  I'm talking about enough rocks to fill a museum.  Petrified wood, thunder eggs, agates and beautiful stones that he cut himself.  Lily had an awesome adventure searching through the stash and finding a few to take home.  Not sure how we are going to get them home, but that's a story for another time.

This last weekend though, Debbie and John threw a pre-eclipse, pre-Beaver season start up party.  Or maybe it was just any reason for a party.  Lily truly found her tribe.  A bunch of twenty somethings that gave her their undivided attention for the entire night.  I found her once playing strip basketball in her swimsuit.  I don't think anyone was really stripping but based on the fact that she was playing basketball in her swimsuit it had me a little worried.  Another time we found her teaching three boys all kinds of dance moves and the boys (20 somethings) were dancing around copying her.  Boy, was she in heaven.  Plus the rest of us got to enjoy some great words of wisdom for the older folks around.  Can't remember when I've laughed that hard in a while.

Lake House - compliments of the Carpenters

After lots of back and forth, Ahren, Mike and the Carpenter family finally got their lake home in Pine Hollow, Oregon.  For three days, the four girls went over and painted, painted and then painted into the wee hours of the night.  There was one night that included a Prince Purple Rain Reunion.  And another night of Lionel Richie.  It was definitely some quality bonding time over paint brushes, Rose Wine and some tasty ice cream sandwiches.  I don't recommend painting after too much Rose however.  Doesn't look so good the next morning.  Or maybe it was just the lack of light the night before. Who knows.

Rest assured for a few minutes here and there... we were lucky enough to get some lake time in.  And boy was it beautiful.  I am so excited to think of all the amazing family memories that will be built at this lake house and so glad we got to be part of its inauguration.

Second annual Oregon Shrimp Boil

All the family loved our shrimp boil last year that they wanted a repeat so we invited a bunch of Cremer & Albee's up to Venita & Daves and boiled up a whole lotta shrimp.  It was a super fun time filled with lots of family, friends and great stories. The food was pretty stinking good too.

Lily starting the shrimp boil festivities

 Courtney & Debbie

 The big circle crew

 Macy, Lily and Ahren

 Chris and Katie

 Joyce, Grandma Norma & Papa Cliff

 Aunt Roxanne and Roslyn

Quality time with Dani

Lily got to enjoy some time with her buddy Dani (short for Danielle).  We spent one day at the Oregon Coast together (escaping the 100 degree heat).  And of course we got to enjoy Dani's 10th birthday party as well.

Back in Oregon

Our first days back in Oregon included loads of family time.  Of course there were lots of blackberries that needed picked.  And of course blackberry cobblers and jam that needed prepared.  And some quality time with Dani at museums, the coast, etc.  And pool time with cousins.

This year our hosts Dave & Venita let us sleep in the house instead of out in the trailer so we had air conditioning during the scorching hot Oregon summer (yes, we lost count of how many days over 100 we had).  

Berry picking and a follow up Dairy Queen trip

OMSI

MacKenzie, Jaren and Lily enjoying some homemade waves at Grandma Donna's

Tanner, Makayla & Lily (Lily trying to keep the little ones under control by reading to them)

Enjoying some play time at Grandma & Grandpa's (complete with sprinkler running and a kick the shoe contest)

Summer Vacation - Week 8 - Our European departure

While it was sad to leave Bucharest for home (I mean Oregon), it was exciting to be coming back to the states none the less.  The things we most looked forward to is comfortable mattresses and ice in our drinks.

Lily was super excited to do a little last minute shopping at Heathrow airport and bought a bag to put all her other souvenirs in.  She was a trouper again on all our flights and is officially the best travel partner ever.  I wouldn't trade her companionship for the world.

Now... on to our next adventure.

Summer Vacation - Week 8 - Bran & Brasov

From Bucharest we took a day trip to visit the Peles and Bran Castles & the city of Brasov.  While the drive was crazy with loads of turns and traffic on the single lane highway, the sites were very much worth the visit.

Peles Castle

Inside Peles Castle

Lily enjoying her basket of raspberries (fruit of choice for our entire European adventure) - they sold these for like $2 on the roadside.  

Brasov

Never imagined a girl could eat so many Caesar Salads

Summer Vacation - Week 8 - Bucharest

Wow.  Bucharest really was an amazing place but unfortunately I didn't get the best pictures after having some technical difficulties.  I can tell you that it is one of those cities where I felt so comfortable that I could live there.  Many people used to call Bucharest "little Paris".  Looking around at the majority of the architecture, you can completely tell why.  There are some big beautiful parks and old Parisian style architecture all around.  Then the country was communist for 40+ years and crap the architecture really changed.  Romania was actually communist until 1989, but so much has changed since then.  Most young people are all learning English, are very progressive and frankly are all so nice and helpful.  Everywhere we went we felt safe & welcome.  Even street parking our car was safe.  I look forward to a return trip to Bucharest sometime.

 Lily having the best hot chocolate ever 

Summer Vacation - Week 8 - The Danube Delta

Before heading back to Bucharest, we took a detour up the Black Sea, finally leaving Bulgaria and cruising through Romania to go on a Danube Delta boat tour.  The ecosystem is amazing.  Here are some facts:

Danube Delta has been declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, and a UNESCO protected area being one of Romania’s leading attractions, and a very particular place in Europe.

The Danube Delta has the third largest biodiversity in the world (over 5,500 flora & fauna species) spreading over 5,050 km² of marshes, canals, reed islets and lakes, offering a sanctuary for birds, fish, and animals. This natural reservation hosts the largest wetlands in Europe, more than 60% of the Danube Delta’s area is unspoiled by the human touch, so it offers the unique opportunity to observe the incredible beauty of the Danube Delta landscapes and all the treasures lying in it.

We rented a private boat tour for the day only to find out it was the best rated tour operator in the city.  On our way out to an island called Milas 23 we saw more birds than I ever would have imagined.  It was amazing.  Once we hit Milas 23 for lunch, it truly was a throw back in time.  You have to order your lunch the day before.  The one restaurant cooks all the same meal (fish, fish and more fish) for everyone.  The food was incredible.  The people amazing and boy were we stuffed after.  On the way back we could reach out and touch the Ukraine but elected not to get caught by any border police there.  

Another amazing adventure.