Memories on the fly

This past weekend we didn't have plans...  just figured we'd lay low and maybe start unpacking the boxes in the garage that continue to beckon our attention post-move.  But after stopping at the store on Saturday, we passed by the fish ladders & decided to check them out... yow, there are some big fish in the Umpqua!  Fish as big as Jack & Maggie standing against the glass as they watched them swim up.  I couldn't believe the size of salmon we saw in there - packed full!  Makes me want to go get a fishing pole & a license and spend next weekend on the river bank castin' in my hopes of reeling one of those in.  There are a lot of hot spots for fishermen out here.  We left thinking that was cool to have stopped, glad we took a few minutes to see what those were all about... and instead of heading straight home from there, we hung a left to check out a winery/vineyard that's literally about 5-10 minutes from where we live.  We drove back into the hillside, through a large metal gate, and were momentarily transported into jaw-dropping beauty as we saw hillsides with grapes & this amazing winery with an 8-musician band playing in the courtyard to boot.  Even the kids were excited to be there.  (and me too - I'm still allergic to alcohol, so it's not like we thought we'd do wine tasting or something)... we just wanted to see what it was all about as we get to know the area a little more.  I didn't have my camera at the time, but I snagged some photos off their website so you can see....  the quite impressive, Reustle Prayer-Rock Winery.  The owners are Christians and their faith is deeply rooted into their work, as well as the facility.  In the cask halls, the floors have Scripture engravings.  And while touring, they make a point to integrate a salvation message along the way.  There's one way to do it. ;) Who'd have thought?...  see for yourself though, it was flat out amazing & just a stones throw away.  No way?!  Sunday ended up being a long day in the car, but we had fun at a place called Rock Beach checking out the caves and rock formations.  I feel like we've been making up for a lot of lost time as a family - doing things that don't cost a lot of money, but for the first time in our marriage, we have weekends together... so it's been awesome to enjoy dinners as a family, and weekends to go and do something with the kids.  I liked that this past weekend was all spur of the moment, and turned out to be great memories...

The Reustle Prayer Rock Winery ** not my pics, just off their website

P.S.  Ken has his scans today...  there's always a bit of anxiety that go along with them, but we are thankful for blood work that came back totally normal & hopeful the scans will be normal as well.