Boyz Trip to the Coast

Since last fall, Jonah and Micah's friend Tyler started talking about taking a boys' trip after graduation. His vision was to purchase a van and tour the west coast together. He talked about it so much, that the others got on board with it, too. The 6-pack (as I call them) all pitched in to buy an old van together that Tyler and his dad worked on. The boys (Tyler, Nathan, Erik, Boaz, Jonah, and Micah) created music lists of what they wanted to listen to on the drove, and an itinerary of places they wanted to visit. The parents of the kids were all supportive of the idea, but we were all a little nervous about how it would work out if the van died on the trip. Turns out, the van died before they even left! It happened about a month before they were to leave, which is a good thing--because then they weren't stranded somewhere while on the trip. Tyler decided to take his dad's truck for the boys' trip instead. Although the cab room would be smaller, it was a more reliable vehicle, and it fit all their supplies in the back. The boys were very careful about what they packed, with very specific intentions on what they needed to take. They were very smart about it, and it was so awesome to watch them create this trip, and do all the planning and packing for it, too! They planned to camp for the majority of the 2-week trip, so they packed a tent, sleeping bags, hammocks, blow-up paddleboards, coolers of food, and firewood. They all met at Tyler's house the Monday morning after high school graduation, packed it all in the truck, and headed west to make their dreams come true! While they were on the trip, they started a group chat with all the parents, and they checked in with us each night, letting us know where they were at, and how things were going, which I was so grateful for! For 15 days, they drove 3,330 miles across 7 different states (Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Utah), and made memories to last a lifetime!  

Monday, June 6: Packed up the truck in the morning and drove to Washington. First campsite was 45 minutes from Spokane.  

Tuesday, June 7: Drove to Oregon. Stopped in Portland to visit Nate's aunt. Made it to the coast that evening and camped at Nehalem Bay State Park south of Cannon Beach.

Wednesday, June 8: Went surfing, got some sunburns and blisters, went to Cannon Beach, and had dinner at Mo's.

Thursday, June 9: Went crabbing and got to eat what they caught. Had to cook lasagna in the tent for dinner that evening because of the heavy rain outside. 

Friday, June 10: Went to Tillamook Factory. Drove south. Crater Lake was closed, so they headed for Coos Bay. Stopped to do some laundry, and made it to the 3rd campsite. Rain continued to pour! 

Saturday, June 11: Drove to California. Went to the Redwoods and walked around. Drove to Eureka: saw the Carson Mansion, stopped at Costco to stock up on snacks for the drive, and diesel was $7.75! Very rainy day.

Sunday, June 12:  Went to church in Eureka, but only attended Sacrament Meeting. They would've stayed longer, but their clothes smelled musky from the moist conditions. Drove to Fort Bragg, California. Finally escaped the constant downpour of rain! Stopped by glass beach. Visited the Chandelier Drive through the Redwood tree, but the Dodge wouldn't fit. Found a peaceful campsite, but were charged $45 for the tent site.

Monday, June 13: Spent the morning visiting local shops in Fort Bragg, and a happy afternoon at the beach finally soaking in the sun.

Micah created this collage of water scenes from
their trip--the lower left wasn't taken at the beach.

Tuesday, June 14: Drove to Santa Cruz, and finally arrived after some detours following a few missed turns. Thankful to be dry. Everyone was sunburnt from the day before, though.

Wednesday, June 15: Golfed in Santa Cruz

Thursday, June 16: Santa Cruz

I didn't receive any pictures from the boys on this day.
Micah created this collage after the trip. 

Friday, June 17: Drove to Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

Saturday, June 18: Drove to Salt Lake City in Utah. Endured a dust storm while driving across the western Utah desert. Stayed at Erik's grandparents' home in South Jordan.

Sunday, June 19: Went to a YSA ward with Josh Oswald, Boaz's older brother. Went to Erik's aunt's birthday barbecue after church with other family members. 

Monday, June 20: Went to Top Golf. Golfed at a course that Erik's uncle owns. Visited the Ogden temple grounds. Hiked the Ogden Canyon trail to a waterfall. Shopped at Smith and Edward's. Ate dinner at Wild Wings. Spent the night at Tyler's aunt's house. 

Tuesday, June 21: Drove back to Idaho and made it home to Salmon late that afternoon. (The following are flower collages Micah made of all the beautiful flora he saw on the vacation.)