Oregon Country Fair 2011

This year marked the 42nd annual Oregon Country Fair.  It's a fairly popular event out here, drawing nearly 50,000 people from all over the place over three days.  The weather was beautiful this past Saturday, so Brian and I and a couple of his Econ buddies decided to ride our bikes out there to avoid the traffic/parking chaos.  It was a beautiful bike ride, mostly going through farm country for 18 miles one-way.

Brian, Chris, Tyler (these guys ran the marathon with him and are his weekly running buds)

No skin cancer happenin' today!

Our first stop for lunch: The Awkward Stage, ravioli & all

The fair was very crowded, so walking along the flow of people was actually a little overwhelming.  There were a lot of characters and sights to take in!  

free yoga!

one of many earth-friendly statements made at the fair

did I mention there were a lot of characters?

Oregon law states that nudity is allowed, except genitals must be covered., and this was highlighted on the fair website.  We didn't see any law-breakers, and we DID see A LOT of skin :)

Divine Fruit Salad....really, that's what the place was called!  And it was super tasty...

a ton of fruit, Nancy's vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, granola, and honey...

a man on stilts!

One reason we wanted to go on Saturday was to see Dana Sipos perform.  Dana (on the left) is the sister of Yona (on the right) and Yona is Ben Harris' wife (he was a groomsmen in our wedding).  They  made the trip from Vancouver, B.C. and crashed with us the previous Thursday night on their way to the fair.  

Dana's voice is absolutely beautiful.  To hear some of her music, you can go to: http://www.myspace.com/danasipos

That's her boyfriend, J.Y. snapping photos of her

There's another "character" really getting into the show!

...and a couple more to join!

Anne & Yona

Brian, Yona, Anne

We definitely weren't the only ones on bikes!  It was so cool, though, when we arrived all the parking attendants cheered like crazy for us for choosing to bike.  It felt like a standing-ovation greeting just for us!  

There is a lot more to see at the Country Fair than just what's in these photos.  A lot of creative flair, free-spirited fun, and an anything-goes environment (except exposed genitals).  Great music, great food, and great people-watching.  (sort of like a hippie version of Vegas?)

Vander Naald Family Get-Together in Michigan

This summer is full of reasons to celebrate, including the February arrival of the newest addition to the Van Clan, Adelaide; David Vander Naald's (Brian's cousin) homecoming from Afghanistan; and Grandma Billie's 97th birthday!

Anne couldn't make the trip (she had a trip already planned in Vegas with her good girlfriend, Alison), so Brian made the trip solo with the camera packed.  Here are some great family shots from their time together:

Nicholas, Jen, Lauren, Bridget (or Bridget, Lauren?), Jeff & Ian

Nicholas!

Jeff (holding Ian), Kevin, David, Christie

Brian!

Kathryn & Owen

Matt, holding his new baby girl Adelaide 

evidently the girls got to show off their jujitsu skills!

Wallace, Adelaide & Christie, just hanging out

more jujitsu lessons

Looks like everyone had a fun time!  Welcome into the world, Adelaide; Welcome home, David; and Happy Birthday, Billie!

Veggies Tales!

Part of the fun of receiving a CSA box each week, is the obscure vegetables that sometimes make their way into our kitchen...

last week's harvest: strawberries, lettuce, collard greens, radishes, fennel and garlic whistles

...like, garlic whistles!  Am I the only one who has never heard of these??

Thankfully, our farm inserts a page each week of information about the veggies and some fun recipes to try.  This helps us be a little more adventurous in our cooking than we otherwise might!

Vander Naald Family Vacation, Part III: Kalaloch, WA

After seeing the rain forest, and at the suggestion of our nature guide, Bob, we stopped to see the world's largest Cedar tree.  It evidently was saved by a man with last name Duncan from being cut down, and is now a protected site to see.

Brian getting the woodburning stove going back at the the cabin.

The next day,  Brian & Val took a drive together to see some more sites further north. (I can't remember the name of the nature preserve/round-rock beach...)...but it was on Val's wish list, so they made a fun day-trip out of it!

The next day, Anne & Brian and Lew & Val went together to check out some nearby tidepools, as well as another beach with some neat rock formations (stacks), while Kevin & Tracey took a drive in a different direction to do some more hiking! 

someone had placed these cairns here, and this is Anne's attempt at being artsy

While Brian and Lew & Val explored the area, Anne found a comfy rock to lounge on and relaxed for a bit.

Admiring my husband, from afar :)

That's it for photos from the Olympic Peninsula.  It's definitely a place worth visiting!  Thanks for the great vacation, Vander Naalds!