7 Wonders - Oregon Coast (by Ryan Bahler)

If you have been following Amanda's blog, then you know that she wished that I would visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon once a month after she passed. She asked that once I reached a destination I would reflect on special verses and pray. She knows how I work, how I process and that I am closest to God when I'm out on adventures in nature. A few of the many things I am thankful for.

It has been a hard couple months for me, knowing that it has almost been a year since Amanda passed away and tomorrow (July 4th) will be 5 years since I asked Amanda's hand in marriage at the Eugene Pro Rodeo in front of 7000 people. A cherished memory! (see the pictures at the end of the blog)

I have struggled with even writing about the blogs because I know I only have a couple more adventures. I have even went on the Painted Hills Adventure. I only have two more to go, The Wallowas and Crater Lake. It is difficult missing Amanda and moving on. It hurts my heart knowing that these adventures are almost done and I find it difficult to write about it, but I am happy that I finally am. It feels good to tell you all what I am going through.

For the fourth adventure I decided to place one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks at our favorite beach we would take the dogs. We would let the dogs run free thought he dunes at Siuslaw North Jetty dunes, walk on the beach and then go back to watch the sunset on one of the highest dunes that faced the beach.

The remaining of the trip consisted of the dogs and I traveling up the Oregon Coast and stopping at view points. Some intentional and some a pleasant surprise.

Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the adventure:

Picked up drift wood and shells to surround Amanda's memorial rock

 Beautiful cliff side 

Devils Churn

Miles watching the water churn

Talked to a local who said I should check out Cape Perpetua

Its the highest view point on the Oregon Coast

I started to look at he trail map

Ironically there is a trail called Amanda's Trail

The dogs and I walked the loop of the trail as I reflected and prayed.

Then we went to Devils Punch Bowl north of Newport

I jumped the fence and walk down the secret trail to get a closer look

Looking south of the Devels Punch Bowl (So beautiful!)

Went to dinner at Black Fish Cafe in Lincoln City

Amazing!

Stayed at the COHO Resort and woke up to the amazing beach below

The dogs obviously had the time of their lives

 Then the dogs and I finished the trip with a couple hand dipped corn dogs outside of Lincoln City

Thank you all for your love and support!

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit that fills my heart and soul! 

Thank you Amanda for this gift. Loving you always!

My words to Amanda when I asked her to marry me:

Amanda, you're my beautiful lady! I love you with all my heart. You're the sweetest thing God has ever given me. The way you love and respect me and the way you show me every day is something real. It's everything I want to feel for the rest of my life with you as my wife. With this ring I promise to love you and care for you for the rest of our days. Will you do me the honor of marrying me? 

- and obviously she said yes =)

Proverbs 3:5-6  (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

7 Wonders of Oregon

http://traveloregon.com/7wonders/

Oregon Coast Information

http://traveloregon.com/cities-regions/oregon-coast/

#amandanbahler

#amandanbahlerblogspot

#traveloregon

#7wondersoforegon

#sevenwondersoforegon

#OregonCoast

7 Wonders - Mt Hood (by Ryan Bahler)

If you have been following Amanda's blog, then you know that she wished that I would visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon once a month after she passed. She asked that once I reached a destination I would reflect on special verses and pray. She knows how I work, how I process and that I am closest to God when I'm out on adventures in nature. A few of the many things I am thankful for.

For the third adventure I decided to place one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks somewhere on Mt hood, which is one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. I called up Amanda's brother, and asked if he would like to join. He was thrilled even though we would be Snowboarding in the rain, high winds and low visibility. We both made the best of the conditions and had a great time. I've been snow boarding for a combined 8 years and do okay on the mountain, but never have I boarded in these conditions.

After several runs, a couple jumps and sticking a board-slide on a rail, we decided to go on the other side of the mountain and try the Shooting Star Ridge. This is where we saw the only clearing in the day. It was beautiful! We wedged one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks in a tree about 40 yards above the "Shooting Star Ridge, Memorial Bowl and Twilight Bowl" sign. Amanda loves trees always painted them when she felt crafty and loved what they symbolize. In short the tree is the imagery of Jesus Christ and His bride is very strong throughout the Song of Songs. The bride describes Him in glowing terms as a fruitful tree, and He in turn describes His bride, the church, similarly. 

After placing the rock, reflecting on and reviewing bible verses Glen and I had a great prayer, shed some tears and hugged it out like men. We Love You Amanda! We look forward to revisiting this spot on a bluebird day and board down Memorial Bowl when it opens. I imagine how beautiful it will be...

Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the adventure:

 

 

Glen and I making the best of the weather with our cheesy smiles

Yes it was raining, and the higher we went the faster winds were blowing and visibility got to a mere 10ft

Love this pic!

After getting soaked for 4 hours of snowboarding, we found the perfect spot

Love having this guy as my brother-in-law

Glen and I wedged the Memorial  Rock in a tree.

Amanda loves trees and what they symbolize.

The imagery of Jesus Christ and His bride is very strong throughout the Song of Songs. The bride describes Him in glowing terms as a fruitful tree, and He in turn describes His bride, the church, similarly.

Best place and a great moment as I pause and reflect

Glen and I had a great prayer, shed some tears and hugged it out like men. We Love You Amanda!

Thanks for coming brother!

Another one of Amanda's Memorial Rocks was placed near the pointing red arrow

It is placed in a tree about 40 yards above the "Shooting Star Ridge, Memorial Bowl and Twilight Bowl" sign. See pictured below.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit that fills my heart and soul! 

Thank you Amanda for this gift. Loving you always!

Amanda My Beautiful,

I am yours and you are mine. How could it be this way?  As we became one we grew strong through The Lord. Sometimes we stumbled and fell, but we always got back up through His grace, love, forgiveness and wisdom. We traveled and explored the land and trails, rivers and lakes, our pictures alone tell the tales. We learned to love and how to fill up on His Word, that bound us by what He taught. It is clear how you stood that way; my heart and soul survive through this time because who you were every day. So strong and kind, smart and cute, beautiful and faithful, and a child of God. I will always proclaim my love for you and how I feel this every day.

I love you,

Ryan

Proverbs 3:5-6  (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

7 Wonders of Oregon

http://traveloregon.com/7wonders/

Mt Hood Information

https://www.skihood.com/ 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood 

http://traveloregon.com/cities-regions/mt-hood/

Google Search Photos of Mt Hood

http://www.google.com/search?q=mt+hood

#amandanbahler

#amandanbahlerblogspot

#traveloregon

#7wondersoforegon

#sevenwondersoforegon

#mthood

#mthoodskiresort