It has been a hard couple years for me, and to top it off, today would have been our 5 Year Anniversary. Every since I was a kid after my parents separated, I knew that I wanted to find that number one woman who I would cherished in marriage for the remaining of our lives. Well, I found her after I was saved by Christ in 2008 and her name was Amanda Weiman. We quickly became good friends, started dating and wow it felt like everything I was always hoping for. We were falling deeply in love! July 2010 I asked for Amanda's hand in marriage in front of 7000 people in the middle of the ring at the Eugene Pro Rodeo. March 19th 2011 was when my dream came true and I married my best friend and my everything. I cannot explain to you the depth of what we were to each other, but people still say to this day "You two were the most in love couple I knew and were so perfect for each other."
Then suddenly after a couple years of wonderful marriage we got bad news that she had stage 4 cervical cancer. Six months prior she had clear margins after her annual checkup, so the doctors were surprised on how fast it spread. We fought, fought and fought the cancer through every avenue we could find and even traveled to Washington DC for her to receive a new upcoming medical trial, but nothing worked... Amanda unfortunately passed away July 25th 2014. Gladly I know she is in the best place dancing with Jesus, but to this day I wish she was still here brightening up every room and every life she touched.
It has been 8 months since my last post and I have struggled with even thinking to write this next one, because I know I only have a couple more adventures. 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, but at the same time I am happy they are almost complete.
For the fifth adventure I decided to place one of Amanda's Memorial Stones somewhere near Painted Hills. I asked my good friend Greg if he would like to join and he gladly excepted. We decided to make the adventure even more so by riding our nearly identical Dual-Sport Motorcycles on anything but a main road or highway to reach our destination. We started the trip in Cottage Grove, Or. traveling on back roads towards the Painted Hills. On one of the tight gravel roads a guy in a work truck and I almost collided head on around a corner. Gladly, I had enough room to veer off the road into some really soft gravel and after a tumble I was able to pick myself up, dust my self off and keep going. Good thing for good equipment, quick reflexes and the big man upstairs looking after me!
We made it to the town of Sisters, Or. and stopped by Martolli's for mine and Amanda's favorite pizza. After a quick rest, Greg and I headed toward Bend, Or. and then Millican Valley to take Crooked River "Hwy" to Prineville, Or. From there, we rode Hwy 26 toward Painted Hills and stopped by a very small town called Mitchell to have dinner at Sidewalk Cafe. There we each had a delicious burger and shake while talking to a couple local folk, which was very entertaining. We got to hear a little small town drama where one lady incorrectly made the lemonade there at the cafe. Come to find out, it was mostly lemonade concentrate, unbearable and the talk of the town. Greg and I still laugh about it to this day!
Shortly after Greg and I were inspecting a map on the wall and found a dirt road that seamed to cut over to Antalope, Or. from Painted Hills. We confirmed with the folks that it went all the way through, and got the sense that visitors on that road were not quite welcome even though it was a public road. Well if you know Greg and I, then you know our sense of adventures are typically seasoned with small doses of danger. So naturally, it struck our curiosity, but first we needed to visit one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. This is one that I've never seen before, the Painted Hills.
Right down the road from Mitchell we took Bridge Creek Road toward Painted Hills. The closer we got the more beautiful it became. The sky was as blue as it could be and the hills were alive with layers of brilliant colors. We arrived at the lookout in awe of the scenery. I had overwhelming emotions rushing through my body as I was about to place one of the memorial stones. At this moment things seemed to go quiet, my soul is inspired and my mind is focused. Greg and I start scouting the area for that perfect spot without disturbing the natural beauty that surrounded us. Then in the distance I see this one and only yellow flower reaching for the sky. That's the spot, I told Greg, and we went to work. We looked around for other rocks to build around the memorial stone and after a little work and a couple pricked fingers from cacti, we built up the perfect spot next to the flower. The last thing to do was to reflect and pray, so I did and wow! It amazes me every time how clearly I hear and feel Gods presence while I'm in nature. After the reflection and prayer, my mind, body and soul were all at rest.
The remaining of the trip consisted of more back roads, beautiful scenery and I couldn't tell you enough about the stars at night while we camped in the open. The trip continued to the third of the 7 Wonders I visited back in January 2015, Mt Hood, for one more look and more adventure. Lastly we traveled home and arrived with a total of 740 miles in 4 days. An adventure that will never be forgotten.
Below you will see pictures and blurbs of the adventure:
Staying off the main roads
Found a camping spot for the night
Reached the town of Mitchel
Made it to Painted Hills
Time to scout a spot for the memorial stone
Here's a good spot
Greg and I building up a placement for the stone
All done
Time to reflect
One last look
Back on the road to get another look at Mt. Hood
And we made it
The gorgeous Mt. Hood
Last stop, Bagby Hot Springs
What's though the next door?
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!
Happy Anniversary My Love!
The looks we gave each other
We were hardcore ;)
and playful
with great friends and family
Tons of smiles
Joined as one
And damn she could dance!
A wonderful woman, an inspiration and my wife.
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 =)
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
Painted Hills Information
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