Adventures in Washington

7-21-07

2007-07-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

Time for a drive into Gifford Pinchot Nat'l Forest!!

Goose Lake, we used the topo map and had fun getting there on some new "roads"

I'm always hoping to see a bear but was content at
the lake watching a pair of Bald Eagles catching fish to feed a nest full of babies.
Someday soon maybe I'll have a camera that will capture the birds better!!!

Last year storms washed out so many of the roads...but should
that really stop us?!?!

can you tell there's not a lot of traffic? It's a dead end road
to start with.....some dead ends are better than others and this was one
of the best...ending at Lake Comcomly

2007-07-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

7-18-07
HWY 101 OREGON

NEHALEM ST PARK, OREGON

Elowah Falls Hike June 21st

2007-06-23T10:38:00.001-07:00

Elowah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon June 21st

This is the lower section of the falls.....

We then went up to the Upper Falls....the trail goes up thru a cleft in the rock as seen in the second photo...pretty cool spot!!

This is the view down from the rocks at the little bridge we had crossed down below

This plant is growing in that cleft of rock.

Upper Falls...we had lunch on some rocks up in the creek

Recognize the log from the previous photo? Give you an idea of where we were....they really should have guard rails up there!! :)

View of the Columbia River ....you can barely see Mt Adams off in the distance.

Mt Hood

2007-06-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

We took off for a road trip around Mt Hood last Sunday.

This house was at a road side fruit stand...I would love to wake up and have my morning coffee with this view every day!!

This is as close to the top of Mt Hood you can drive to, Timberline Lodge. The ski lift to the left was still running and people were mostly snowboarding down.

Ecola St Park, May 28th...19th Anniversary!!

2007-05-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

The 28th of May was our 19th wedding anniversary, we spent the day hiking at Ecola St Park in Oregon with our nephew Aaron. As you can see it was a beautiful day to follow Capt William Clark's trail to the beach!

I thought this was the perfect name for such a toy!!

May 1st Hike

2007-05-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Photos from a hike at Camas Creek in Camas, Wa

5-1-07

Weekend in California

2007-02-20T08:15:00.000-08:00

We took a spur of the moment trip to see the kiddo's in Ca last weekend.

I don't like being called Grandma but how can I resist this face???

We enjoyed the sunshine and 70 degree temps....I didn't want to come back to the rain!

Gabe enjoys Starbucks about as much as I do...yep, how could I resist him???

The drive is long but beautiful.....this is Mt Shasta in Northern Ca.

Moulton Falls hike

2007-02-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

Jan 29th Moulton Falls Park, spent the day walking taking photos with my friend Annie...this day will also go down in my mind as the "prelude to the flu" of 2007. Yep, Annie, I owe you!!

This spot is just a couple miles upriver from Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River, it's one of the last undamned rivers on the Columbia Basin. In 1996 a flood went thru a gravel mine on the banks of the river and caused incredible damage to the Salmon spawning habitat that was one of the largest in the area. In spite of the waters retaining the beautiful emerald green colors in 2001 the river was listed in the top 10 most endangered rivers in the country.

One of the nice things about being out this time of year is you pretty much have the place to yourself. We quickly covered the 2 miles of trails that the county has worked hard this last year to put in. I was amazed that most of them went to picnic tables...next time I go up I'll get a photo as it really was wild. I can't imagine what they were thinking, I know I wouldn't want to lug picnic gear up the hill.....and in the summer you wouldn't even be able to see the river from most of the sites. Seriously the trails ended at like 5 or 6 tables in each spot....I've never seen anything like it.

Nothing like coming back to the car for a cup of hot Costa Rican Coffee after a day on the cold trails!! (good place as any to put in a plug for the Community Agroecology Network where you to can buy great fair trade DIRECT coffee....go HERE now....order some and support some incredible Costa Rican farmers!!)

Coffee shop days!!

2007-02-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

My friend Pam recently participated in an evening of art and poetry at Urban Grind, one of the many local coffee shops we have to keep us occupied on those cold wet days when the adventurous tend to run to warm dry spots!!

This is one of our favorite hang outs.......the Albina Press

Lucia Falls with Jessica & Olivia

2007-02-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

One day last month I got to take my friends, Jessica and Olivia, to Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River. Liv really enjoyed throwing rocks and busting the ice that had formed in a pocket of slow moving water....ok, ok....we all enjoyed it!!

Liv and I chilled and watched her mom climb around on the rocks. This spot is only about 30 minutes from my house ... I must say I enjoy going out here any time of the year!! And there is a Starbucks on the way and a bathroom at the park....what more could a girl want???

Let the '07 adventures begin!!

2007-01-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

Our Adventures for 2007 started in Arkansas with family and friends....sure didn't dream about my first adventure in Wa for 2007 coming in the form of a snow storm, frigid temps and sheets of ice. But that's what we got!!
Frankie and I spent most of the time inside warm by the fire....we stayed entertained with all the birds coming to the feeders.
The above line about being in Arkansas, that's where I'm from...I don't do cold well....but I DID get out...ok, it was only once to take a few photos then quickly back to the warmth of the fire!!

2006-Random Shots

2007-01-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

2006----Where did it go????
Just a few images of things and places that stole my time...I'll try and do better at posting photos more promptly this year!!

Playing in the Snow--March 2006

2006-10-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

March 2006

Hey Dave!! Glad you checked in and I'm glad I posted......this post is for you!! We were sure thinking of you as we were stuck somewhere in Gifford Pinchot..........

2006-10-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

WOW.......Can't believe it's been a year since I've posted on here!!!

Where did the time go??? Grab a cup of coffee and I'll try to get you caught up...The abbreviated version of course!!

Ok.......Impossible, we've just been on the go too much and as this is a blog about my Adventures in Washington....let me take you to a place we "found" this year that has become one of my favorite places here in Washington ....

Lake Walupt in the Gifford Pinchot Nat'l Forest....we spent just about every long weekend and even cut a fishing vacation in Montana short just to get back to this spot.

The water is unbelievable clear, lots of trout for the taking and great hiking trails in the wilderness with lots of critters!!

October 1st 2005

2005-10-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

2005-09-27T13:23:00.001-07:00

9-26-05 Fall has arrived!!!!

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9-26-05

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9-26-05

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9-26-05

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9-26-05

2005-09-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 We started this Sunday with breakfast at Milo's City Cafe in Portland...it was early and decieded we had time to go see the salmon going thru the fish ladders at Bonneville Damn before church. This picture was taken at one of the windows down at the viewing area. It is amazing to watch these fish struggling to get thru the ladders......sad actually. Never made it to church....it was just too nice out and I wanted to get into the back country.....

2005-09-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 Bridge of the Gods ....crossing over the Colombia River back into Wa. After seeing the salmon at the damn we wanted to see if they were coming up the North Fork of the Lewis River as well. I got out the Topo map and picked us out a good road across the forest....I love having a jeep!!!

2005-09-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 Got the top off of the jeep and heading down FR 43 in the Gifford Pinchot Nat'l Forest here in beautiful Wa State......it was pretty cool in some spots.....having a heater is a good thing!!

2005-09-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 My turn to drive....don't think it was a relaxing ride for my man as I had a destination on the other side of the forest to get to....must admit to having fun ripping around the dirt roads!!

2005-09-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 FR 43......fall colors are starting to creep there way into the mts

2005-09-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 This vantage point is one of my favorites along FR41. You pull off onto what seems a huge parking area ... the views are breathtaking. There is an old road here that is bouldered off to vehicles but you can hike or ride mt bikes on up. We've hiked aways on it before and seen lots of bear sign...track & scat......could be why this is one of my favorite places! Didn't have time to hike today as we were trying to get to Lucia Falls before dark. Hope to get back up there soon!!

2005-09-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 along FR41........this is looking to the right of the jeep with Mt Hood in the distance!

2005-09-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 along FR 41.......this is looking to the left of where the jeep was parked and you can see Mt Adams in the distance.

2005-09-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 Mt Hood from somewhere along FR41

2005-09-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 Lucia Falls on the North Fork of the Lewis River. This was our destination for the day....didn't know that when we started out...were hoping to see some salmon jumping upstream but no luck!!

2005-09-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

9-18-05 Me at the end of an awesome day. I'm sitting on a bluff overlooking the North Fork of the Lewis river in Wa

2005-09-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

9-17-05 Ingredients for a perfect meal...weber, hickory & McClards Bar BQ sauce!!

2005-09-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

9-17-05 Working on a perfect supper!!

2005-09-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

9-17-05 gathering tomatos from our small garden!

2005-09-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

9-7-05 I spent the first week of Sept in Ar with my parents.....it was a great visit & I miss them dearly!!

2005-09-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

9-7-05 Dad with his pets and their early morning ritual of treats on the way to get the newspaper. He did have rooster that joined the group ....that was an interesting mix as they followed dad around the yard!!

2005-09-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

9-2-05 Hwy 70 into Hot Springs with Hot Springs Mt .....downtown is nestled in a valley on the other side of the hill. There are 4 beautiful lakes close to town as well....it has become a tourist trap town!!

2005-09-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

9-2-05 Central Ave, downtown Hot Springs

2005-09-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

9-2-05 The Arlington Hotel...this was one of Al Capones hangouts

2005-09-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

9-2-05 Old Hot Springs High School.......where President Clinton went to school....he used to love to go to one of my aunt's house and raid her fridge!

2005-09-20T16:46:00.001-07:00

9-2-05

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9-2-05 One of the many churches in town...this one my parents go to.

2005-09-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

9-2-05 One of the bath houses along BathHouse Row

2005-09-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

9-2-05

2005-09-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

9-6-05 This was my grade school.....it is right across the street from the next picture. Played many football games up there!

2005-09-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

9-6-05 This is where I went to church as a kid...lots of memories of this place!

2005-09-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Sept 2 or 3rd.....Chuck stopped in Hawaii on his way back from Australia and spent a few days with his sister and her family. I wasn't too bothered by it till I saw this picture of him and his neice.....I love tropical places!!

2005-09-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Wild Horses or Brumbies as they are called in Australia. Aug '05.......Chuck spent pretty much all of Aug in Tumbarumba Australia working at a mill.

2005-09-20T16:34:00.000-07:00

Tumbarumba Australia Aug 2005

2005-08-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

8-24-05 David made it out to visit!! Picked him up at the airport in Seattle.....I didn't account for his long day to get here in my wonderful planning. We found the perfect stop outside of the ferry terminal in Everett.....it had 3 stores...the essentials that David wanted to hit while he was out here....brew pub, book store & coffee shop. We enjoyed them all!! It was great having him out here & showing him some of my favorite places!!!

2005-08-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

8-24-05 Inside a very cool coffee shop ...Everett, Wa

2005-08-30T12:13:00.001-07:00

8-24-05

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8-24-05 David on the ferry to Whibley Island

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8-24-05

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8-24-05 Ferry ride from Everett to Whibley Island

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8-24-05

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8-24-05

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8-24-05

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8-24-05 Bridge at Deception Pass on Whibley Island

2005-08-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

8-24-05 Cabin at Bay View St Park, Wa...David was wore out!! And being the "planner" that I am...his first dinner in Wa wasn't at the brew pub in Anacortes that I had planned but he got a great, wonderful sandwich from the Shell Station closest to the park!!

2005-08-30T12:03:00.001-07:00

8-24-05

2005-08-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

8-24-05 Sunset on Padilla Bay

2005-08-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

8-25-05 Low tide

2005-08-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

8-25-05 David at Johnston's Ridge, Mt St Helens

2005-08-30T10:31:00.001-07:00

8-25-05 Wildflowers at Mt St Helens

2005-08-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

8-26-05 David & I spent the day at the America Celebrates Freedom Salute at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. We had fun seeing the old stuff & watching all the old soldiers interact with each other.

2005-08-30T10:27:00.001-07:00

8-26-05

2005-08-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

8-26-05

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8-26-05

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8-26-05

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8-26-05

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8-26-05 Row of barracks at Vancouver National Historic Reserve

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8-26-05

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8-26-05 One of the houses along Officers Row here in Vancouverrr

2005-08-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

8-27-05

2005-08-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

8-27-05 Had to take David to my favorite places....he was pretty overwhelmed here at Powells!!

2005-08-30T10:15:00.001-07:00

8-27-05 David at the Vancouver Farmers Market

2005-08-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

8-27-05

2005-08-30T10:14:00.001-07:00

8-27-05

2005-08-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

8-27-05 David getting lunch at my favorite vendor at the Vancouver farmers market...our normal Sat lunch stop!

2005-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

8-27-05

2005-08-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

8-28-05 Took David for a little sight seeing this morning. Starting at one of my favorite places...their coffee is just as good as their ales!!

2005-08-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

8-28-05

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8-28-05 David at the Jerry Garcia tribute

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8-28-05

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8-28-05

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8-28-05

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8-28-05 Columbia River Gorge from Vista View point

2005-08-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

8-28-05 Inside the dome at Vista View Point

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8-28-05

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8-28-05 Multnomah Falls, Oregon

2005-08-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

8-28-05

2005-08-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

8-28-05 We spent Sunday afternoon kickin around downtown Portland. Found David a huge Cigar/Tobacco store...being the pipe smoker that he is he was like a kid in a candy store!!

2005-08-30T09:41:00.001-07:00

8-28-05

2005-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

8-28-05

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8-28-05

2005-08-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

8-18-05 Can't complain about a day on the golf course! This one caught my attention when I found out it was made out of ash from the 1980 eruption of Mt St Helens & if you've been looking at my pictures for very long you will know I'm quite infatuated with the mountian!

2005-08-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

8-18-05 View from the 10th tee box at Three Rivers Golf Course in Kelso, Wa.

2005-08-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

8-18-05

2005-08-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

8-18-05 At least I look like I know what I'm doing!!