Wandering west

Well, it figures, the one day I forget my camera, and there are some amazing views. I went to a meeting south of where I live in the farmlands and had some amazing scenery on the drive. I also learned all about the vast amount of agriculture here. It seems that you get a break on the price of your home if you have a farm and raise/grow things. Within 30 minutes of my house there are fields of blueberries, strawberries, marionberries, LAVENDER!, and farms with Buffalo, Alpaca, cows, sheep, horses and who knows what else. I got to cut my own lavender and could have picked my own berries, but alas, was wearing a white shirt and don't trust myself. I'll have to return and get some pics.

The photos I do have are from a not too exciting hike on Lake Hagg. The trails were full of scratchy things and since it was 90 degrees on Sunday, everyone was at the lake grilling and making noise. The trail was also hard to follow. I enjoyed reading in the shade more than hiking that day! Too hot. The picture of the farm, if you look VERY closely, has the outline of Mt. Hood behind it. Cool.

Can you see Mt. Hood behind the barn?!

Does anyone know what these furry weed/herbs are?

Columbia Gorge-ous!

View from the top!
Trees at and mist at Angel's Rest
Wahclella Falls
Stones in the River
(below) Angel's Rest as seen from a viewing tower

Well, you have to indulge me posting quite a few pictures this week! On Sunday, I headed to Columbia Gorge, a beautiful spot 30 minutes east of Portland with tons of hiking trails. At the suggestion of Steve, my tourguide, I hiked Wahclella falls, an easy 1 mile hike to an amazing cascade of water known as the falls! It was again...incredibly green and lush. I even stopped for a picnic lunch by the river nearby to read and eat for awhile.

After this short jaunt, I decided to hit the second suggested stop. However, I had read too many guidebooks and got confused! I intended to do another short hike full of waterfalls, but ended up doing a 4 mile round trip hike up a very steep mountain! The view was amazing (the bottom picture is actually of the mountain from a roadside viewpoint.) I was almost hiking in the clouds as they wafted in and out that day. It was drizzly but it felt good! My knees may not forgive me any time soon, but it was a great hike.

The coast

Wow. This place just keeps getting better! At the recommendation of a friend and the potential to see puffins, I headed to the coast Sunday. The Oregon coast is gorgeous. It was a picture perfect day. I got there too late to see many puffins, though we saw a few in flight. Apparently, they nap in the afternoon! I did see a Kormorant nesting in the rock through a seriously high-powered scope. No photos...

Cannon Beach

The beaches are amazingly clean and quiet. No blaring radios, no food vendors, just people and dogs (hearty people who apparently think 65-70 degrees is beach weather). The coldest 4th I've spent on the beach, but possibly the most picturesque! The big rock you see is called haystack rock and was created by a lava flow 17 million? years ago. There are 'fingers' of rock along the coast from this event, this is the biggest one on the coast and it houses many gulls and migrating birds.

For the record, these photos are barely retouched, if at all. The colors of the sky were just amazing that day.

Manzanita from the road

Exploring the tidal pools

Haystack rock at sunset

City and country

These pictures are mostly from the woods, about 30 minutes west of where I live. The ground and trees are so very lush. Deep emerald greens, lots of little streams and tall, beautiful pines and birch trees with ferns covering the ground. I took an after work hike so didn't go too far, but enjoyed the scenery just the same.


Friday night, I attended the Portland Blues Fest on the riverfront. We heard Chicago legend Buddy Guy!! The crowds at any event are eternally mellow. We are convinced Buddy didn't come on for an encore because the crowd wasn't rowdy enough! It was crowded, but manageable. This picture was from the Zydeco stage on the opposite side. I may try to get to the coast for a "puffin watch" tomorrow, stay tuned!

Explosive fun

The mountains of the northwest are indescribable! I trekked to Mt. St. Helen's today to meet some friends and then go off on my own to hike and see the real volcano. First note to self: If I stay in the NW, I definitely need a car with pick-up to get through these mountains!

Nevertheless, the drive just got more amazing as I headed east. Suddenly, towns, homes and stores, even gas stations drop off and you are completely in the wilderness surrounded by mountains. 504 ends right in the parking lot of the Mt. St. Helen's visitor center. About 1/2 way there on the highway you see it, looming large over all the other mountains and constantly attracting a ring of clouds near the peak. There is still snow, but the skies were blue and I took a million pictures, just a few are here.

The area right near Mt. St. Helen's was obviously largely devastated in 1980. They have left it to regrow and there is a graveyard of stumps among the new wildflowers popping up. Weyerhauser spent millions re-foresting other land nearby. It's all pretty amazing. The photos don't begin to do it justice, but it's still fun to share! (Top left is the foot of Mt. St. Helen's)

Well, I have survived week one in corporate America! the work we are doing is very cool....although I am still getting used to the grey cubicle-ness!

Portland is pretty amazing. Mt. Hood is visible from downtown on a clear day and it's so magical to round the corner on a highway and suddenly see this snowcapped mountain looming over the city. The neighborhoods are varied and interesting to walk in.

Below, you see the row of townhouses where I live and the amazing sunsets we can see off the balcony. We are at the edge of the urban growth boundary and there are rolling farmlands just across the road.

Tomorrow, I head to the woods, pictures of the NW forest to follow!

End of week 1 and oh the sunsets!

What's a gay pride parade without Barbies kissing! (center of photo)
Property J. Kimel

Portland Building by M. Graves-who is that woman!?
Addendum: Apparently, that woman is Portlandia, "sculpted by Raymond Kaskey. It's the second largest copper statue in the country, second to the Statue of Liberty. In some way, Portlandia is supposed to represent the spirit of Portland. The face on the figure was modeled by Kaskey's wife," according to long time Portland resident, cousin Jordan!
Property J. Kimel

Cool fountain!
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That's Mt. Hood on the right! (I think..)
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Boys/girls?
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Boys doing a cheer!
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Going up from the Train, they don't give you floors, they tell you how far underground you are!
Property J. Kimel

The colors of Portland

Well, today had even more interesting sights to offer. Namely, the people of Portland! I've never seen so many tattoos! I decided to experience the train today since traffic has been so bad. Really nice, clean and nobody ever came to check my ticket. How's that for the honor system? The city is very vibrant and lively, even on a Sunday. Fun to see so many people wandering so many streets. A pleasant change from Atlanta in that respect. (oh and it's not 1000% humidity!)

On my way to the amazing Powell's book store, I ran smack into the gay pride parade. Wow! So many happy and colorful people! Even Starbucks had a float. Oh, how progressive. A few pictures below. What an amazing place for people watching! Powell's, by the way, has a pretty decent selection of ID books and they are open online if you need anything!

I took a walk after that and ended up seeing the Portland Building by none other than Michael Graves. Interesting, but not my cup o'tea. Too linear. And this crazy HUGE statue looming over the front. Not sure who she is.

I wandered to the Saturday market which is chock full of art and music and more colorful Portland residents. Finally, I took a train to a big inner city park with miles of forested walking trails. But I was tired! So I didn't walk too far. They do have a peaceful Vietnam Memorial Garden.

Fact of the day: No sales tax (ever) in Portland! Wheee!
Enjoy the photos!

Country shed
Property J. Kimel

Wildflowers
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Portland Vista
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Portland!!

Well, it is June 18, and a long time since I 'blogged.' Instead of sending out mass emails and clogging your inbox with pictures, I thought I'd post information here!

Kirby is now a true travler, he was amazing on the plane and has been a real trooper. The roommate's cat is not yet with us, so there is one more hurdle to cross.

Portland is gorgeous!!! especially when it stops raining. Traffic truly rivals Atlanta, and I'd even venture to say it's worse. Mountains everywhere and I even saw a snowcapped one from downtown, but not sure which one that is...

And, I went for a walk this morning. I'm staying in a very new part of town and we are literally across the road from farms with chickens, donkeys, etc. I took a few pictures of the view!

Basic stamp used to process audio. Quilt plays music indigenous to the continent you press.
Property J. Kimel