tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43386905665468040202024-03-27T17:18:44.518-07:00My Garden, My Lifecolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.comBlogger446125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-84284722130469920772024-03-23T08:13:00.000-07:002024-03-23T08:13:06.998-07:00Argentina: Fainá<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOGVBkzlCH-5rDqULLDh1NPxYSkmA1m5IQpL55RkGBRhCU1SfsxbnRPWi8LVj6suvyVSX6mjnNgzCx6gHpurq_zw92xjVKEVgx4SC2xXdqYmBWfkPeDW7CljOI0QDJ39mfNmZRjH64OqQZblnpUHNDCGuwcsedle-TJ3MFmqwwUhzO0brxvTm37tv2t8/s4032/IMG_5997.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOGVBkzlCH-5rDqULLDh1NPxYSkmA1m5IQpL55RkGBRhCU1SfsxbnRPWi8LVj6suvyVSX6mjnNgzCx6gHpurq_zw92xjVKEVgx4SC2xXdqYmBWfkPeDW7CljOI0QDJ39mfNmZRjH64OqQZblnpUHNDCGuwcsedle-TJ3MFmqwwUhzO0brxvTm37tv2t8/w400-h300/IMG_5997.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza with fainá</td></tr></tbody></table><div>One of our goals in Buenos Aries was to eat pizza! I know this sounds unusual, so let me explain. </div><div><p></p><p>Sometime last summer, D found an interesting recipe in <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/socca-with-zucchini-and-olives" target="_blank">Food & Wine</a> that involved making socca (a chickpea pancake, rather like a crepe) and serving it with marinated zucchini. It was delicious! Intrigued, I did some googling and came across a fascinating <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220509-fain-buenos-aires-unusual-pizza-topping" target="_blank">article from the BBC</a> about fain<span style="text-align: center;">á (also a baked chickpea pancake) and pizza.</span></p><p>As it turns out, Argentina, and especially Buenos Aires, has been heavily influenced by Italian culture. A lot of Italians immigrated there in the early days, and they left their mark. So there's lots of pizza, lots of pasta, and lots of people saying "Ciao!" (I never heard anyone say "Adios"). And in Buenos Aires, they started adding fain<span style="text-align: center;">á (from northern Italy) to the top of their pizzas.</span></p><p>To be honest, we wanted to eat fain<span style="text-align: center;">á, but in the hubbub of preparing for vacation, we forgot the actual name, we forgot where we heard about it, and we forgot where we might get it. We just remembered we wanted to eat pizza with the chickpea pancake on top.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Our first morning in Argentina was spent having a personal guided tour of Buenos Aries (more about that later, hopefully). When we told our guide, Diego, that we wanted to have pizza, he dropped us off at his favorite pizza parlor at the end of our tour. Which means he led us through the maze to his favorite section of the parlor (which was huge!), talked to our server to prepare him for our English, and left us in good hands. (All of our guides were amazing, more about that later, hopefully.) </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7JfAIO7PfkTTlmPQG9l3g2sPWY3gu9polqdRTNi9ohhlaYtg3O7ACYav7uQP-qXAc4X7rLxSobsKDOVAFoF1c_iybYH-VPANctv5HQni2xvVKU5tbhojeQWSWAdge-Cu2Vjz_Yhgt3tJ6Q3jqx9xZzbeQHgB9VVU0MAfNkvRVN6OiXKaKM6QHrBTMrk/s2016/IMG_6012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7JfAIO7PfkTTlmPQG9l3g2sPWY3gu9polqdRTNi9ohhlaYtg3O7ACYav7uQP-qXAc4X7rLxSobsKDOVAFoF1c_iybYH-VPANctv5HQni2xvVKU5tbhojeQWSWAdge-Cu2Vjz_Yhgt3tJ6Q3jqx9xZzbeQHgB9VVU0MAfNkvRVN6OiXKaKM6QHrBTMrk/w400-h300/IMG_6012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D and our server. I wasn't intending to take their photo, but on our way out she had stopped to thank him, I was taking photos of the counter area and it just happened!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">D and I scanned the menu. We were still adjusting to a new county, and still adjusting to talking with people whom we didn't share a common language with. I was pretty sure </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á was the word we were looking for, but I sensed some hesitation from our server. We forged ahead, ordering a half-n-half pizza and </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á. I was delighted when it arrived and it exactly was what we were wanting!</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Here's the funny part, when we made it back to our room (we decided to walk, and it was a couple miles so it took us a while), we sat down to relax and I decided to google, again, about the </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á. I discovered the same BBC article, and in reading it again, I realized that our guide had taken us to the exact same restaurant highlighted in the article!</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_iXi8hMH6SO-xzSeCitRpPbpPk6F3PtMpbbX2Xpnqpz5F36rvPLErFqzTtSZvSF28wOnw47aPOA9dMG0totR6iz95oZ_C8aemBgEErdv0escylsSjWCCUqmn5zZjBpFUAvrIArAWVuEIWZGSGFVUkblz3k457RussWVcYbvLCsaW7KVEqZr2ufngEk/s2016/IMG_6010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_iXi8hMH6SO-xzSeCitRpPbpPk6F3PtMpbbX2Xpnqpz5F36rvPLErFqzTtSZvSF28wOnw47aPOA9dMG0totR6iz95oZ_C8aemBgEErdv0escylsSjWCCUqmn5zZjBpFUAvrIArAWVuEIWZGSGFVUkblz3k457RussWVcYbvLCsaW7KVEqZr2ufngEk/w400-h300/IMG_6010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Fain</span><span>á on the right, pizza by the slice on the left.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br />We traveled on, leaving Buenos Aires behind. We still saw pizza on some menus but never again saw </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á until near the end of our trip in El Calafete.</span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Our first night in E Calafete, we decided to eat in the hotel restaurant. Neither one of us was excited about the idea, but we were tired, it was late, and our hotel was a little off the beaten track. Then we got into the restaurant, talked with the server, got a good look at the menu, and we got hopeful.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZoEYljBnDl-o7Z-DWYq4p3A4Gn8e4QW-ptlgcHrsYL4JfGYukXc2E_K0wT6dMndJbOfe7SRI2eL448ItOcyJYiqvCFhFdlafAaJZAm5fGSYGoHq0IWLDOcX8QN1VEP8IgBuvTy06QvwSnxZc6mjzZ1FiywLomm1GDN0fa6O2whRy_pkDMNaa6B2YTeI/s4032/calafate%20dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZoEYljBnDl-o7Z-DWYq4p3A4Gn8e4QW-ptlgcHrsYL4JfGYukXc2E_K0wT6dMndJbOfe7SRI2eL448ItOcyJYiqvCFhFdlafAaJZAm5fGSYGoHq0IWLDOcX8QN1VEP8IgBuvTy06QvwSnxZc6mjzZ1FiywLomm1GDN0fa6O2whRy_pkDMNaa6B2YTeI/s320/calafate%20dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick shot before eating!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: center;">One thing I liked about Argentina is that many restaurant menus are sharing menus; Dishes are ordered to be served family style. This menu was one of them, and while the options were limited they were perfect. From left to right, we have </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á with escalivada (Catalan roasted vegetables), Zapallo asado con pesto de rucula (grilled squash with a arugula pesto), bread & dip (more about that later), and a grilled steak. All served with a lovely local wine. It was delicious! One of my top meals on our trip. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">Again, the </span>fain<span style="text-align: center;">á was delicious. This was reminiscent of the original socca we had last summer. I'm thinking we'll be exploring it more often, here at home.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">As I wrap up this post, two things strike me. First, it feels like my first posts about our travels are always about the food! And, second, our pursuit of specific foods while we are traveling leads to some of my favorite memories. </span></div><div><p></p></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-12450696820088084382024-03-22T07:50:00.000-07:002024-03-22T08:09:58.707-07:00Argentina: Origin Story<p>In Buenos Aires, both at the beginning and end of our Argentine vacation, we had a driver who liked to say "My car, my music." Each time we got in his car, he'd turn on the music with that phrase, and I'd like to take a riff on that here.... My blog, My story.</p><p>D. and I have different versions of how we settled on Argentina as a vacation destination. There are similarities, of course, but also some differences. And, well, my blog, my story...</p><p>In 2022, we started talking about where we wanted to vacation next. Our 2020 trip to Puerto Rico had been canceled at the last minute because of covid, and we were feeling the need to get out of the country and explore. European vacations were quickly dismissed, as was anywhere in Central America. We've been there, and we wanted something new. We started toying with the idea of either South America or Africa.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3-dKRm7Ohyphenhypheny_Zxdz5lS1WeeUg7b3Jp5EOcCMz5Z4TtJZMxcN9VlODzbHC8Gluj3K4VKKYtu4cSBMcu9ezDI91gISCpNQS9vltwtl8C2HhgsQnuXa9nOln58xLCLJqJCldkW-LUztxpajKjo4kbJ2y9b5fxn8gb4CrF8oYivgPKH2TxY93-0Hw-2nhI0/s2016/IMG_6156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3-dKRm7Ohyphenhypheny_Zxdz5lS1WeeUg7b3Jp5EOcCMz5Z4TtJZMxcN9VlODzbHC8Gluj3K4VKKYtu4cSBMcu9ezDI91gISCpNQS9vltwtl8C2HhgsQnuXa9nOln58xLCLJqJCldkW-LUztxpajKjo4kbJ2y9b5fxn8gb4CrF8oYivgPKH2TxY93-0Hw-2nhI0/s320/IMG_6156.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good view from a plane window!<br />This was taken as we headed to "the end of the world."</td></tr></tbody></table>One day, out of the blue, D said "I want to go to Argentina." I said "Why? What attracts you to Argentina?" She said, "I want to eat beef and drink wine." To which I replied, "I want to see penguins and Patagonia. Let's go!" and so we started to plan. </p><p>(I'll put an aside here, and say in 2022, Africa was still really struggling with covid, so putting it off wasn't hard. But there are a lot of countries in South America, and there's a lot to see there.)</p><p></p>As usual, we bought travel books, and in early January 2023 we began to read. That's when I discovered that Argentina is <i>huge! </i>It's actually the 8th largest country in the world! There is tons to see there beyond penguins and Patagonia. We also learned that locals typically get around by a large bus network, with buses ranging from cheap bench seats, to expensive sleeper buses complete with beverage service. I was overwhelmed. This was not something we could plan ourselves, and using buses to get across large expanses of land just doesn't make sense on a vacation.<p></p><p>Luckily, we had some friends who traveled to Patagonia in January of that year. They had an excellent time and had used a Travel Specialist (<a href="https://knowmadadventures.com/" target="_blank">Knowmad Adventures</a>) to help plan and coordinate their trip. I forget when we finally reached out to Knowmad ourselves, maybe May of 2023. By then, we had an idea of what we wanted to see and where we wanted to go. After an interview, they proposed an itinerary. We refined and did several back-and-forths before it was finalized in early August: start in Buenos Aires, visit Iguazu Falls and the northern rain forest, hop down to Ushuaia at the end of the world to see penguins, then up to El Chelten and Calafate for Patagonian hiking and glaciers, ending with a small sojourn in San Antonio de Areco outside of Buenos Aires, to relax before heading home. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHzaekkD3WBTy1OwYdzW_DWmNjK-AFtf-LSuHRoCGLK1NeDtXkAQWx1yc9i6lUa4NBItTkcqt3z7WeqkwbXPdM8VMtw3LtBfM0UbJ71gnyOBmxhnXPyQ4SGVbOEupvsSsbCfUJfeQU5hFa5hWR-m-6NubtyKXW4u8NbOdXAQhu30n8oXrp55n09HRcxI/s705/travel%20map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="583" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHzaekkD3WBTy1OwYdzW_DWmNjK-AFtf-LSuHRoCGLK1NeDtXkAQWx1yc9i6lUa4NBItTkcqt3z7WeqkwbXPdM8VMtw3LtBfM0UbJ71gnyOBmxhnXPyQ4SGVbOEupvsSsbCfUJfeQU5hFa5hWR-m-6NubtyKXW4u8NbOdXAQhu30n8oXrp55n09HRcxI/w331-h400/travel%20map.png" width="331" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My crude map. But it shows all of our stops.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'll be honest, some of this was cookie-cutter experiences, as we talked to many people who had similar plans. However, ours was also unique, as you'll hopefully see as I blog about it in the future. As I think about our experiences, we could not have done this on our own. We could have cobbled together the bulk of it, but it would have been seriously more complicated and stressful as we moved throughout the country, and some of it just wouldn't have happened. We also would have spent more of our precious vacation time with moving through the logistics of it all instead of enjoying. On many of our vacations, being independent and figuring it all out ourselves is part of the fun (I am reminded of our day trip to Naples in 2017 where figuring out the ferry, subway, and city were all required, as well as this blog post: <a href="http://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-around.html">http://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-around.html</a>), but this trip was different and more complicated.</p><p>In the end, we ate beef, drank wine, saw penguins, and experienced Patagonia, and so much more. </p><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-69062652229523948722024-02-24T08:09:00.000-08:002024-02-24T08:09:59.520-08:00After the Storm: Hiking the Ridgeline Trail<p>I'll be honest, for a long time I was dismissive of the Ridgeline Trail. Granted, when we lived in "the grove" getting to the trial took too long and there were far too many people there for us. So much better, at that time, to go somewhere remote and have the place all to ourselves!</p><p>That has changed. The Trail is now much closer to home, and now that we've gotten used to seeing people again, I've found it to not be crowded at all. (Except, of course, the trail to the top of Spencer's Butte, and the occasional pocket of people.) These past couple of months, since we've been trying to get a lot of miles under our belt -- or, rather, under our feet -- we've been hiking the Ridgeline Trail a lot; even more since the ice storm as our other favorite places are still closed. It has been pretty interesting to see the damage ice can do, and to see the clean-up that has been happening.</p><p>Three weekends ago on February 4, pretty much as soon as the trail opened again, we took a 5 hour hike from Blanton Heights to the Dillard East Trail Head. The trail had been swept clear and except for the first section (from Blanton Heights to Willamette Street) the trees had been cleared off the trail. There was a little scrambling, but it was a lot like some of the trails we encounter out in the woods, so totally manageable. (And don't worry, we walked with our eyes "up" looking for overhead broken branches.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyCgG5_8V2c3s3gQrM4XbvBkWunfPA3GVA2EHpTua7X6sQ2P93JYtkBiKzjcclw5tOBAgA0GEo16FaOA1wjScgPab0vm77QNBprYWI1AD9cwJWwb3braeByUn5VHJ6mOWrcUDT4caXJmS8UkSRQQwTiOSdLcyDcTi97x9PI8FXEcXkLWdxgYnKs8aJdE/s5184/IMG_0252.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyCgG5_8V2c3s3gQrM4XbvBkWunfPA3GVA2EHpTua7X6sQ2P93JYtkBiKzjcclw5tOBAgA0GEo16FaOA1wjScgPab0vm77QNBprYWI1AD9cwJWwb3braeByUn5VHJ6mOWrcUDT4caXJmS8UkSRQQwTiOSdLcyDcTi97x9PI8FXEcXkLWdxgYnKs8aJdE/w400-h300/IMG_0252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the trees blocking the trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYsRb7lfD04anmz2glJAtolmPtn8QOUalAfQ84ONhRqaykgO-PuWsSiulGoCgaaSXkyIgUUvSkTWBzlM2nTGuKoQUVLUKQgEdTcD-f94PZGUq1KPh1rLVrIc2isz5Ne74ZIfo55n67aKTVaP3VuzeJzEYqj6E3SR42o1dl1RuFe_nHRYOsZzY8zGJCmA/s5184/IMG_0256.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYsRb7lfD04anmz2glJAtolmPtn8QOUalAfQ84ONhRqaykgO-PuWsSiulGoCgaaSXkyIgUUvSkTWBzlM2nTGuKoQUVLUKQgEdTcD-f94PZGUq1KPh1rLVrIc2isz5Ne74ZIfo55n67aKTVaP3VuzeJzEYqj6E3SR42o1dl1RuFe_nHRYOsZzY8zGJCmA/w400-h300/IMG_0256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Along the trail, I loved this part, and comparing the new fallen log with the old one. I hope they keep it there. I'd love to see a sign on the new log stating when it fell, so people can see how it decays over time. </span></td></tr></tbody></table>A fascinating part of the hike is seeing how different areas of the woods were affected differently by the storm. Some don't appear to have any damage at all, then you turn a corner onto a different slope angling in a different direction and there is tons of damage. On the first hike, this was the most damage we saw, along the upper loop trail from Fox Hollow to Dillard Road.<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodGl371_oa117iB1RlxZloSIyuT6y8wsyz-Q__iSJfxICvWuI5Rz9IMH09Tmgz6fvsmPOU0GnDxn11bz9V5P-qAuFZREYa1J8TqIQLEZog9dBU4Ctxug5Mw_pXMhz5rH9toxXXhEH9CCProdegWOP10JTbQK9Y08yGHesaPbP7rs3QHDyy0mtw6DM624/s5184/IMG_0258.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodGl371_oa117iB1RlxZloSIyuT6y8wsyz-Q__iSJfxICvWuI5Rz9IMH09Tmgz6fvsmPOU0GnDxn11bz9V5P-qAuFZREYa1J8TqIQLEZog9dBU4Ctxug5Mw_pXMhz5rH9toxXXhEH9CCProdegWOP10JTbQK9Y08yGHesaPbP7rs3QHDyy0mtw6DM624/w400-h300/IMG_0258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the damage, and work, along the Upper Loop Trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Two weekends ago, on February 11, we added on to our hike a bit, and changed the scenery by starting at Dillard Road. First we headed up Mount Baldy, then at the end of our hike we did the connector trail to the Spencer's Butte Trail. I had hoped to go all to the top of Spencer's Butte, but frankly by the end of the hike I was getting spent, so we turned around. In all, though, 12.9 miles in just under 6 hours! </p><p>Of the trail segments we've seen, I'd say the connector trail took the biggest hit from the storm. The trail itself suffered the most damage along here, and a lot of very large trees have come down, though not necessarily hitting the trail. It'll be interesting to see what they do.... leave the trees there to decay naturally or do some clean up to reduce risk of fire later...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nwr4AszlzRB7VJxvj_u7cRNCtXVgzyv6sOxlG9oOeEl6TklAnRl-uLAKRR-dn0rRUZ_NJEA6IjWTBd41JF6dwAyuyIyiID9VWeAiwJ5Y2XIG_KIGij48fA31sPRuCLw0mpGH3AQilfxfD1FnJsquXucVXS2tCEg9PJSC4A-vPqlVtDfTbGQ0-sixteo/s5184/IMG_0354.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nwr4AszlzRB7VJxvj_u7cRNCtXVgzyv6sOxlG9oOeEl6TklAnRl-uLAKRR-dn0rRUZ_NJEA6IjWTBd41JF6dwAyuyIyiID9VWeAiwJ5Y2XIG_KIGij48fA31sPRuCLw0mpGH3AQilfxfD1FnJsquXucVXS2tCEg9PJSC4A-vPqlVtDfTbGQ0-sixteo/w400-h300/IMG_0354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge chunk of the trail is missing. It will be interesting to see how this gets addressed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then last weekend, February 18, we went from Willamette Street trailhead to the top of Spencer's Butte adding on a trip to the Spencer's Butte parking lot, and a jag to a bench we like to have our "lunch". Just 3 1/2 hours on this day. Trail crews had done a lot of work along the connector trail, including getting this behemoth out of the trail (previously we'd had to duck under it). I like that they turned it into a bench!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkfhCF0ZRUDLHqS1JL5iFN3Rlyni3drPvOyBXEnjWTlN4ZK3U9N2T1P5-MR5lolKsk3jvNo0TDHo1ChfJAKBUUh_GOfevQmdGxEH7CUDOviFQ8gbvwNkntk-UZUQ2OW8vv1xkcMS7SJ7tJr-ZsIq2km-IqrgqAXxytZlxWon1lvpEoiNMidR0gkLie0I/s5184/IMG_0358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkfhCF0ZRUDLHqS1JL5iFN3Rlyni3drPvOyBXEnjWTlN4ZK3U9N2T1P5-MR5lolKsk3jvNo0TDHo1ChfJAKBUUh_GOfevQmdGxEH7CUDOviFQ8gbvwNkntk-UZUQ2OW8vv1xkcMS7SJ7tJr-ZsIq2km-IqrgqAXxytZlxWon1lvpEoiNMidR0gkLie0I/w400-h300/IMG_0358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Interestingly, while the Spencer's Butte parking lot took a hit, we saw very little damage on the trail up (which was packed<i>!!!</i> with people). It was the perfect day to be up there, with fairly clear 360 degree views, and not too windy or rainy. (The last time we were up there, in Dec or Jan, it was in the clouds and rainy.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftbGcju8wqQ07rU0ER_92ZZQgBtjTLBussEAV6nlz9JbtxzpjoWOQFvp7Bs2d7mKjsfntl2RRIK6DewZuM3L0rYW0mMBoxTkECqoxfzQ5uqgODs2-I22AV7nkuRjyaIAJzNiPsHCNplnmqlm0fpapVADY4eUUtKJobGQSlmjsHHKh_q9aZAKZdG-7xbE/s5438/IMG_5906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1887" data-original-width="5438" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftbGcju8wqQ07rU0ER_92ZZQgBtjTLBussEAV6nlz9JbtxzpjoWOQFvp7Bs2d7mKjsfntl2RRIK6DewZuM3L0rYW0mMBoxTkECqoxfzQ5uqgODs2-I22AV7nkuRjyaIAJzNiPsHCNplnmqlm0fpapVADY4eUUtKJobGQSlmjsHHKh_q9aZAKZdG-7xbE/w640-h222/IMG_5906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white out there are clouds, but we could see snowy hills and mountains in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-53593574612143728372024-01-14T11:37:00.000-08:002024-01-14T11:38:48.495-08:00Lights, Heat, Water: 2024 Ice Storm<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaxzKhE8GDGij44DvBXBhy1aJsTjJWbi6lDFdAhg5Ka7v70CYACSfkdmw6XvKJF0j8Wp2hpy0SWWVZ2Puj8VYpFciwHeilNg0whIpVDzHXR-SytiWi1OC978uK1jLTsn6DGOpSSZ5qMhGQfnZC50ApLN9igntGWB31vk7iSE3PE_DxhFRbefGl4Hckgs/s2016/IMG_5788.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaxzKhE8GDGij44DvBXBhy1aJsTjJWbi6lDFdAhg5Ka7v70CYACSfkdmw6XvKJF0j8Wp2hpy0SWWVZ2Puj8VYpFciwHeilNg0whIpVDzHXR-SytiWi1OC978uK1jLTsn6DGOpSSZ5qMhGQfnZC50ApLN9igntGWB31vk7iSE3PE_DxhFRbefGl4Hckgs/w300-h400/IMG_5788.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our veggie garden today. The mustard greens are wishing<br />I'd paid more attention to the weather forecast. <br />(I knew it was going to be cold, but not <i>this </i>cold!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I guess ice storms every couple of years is our new "normal." I'm not a fan. But for us, <i>so far,</i> the great ice storm of 2024 is mostly about disappointment. This 3-day weekend was supposed to be filled with hiking. The plan was 3 long-ish hikes, one each day. Instead, the most exercise I am getting is rotating out our hummingbird feeders every hour or two.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QJJ7cT62Bb5QXYHxFmK50V7KkPghlBOOwc_ewr_x8Hwa_R2VO87M7uK3A-NNAlAIyYSjQ3e-BezAGyaG77DIBNSx-XguAglrHoDVcgh4bFH0GpynxNlXI_cFS9Su1YWT2TJJB2rtBzInnFGmt6OSZaJVlelHmmkInf7INEW3RyBI2Nr4A_-qdoHzGUo/s2016/IMG_5776.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QJJ7cT62Bb5QXYHxFmK50V7KkPghlBOOwc_ewr_x8Hwa_R2VO87M7uK3A-NNAlAIyYSjQ3e-BezAGyaG77DIBNSx-XguAglrHoDVcgh4bFH0GpynxNlXI_cFS9Su1YWT2TJJB2rtBzInnFGmt6OSZaJVlelHmmkInf7INEW3RyBI2Nr4A_-qdoHzGUo/w300-h400/IMG_5776.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked around the neighborhood yesterday afternoon.<br />We had to be careful, not just of the ice but of all the tree-breakage that was happening.<br />This morning, just getting to the sidewalk would be difficult.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But, I'm not complaining... really... So far, we have power and lights, we have water, we can flush our toilets. We don't have big trees or big branches to worry about. No wood to haul. No water to haul. I say this often, but I'll say it again "This is <i>exactly </i>why we moved." Some people didn't understand why we'd leave the country or our cute little house, but this is one of the plethora of reasons. And still, 2 1/2 years latter, pretty much every day, I still reflect on what a good move it was for us. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsWRaiNyiC98vIPA0lahlxZDCL6pktrDH9vOFb1RY-5-BxDPIloMOprylPNuNexlE2rLwCPwlS4_YhmygoMDa8nX5yoQGvXIfaiphHiHYQMXm44pby-bcRZyt2H8Ouy_37FbUmFVu8_zBpHMClCjezPsmeyVA7yA0XjtSeiYHu-Y90emEauS7fXbPEvg/s2016/IMG_5779.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsWRaiNyiC98vIPA0lahlxZDCL6pktrDH9vOFb1RY-5-BxDPIloMOprylPNuNexlE2rLwCPwlS4_YhmygoMDa8nX5yoQGvXIfaiphHiHYQMXm44pby-bcRZyt2H8Ouy_37FbUmFVu8_zBpHMClCjezPsmeyVA7yA0XjtSeiYHu-Y90emEauS7fXbPEvg/w300-h400/IMG_5779.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book box yesterday afternoon. I just tried to get out there<br />for a more up-to-date photo, but decided it wasn't worth it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3lOUwYl7WJnF05_Q-Eg1cJyvNa8PT2psWpP-H2Es5pzvEjq1KDBRXTgfIFRVrlDIen5dwUoSaK93cUWLuovJeU5c5tdlqpQAL12UHx4JDTX7zFeERVyBRf6KypIKvXjzlOpIfVqoHIM6-imPt6yUlUBnoe2mtI1DwEFeNzms1f5ChPd3_6wF3APDK5Q/s2016/IMG_5785.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3lOUwYl7WJnF05_Q-Eg1cJyvNa8PT2psWpP-H2Es5pzvEjq1KDBRXTgfIFRVrlDIen5dwUoSaK93cUWLuovJeU5c5tdlqpQAL12UHx4JDTX7zFeERVyBRf6KypIKvXjzlOpIfVqoHIM6-imPt6yUlUBnoe2mtI1DwEFeNzms1f5ChPd3_6wF3APDK5Q/w300-h400/IMG_5785.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back yard this morning. At least an inch of ice (if not more) covering everything.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-33148999499201887332023-12-31T08:19:00.000-08:002023-12-31T08:19:01.951-08:00 2023: A Year of Reading<p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></p><blockquote><br /></blockquote><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuNEwc0JURm0dw2iBD84Gat2qUC-BUlsL7owgoSFOr8BwwSIzQxrHi5g_ZhPZPo-gqKRw8QXbfJQModZKPxFv5vSrWZfb1OuZ32ROu6zk9luqGM6iJFqMJ5AHeEt8kPxS3GtPMytyTd3oBE81H6tuDwlfQkAVvMfFiFHSq4ShZU4ybewsgdx5DZnVgAA/s2016/4-5%20%20Light%20of%20Days.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuNEwc0JURm0dw2iBD84Gat2qUC-BUlsL7owgoSFOr8BwwSIzQxrHi5g_ZhPZPo-gqKRw8QXbfJQModZKPxFv5vSrWZfb1OuZ32ROu6zk9luqGM6iJFqMJ5AHeEt8kPxS3GtPMytyTd3oBE81H6tuDwlfQkAVvMfFiFHSq4ShZU4ybewsgdx5DZnVgAA/w240-h320/4-5%20%20Light%20of%20Days.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my highlights of the year. <br />This was a difficult read as these women's stories <br />are intense. But it is so necessary to know these stories<br />and lift them up. The book was also very well written.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote> "The only difference between a nonreader and a reader is that a reader has a plan for future reading and a nonreader does not." </blockquote></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This quote is from a 2019 article in the <i>Atlantic</i> called "<a href="The Adults Who Treat Reading Like Homework" target="_blank">The Adults Who Treat Reading Like Homework</a><i>" </i>by Julie Beck. (I think it is mostly blocked now.) I wrote it down for myself back in March of this year. It is an interesting article about reading and book challenges. I remember being struck by it because I had just spent the morning doing lots of research about books I might want to read. I think I was going through some of those 100-best-books-to-read lists, adding interesting-looking books to my Goodreads list, or maybe I was taking a deep dive into bookstagram. No matter. I remember contemplating how much time I had just spent looking for <i>new</i> books, when I already had a huge "to read" stack waiting for me, and 100s of books already noted in my Goodreads account. Then I read this article and felt validated.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zqtJgRXfB9ngdvtW3sVGBShC3sCkKinPz98SJ-FJHh1B1az2Pv2PnY-Kfs-NlggrB1HrEU057_voahe0q6aAN2D1-YlYYNsXiaBb99Zy33GrLtcvRavA4jSu4h8eMVi3kDQ4lq9Dm3JD81VBJdt55ihot9TkGT0tHh0lWAEfBTdmEZB1Xns6K1g7_S4/s2016/Oona%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zqtJgRXfB9ngdvtW3sVGBShC3sCkKinPz98SJ-FJHh1B1az2Pv2PnY-Kfs-NlggrB1HrEU057_voahe0q6aAN2D1-YlYYNsXiaBb99Zy33GrLtcvRavA4jSu4h8eMVi3kDQ4lq9Dm3JD81VBJdt55ihot9TkGT0tHh0lWAEfBTdmEZB1Xns6K1g7_S4/s320/Oona%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An enjoyable read!<br />Magical realism about a woman who<br />lives her life "out of order."</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p>The quote reminds me of 2017, when I dedicated myself to reading again. I had gone through a long spell of "not reading". (But that isn't really correct, I was doing tons of research for the other blog and I was finishing up my stint at LCC. I just didn't have time for "personal" reading.)<a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2017/06/reading.html" target="_blank"> As 2017 began</a>, I was wanting to read again for my own personal enjoyment, and more specifically, I was wanting to read diverse authors, but I struggled to find actual books to read. I knew it was weird that I was struggling so much, but I was coming at it blind. I didn't have a plan, I hadn't yet put in the work, and I wasn't sure where to turn. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr505mmyTyJ_-bRl5LaBJLdykBGnTZn6bdg7_jAySAzj1f0Zcr6jbsLfd6SLHWCJLGTljnzopM2rpnv5GoJhAlG1NMEp_m7LzgaQ1NMQtWcSpY3iJA5-ihEBS19nV4xmzJ2aV6LGCM4OPlhdX1qZ6UvgcVSN-Q-AU89_Z-1VSO82DrwWzuCtppOVIOMpE/s2016/11-5%20%20They%20Both%20Die%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr505mmyTyJ_-bRl5LaBJLdykBGnTZn6bdg7_jAySAzj1f0Zcr6jbsLfd6SLHWCJLGTljnzopM2rpnv5GoJhAlG1NMEp_m7LzgaQ1NMQtWcSpY3iJA5-ihEBS19nV4xmzJ2aV6LGCM4OPlhdX1qZ6UvgcVSN-Q-AU89_Z-1VSO82DrwWzuCtppOVIOMpE/s320/11-5%20%20They%20Both%20Die%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another good read. <br />YA, science fiction, with queer Latinx representation. <br />They both really do die at the end, you know that up front, <br />and the story works. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fortunately, that has changed. Now, I'm never at a loss for something to read, and I've got 230 books on my GoodReads "Want to Read" list (but, honestly, that could use some culling and attention). Importantly, reading books by "diverse" authors with "diverse" characters is no longer a "goal" but just a way of life. I actually start feeling very out-of-sorts if I read too many "undiverse" books in a row. Just like my <a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-life-long-reading-resolution.html" target="_blank">intentional shift to read books by women authors </a>many years ago, it no longer takes such effort and thought.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1ed5Xmkd1Pv7yIkQsIT6Iw2BtvEdFwriOa2ZEiNQIMfA-8Q33IJCP1jiWxanD9Ci5hPgXY6WHGO_ES3VaoFszqaZVTdtbaDoDSJkWGHedPV5uL1cn7TcyEibj7K7VUsVcFVa9xSBter3-Vj3eKH8LaYIcG_A98On3XOrfURDAHGVhiWcL3B02CRjRa8/s2016/Beautiful%20Country%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1ed5Xmkd1Pv7yIkQsIT6Iw2BtvEdFwriOa2ZEiNQIMfA-8Q33IJCP1jiWxanD9Ci5hPgXY6WHGO_ES3VaoFszqaZVTdtbaDoDSJkWGHedPV5uL1cn7TcyEibj7K7VUsVcFVa9xSBter3-Vj3eKH8LaYIcG_A98On3XOrfURDAHGVhiWcL3B02CRjRa8/s320/Beautiful%20Country%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another highlight of the year.<br />A memoir about immigrating to the US<br />from China in 1994 as a 7-year-old child.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This year, I've also made intentional efforts to read more books about LGBTQ+ folks, especially trans folks. Happily, I've discovered more than one queer book in our Little Free Library. I feel like at least a couple visitors understand (and hopefully appreciate) the types of books we try to cultivate out there.</p><p>As far as reading in 2023, I greatly surpassed my goal, but more importantly, I read some great books!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeA7R0puV8w1OdqQ7AGvYFcyh_u_4bDzc00sOxfcuXCIRPly8kDOs4M0ozzjLETv48-XItMtKGNBGL10hEwEqm5J4RgfgdKPD23wPUwuvIYDmMdpZdUVXZ7GyqvqpFz-YhcUxA93ZOLXjkJlvM_LoDFC5JpyEHe2kBZAjU6cJOfrPhWUhfhNkHv5gOTfc/s960/2023%20books.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeA7R0puV8w1OdqQ7AGvYFcyh_u_4bDzc00sOxfcuXCIRPly8kDOs4M0ozzjLETv48-XItMtKGNBGL10hEwEqm5J4RgfgdKPD23wPUwuvIYDmMdpZdUVXZ7GyqvqpFz-YhcUxA93ZOLXjkJlvM_LoDFC5JpyEHe2kBZAjU6cJOfrPhWUhfhNkHv5gOTfc/w341-h640/2023%20books.png" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the books completed in 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/eIQ8t6QGrhY?si=39PSi_f16zP_ybSp" width="480"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Here's another way to look at my reading year</h3><p>Non-fiction = 9 (all but 1 were memoirs)</p><p><span> </span><span> </span>Fiction = 24</p><p><br /></p><p>Books written/edited by women = 22</p><p> written/edited by men = 11</p><p><br /></p><p>Books written/edited by people of color: 13</p><p> written/edited by white folks: 20</p><p><br /></p><p>Books with significant queer representation: 14</p><p> and without: 19</p><p><br /></p><p>Books set partially or totally outside the US: 12</p><p> set entirely within the US: 20</p><p> set in space/the future: 1</p><p><br /></p><p>Books picked up at a Little Free Library (ours or elsewhere): 11</p><p> bought new (often as gifts for each other): 9</p><p> bought used: 6</p><p> hanging out on my shelves for a long time: 0</p><p> from friends: 3</p><p> audio: 4</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Now, what am I going to read next?</i></b></p></div></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-56320131947580651152023-12-17T16:08:00.000-08:002024-01-31T08:00:42.239-08:00Fall Mushrooms<p>This fall, as D and I have hit the trails, we've been enamored by all the mushrooms. They've been so much fun to see and admire along our hikes. So many different shapes, sizes, and colors; and growing in so many different kinds of environments. </p><p>It appears that fall mushroom season is over, and I thought it would be fun to put some photos all in one place. I learned a little after all the muddy-looking pictures that I got on our hike to Clover Lake, and I think I got some nice shots. Here they are in order of date/hike.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">McKenzie River Trail: October 22, 2023</h3><p>This hike was along the 1st two sections of the trail, from the <a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2023/01/mckenzie-river-trail-southern-trailhead.html" target="_blank">lower trail head</a>, past Paradise Campground and on to <a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2023/07/mckenzie-river-trail-2nd-leg.html" target="_blank">Buck Bridge</a>. We had done both of these sections on separate occasions, earlier in the year. Along this hike, I remember being enamored by the "fairy" mushrooms (the teeny-tiny ones growing on the logs along the trail).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWztY93EHofZz-6NF9k4JAOjWieqdEtKCeO439Y1slSWdFKGTxtDKgqqKzl8sWcSKyt2VlGgTNMhF8DiAaFU6CequO7FukSNDDim3iIGNDUQSgE2_cbfA-MJDCf6mLb2oFZ-Qe3EIRtX4nr4sABHjMNCLn37vw9O7L33x-iMo7bKoruqdlg_F_gj6h7s/s2016/IMG_5327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWztY93EHofZz-6NF9k4JAOjWieqdEtKCeO439Y1slSWdFKGTxtDKgqqKzl8sWcSKyt2VlGgTNMhF8DiAaFU6CequO7FukSNDDim3iIGNDUQSgE2_cbfA-MJDCf6mLb2oFZ-Qe3EIRtX4nr4sABHjMNCLn37vw9O7L33x-iMo7bKoruqdlg_F_gj6h7s/w400-h300/IMG_5327.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw these a lot this fall, and I was always impressed with how white they were.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb6AeEkj5_wRyVMk_oY9HdjyQzSx_WTwBx_WLibnhj_UrJXMNqrPi9lCrlMrE8IuNxf5kiV8vj9IWvT-zIHyTzykC1mT5sW_o8MKYApoAQucADA5716UfoJH07pY15fKXujaX1zk5PeN1vGfCnJRvw7gX66Cbe52opBdWgbs1zoXiAYGVWS0BO4v48qc/s2016/IMG_5328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb6AeEkj5_wRyVMk_oY9HdjyQzSx_WTwBx_WLibnhj_UrJXMNqrPi9lCrlMrE8IuNxf5kiV8vj9IWvT-zIHyTzykC1mT5sW_o8MKYApoAQucADA5716UfoJH07pY15fKXujaX1zk5PeN1vGfCnJRvw7gX66Cbe52opBdWgbs1zoXiAYGVWS0BO4v48qc/w300-h400/IMG_5328.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9Pvpy27lAWRYCmntoomQd16ULtWXvU0OdzCAwlRh-n7ALAnfcQCARBhB_JtThMNFJVWQFfvf3rcqx4L81iIMWiMyNjYg7OYH3b3OtbO7nXbPpEImUt-QBuYHk9SafAvyS13VUwdqMFCN-pU0wNMckWHWzliX3sdx99Ld3B6dYsmSE6Huslc0jEpbQDU/s2016/IMG_5330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9Pvpy27lAWRYCmntoomQd16ULtWXvU0OdzCAwlRh-n7ALAnfcQCARBhB_JtThMNFJVWQFfvf3rcqx4L81iIMWiMyNjYg7OYH3b3OtbO7nXbPpEImUt-QBuYHk9SafAvyS13VUwdqMFCN-pU0wNMckWHWzliX3sdx99Ld3B6dYsmSE6Huslc0jEpbQDU/w300-h400/IMG_5330.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUoHbolhIyY7x5xYcDpPgjnbqMbMGzX7vVNb5yTO0PrtZXZzVdjEts5CyYZNWEu6DYo-lq-dGLuc8pJfk485DWBnQXSuGvM1y_v4tFQ5xh2r3_jhmEVSIhW2AXK8JC41sJzpN7NH0-7-gMG4UJFjwJesPDVD6AQ9cnA4oGxVN6FdKJcjceJ9ND6wYOYI/s2016/IMG_5332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUoHbolhIyY7x5xYcDpPgjnbqMbMGzX7vVNb5yTO0PrtZXZzVdjEts5CyYZNWEu6DYo-lq-dGLuc8pJfk485DWBnQXSuGvM1y_v4tFQ5xh2r3_jhmEVSIhW2AXK8JC41sJzpN7NH0-7-gMG4UJFjwJesPDVD6AQ9cnA4oGxVN6FdKJcjceJ9ND6wYOYI/w300-h400/IMG_5332.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I expect to see little fairies hanging out under these tiny mushrooms.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_Qa33HPumSJnKhyphenhyphen_LbHbdUEgQmWCdu0cVsBozj7gXva88-VubDCkc11n1UuWtmQjXKv7I6mT29pQpn-FegfiTJOTbWettrgqPJDlcZjaQawTY4XuyCVot2GmAZDr0bb_GZXmQ6n5lo7tUL9fPH_ACMDiysXyr8ul9m4OnM0ExhEbnVHXVDYwBLl1J_E/s2016/IMG_5340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_Qa33HPumSJnKhyphenhyphen_LbHbdUEgQmWCdu0cVsBozj7gXva88-VubDCkc11n1UuWtmQjXKv7I6mT29pQpn-FegfiTJOTbWettrgqPJDlcZjaQawTY4XuyCVot2GmAZDr0bb_GZXmQ6n5lo7tUL9fPH_ACMDiysXyr8ul9m4OnM0ExhEbnVHXVDYwBLl1J_E/w300-h400/IMG_5340.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdEFBhhVSdP6t8K8izxycVd5E59GgtqyQRQpcB591FUjQwBlfzlWsha_D8xkJYPHUJW6NiepexltD_LGyV9dkA8C0ji6VgDg_OpBrOjhVPyA-mGUA3IBEEiCpvVW5R4JIN3jIwHdCkur8qFiaLvtvuo8S2ow_cuVeshDyECZm1g368uQseAx2rqEr_oE/s2016/IMG_5344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdEFBhhVSdP6t8K8izxycVd5E59GgtqyQRQpcB591FUjQwBlfzlWsha_D8xkJYPHUJW6NiepexltD_LGyV9dkA8C0ji6VgDg_OpBrOjhVPyA-mGUA3IBEEiCpvVW5R4JIN3jIwHdCkur8qFiaLvtvuo8S2ow_cuVeshDyECZm1g368uQseAx2rqEr_oE/w400-h300/IMG_5344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aq3TJ-4Ujthrc3x3sW7I9LKzzZlME8x42bHcmo73VjR9xFgfPzrU_dBCVsyZVdTmn5akkIHe9lSATQJerbih9GBdZFp3MlccnVMu2gkpoiiM7n5vEyMAZes7CKy3S_Q5Z2jR-Nu0y-gIIwuLt_qx-6ooWRwDWcVCd9JqIlwQPOR5YRBrRIj2IbAq6gY/s2016/IMG_5346.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aq3TJ-4Ujthrc3x3sW7I9LKzzZlME8x42bHcmo73VjR9xFgfPzrU_dBCVsyZVdTmn5akkIHe9lSATQJerbih9GBdZFp3MlccnVMu2gkpoiiM7n5vEyMAZes7CKy3S_Q5Z2jR-Nu0y-gIIwuLt_qx-6ooWRwDWcVCd9JqIlwQPOR5YRBrRIj2IbAq6gY/w400-h300/IMG_5346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this great shape!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEvwgUVpvce-3Nz6V82JOsXb-z8mFeIz7PsObZr3xzQVRxH_9MVxdceozZD233RRzUE-ZvsyEDJF_zjUBF6tiPf_jyZy5E6lyoG1juQvBdlAQ87G2Y0aGmzoMDiZOP4jlpxnk4F3Dk7Q3jBVjVs1iCvk-juNXLEcdByChdMvw6mBT_4l9lGV1fEFsGVY/s2016/IMG_5348.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEvwgUVpvce-3Nz6V82JOsXb-z8mFeIz7PsObZr3xzQVRxH_9MVxdceozZD233RRzUE-ZvsyEDJF_zjUBF6tiPf_jyZy5E6lyoG1juQvBdlAQ87G2Y0aGmzoMDiZOP4jlpxnk4F3Dk7Q3jBVjVs1iCvk-juNXLEcdByChdMvw6mBT_4l9lGV1fEFsGVY/w300-h400/IMG_5348.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yellow of this one was fascinating. We saw this type of mushroom on other hikes as well, but this is the first place it came to our attention.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6JjlAptp7f6qatSXPsHnP3YrzJtOjBoYdV5CGrh3MgSkSplshIha5Y33sIUhCEiv1KXAsN_jW6KMm7ZuYddFFxuPWftTgEHtPE9R_RIz7oRSdjTexegHNR2C3aeCaGW98RTMWE4dYXLI8FdLXRnbp4-PSvSzizNyUtJIL2-rLKj25GDHLLfQXWBkWkU/s2016/IMG_5372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6JjlAptp7f6qatSXPsHnP3YrzJtOjBoYdV5CGrh3MgSkSplshIha5Y33sIUhCEiv1KXAsN_jW6KMm7ZuYddFFxuPWftTgEHtPE9R_RIz7oRSdjTexegHNR2C3aeCaGW98RTMWE4dYXLI8FdLXRnbp4-PSvSzizNyUtJIL2-rLKj25GDHLLfQXWBkWkU/w300-h400/IMG_5372.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mammoth-sized mushroom just pushing up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">McKenzie River Trail: November 4, 2023</h3><p>I haven't posted about this leg of the trail, from the upper trailhead around Clear Lake. It was a gorgeous hike and also very wet. We saw a lot of lava, but not many mushrooms. Though this one was pretty awesome.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GUzZB0YIy9UfEmKEgWUuqaFVxAcJzhYnunIiiAD25jBm3-db-PSKqMYgfxG2pXrSGnCJCqQkNHYaXJwoZUuScGYOozLq2ImHjN91ltc01GTH8FGRfX6qxVfjQ-9xGw20cb7k4skxA5P6jTtFXuadO8-Z1sKHA20TFaVzQSRdnyigGYaVVQFuBYv0jQw/s2016/IMG_5430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GUzZB0YIy9UfEmKEgWUuqaFVxAcJzhYnunIiiAD25jBm3-db-PSKqMYgfxG2pXrSGnCJCqQkNHYaXJwoZUuScGYOozLq2ImHjN91ltc01GTH8FGRfX6qxVfjQ-9xGw20cb7k4skxA5P6jTtFXuadO8-Z1sKHA20TFaVzQSRdnyigGYaVVQFuBYv0jQw/w400-h300/IMG_5430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Thurston Hills Natural Area: November 26, 2023</h3><p>The "backside of Thurston Hills" (as we call it), is always a fun treat and close to home. As you get higher up the hill, there are trails that a lot of people don't go on, and it was fun to see two new mushrooms up there that we hadn't seen yet this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOkYSGzIF87qKFdRvGgaCgvm3dCqwB8VHJOJ8GVPRTsf1-g-mKEe909yHujj3MgtIZXqOzf63iSSO0YMbhzy5sSebCBmz02bZa-XQQdJJB-fzPrh4Eeu63ybZ18piu4Zcd4LocGLs8Dzl16mRX1wy403RqBkyVJkHEa6mgpYvqiSkAZVVU4VhrLwzMJI/s2016/IMG_5554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOkYSGzIF87qKFdRvGgaCgvm3dCqwB8VHJOJ8GVPRTsf1-g-mKEe909yHujj3MgtIZXqOzf63iSSO0YMbhzy5sSebCBmz02bZa-XQQdJJB-fzPrh4Eeu63ybZ18piu4Zcd4LocGLs8Dzl16mRX1wy403RqBkyVJkHEa6mgpYvqiSkAZVVU4VhrLwzMJI/w300-h400/IMG_5554.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsIhEXSANCDEyVwrpcwPcrJVixkHUXQCmqEsx0K_WdCYnRtwJbR8pRO7_hosEqHlnOXNWla-udIsq1lLNGXLvpwkkj0gB_4JpQ2VTFwMkR7llISS7TsrWBrtP-47Xhz_RARhHwSopj0TxdkkRFAb4gmuFzoZv_OM427na0DY9JVgPtOb9vwckwGv5_XA/s2016/IMG_5557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsIhEXSANCDEyVwrpcwPcrJVixkHUXQCmqEsx0K_WdCYnRtwJbR8pRO7_hosEqHlnOXNWla-udIsq1lLNGXLvpwkkj0gB_4JpQ2VTFwMkR7llISS7TsrWBrtP-47Xhz_RARhHwSopj0TxdkkRFAb4gmuFzoZv_OM427na0DY9JVgPtOb9vwckwGv5_XA/w400-h300/IMG_5557.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">South Willamette Trail (off Goodman Creek): January 1, 2024</h3><p>Updating this post to add these great mushrooms spied along the South Willamette Trail, which turned out to be a huge challenge. 10.5~ish miles (5.5 hours). Nothing extreme, but lots of up and down, stream crossings, and mud. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl02Mn1RNSHTyPBvoUC8qNLDLCIudjrmN_eEAraHfeTs5Axjg5E0-bcNQAbz_0ZizjQv0ZDwnJPtIFMLflA03AWM_07Q7kERAIyo1E7tKmO4M8TFk0z1r7Ti80EtFZXtjnY_0atJAcQuSoctePUc6-ae4rit_oAZePgchiL1cyCvvnLO0K9E6xps6K994/s2016/IMG_5712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl02Mn1RNSHTyPBvoUC8qNLDLCIudjrmN_eEAraHfeTs5Axjg5E0-bcNQAbz_0ZizjQv0ZDwnJPtIFMLflA03AWM_07Q7kERAIyo1E7tKmO4M8TFk0z1r7Ti80EtFZXtjnY_0atJAcQuSoctePUc6-ae4rit_oAZePgchiL1cyCvvnLO0K9E6xps6K994/w400-h300/IMG_5712.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_XX9XaYlGEP4dRWvMvErMU4YRCi69VV3BaM9KCfjnt2KHyS6OUXNf8SGEqjusBG6_s6URwOxeDZiCvKbPJKTvZYg1vUG_HfTrWpF20T8BFicjJjeEqxNel2R-2IErQyh8U9hcijHGRQYl7PPxh0FuaslRME-emyYiJuyGZlG8rbTq3Rxw8sAkcGDFJA/s2016/IMG_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_XX9XaYlGEP4dRWvMvErMU4YRCi69VV3BaM9KCfjnt2KHyS6OUXNf8SGEqjusBG6_s6URwOxeDZiCvKbPJKTvZYg1vUG_HfTrWpF20T8BFicjJjeEqxNel2R-2IErQyh8U9hcijHGRQYl7PPxh0FuaslRME-emyYiJuyGZlG8rbTq3Rxw8sAkcGDFJA/w300-h400/IMG_5717.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't like to play favorites. But this might be mine of the seasons,<br />and it's a great mushroom to end on. It was so orange, so unique.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-53751399133209812702023-10-06T07:45:00.001-07:002023-10-06T08:17:54.902-07:00Rain Check: Clover Lake<p>Hike date: September 29, 2023</p><p>Journey: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Destination: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 of 5 stars)</p><p>Total Length: maybe around 6 miles round trip</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ynAuswoJIVK1lnCYOxacAe4PynNpAcN__ExpRpvE-WvFyCAPo7QOIe33vEgMKYaHJO0AD2iKVBXny3I0sfb-PSmoiB4w8AK31BC8XpcLMIToe37-OjYLAxUhW1EvVi9neRPWoGiFWj8M7zHA8ssKzS68l-X83ypzeeFHUT6_1o2UEXraGNCjHHTJLE/s3751/clover%20lake%20pano.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="3751" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ynAuswoJIVK1lnCYOxacAe4PynNpAcN__ExpRpvE-WvFyCAPo7QOIe33vEgMKYaHJO0AD2iKVBXny3I0sfb-PSmoiB4w8AK31BC8XpcLMIToe37-OjYLAxUhW1EvVi9neRPWoGiFWj8M7zHA8ssKzS68l-X83ypzeeFHUT6_1o2UEXraGNCjHHTJLE/w640-h276/clover%20lake%20pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A misty Clover Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Your going to look at this photos and think that I'm crazy, a 4⭐ experience, when we turn around because of rain?!? But, yeah, this was a great hike, made even better by the company and the over-all experience.</p><p>This hike started at the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/fremont-winema/recarea/?recid=59853" target="_blank">Clover Creek Trailhead</a> on a late Saturday morning, with sandwiches from <a href="https://dailybagelkfalls.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Bagel</a> in Klamath Falls stashed in our bags, and our friend S guiding the way. We were hoping for sunshine, but packed for rain as we headed out on the trail. The point of the hike was to enjoy the outdoors with our friend. Bonuses were the opportunity to hike at a higher elevation (starting at about 5,700') and try out our new cooler/wetter weather hiking gear.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cOdf0l5nsyaQJcHC3_KJpk0iFo3PJHTW9IS9ZATYoCS81XLJpSWJdbKMudcj1Oind_r6ThIQnHriZeNRDNsih41pn8688S7WTNRSZgmE9DUiBuYrqkvqGWqA02WB2wbjSSKmASVGmpfyq-WhmO8rXQzKAOIIlymWWBsy_PodwQCAvhIQTifu8m3zZD4/s2016/IMG_5190.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cOdf0l5nsyaQJcHC3_KJpk0iFo3PJHTW9IS9ZATYoCS81XLJpSWJdbKMudcj1Oind_r6ThIQnHriZeNRDNsih41pn8688S7WTNRSZgmE9DUiBuYrqkvqGWqA02WB2wbjSSKmASVGmpfyq-WhmO8rXQzKAOIIlymWWBsy_PodwQCAvhIQTifu8m3zZD4/w400-h300/IMG_5190.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higher elevation forest path.</td></tr></tbody></table>Besides the company, the highlight of the trip was probably all the mushrooms that were emerging because of the newly damp weather. I took lots of photos, and we stopped to gawk at, poke at, and exclaim about even more, but honestly, the pics aren't much to look at. Except for these... <div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad9ukCm2SKJUTxD-cHnC2J5pDvI_Pn2YLprdNow_8mtsz5PDDu1dJAyTQScg8E2FnJS_mu23dzptmbg9xfvxy5pq-gC36uF8Pyzge-M7qVZXBHqLSHkv3Zxw6mzQNqfbtrN0_bv1jkTjlmTCA7EieOS94-3L8KU3p3ra4zqmXQdklwIAMkx449ImQoJM/s2016/IMG_5191.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad9ukCm2SKJUTxD-cHnC2J5pDvI_Pn2YLprdNow_8mtsz5PDDu1dJAyTQScg8E2FnJS_mu23dzptmbg9xfvxy5pq-gC36uF8Pyzge-M7qVZXBHqLSHkv3Zxw6mzQNqfbtrN0_bv1jkTjlmTCA7EieOS94-3L8KU3p3ra4zqmXQdklwIAMkx449ImQoJM/s320/IMG_5191.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conks on an old stump.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkjC7i60GfJHyi7CY9eJ35sBzHCIXXQc8hN5dTC8ctDgAYvDf8bPlb3ip0IzGarfUQtbANtOIcuthCNBApo6ktTEq5d_HZOvLm0hWNBg668iPuMYanbGYBqnC8UUcmb1T0bQ65i8uOCuqiWvc0pypCVxwN-8MAUI94iTLIU91l87PXcyrw1g-KkeX1Do/s2016/IMG_5196.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkjC7i60GfJHyi7CY9eJ35sBzHCIXXQc8hN5dTC8ctDgAYvDf8bPlb3ip0IzGarfUQtbANtOIcuthCNBApo6ktTEq5d_HZOvLm0hWNBg668iPuMYanbGYBqnC8UUcmb1T0bQ65i8uOCuqiWvc0pypCVxwN-8MAUI94iTLIU91l87PXcyrw1g-KkeX1Do/s320/IMG_5196.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So glossy.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_sFDrnbe8k78Yxqy9W3WUSEgTOb8sFgkfO6xniJv1U43Lvp9BiuGOJfgpJtdy3E3IPJSDxqBrDxdchuMa8UUU_fWHuly-eiWhKGFsbMtc-_hgXYOlZGgn8mbk_IxXt2dkUm6DO1xx6CDhUUayIUrQpignX0QVXtjNx9JPnf6a9y14qnmEhM1osiAWUc/s2016/IMG_5192.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_sFDrnbe8k78Yxqy9W3WUSEgTOb8sFgkfO6xniJv1U43Lvp9BiuGOJfgpJtdy3E3IPJSDxqBrDxdchuMa8UUU_fWHuly-eiWhKGFsbMtc-_hgXYOlZGgn8mbk_IxXt2dkUm6DO1xx6CDhUUayIUrQpignX0QVXtjNx9JPnf6a9y14qnmEhM1osiAWUc/s320/IMG_5192.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So huge!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I don't know what these are, some type of fungus that I think is called a conk. (I did a quick google search but didn't find immediate results.) They were huge, glossy, and there were an assortment ringing this old tree stump.</p><p>Our destination was Clover Lake (about 2 1/2 miles up the trail). With all the stopping and gawking we did, it took us over an hour and a half to get there. Lucky for us, a<a href="https://www.rv-times.com/outdoors/clearing-trail-a-long-time-on-a-short-hike-to-clover-lake/article_73803876-3d26-11ee-a440-c7fb0fc52c9a.html" target="_blank"> volunteer trail crew</a> had just cleared the trail, otherwise it would have taken us much longer.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTBtXv3SxMWNfqnowg7HFCN5jI66_t8SOQ8_XKV_hrAErMdZHUCGIzi7Wy4WINMMs0YbIPvOHvmYMLTT-yZ8pcC173vYmkUM0N4YeI5dZFiBq8PxcMRKy0qcRiLf7KImSd1hlbgPqQrlAZUWTet0DkvBw8nxPG9qES01sGeIIxxlMqB8KN861beHtJKw/s1544/IMG_5201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTBtXv3SxMWNfqnowg7HFCN5jI66_t8SOQ8_XKV_hrAErMdZHUCGIzi7Wy4WINMMs0YbIPvOHvmYMLTT-yZ8pcC173vYmkUM0N4YeI5dZFiBq8PxcMRKy0qcRiLf7KImSd1hlbgPqQrlAZUWTet0DkvBw8nxPG9qES01sGeIIxxlMqB8KN861beHtJKw/w400-h300/IMG_5201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it to the lake!</td></tr></tbody></table>We were seriously hoping the the sun would be shining through by the time we got to the lake. Obviously it was not. So we found a dry log in the shelter of a tree and ate our lunch. It had stopped raining by the time we were done, and as we were headed out, D said "Let's go up the trail another 15 minutes." So I set my alarm and we headed out. We were so glad we did. The trail was very different beyond the lake.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs71OrIMeh2NmvuAIFmVnNFjYzl0wg_yKznAy5XdYHRLyboJjzR6Umkk7_e0f0hMNmGxqIFTR6saiTnCLrsPzGi1erXPDWqkWAnoVzMOoWydlRkVBgR0Y1XsCrd0MY8DRQ82sANi_fSgt3kpn8lR54Cv8946IzMBLJk2iGRF3CgPSQ7LshkGprAwCaq4c/s2016/IMG_5214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs71OrIMeh2NmvuAIFmVnNFjYzl0wg_yKznAy5XdYHRLyboJjzR6Umkk7_e0f0hMNmGxqIFTR6saiTnCLrsPzGi1erXPDWqkWAnoVzMOoWydlRkVBgR0Y1XsCrd0MY8DRQ82sANi_fSgt3kpn8lR54Cv8946IzMBLJk2iGRF3CgPSQ7LshkGprAwCaq4c/w300-h400/IMG_5214.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the lake, the trail opens up, with lots of rock mixed into the soil.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78DrB-lh3vxK36EfKQnHZWebggwGjLcFL-LOI3e2Sg4ahEAvnVJ2l4_mQbeWIvwxcHmSWaTXGiEcvbqyIY737tPKmZYRywQXkV9zc_FNz1S03fwMF8kwHnbmisMRs_9sPhUk7Po8LiJXplbh2WBwPbtbH8eMBGg-fkBX9zBntmWxEFJAu7yZPamo4WLw/s2016/IMG_5216.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78DrB-lh3vxK36EfKQnHZWebggwGjLcFL-LOI3e2Sg4ahEAvnVJ2l4_mQbeWIvwxcHmSWaTXGiEcvbqyIY737tPKmZYRywQXkV9zc_FNz1S03fwMF8kwHnbmisMRs_9sPhUk7Po8LiJXplbh2WBwPbtbH8eMBGg-fkBX9zBntmWxEFJAu7yZPamo4WLw/w300-h400/IMG_5216.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still open trail, with a low shrub. I think some type of huckleberry</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My alarm went off in 15 minutes, and we decided to do 15 minutes more. (It's so easy to take on small bites like that!). But then it started to RAIN! Like really rain, much more so than we had been experiencing. We finally turned around!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTAgb1URruIVTG_A6LrzCjRAw-pNwTvHcAVog97bbULPHwuykth9wEpaqNRcaP3Gjie80zeliWlWwvu2_Qt2SQZhobMwsyzu8lwsKR5yH3D7WE1eyzbUTTsLQjw_PQXYb5mxoSgZeDiWhqoznxWfwZ_9ssVpfLxppZ527NV1MFsERdZbJVLtPhkAD9k8/s1544/IMG_5218.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTAgb1URruIVTG_A6LrzCjRAw-pNwTvHcAVog97bbULPHwuykth9wEpaqNRcaP3Gjie80zeliWlWwvu2_Qt2SQZhobMwsyzu8lwsKR5yH3D7WE1eyzbUTTsLQjw_PQXYb5mxoSgZeDiWhqoznxWfwZ_9ssVpfLxppZ527NV1MFsERdZbJVLtPhkAD9k8/w400-h300/IMG_5218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet hikers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GWqRkXX-P3aArMren_TJU2Z1gga8zaEHuA-1PfQ8kLx3V2eI3pHgKSxz1FUCuzyVciQMcMecQu6mrKlgWFKsVuxXIGWq9QpQRfWovwZhBln3mm_yNc6GTzCzC_HGjdma8kBkxz6lpwHpqYyA-Rg6o1ywzEcjqsbsAC5TuzNqayom4LLhqnd4aGL2eZA/s2001/IMG_5221.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2001" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GWqRkXX-P3aArMren_TJU2Z1gga8zaEHuA-1PfQ8kLx3V2eI3pHgKSxz1FUCuzyVciQMcMecQu6mrKlgWFKsVuxXIGWq9QpQRfWovwZhBln3mm_yNc6GTzCzC_HGjdma8kBkxz6lpwHpqYyA-Rg6o1ywzEcjqsbsAC5TuzNqayom4LLhqnd4aGL2eZA/w400-h308/IMG_5221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>Luckily, after we turned around, we quickly walked out of the rain storm and it was fairly dry (if not rather cool) all the way back to the car.<br /><div><div><p>In the end, a good hike, and also a good test of our new hiking gear. I stayed warm-ish and mostly dry. There's a few more things to get as we head into winter, but I'm very happy with it all so far, which is key for keeping this hiking thing going.</p></div></div></div></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-62428156281447047932023-10-01T08:13:00.005-07:002023-10-01T08:13:58.333-07:00This is Crazy! Eagles Rest Trail<p>Hike date: September 23, 2023</p><p>Journey: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Destination: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Total Length: 13.4 miles round trip</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMiO7zVJs-HrdeaxRB0_O34q6_kcZKaTQNByp0_9-dM7azAleLITvB6faN02hyDMNiNnXOaStMhliyArWOlpBg5dfrxZdjHWVTSv3m_8ZnSvDXwNzNcwk_5q2cxpFxfGVF5IRpNKnTA91Pm09Aq-ucT3UXAh1eCMk3kwAXbkYt45XJzEYOzzNgOQibVU/s3859/pano.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="3859" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMiO7zVJs-HrdeaxRB0_O34q6_kcZKaTQNByp0_9-dM7azAleLITvB6faN02hyDMNiNnXOaStMhliyArWOlpBg5dfrxZdjHWVTSv3m_8ZnSvDXwNzNcwk_5q2cxpFxfGVF5IRpNKnTA91Pm09Aq-ucT3UXAh1eCMk3kwAXbkYt45XJzEYOzzNgOQibVU/w640-h162/pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top... including lots of smoke and clouds.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we started up the last .7 miles of the Eagles Rest Trail, <i>"This is crazy!"</i> is something that both D and I said a lot. It was crazy because that last section of the trail was so much different than the previous 6 miles we had hiked, AND it was crazy because we were in the midst of a challenging hike that we have been working towards for a long time. It wasn't that long ago that I wouldn't have dreamed we'd ever be able to accomplish something like this. (Mind you, we were only half way through, as we still needed to turn around and get back to the car.)</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_xOeAz9M7tUyPPPabRdR4LocDob-wThdTx8EQtFd_XPAvY8Od3xj0Xnu9WjwEGByrPF2z8ibxn9dPBqrrogRAMw_FhRuY32AuovWbnHlCy-IxoYEv9bu0aMEy4PkRzflaMsjYW1iRG4lsxDryrWFR929x7MrDPc00MJihCdUAyjfYoh_91QQOvZbJuw/s2016/IMG_5117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_xOeAz9M7tUyPPPabRdR4LocDob-wThdTx8EQtFd_XPAvY8Od3xj0Xnu9WjwEGByrPF2z8ibxn9dPBqrrogRAMw_FhRuY32AuovWbnHlCy-IxoYEv9bu0aMEy4PkRzflaMsjYW1iRG4lsxDryrWFR929x7MrDPc00MJihCdUAyjfYoh_91QQOvZbJuw/s320/IMG_5117.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best photo. But I was loving all the different types of ferns.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Leading up to this hike, it had been a few weeks since we'd done a long one and even longer (over a month) since we'd headed out of town to do it. So we prioritized a long hike for the weekend, and Friday after work we picked a trail. We had thought we'd head back up to the McKenzie River Trail, but that was still closed because of wildfires. So we pulled out a William Sullivan hiking book, opened up our usual websites and apps, and started looking for something else.</p><p></p><p>We discovered that the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4591" target="_blank">Goodman Creek Trailhead </a>off of Highway 58 is only 1/2 an hour from our home, and there are a variety of hiking options from there. From the options, considering distances and elevation gains, we picked the Eagles Rest Trail. As an out-and-back trail we thought that we'd turn when we'd reached our limit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQe3ssXQqhAfoZwFwirj-RhjTsXumwHn4JJlrC9Ci7-t7QLM8ZpxHHdZZLKsdpO8aeCYaVC5U1dBtHNhVOZ3FitA1HuEDugY3TLLHqt0U-MJZAUuK1QRyPXflyIshqxFJhCF9-rDEhZ7p8r10iZYT1gEee7jANkotAwBUsNuupQAipWM7qgt-7SPsTJM/s2016/IMG_5119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQe3ssXQqhAfoZwFwirj-RhjTsXumwHn4JJlrC9Ci7-t7QLM8ZpxHHdZZLKsdpO8aeCYaVC5U1dBtHNhVOZ3FitA1HuEDugY3TLLHqt0U-MJZAUuK1QRyPXflyIshqxFJhCF9-rDEhZ7p8r10iZYT1gEee7jANkotAwBUsNuupQAipWM7qgt-7SPsTJM/w240-h320/IMG_5119.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to read, but on the lower right of that log, someone<br />has carved in that it is 550 years old.</td></tr></tbody></table>An advantage of being so close to home is that we didn't feel rushed getting out of the house and were on still on the trail by 9:30. The first 4.2 miles of the trail is considered the Goodman Creek Trail. It is a typical, beautiful, mountain trail that follows along the drainage for Goodman Creek. It would be fun to take this trail in the spring/summer when that channel is full. Along the trail, a "guerilla naturalist" had carved "facts" into the ends of some of the logs, which added to the interest.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMadmj_NvnGbByroWahA04300G60oL4LC3EJG09ABj-wfbHMLvm5eTgiOPICB6gtHo2VpbViPW3BknF8WYI4m_xRMGzVuvokfhfANH_AUYKb0oTfhjJhC9uZ3ok8ISqgAN5rDA2CRv9-7e8pqXRaoJ7pHTU1UVyhQgWkrnSnG35XfrPv7gHAbWqzoomY/s2016/IMG_5128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMadmj_NvnGbByroWahA04300G60oL4LC3EJG09ABj-wfbHMLvm5eTgiOPICB6gtHo2VpbViPW3BknF8WYI4m_xRMGzVuvokfhfANH_AUYKb0oTfhjJhC9uZ3ok8ISqgAN5rDA2CRv9-7e8pqXRaoJ7pHTU1UVyhQgWkrnSnG35XfrPv7gHAbWqzoomY/s320/IMG_5128.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ash Swell Shelter and board walk.</td></tr></tbody></table>After that first 4.2 miles, the trail crosses a gravel road and it becomes the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4595" target="_blank">Eagles Rest Trail</a>. There is a parking lot and trailhead here, making this a potential starting point for a future hike. After here, the forest opens up and there are a lot of vine maples. They were just starting to turn colors, and in a couple weeks this portion of the trail should be <i>really</i> beautiful. 1.7 miles past that 2nd trailhead, the trail passes through Ash Swell and past the Ash Swell Shelter. It is so weird to hike along board walks and though a boggy area looking at skunk cabbage after spending so much time hiking uphill.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDlHk2UBJWKLTcIsI-OBYxViD_nHuzcfgZ0iP5voz_Z8KU8jt5cwOtenjIupSlE3SoaW97qIsK2_qhmjjg_IEObbd4DNQI0LMQMRqnrUh9nooDMfmi8XOfDuGZiajx4TaSwxXHJCIFFNH5sdB941B6zeM0LKtv1IJ3p2ULFfUqlD3dpGvPeqwiHjCMkk/s1544/IMG_1275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDlHk2UBJWKLTcIsI-OBYxViD_nHuzcfgZ0iP5voz_Z8KU8jt5cwOtenjIupSlE3SoaW97qIsK2_qhmjjg_IEObbd4DNQI0LMQMRqnrUh9nooDMfmi8XOfDuGZiajx4TaSwxXHJCIFFNH5sdB941B6zeM0LKtv1IJ3p2ULFfUqlD3dpGvPeqwiHjCMkk/s320/IMG_1275.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our break. See how open and airy the forest is around us?</td></tr></tbody></table>Just after we passed the shelter, we had been hiking for 3 hours without much of a break, so we stopped at a log, ate a muffin, and rested our feet. We seriously considered turning around at that point -- less than 1 mile from the top. Luckily we didn't!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCTkJQnd-phXlAJk6lllqOgaL-c75eWMzLb_tNhOHAFf_fqPq73AG6HtDxzVW_2q9nbG8RutqWnon-MsPWZmePAA9s0uLZhaSwbR91iBKG1y-QEEGoXg5EJPWLs5SKkQjFh4nlDSpNwjHLnzfw6gX0DlvCBiUu1UqEL5bDGaB0xbJ0IdBJaQME4EjCwg/s2016/IMG_5133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCTkJQnd-phXlAJk6lllqOgaL-c75eWMzLb_tNhOHAFf_fqPq73AG6HtDxzVW_2q9nbG8RutqWnon-MsPWZmePAA9s0uLZhaSwbR91iBKG1y-QEEGoXg5EJPWLs5SKkQjFh4nlDSpNwjHLnzfw6gX0DlvCBiUu1UqEL5bDGaB0xbJ0IdBJaQME4EjCwg/w300-h400/IMG_5133.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge madrone tree.</td></tr></tbody></table>As we continued to head up the trail, both D and I noticed more madrone trees mixed in with the vine maples, and once we crossed a paved road (with a final trailhead) the flora changed completely. It was a sudden and drastic change. Suddenly we are hiking amongst manzanita, madrone, and other low water, wind-swept plants, growing out of a rocky landscape.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3r6iYGCMkILsZlB2VSHTCoGDGX6AqMIRUBDFzmMIkgkshSYhjKO7vjbYaedI-7yUk5LjAlGat0w8f7nnaM_ngMf2fQg6yooVl9SFpSUseH-3hKLOGpqfJyoNANlxcBOMf9fmkakPBKcHoSOf3YBMJ4AhBOU2o7udO4vPIUAI7zNZig7qzTc6WhvF3Nc/s2016/IMG_5136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3r6iYGCMkILsZlB2VSHTCoGDGX6AqMIRUBDFzmMIkgkshSYhjKO7vjbYaedI-7yUk5LjAlGat0w8f7nnaM_ngMf2fQg6yooVl9SFpSUseH-3hKLOGpqfJyoNANlxcBOMf9fmkakPBKcHoSOf3YBMJ4AhBOU2o7udO4vPIUAI7zNZig7qzTc6WhvF3Nc/w400-h300/IMG_5136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madrone, manzanita, and other low-water, high country plants.</td></tr></tbody></table>For the last .7 mile, the trail switch-backed up the mountain. On the west side of the mountain were tall trees, on the east side rocks and views.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XEMvA_N5LEcmoHZWJBuIqCBdJ993bQpAuNAIqRBbo_huDsrV9BOWGNggm5L2wbPsfjoWyBP0XYlYxGue1KHrpD_x49LssHOyDgFTPH0S6F47PD9wdDK2AbbRM8wGW98c1r4_eOcLA1Q_T6d72hipcxORWCIfY02brbNP9WJnh-qsT1ZEJvbIM4_Sx6g/s2016/IMG_5137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XEMvA_N5LEcmoHZWJBuIqCBdJ993bQpAuNAIqRBbo_huDsrV9BOWGNggm5L2wbPsfjoWyBP0XYlYxGue1KHrpD_x49LssHOyDgFTPH0S6F47PD9wdDK2AbbRM8wGW98c1r4_eOcLA1Q_T6d72hipcxORWCIfY02brbNP9WJnh-qsT1ZEJvbIM4_Sx6g/w300-h400/IMG_5137.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree was logged <i>many</i> years ago. See the slits that the crosscut guys used?</td></tr></tbody></table>Finally we made it to the top. The views were amazing, though tempered a bit with smoke. We spent quite a bit of time up there, enjoying the views, and chatting with a mountain biker who showed up a little after we got there. <div><br /></div><div>As gorgeous as the views were, I know that, for us, they were better because of the hike we'd taken to get there. Sure we could have driven up to that last trail head, and hiked the .7 mile up, and it would have been enjoyable. But it wouldn't have been the culmination of a 3 1/2-hour hike, through a variety of landscapes.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq97cA7PO4WOv25_ueP9D-Jb6sJvQ3Olfg3j96ql03_NUM0nmrVTqDHX7FdJHpYTA-pSMZCnhvXs-HQvOTIvaiGQuC7xiXdau5ciMyucLErBlkRUoufjQRvKKijt6b_WJVd_hNNaVmhnXPBmHsKo3LRFRD8GRQdoa4V8ocwZP-kSepWrUDlErGmAzUvWM/s2016/IMG_5153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq97cA7PO4WOv25_ueP9D-Jb6sJvQ3Olfg3j96ql03_NUM0nmrVTqDHX7FdJHpYTA-pSMZCnhvXs-HQvOTIvaiGQuC7xiXdau5ciMyucLErBlkRUoufjQRvKKijt6b_WJVd_hNNaVmhnXPBmHsKo3LRFRD8GRQdoa4V8ocwZP-kSepWrUDlErGmAzUvWM/w300-h400/IMG_5153.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymPOnzOyQzTQLXiYGwkSw7aRX52uCsqbRHi76UmeObLYCRyQy9lwcCqe2klQ1eNIgVd_LDD7xzNXRlc4JS00tOYc_7LFPDvnFN8WR6okC_GyzOQH8hebk-_fb9J4DhzV4fSr3WGho0haHndTqVkp9EZxFlswQqRuyGK6JQBrodo_ehxxRrtepzP6Bcu8/s1544/IMG_5148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymPOnzOyQzTQLXiYGwkSw7aRX52uCsqbRHi76UmeObLYCRyQy9lwcCqe2klQ1eNIgVd_LDD7xzNXRlc4JS00tOYc_7LFPDvnFN8WR6okC_GyzOQH8hebk-_fb9J4DhzV4fSr3WGho0haHndTqVkp9EZxFlswQqRuyGK6JQBrodo_ehxxRrtepzP6Bcu8/w400-h300/IMG_5148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof. We made it!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>We started our decent at 1:30, which means it took us 4 hours to hike the 6.7 miles including our lunch break and enjoying the views at the top. Initially, we were really disappointed with that pace, but in retrospect, considering the elevation gain, I think we did good. We came down the mountain fast and finished the hike just after 4:30 pm, so 7 hours total. </p></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-58260520279641770362023-09-04T17:00:00.001-07:002023-10-01T08:14:14.172-07:00Cape Mountain: Florence Oregon<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Hike date: August 14, 2023</span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; margin: 1em 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Journey: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 of 5 stars)</span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; margin: 1em 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: n/a (a loop trail, this doesn't really have a "destination")</span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; margin: 1em 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 of 5 stars)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Length: 8 miles</span></p><p>What to do when you want to get in your hiking miles but the projected high temperatures are in the low 100s and the valley is being swamped by wildfire smoke??? We headed to the coast!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHb0-KLZR2fHtJibYeizTwqU1MCtitI4NtNxgM2RfD47mD1nRMY89ghy6yn6hYlcH4aP8F8oXxS68HVf0RTreUdDaiF-zspF9zzuFtP5FLZFUwDqPbSp3DaOKEGSu4M_AclBcnYyn0E6hhiPQfWRUuYgLjAiushtIm5vwTismBAM-sWuwExAysV1VHS0/s640/IMG_5002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHb0-KLZR2fHtJibYeizTwqU1MCtitI4NtNxgM2RfD47mD1nRMY89ghy6yn6hYlcH4aP8F8oXxS68HVf0RTreUdDaiF-zspF9zzuFtP5FLZFUwDqPbSp3DaOKEGSu4M_AclBcnYyn0E6hhiPQfWRUuYgLjAiushtIm5vwTismBAM-sWuwExAysV1VHS0/w400-h300/IMG_5002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Mountain Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>This hiking journey started on Saturday, when we stopped by B&N to pick up William Sullivan's Coast Hiking book. I generally trust William when I want a good hike, and I've been wanting his coast book for a long while, so it seemed like a good thing to finally purchase. This book is mostly filled with short distance hikes up and down the coast, but we were able to identify a couple longer hikes within reach for a good day trip. We finally settled on Cape Mountain just north of Florence, which includes an 8 mile loop and seemed accessible with the Prius.</p><p></p><p>On a whole, as we are targeting longer hikes, we are having to make adjustments elsewhere, and one is trying to get up and out sooner. We were pulling out of the driveway at 9:15-ish, which is pretty good for us (though I'd like to do better), so that had us at the trailhead and heading out at 11:23. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTt1rtnJoLApHgxMuPCy33cWQ0PPRd6uTJCC0MeT9tErwaMfgbSWt2q36QFPZxzX2sxzVNAGLS3QaCxLZg-9CDIfmif2d1EHoMZOg4GmkhU28X9Ed6_7SYv_QQJvZ9hlDY9hFkPzf_qF0844LYQBfeLRle5wu-_xk8L-KZbvIsxGUU9OaRMF7wDBiwKw/s640/IMG_5013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTt1rtnJoLApHgxMuPCy33cWQ0PPRd6uTJCC0MeT9tErwaMfgbSWt2q36QFPZxzX2sxzVNAGLS3QaCxLZg-9CDIfmif2d1EHoMZOg4GmkhU28X9Ed6_7SYv_QQJvZ9hlDY9hFkPzf_qF0844LYQBfeLRle5wu-_xk8L-KZbvIsxGUU9OaRMF7wDBiwKw/w300-h400/IMG_5013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail map. We saw a lot of these on our journey.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Given our experiences with the McKenzie River Trail, I was surprised and impressed with the signage at Cape Mountain. There are several trails that loop through here, and at each junction there is a map, the trails are named, and they mostly all have at least one marker on them. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEZxR3DE0lPsAiURYfxHMzc9zxXrWhCIoL0v0_cTyo6A5TIadonujWW0QPy-zriIaQrfoDD0qiPkqRGS9hIy4b5vNOO2nWYeh2M8rOx0E4-NrNBRpdg5JW3jPtA9kGotic8DaGBg4XnTMfqrI6QVn_RraAPMJCMPjdWepzaJSPpjDlzoQrpUhkIvzMs8/s640/IMG_4995.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEZxR3DE0lPsAiURYfxHMzc9zxXrWhCIoL0v0_cTyo6A5TIadonujWW0QPy-zriIaQrfoDD0qiPkqRGS9hIy4b5vNOO2nWYeh2M8rOx0E4-NrNBRpdg5JW3jPtA9kGotic8DaGBg4XnTMfqrI6QVn_RraAPMJCMPjdWepzaJSPpjDlzoQrpUhkIvzMs8/w400-h300/IMG_4995.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Tasha Trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>William had us doing this trail counter-clockwise, starting on the Princess Tasha trail. The Cape Mountain Trail System is near C&M Stables (which offers horseback riding trips along the beach), and these trails are maintained for hikers and horseback riders. We didn't see any horses, but there were many amenities for them, as well as evidence that they had been there. The Princess Tasha Trail was named after the horse of one young rider who frequented the trails.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvOqwuns11JI3x9h5h80Wrk842sTMAoBMa6CNZ2i7fNwK6e-ZIpeStl7EPeRrc3G4P4CEapQpilnVgNpHGThCf8Laxs7phsqqufAHgNTOzjPI4eG7dMe1ABzNu1fECwO440gSaXMVuReRzSvqPv1H_i9AroyEXioMqHMeWE3lHfrZKhWwqx2VEMghSCM/s640/IMG_5001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvOqwuns11JI3x9h5h80Wrk842sTMAoBMa6CNZ2i7fNwK6e-ZIpeStl7EPeRrc3G4P4CEapQpilnVgNpHGThCf8Laxs7phsqqufAHgNTOzjPI4eG7dMe1ABzNu1fECwO440gSaXMVuReRzSvqPv1H_i9AroyEXioMqHMeWE3lHfrZKhWwqx2VEMghSCM/w400-h300/IMG_5001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scurvy Ridge Trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR3RYEZn7M1ZWLChrV70MgQ2nPCmwwIU0v1RHBOlz1AA8FbxfN2EJflcrwKiUalu60saPWTBJCQDzjS8-ryALGv2TqiVl5WuM8uDgWnjk0xCUdYi2gb-eGxAoYjvToPnQnKTuhuH4kWkGiyxW6cDCfVIhcUoT6HjuJXZyvbHnX7UY1DNKK1byjtgDfBQ/s640/IMG_5006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR3RYEZn7M1ZWLChrV70MgQ2nPCmwwIU0v1RHBOlz1AA8FbxfN2EJflcrwKiUalu60saPWTBJCQDzjS8-ryALGv2TqiVl5WuM8uDgWnjk0xCUdYi2gb-eGxAoYjvToPnQnKTuhuH4kWkGiyxW6cDCfVIhcUoT6HjuJXZyvbHnX7UY1DNKK1byjtgDfBQ/w400-h300/IMG_5006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitsi replica.</td></tr></tbody></table>After the Princess Tasha trail, we hiked along Scurvy Ridge and enjoyed a historical replica of a "Hitsi" or shelter used by "indians". (I think in today's world, the signage would have been a little more specific and maybe highlighted the original creators more than the white man who documented it... but it was an interesting stop).<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_lA38eqFjUeAN9LgD6LVOEQbpP52dSNzVyV89-1IcqvqrEEEdlQ8js-UEBIlrGptZ4kefJiLKM1rzviYt4cI65vVisr-Sx2y5jCRMNlOzOufBnFlLG8y1MSjvEHV26xjdcxYPuM_ZWj5Y1boVB25g6M0fS39PEdkK5VVf0lX9xizks81wyWSxJm6iw/s2016/IMG_5015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_lA38eqFjUeAN9LgD6LVOEQbpP52dSNzVyV89-1IcqvqrEEEdlQ8js-UEBIlrGptZ4kefJiLKM1rzviYt4cI65vVisr-Sx2y5jCRMNlOzOufBnFlLG8y1MSjvEHV26xjdcxYPuM_ZWj5Y1boVB25g6M0fS39PEdkK5VVf0lX9xizks81wyWSxJm6iw/w300-h400/IMG_5015.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berry Creek Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Next up, William had us angle over to the Berry Creek Trail, which, of course, took us down to Berry Creek. We found a nice log here, and stopped for a few minutes to rest and eat our lunch before heading out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vFAyd8g5uH_vYZjarDi__rN8ctU7hl74hxCTKC9cbTGY50REaBAZXCfO2bD1x1v3qWTFPGVMSxVc9Bl3MX1c1Ug5GaiOfBmPwKaY6CLIHk8HopFllflfnngwVcVmC75-FOPY1vb-eIYNtIoBdGe9pJOhNGr1l_04FwS4tSzt7LIs0Y_qmvOvi8u1a6g/s3552/IMG_5019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="1814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vFAyd8g5uH_vYZjarDi__rN8ctU7hl74hxCTKC9cbTGY50REaBAZXCfO2bD1x1v3qWTFPGVMSxVc9Bl3MX1c1Ug5GaiOfBmPwKaY6CLIHk8HopFllflfnngwVcVmC75-FOPY1vb-eIYNtIoBdGe9pJOhNGr1l_04FwS4tSzt7LIs0Y_qmvOvi8u1a6g/w326-h640/IMG_5019.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge tree along Berry Creek.</td></tr></tbody></table><div>After Berry Creek, we turned onto the Nelson Ridge Trail, where we <i>finally </i>got some views of the ocean. But I tell you, by then it was a hot day on the coast, and we were looking west into the water. It was all washed out, and the offshore haze made it even more difficult to see the ocean. If we hit this trail again, I think we either need to head out really early, do it clockwise, or pick a drizzly day. Not getting good ocean views was a shame.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll also mention that while Sullivan's book was released in 2022, he obviously hadn't actually hiked this trail in a while. Many of the viewpoints no longer had a view. Which was also disappointing. (Certainly not his fault that it had gotten overgrown, but his text should have been updated to reveal that.)</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R04dHkvpEK9gwSrGTwDFCvoPG8Szy9-hUdPs58p60QdbzMHVaAp1y8MQq87PJLG9Yr1mH4jL7NbFi0nmbjByftgXtXqo0MssoVuzJXsES48f1KHh-fxYuH7EBH1KQv0mvLptLWfJvbVSUilVr_POtiQrMO8MKTYSRn91wpBZScwcH4LYuj0JK4GC4QI/s2016/IMG_5023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R04dHkvpEK9gwSrGTwDFCvoPG8Szy9-hUdPs58p60QdbzMHVaAp1y8MQq87PJLG9Yr1mH4jL7NbFi0nmbjByftgXtXqo0MssoVuzJXsES48f1KHh-fxYuH7EBH1KQv0mvLptLWfJvbVSUilVr_POtiQrMO8MKTYSRn91wpBZScwcH4LYuj0JK4GC4QI/w400-h300/IMG_5023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's an ocean out there.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Not long after this last photo, I got voice mail from my stepdad, and learned about my sister's death. It seems fitting that I found out when D and I were at the coast, which looms large in my memories of my sister. But after that, I mostly just beat-feet back to the car ....</p><p>In all though, this was a pretty hike and we loved all the zones we went through. There is a lot of potential here, with all the different loops and trails, and it doesn't appear to be very popular, so we mostly had it to ourselves.</p><br /><br />colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-82793009902508279312023-09-02T09:30:00.002-07:002023-11-15T15:32:32.272-08:00Rachel<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIPXXrOR8bU3DNT9i4PQW9GSBohYdMzU7rUGsLNCOqkzcT5lmnQCy_e7k7VmBAQIWSVnc0CyY-5ySzaKvAt1CKpgEtsqivU-l2q8M_FC5nHF_0-MQtOauL7ss8fvslIdHuZvlxnLZVfvAEpcW61ZvAxE1ICioPDnM_gdxvnhej2QFOmQabTLYAsW2-es/s1024/1988%20at%20the%20ranch%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1024" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIPXXrOR8bU3DNT9i4PQW9GSBohYdMzU7rUGsLNCOqkzcT5lmnQCy_e7k7VmBAQIWSVnc0CyY-5ySzaKvAt1CKpgEtsqivU-l2q8M_FC5nHF_0-MQtOauL7ss8fvslIdHuZvlxnLZVfvAEpcW61ZvAxE1ICioPDnM_gdxvnhej2QFOmQabTLYAsW2-es/w640-h438/1988%20at%20the%20ranch%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has always been a favorite photo of my sister and me.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I can't describe the heartache of losing my sister. As adults, Rachel and I grew apart, living in separate states and having very different views and approaches to life. We rarely talked and texted only occasionally. We kept up with what each other was doing through Facebook. But she was a constant in my life, and I actually thought of her quite often.</p><p>Regrettably, I have a poor long-term memory. I'm always amazed when people have detailed memories of their youth; what a gift that would be (assuming your memories are good). My memories are fuzzy at best. Here's a few.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHM97nWld7xhuF9M40QCV1KC-gNwtoByitNS8zYXUpHOdHBtjrHty0Od5CT04MjwiZtv_p-oT_sFQtJdaX2EiX7_mOtN5riCOpI5usDnOKL0wFDePlzUJZ88BIbWtAv53PBIMNmGD5WtQMzSwcfedvR4YTXcUTaBl48wHm05krPAx0YCq4dmOsXMo2x1c/s594/1965cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="594" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHM97nWld7xhuF9M40QCV1KC-gNwtoByitNS8zYXUpHOdHBtjrHty0Od5CT04MjwiZtv_p-oT_sFQtJdaX2EiX7_mOtN5riCOpI5usDnOKL0wFDePlzUJZ88BIbWtAv53PBIMNmGD5WtQMzSwcfedvR4YTXcUTaBl48wHm05krPAx0YCq4dmOsXMo2x1c/s320/1965cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1965</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AuJ1Rk8AzmQV4VowAMrPFLfzVXcDiSqsJvSu0KEoZwE3FsrHFWm6NzSmh4IpVdGAjIoAweT4H1dMmqVA4kYakOwXbwSVqzhC2VfvSlf3Ps6x2BG5j5k3SzX8uu3k5_lmEHSQNLGmcpz0A8pIt1cILZNKOE45SsAL_Xf4Mob6IjaJwQlGuqidvvf3SUQ/s1464/with%20dolls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1464" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AuJ1Rk8AzmQV4VowAMrPFLfzVXcDiSqsJvSu0KEoZwE3FsrHFWm6NzSmh4IpVdGAjIoAweT4H1dMmqVA4kYakOwXbwSVqzhC2VfvSlf3Ps6x2BG5j5k3SzX8uu3k5_lmEHSQNLGmcpz0A8pIt1cILZNKOE45SsAL_Xf4Mob6IjaJwQlGuqidvvf3SUQ/w400-h279/with%20dolls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>Rachel and I were playmates throughout our childhood. When I was really young, we played "school" together, and we both ended up being avid readers during our youth. After Rachel married and moved out, mom sold her twin bed, and I remember the mattress had two big divots from her elbows, because she would read while lying on her stomach, with her book on her pillow, her elbows planted into the mattress.</p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWu7ZKr3GhnRXJijkuHEABAT7DW5C3JeyyqJ143kvHpCb6Ez2_JCp4kTM4PPFc4t6xWZvy79XeENxRSygp_kQneEQ9EBSO5qIpBTRFwh4p1q0v2rWwpr2yff0-EfxKKXqIsfHNWcq68xHBfT4IYY1-akOropG78FUx91Es9bDNRvxEsuLgrhcnFDwL8U/s910/1968.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="910" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWu7ZKr3GhnRXJijkuHEABAT7DW5C3JeyyqJ143kvHpCb6Ez2_JCp4kTM4PPFc4t6xWZvy79XeENxRSygp_kQneEQ9EBSO5qIpBTRFwh4p1q0v2rWwpr2yff0-EfxKKXqIsfHNWcq68xHBfT4IYY1-akOropG78FUx91Es9bDNRvxEsuLgrhcnFDwL8U/w400-h318/1968.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad's nickname for Rachel was "Sherman" after Sherman tanks. I think because she could be bull-headed. This picture reminds me of that. I'm also sure dad took this picture (he enjoyed photography, and I think he had a good eye when he was younger).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLKt1Uk2Erc0Jg3gLp1SkCvBxKjB8aCfHvfXHfwgQSyZCwrb7N2-Qju1RymEt2V8kQN3Z-C6ZbTque2pJcowHYiwIM0wBrBbtOOXHPL10Err-ea_kpYJ5qE4G7o0l0QRLTBW6nhIf6ItkFBk2RogyXGocQQTeKDDh3Ye4ixESw7NhlqYdc83-P75a6TA/s877/1967%20with%20Julie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="864" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLKt1Uk2Erc0Jg3gLp1SkCvBxKjB8aCfHvfXHfwgQSyZCwrb7N2-Qju1RymEt2V8kQN3Z-C6ZbTque2pJcowHYiwIM0wBrBbtOOXHPL10Err-ea_kpYJ5qE4G7o0l0QRLTBW6nhIf6ItkFBk2RogyXGocQQTeKDDh3Ye4ixESw7NhlqYdc83-P75a6TA/w394-h400/1967%20with%20Julie.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and our pony Julie that we got from our grandparents.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiINVvp7J8K4ATM6pb_ruUCTvWfQCPy9WmtIbzzQPRemI_BCwVa7GhmKliTNnu8d1qd4ZL3FwupgUiGbTw5Xy5GH7d9irWxlX7HHaXlWDpIDm3xUAXnH_qCeOOrmQCBrEnKnO2jtW9rwhh15JCypRmaW7oKecxo0WKZDbuaXJUdJiJi6aN1B21Hulfbo/s2664/1969ish%20Julie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="2664" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiINVvp7J8K4ATM6pb_ruUCTvWfQCPy9WmtIbzzQPRemI_BCwVa7GhmKliTNnu8d1qd4ZL3FwupgUiGbTw5Xy5GH7d9irWxlX7HHaXlWDpIDm3xUAXnH_qCeOOrmQCBrEnKnO2jtW9rwhh15JCypRmaW7oKecxo0WKZDbuaXJUdJiJi6aN1B21Hulfbo/w400-h258/1969ish%20Julie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this photo because it shows the valley in front of our house.<br />One year that flooded, and we were cut off for several days.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiINVvp7J8K4ATM6pb_ruUCTvWfQCPy9WmtIbzzQPRemI_BCwVa7GhmKliTNnu8d1qd4ZL3FwupgUiGbTw5Xy5GH7d9irWxlX7HHaXlWDpIDm3xUAXnH_qCeOOrmQCBrEnKnO2jtW9rwhh15JCypRmaW7oKecxo0WKZDbuaXJUdJiJi6aN1B21Hulfbo/s2664/1969ish%20Julie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRAB61s4gSaZTCFoporOkIVZ95Cra0K-kK4zbNbo5LEa_S-OabFssGwZFMFJ1jpwl6w5-MFKQ0DnDML93BYoKRFOcgcBpPJIdwLl0hII_otKCWIyvvE2LuBKB6eldsHlqJThDvHRx93dwVDBqXfhVLpobEZ8OwmNxfV4ooGOuB4Hm8wQW1M6Itp_zvgs/s741/1972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="741" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRAB61s4gSaZTCFoporOkIVZ95Cra0K-kK4zbNbo5LEa_S-OabFssGwZFMFJ1jpwl6w5-MFKQ0DnDML93BYoKRFOcgcBpPJIdwLl0hII_otKCWIyvvE2LuBKB6eldsHlqJThDvHRx93dwVDBqXfhVLpobEZ8OwmNxfV4ooGOuB4Hm8wQW1M6Itp_zvgs/w400-h399/1972.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel on Daisy Mae (also from our grandparents) and me on Julie.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We often played in the forested hill behind our house, sometimes riding the horses up there, but usually just on foot. We were probably gone for hours (though maybe it was only 15 minutes, I don't know, I was a kid. At the time, it felt like we were gone a long time). We rode bikes together, horses together. She'd set her alarm to go off really early Christmas morning, and our parents would make us go back to bed, because we were up <i>way too </i>early.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbKtfjdD7mvaQaoO9-m6g-WazOHVc164-9CzGtqbMFdiWyC_vMEX8ttm6U9fClf1EY0UhAS38_ZROBHoDwAF3xEBjQphdH8eZlIJq931t4NFswHKlTEyzXK6MluEJbqWOs7kATPMhexQPLFglpnFxxvrDhEI-ypu4FK9KxJpjjxN0uhnp0ulwKw6Z1DI/s816/1972%20Winchester%20Bay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="816" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbKtfjdD7mvaQaoO9-m6g-WazOHVc164-9CzGtqbMFdiWyC_vMEX8ttm6U9fClf1EY0UhAS38_ZROBHoDwAF3xEBjQphdH8eZlIJq931t4NFswHKlTEyzXK6MluEJbqWOs7kATPMhexQPLFglpnFxxvrDhEI-ypu4FK9KxJpjjxN0uhnp0ulwKw6Z1DI/w400-h348/1972%20Winchester%20Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1972 in Winchester Bay</td></tr></tbody></table><div>In the summers when I was younger, our family lived in a small travel trailer in Winchester Bay, where Dad was a fisherman. It was literally one room (a living room/dining room/bedroom depending on how it was configured). Rachel and I would fight over who got to sleep in the top bunk, we'd take turns (of course) but when it was my turn, I'd always roll out of bed and land on Mom and Dad's feet. When we got older, our parents bought a tent, and my sister and I slept in the tent with our dogs, by ourselves. I was 11 the last summer that happened (so probably while I was 9 through 11). I remember Rachel staying up late at night, trying to get radio stations from Mexico on her transistor radio. I also remember waking up in the morning and seeing big banana slugs crawling up the sides of the tent. We'd hit them off from the inside, with just the right smack they'd fly off the side. Rachel was especially good at this. (What an odd memory to hold on to! 🙂)</div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-SqRXBq-6r3J3zRXpnngy6Qww8u78E-G0ku3mYfPzN8U3Cur9HduU2gQbD-GOKdROmxvzWDLHrdPR8F6MkDlQbHGx8sSpiW7w7pUh1biYXQlTe9OCokZVbHwls6AMQPerxMp0ip0qju5m9KvJQbvV3W7iaS4VcE0zb8FWFyzNIcJ5b_-yDkEcl428fI/s865/1975ish%20fish%20cleaner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="865" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-SqRXBq-6r3J3zRXpnngy6Qww8u78E-G0ku3mYfPzN8U3Cur9HduU2gQbD-GOKdROmxvzWDLHrdPR8F6MkDlQbHGx8sSpiW7w7pUh1biYXQlTe9OCokZVbHwls6AMQPerxMp0ip0qju5m9KvJQbvV3W7iaS4VcE0zb8FWFyzNIcJ5b_-yDkEcl428fI/w400-h306/1975ish%20fish%20cleaner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When she got older, Rachel cleaned fish for dad's customers. Later she became his deck hand. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34k7lx61qzm4qiNxBi_RyxElsKbuzQM2EvmXFyB-9obyrYgFZWxpyGcDNuEfwP-0y7d9M0mqnWx1qaXdVU1KCTDoOz0RGV32nE5O1waZ1TMBPflhGKhzVzRHYUH8RZwsMzgL-Y9hzrT4OBhOrXOsGOhREHxwVPrOd1Vkj06p3v3TeCE5MIXDGdDWPrSA/s659/Cleaning%20fish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="648" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34k7lx61qzm4qiNxBi_RyxElsKbuzQM2EvmXFyB-9obyrYgFZWxpyGcDNuEfwP-0y7d9M0mqnWx1qaXdVU1KCTDoOz0RGV32nE5O1waZ1TMBPflhGKhzVzRHYUH8RZwsMzgL-Y9hzrT4OBhOrXOsGOhREHxwVPrOd1Vkj06p3v3TeCE5MIXDGdDWPrSA/w394-h400/Cleaning%20fish.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>We spent many a-day walking the beaches, playing in the dunes, jumping the rocks on the jetty, fishing off the docks, and playing on an old pier on "the little beach" (that pier is still there, BTW). We ranged far and wide together. One day in the dunes, just down from the lighthouse, we discovered an old footbridge. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the type of thing we should have been on, but we crossed over the bridge to the lighthouse road, and headed home. I remember that our parents didn't quite believe us about the bridge, but told us to stay off it, and while we looked for it later we never found it again.<p></p></div><div>We also yelled at each other <i>a lot</i>. Fought <i>a lot</i>. Once I threw scissors at her because I was so frustrated. (As I recall, Rachel got in trouble for that 🙂 because she was egging me on). I was a typical little sister—needling Rachel and getting her in trouble was <i>always </i>a goal. And I suspect it was the same for her. But she was also there whenever I needed her. We shared a bedroom when we were younger, and if I cried at night (for whatever reason a young kiddo would cry) she would come and sit with me.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXjbCOBDgkTygygFzpZ9orQgKVEd-Btlq-a4CGEMoLKLDoKMdtW1MHYOMoYw2ENUf4vPBLg-84htf2qzOO8Kx06tWBfdRHt9jFGde_tCy4gtNLJRId9McymjWPs0nMppwb33IPkKmjl2xcr_tdk3x-v1h4eHI1ORuITHpWWbqs7kyn7NGkVQIcrgiRpo/s909/1977%20birthday.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="909" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXjbCOBDgkTygygFzpZ9orQgKVEd-Btlq-a4CGEMoLKLDoKMdtW1MHYOMoYw2ENUf4vPBLg-84htf2qzOO8Kx06tWBfdRHt9jFGde_tCy4gtNLJRId9McymjWPs0nMppwb33IPkKmjl2xcr_tdk3x-v1h4eHI1ORuITHpWWbqs7kyn7NGkVQIcrgiRpo/w400-h320/1977%20birthday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rach turns 16</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>In grade school, her best friend and my best friend were sisters and in our same grades. We'd trade off who slept at whose house. So if my friend stayed with me, Rachel would go off to stay the night with her friend. It worked great for us, and I suspect provided both sets of parents some respite from sibling quarrels.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our parents separated (I was going into the 5th grade so Rach would have been going into the 8th grade), her role changed. Mom relied on her more, and that included watching out for me more when mom started working. As she got older, Rachel sowed her oats harder than mom suspected. When mom worked nights or went out on dates, my sister would head out as well. She didn't have a car so she often walked. I'd fall asleep in the living room, and when she got home Rach would often carry me to bed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjGgYIra9wnax_x7xBuXqr_lEi5vRmej0Gt87v7bmSspYuZCRwqGrRZ1t3nHJ-yH1QMKPuBy5bWkd-L7bo6A58TT5L8A9blKa_qG52b9yUA4Imi_l3QUGCxJu2Pdglb3ogICf04rsrSKFAyx-gSunMlN6-fy-h8xkwQ1xmM-kYvy66lp2gtW2O_dzM_0/s878/1980%20with%20Hildra%20and%20Ira.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="878" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjGgYIra9wnax_x7xBuXqr_lEi5vRmej0Gt87v7bmSspYuZCRwqGrRZ1t3nHJ-yH1QMKPuBy5bWkd-L7bo6A58TT5L8A9blKa_qG52b9yUA4Imi_l3QUGCxJu2Pdglb3ogICf04rsrSKFAyx-gSunMlN6-fy-h8xkwQ1xmM-kYvy66lp2gtW2O_dzM_0/w400-h319/1980%20with%20Hildra%20and%20Ira.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and our grandparents (our dad's parents)</td></tr></tbody></table>I also remember many nights when Rachel would get home right before mom did. One night in particular she came home quite drunk and was throwing up in the bathroom. I did my best to stand there, giving her a disapproving look, and handing her a wet wash cloth. When we heard mom's car turn the corner up the road, she gave the bathroom a good spritz of perfume and we both ran to bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One year, my sister wanted to frost her hair with a home kit. It came with a plastic cap and a crochet hook type thing. For some reason, she thought her little sister was the perfect person to do the job. I would have been in the 7th or 8th grade (so like, 13 or 14). I pulled bits of hair through the cap, then accidently hooked out a gob from the back right. We didn't know what to do, so I hooked out a similar gob from the back left to match. It looked rather like a skunk when we were done. 😆</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tzW2Z3J0jP9TPyu843Kbg-WrsAYnAOJ_j0NtCXl6C_Zi2b1cfYiHxbXLDxgScGtb0i5CCUlmQKSmoa6SJHYTKCf4FEzCltXnulIqvJtZb9gHuWYtcLMtciYOJ4DJAe_vgBDejCm1Dl0nY89R2hemnvtasRMUuF6qhfDuQH0FXO2AOhcAaylw2AXNqmo/s730/1979%20graduation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="730" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tzW2Z3J0jP9TPyu843Kbg-WrsAYnAOJ_j0NtCXl6C_Zi2b1cfYiHxbXLDxgScGtb0i5CCUlmQKSmoa6SJHYTKCf4FEzCltXnulIqvJtZb9gHuWYtcLMtciYOJ4DJAe_vgBDejCm1Dl0nY89R2hemnvtasRMUuF6qhfDuQH0FXO2AOhcAaylw2AXNqmo/w400-h373/1979%20graduation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High school graduation.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel married Karl the spring of 1979, right before she graduated from high school. Mom married Larry in June of that year and Mom and I moved out of state. We saw a lot less of Rachel after that. That was back in the days when long-distance phone calls cost a lot. There was no "face time" or anything. But I'd still see Rach every year when I came back to Oregon. I'd get to the Riddle area, stay with Rach and Karl for a few days, then she'd drive me to Dad's on the coast ... all the way complaining about the speed limit, and how you could easily go 10 or 20 miles over the posted limits on the corners. (She would have <i>hated</i> to get behind adult-me on the road to the coast!)</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyZ34O1c26Pd06W80BN_AQbSfo-Bwsv27dmzMcGQMWoX08EkCC4ic7Z7tixcspckUomw7u0H5JRZPnXrYeSgnePs1e8JCY92zkz5hDBwNBvr4ZPoRaEIdZX_E4ObbPir_DLM6fnbWfcqbG8t5I6-OBuhhEHP5RC2-vYQjvBxt3hK3YlWngeg3oTu3A90/s1029/1988%20at%20the%20ranch%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1029" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyZ34O1c26Pd06W80BN_AQbSfo-Bwsv27dmzMcGQMWoX08EkCC4ic7Z7tixcspckUomw7u0H5JRZPnXrYeSgnePs1e8JCY92zkz5hDBwNBvr4ZPoRaEIdZX_E4ObbPir_DLM6fnbWfcqbG8t5I6-OBuhhEHP5RC2-vYQjvBxt3hK3YlWngeg3oTu3A90/w400-h272/1988%20at%20the%20ranch%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One summer, Rach thought we should take photos of ourselves and give nice ones to our parents for Christmas presents (or something like that). This is the photo we gave everyone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGNOJPr25nomhX7wrUoE2FrkbhknbkRoVvyMNsWKk2HN7ie8XbP-tSGtsCFLZvAqubpO9Mf9Xy-PZK-j2G4BhF9wgWD6qMrWicgF61QGLZbISf_uWV-D4gI-tGwDSV915-HYqr2AUFwT2GCzMqU36uBqVyrUo32dNSo03RGHssbPlexUwy21HbG5eRU8/s876/1983%20at%20the%20train%20depot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGNOJPr25nomhX7wrUoE2FrkbhknbkRoVvyMNsWKk2HN7ie8XbP-tSGtsCFLZvAqubpO9Mf9Xy-PZK-j2G4BhF9wgWD6qMrWicgF61QGLZbISf_uWV-D4gI-tGwDSV915-HYqr2AUFwT2GCzMqU36uBqVyrUo32dNSo03RGHssbPlexUwy21HbG5eRU8/s320/1983%20at%20the%20train%20depot.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica was born in April 1983. In June, mom and I took the train out to Wyoming visit.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sv5WkhZqW6rQnFC1g9tcGi05qS3mjxkXz9R-OOqsGkMOME2KQoKUFve4t0hER3clZxATb2-rKe-IedVkSIl1snvxJpW9qpJ_EzJs2w6TaXkBgjXMIKzdutPLqwaMjHzOIJY2S6uKt09egehybFb_QUdI6HZlnZPb-UZeZkLk3Ab8Ud2jXBau0cLqx-c/s907/1984%20with%20grandparents.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="907" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sv5WkhZqW6rQnFC1g9tcGi05qS3mjxkXz9R-OOqsGkMOME2KQoKUFve4t0hER3clZxATb2-rKe-IedVkSIl1snvxJpW9qpJ_EzJs2w6TaXkBgjXMIKzdutPLqwaMjHzOIJY2S6uKt09egehybFb_QUdI6HZlnZPb-UZeZkLk3Ab8Ud2jXBau0cLqx-c/w400-h321/1984%20with%20grandparents.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1984 with Jessica and our grandparents (Mom's parents)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV5Pg6_rsMYYMfX51yrUpuxXNodFeQP2H_vviP5Qt3TyB0iAcoG-pxrscN3SuuxhYlxmgEdKT7tG9aC6kTfgKegpSWBlERj8wfjty4ki9O3fzc1_U5NMhz56dJDNQnXBGnzZj5nKVt9i5pGrD0oWN8V3J9oBZe16u6aP3IEOmas7oXQwRpUjW6jCazpg/s1193/2006%20with%20Mom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1193" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV5Pg6_rsMYYMfX51yrUpuxXNodFeQP2H_vviP5Qt3TyB0iAcoG-pxrscN3SuuxhYlxmgEdKT7tG9aC6kTfgKegpSWBlERj8wfjty4ki9O3fzc1_U5NMhz56dJDNQnXBGnzZj5nKVt9i5pGrD0oWN8V3J9oBZe16u6aP3IEOmas7oXQwRpUjW6jCazpg/w400-h270/2006%20with%20Mom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fast-forward <i>a lot</i> of years. This is with Mom when we gathered for G'ma's funeral in 2006.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much, <i>much </i>later in life when mom got sick, Rachel immediately came out to Oregon. I kept my mouth shut about whatever and we focused on Mom. We ended up making a good team taking care of Mom. I was out of my element, and was constantly impressed with how well Rachel did, how patient and gentle she was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3oCKZMQh5HAx7JlorOWvTqjUQCENHgsDt661l593usiYmB7Bmhqkxbyx2b62jUh2abnBcMY0PIjSfOHxoodNM0ncYttltgzT0u2QQvMpyZRNVyBxZz7qX2eod-7oK6ntZ7micVbo6UAbnpEB8GrZhJoX6XSzAYZox8V9lSurbO3WZcu2d5po6StOEKQ/s2048/2011%20Wedding%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3oCKZMQh5HAx7JlorOWvTqjUQCENHgsDt661l593usiYmB7Bmhqkxbyx2b62jUh2abnBcMY0PIjSfOHxoodNM0ncYttltgzT0u2QQvMpyZRNVyBxZz7qX2eod-7oK6ntZ7micVbo6UAbnpEB8GrZhJoX6XSzAYZox8V9lSurbO3WZcu2d5po6StOEKQ/w400-h300/2011%20Wedding%201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and John's wedding.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14QYputd-i01LUvvx_Pff-eqLuIUhqcR51I3c3v6ZS09l-fHQIhmmwOdLzH9kFmqyQRrOCNgjq2bRkYMHjCHS1y7bB40oEji11UU3vtrJVfeyAe38-4Sd9Kq9RpyYGI3YeluQMRF37If-NoEW_WgJnwzZFzLaS6VO1SdlKUFrfT6-lKilQ3cGBycOBnA/s960/2013%20with%20dad%20and%20sharon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14QYputd-i01LUvvx_Pff-eqLuIUhqcR51I3c3v6ZS09l-fHQIhmmwOdLzH9kFmqyQRrOCNgjq2bRkYMHjCHS1y7bB40oEji11UU3vtrJVfeyAe38-4Sd9Kq9RpyYGI3YeluQMRF37If-NoEW_WgJnwzZFzLaS6VO1SdlKUFrfT6-lKilQ3cGBycOBnA/w400-h300/2013%20with%20dad%20and%20sharon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a hard but good weekend, as Dad and Rach reconnected after many years. It made him happy to see her again.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx2e_2HJRd1WOsqYAnQUL5YvqU5Mncn2GZkdY8sNUAQ2K-k_Ia0p_M1uC2YUU6pYmVRGHxj-VbYQuPnIRsgsy0NEKANw8ytVJM-lQF4tCAzaFonkfFSRpP1Qer7oc_OJU71zJ-FOiu8jCM5EBK2vAhrfNCwYkz4NkO3HStvs-Toq73nzLUw5Oh0AqS7U/s960/2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx2e_2HJRd1WOsqYAnQUL5YvqU5Mncn2GZkdY8sNUAQ2K-k_Ia0p_M1uC2YUU6pYmVRGHxj-VbYQuPnIRsgsy0NEKANw8ytVJM-lQF4tCAzaFonkfFSRpP1Qer7oc_OJU71zJ-FOiu8jCM5EBK2vAhrfNCwYkz4NkO3HStvs-Toq73nzLUw5Oh0AqS7U/w400-h300/2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This visit a few years ago in Cottage Grove was a good one.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi4EmCIxnoBMKVG9qbO8ASpN72eUu8ebDOu2g1VG9aBTmo4yT11t1wRxPjB24NrrZu7UYuPgQc41j23Zm7GF4cilsp7vFSfo9IS9oZkaakc-4Vz1wrt_fYRZc4hBSc6h4sz1bznvGxR695gsUBuAeyquM31PbAcugCIPFVqqInfGcbiedXAbT68z-g2k/s1544/2023%20with%20Larry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi4EmCIxnoBMKVG9qbO8ASpN72eUu8ebDOu2g1VG9aBTmo4yT11t1wRxPjB24NrrZu7UYuPgQc41j23Zm7GF4cilsp7vFSfo9IS9oZkaakc-4Vz1wrt_fYRZc4hBSc6h4sz1bznvGxR695gsUBuAeyquM31PbAcugCIPFVqqInfGcbiedXAbT68z-g2k/w400-h300/2023%20with%20Larry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last photo together, during her visit in June 2023 (with our step-dad).</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />I don't have a lot of final details... Rachel went to the hospital in early May. She was diagnosed with Hep C and cirrhosis of the liver. Recovery from her surgery was difficult and slow. She and John had been planning to visit Oregon in late June, and she worked hard to make that happen. It was a difficult trip for her, but I left her feeling hopeful. I was wrong. She left us August 13. As I understand it, she had undiagnosed cancer of both the liver and kidney. She was 62.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uZCNJ9N7hYF6UiHNaA9slhByN6P0QROeLoPHPJuLuqiNsOPqd_SrU5hC4SvWadayD4CG7P_7_MK7g8rFGfT30qQMELV3ZUw0e9oI6GuSzoRIm9XHcuisqGNnHb0v-liwWpqvFV6UYNbigOCEjS19qYEWbC8_0n02jMcqXpclLHtttuGI386ljCa36w4/s1040/1974%20School%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uZCNJ9N7hYF6UiHNaA9slhByN6P0QROeLoPHPJuLuqiNsOPqd_SrU5hC4SvWadayD4CG7P_7_MK7g8rFGfT30qQMELV3ZUw0e9oI6GuSzoRIm9XHcuisqGNnHb0v-liwWpqvFV6UYNbigOCEjS19qYEWbC8_0n02jMcqXpclLHtttuGI386ljCa36w4/w429-h640/1974%20School%20photo.jpg" width="429" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel Jeannette, 1974 School Photo<br />She had many hair styles, but she always came back to this. Her hair was long, thick, and beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-43848489360265897502023-08-20T07:15:00.001-07:002023-10-01T08:14:23.913-07:00McKenzie River Trail: The 3rd Leg<p>Hike Date: August 6, 2023. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI3bqmmkmQAN9HnVKjIm48bLW4Gblaxprx1bC7-YyzyUo7rfY2xmQF_ff1cwKjc34i048TQY1modrWtei3BMmOcxEHndDflZ9B8i4BZvkidRoTqMRqo-MZQxdX4zpfF5JQyGDMrpqkw4duDm1bktjinh62QIIYhCwxA5E4rTVB3w6hBySqyrltPDj8z8/s640/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI3bqmmkmQAN9HnVKjIm48bLW4Gblaxprx1bC7-YyzyUo7rfY2xmQF_ff1cwKjc34i048TQY1modrWtei3BMmOcxEHndDflZ9B8i4BZvkidRoTqMRqo-MZQxdX4zpfF5JQyGDMrpqkw4duDm1bktjinh62QIIYhCwxA5E4rTVB3w6hBySqyrltPDj8z8/w400-h300/IMG_4915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out. This photo implies the trail is well signed. It is not. There aren't a lot of opportunities for getting lost, but we know this is the McKenzie River Trail only because we've been following it from it's beginning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was impressed that we headed out for our 3rd leg of the McKenzie River Trail so soon after completing the second. Like before, we started where we ended last time, at Buck Bridge/Frissell Boat Launch (trail mile 19) and headed north to Deer Creek Trailhead (trail mile 15.7). <p></p><p>What is noticeable about this leg (compared to the previous two), is that the trail is on the opposite side of the river than the road. I was looking forward to not being sandwiched between the two, and it was nice. But on the flip side, as we were starting out there were times that we could see the road when we were looking at the river, which marred the view and the experience. <i>(I know, never satisfied!)</i> Another difference is that the trail pretty much stuck to the river this time <i>(yay!)</i>, but access points to get to the water were few.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrfz1H401Bbc-nUg4EaqJVawImKeEor0CkH17pJBYj_3F_NRU-PqpW5M2oh6v5IjhHoW1skfcaKEfMyX-bnxLo_VyD9bHClq9pcMAEDki4N2nzzzY3YkQDMKr1S3HePULCRQMBshJ78m2AParlebC7hXJU03Z4Wj-2LgRguUYXz-ZLsjwDMwj9CMS6nQ/s640/IMG_4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrfz1H401Bbc-nUg4EaqJVawImKeEor0CkH17pJBYj_3F_NRU-PqpW5M2oh6v5IjhHoW1skfcaKEfMyX-bnxLo_VyD9bHClq9pcMAEDki4N2nzzzY3YkQDMKr1S3HePULCRQMBshJ78m2AParlebC7hXJU03Z4Wj-2LgRguUYXz-ZLsjwDMwj9CMS6nQ/s320/IMG_4943.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the McKenzie River.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2ACfSj5paoEjwXoorr_C5gR4-fvWRwfl6pRNheWS-mqZ71zBAAZRV1ml6JjWdvfKj6K4ZaAU6BNZOT9ZAu8q42wUE6F0LgnMnnaanZz402rUO9n_aofAJjJU5lWNlzROhTJwQnr0Blh7oWVwhTRfPWI7Sy4Kc_yQckDSs9NgWq4NXW7b6Ly6F9KYoM0/s640/IMG_4945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2ACfSj5paoEjwXoorr_C5gR4-fvWRwfl6pRNheWS-mqZ71zBAAZRV1ml6JjWdvfKj6K4ZaAU6BNZOT9ZAu8q42wUE6F0LgnMnnaanZz402rUO9n_aofAJjJU5lWNlzROhTJwQnr0Blh7oWVwhTRfPWI7Sy4Kc_yQckDSs9NgWq4NXW7b6Ly6F9KYoM0/s320/IMG_4945.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunches of berries on the Bunch Berries 🙂</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The hike up the river was pleasant, we enjoyed the views, the birds, and just being out. I was also delighted to see a lot of bunch berries, only this time, instead of their pretty white flowers, they were covered in little bunches of red berries. Now their name makes sense!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGjK-InPULm4DXV8pXluEMvqhRLu0IOO8ZKBgqKzS9Og2dRfWmzWD1w9P6jhcgJtgS3gdF0FOULXhOWl3Ptm4tVsuu64xUEzaU_9MbcJJCXBySLjfUsDh5obERoDegB8Rcggu9AMloVEY4Jkrnd4gsOODkf8PauP_3wJZ0KGb0Mw16-p26z7Vh4SY3o/s3675/IMG_4929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3675" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGjK-InPULm4DXV8pXluEMvqhRLu0IOO8ZKBgqKzS9Og2dRfWmzWD1w9P6jhcgJtgS3gdF0FOULXhOWl3Ptm4tVsuu64xUEzaU_9MbcJJCXBySLjfUsDh5obERoDegB8Rcggu9AMloVEY4Jkrnd4gsOODkf8PauP_3wJZ0KGb0Mw16-p26z7Vh4SY3o/w640-h346/IMG_4929.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forrest Road 2654, going around the downed trees from the Knoll fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwIKk-gqyCcX64qE5pn0pYKK90Z7K5-Nm60JIf2Ozz_sF9QwZE-3jCsP2DcOquDPJFPP95DhmUfE2E1pGw_AroYPmTBTuwQmZUbuwwu7hF7JNuvl_sA71-ZGbX5GipZXSZnmk1nqjJuGAGkCAmmzaukH7jpv-N_Bp77kqu5bdn8HlmuhG612mQOG-8Xc/s2016/IMG_4931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwIKk-gqyCcX64qE5pn0pYKK90Z7K5-Nm60JIf2Ozz_sF9QwZE-3jCsP2DcOquDPJFPP95DhmUfE2E1pGw_AroYPmTBTuwQmZUbuwwu7hF7JNuvl_sA71-ZGbX5GipZXSZnmk1nqjJuGAGkCAmmzaukH7jpv-N_Bp77kqu5bdn8HlmuhG612mQOG-8Xc/s320/IMG_4931.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Creek.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we've gotten into hiking shape, the 3.3 miles between the two trailheads, didn't feel like very much. We wanted more! We would have kept hiking the MRT, but the next segment (unbeknownst to us) was <a href="https://kpic.com/outdoors/wildfire-damage-closes-mckenzie-river-trail-from-blue-pool-trailhead-south-to-deer-creek" target="_blank">closed as they repair it from the 2021 Knoll Fire</a> (according to signage at the trail, the new trail is supposed to be open November 1, 2023. I suspect that might change). So we headed up the forest road that runs past there, which they were using as a deter for hikers/bikers. We hiked in 1/2 an hour, then turned around and hiked out. By our guess, that added 2 miles to our trip, giving us 8.5 miles for the day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuHrN2D4GACERSANf7tmrnYz1RVI3LX3UiileuhjnP4cUY2pMD7ii5n6f0Z0YeSO6l31ZlbE6fUM9OU2ZyhsKlv5yHuYralqLmBL48ctQoOdznzUcNmKOcHyc8yoCb_iTfhQhOcIK9OlKRKFNfmlkBjhGEX6FGRIoDH1A09qydAeJnwdNiWnyIH-xbUg/s640/IMG_4938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuHrN2D4GACERSANf7tmrnYz1RVI3LX3UiileuhjnP4cUY2pMD7ii5n6f0Z0YeSO6l31ZlbE6fUM9OU2ZyhsKlv5yHuYralqLmBL48ctQoOdznzUcNmKOcHyc8yoCb_iTfhQhOcIK9OlKRKFNfmlkBjhGEX6FGRIoDH1A09qydAeJnwdNiWnyIH-xbUg/s320/IMG_4938.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking Oregon Grapes</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We were a bit slower coming back out because we stopped to forage Oregon Grapes, which were in abundance on this trip. A couple here, a few there, and we soon had enough to supplement our blackberries for jelly this fall.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7op5_hVpDE4rg1__Dp08VJ_iAy6p8iULqNvMTrM0l9YMJd-TLG7Zfp8AMoRHf5EqgcspXXmNJN3x_or_qZTGm0RwzDAIHXzGeNoLOTbstdzq5jUOBmtSRKXBeQYXQZYiNsEeXYau18ubP7rI8o2X-ari8lmpAvP6ryJBSkMYqXtTLbrlYvkXS9NWzHM/s640/IMG_4922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7op5_hVpDE4rg1__Dp08VJ_iAy6p8iULqNvMTrM0l9YMJd-TLG7Zfp8AMoRHf5EqgcspXXmNJN3x_or_qZTGm0RwzDAIHXzGeNoLOTbstdzq5jUOBmtSRKXBeQYXQZYiNsEeXYau18ubP7rI8o2X-ari8lmpAvP6ryJBSkMYqXtTLbrlYvkXS9NWzHM/w400-h300/IMG_4922.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof we were there...</td></tr></tbody></table><p>When we planned this hike, one of our goals was to get away from the smoke of the Priceboro Fire near Harrisburg (which was spreading ash around our house), but we conveniently forgot about the fires burning up the McKenzie (as I write this, the Lookout Fire is growing larger and causing evacuations so it seems weird that we wouldn't be thinking about it, but at that time it was much smaller). Driving up Hwy 126, headed to the trailhead, we turned a corner and we could see the smoke hanging in the valley. I thought about turning around then, but we decided to get up there and see what it was like. Luckily for us, the smoke was pretty high, so we couldn't really smell it. I tossed some N95 masks in our backpacks in case it came down, and we headed out. </p><div>Unfortunately, with the expansion of the Lookout Fire, I doubt we'll get back to the MRT for a while.</div><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-24940929157090773072023-07-19T10:12:00.001-07:002023-10-01T08:14:33.571-07:00McKenzie River Trail: The 2nd leg<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DlFsNXE5eZiFkuCNagqPsdOY6E9wuWoHtfBQ_EKTeGg3kRqutyZmfQ4HELWSCGyLd5IM6r3_ctveJgCj1Lt6acwZpPoTCl2Gofb5eONnMTF6Yo8o732fDfGPUrOnmjCU90b1u_e5RdZOmjruBF2D9wMumCNXusNkqNWxNOLmO6-npHCb7lFdvf8r_cc/s2016/IMG_4816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DlFsNXE5eZiFkuCNagqPsdOY6E9wuWoHtfBQ_EKTeGg3kRqutyZmfQ4HELWSCGyLd5IM6r3_ctveJgCj1Lt6acwZpPoTCl2Gofb5eONnMTF6Yo8o732fDfGPUrOnmjCU90b1u_e5RdZOmjruBF2D9wMumCNXusNkqNWxNOLmO6-npHCb7lFdvf8r_cc/w300-h400/IMG_4816.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Back in January when we began<a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2023/01/mckenzie-river-trail-southern-trailhead.html"> our initial exploration of the McKenzie River Trail</a>, I didn't know it would be half a year before we got out there again! Such is life. I have excuses, but they don't really matter. What does matter is that we got back out for the 2nd leg last Sunday (July 16th).<p></p><p>For our second trek, we started where we stopped last time, at Paradise Campground (mile 23.3 of the trail), and hiked 4.3 miles to Buck Bridge and the Frissell Boat Launch (trail mile 19.0). It was a hot day in the Valley (we reach 93 here at the house), and it was warm on the trail too, but in the shade and along the McKenzie river (which runs cold), it was very pleasant.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlh6M3FxqQZbm2CqJHoVc-TJy41uuiZXvZkfAkYIBDaKXASQ22CAV5SyCQDDL_hb9ND9km1UOMdsDxIqye6BQxxfx5CsUTphbLB1mv0wD3Tvi3bjyNkNn4pBlg2DeeMaRa3fwihgJ2AGAX1uhO-SrZAcb3zb3mPqwY7ucwClj6TrWmzYmZ_Mi-SDFCT4/s2016/IMG_4814.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlh6M3FxqQZbm2CqJHoVc-TJy41uuiZXvZkfAkYIBDaKXASQ22CAV5SyCQDDL_hb9ND9km1UOMdsDxIqye6BQxxfx5CsUTphbLB1mv0wD3Tvi3bjyNkNn4pBlg2DeeMaRa3fwihgJ2AGAX1uhO-SrZAcb3zb3mPqwY7ucwClj6TrWmzYmZ_Mi-SDFCT4/w400-h300/IMG_4814.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge over Lost Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yFkOvMierHWDZKwPY_gkZZ3yJIlVipV1B-z4vuzebJSCTgdA2Ahk-hx9J6bypkTiD23Gga0PacEAV1Ced3CptqmtBk-c1KkqUby_zw2HoNmyhv8wteiZQ3dTp4-OLUPIzrcw1nTVMHoXkO3Qz1UoWcKiOAN4jsHjIT0CiykdzMTE-lJdAkspXZIll2o/s1500/IMG_4843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yFkOvMierHWDZKwPY_gkZZ3yJIlVipV1B-z4vuzebJSCTgdA2Ahk-hx9J6bypkTiD23Gga0PacEAV1Ced3CptqmtBk-c1KkqUby_zw2HoNmyhv8wteiZQ3dTp4-OLUPIzrcw1nTVMHoXkO3Qz1UoWcKiOAN4jsHjIT0CiykdzMTE-lJdAkspXZIll2o/w400-h300/IMG_4843.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge over Scott Creek.<br />(I love it when they use logs to make trail bridges!) </td></tr></tbody></table><p>I really enjoyed these four miles, we crossed numerous bridges, the trail was pleasant through the woods, we were mostly off Hwy 126 so not much road noise, and while there was elevation gain, it was never really strenuous. My only complaint is that I would have liked to be along the river more. I mean, it is called the McKenzie <i style="font-weight: bold;">River</i> Trail. For this trek, the river was mostly elusive, but we did find a nice spot (not too far from our turn-around point) to sit on the bank, soak our toes in the cold water, and enjoy our lunch. We even got to see some folks rafting the river.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY73VV7ceKFCOREU29HQYoW9gzzQdWqXcqVWBNw5DFaTzEQs3LTthEuTnEmx-nFbIRZYaUhFdmfjPrj4JayoktxZ3_5zLvCayJmW7RT9qyt4RkijUfDUeU-nLrXM45r1hCrUhxr_PrWD-28Ju_ybPwbnn-E1dQR0_JONfzXiFyPjHrvsnStG4-A3sC5zE/s2016/IMG_4829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY73VV7ceKFCOREU29HQYoW9gzzQdWqXcqVWBNw5DFaTzEQs3LTthEuTnEmx-nFbIRZYaUhFdmfjPrj4JayoktxZ3_5zLvCayJmW7RT9qyt4RkijUfDUeU-nLrXM45r1hCrUhxr_PrWD-28Ju_ybPwbnn-E1dQR0_JONfzXiFyPjHrvsnStG4-A3sC5zE/w300-h400/IMG_4829.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilly but fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_enAHWIxfnAYuS8pFu9-8ymqupY3HgdlS9I4QyENeJbiwy0Xb2BAYsBmlt6Ne8BL6RGTypHGHl0c8JwjK7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>With our focus on increasing our stamina and increasing our pace, this was a good hike for us. We averaged 25 minute miles heading out (which generally includes more stopping to look and observe), and 32 minute miles coming back (which included lunch, wandering around Belnap Hot Springs Campground looking for a restroom, and generally taking more breaks for hydration). We'd both like to get a little faster, but it isn't going to happen over night.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUINrLCkArGN7mzltWYtZ-xu9W-C6-dQ7bTgzzBvxGshODJR2khNrGg50McnwXh3SmnumOfkv104Ut3lYwvg7LsXqrQdaeKQZMAZj01W-pBVq-avBD0s-cAE2I9NhXwyGL0mQFm-kG0mYTkoJU-c0NzHKXO9Jq5HP7ePVEVx8nTsM1-u0fAfkTvXsgpA/s1544/IMG_4821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUINrLCkArGN7mzltWYtZ-xu9W-C6-dQ7bTgzzBvxGshODJR2khNrGg50McnwXh3SmnumOfkv104Ut3lYwvg7LsXqrQdaeKQZMAZj01W-pBVq-avBD0s-cAE2I9NhXwyGL0mQFm-kG0mYTkoJU-c0NzHKXO9Jq5HP7ePVEVx8nTsM1-u0fAfkTvXsgpA/w400-h300/IMG_4821.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the McKenzie on Buck Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Finally, we didn't encounter many people along the trail. I suspected it would be somewhat quiet because on hot days, most people head to the coast, but I was surprised at how quiet it actually was. Heading out we crossed paths with 2 gals who were "through hikers" doing the whole trail in 3 days (two nights), and 3 women out for a chatty stroll. On the way back, 3 mountain bikers, the 3 chatty gals, and a couple with their tiny dog. That was it!</p><p>I'm looking forward to the next leg. With the trail crossing the McKenzie here, the next portion is on the west side of the river, opposite of the road. I'm looking forward to seeing what it holds for us.</p><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-77118151929352422952023-07-04T14:20:00.000-07:002023-10-01T08:14:40.910-07:00Tire Mountain<p>Hike date: June 24, 2023</p><p>Journey: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</p><p>Destination: ⭐ (1 of 5 stars)</p><p>Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 of 5 stars)</p><p>Length: Almost 8 miles</p><p>The trail to Tire Mountain is all about the journey, especially in mid-June when the wildflowers are in bloom. The "destination" is unremarkable, and frankly, a let down; and over-all, our experience was diminished by the vast number of mountain bikers we encountered.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gm00908PacaThARxjIr6oHAvNP4mCy9gQwZHIfBK5QEHxHaNW073ERWbOCk-aMvQye-9jpH6Wy0F7X5o00oTZjbOrFioqwsxIIHFmVRu4BvzMbx9usI2hS190TtUyyLQY6SRep4i5iW-Gbgx2Uj_sKzhCdqTLo2X4luY_rH3iRup4jOy6a4htQj9T_g/s1836/IMG_4569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="1377" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gm00908PacaThARxjIr6oHAvNP4mCy9gQwZHIfBK5QEHxHaNW073ERWbOCk-aMvQye-9jpH6Wy0F7X5o00oTZjbOrFioqwsxIIHFmVRu4BvzMbx9usI2hS190TtUyyLQY6SRep4i5iW-Gbgx2Uj_sKzhCdqTLo2X4luY_rH3iRup4jOy6a4htQj9T_g/w300-h400/IMG_4569.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>D and I have committed ourselves to becoming better hikers -- increasing the distances we are comfortable going and our rate of speed. (Personally, I think picking up our pace is going to be the biggest challenge.) In the process, we'll be exploring more trails and more destinations, which is part of the joy in becoming better hikers.<p></p><p>On Saturday, June 24th, we headed out to Tire Mountain, which is outside of Westfir. I was impressed with how early we got out of town (early for us, anyhow) but by the time we got to the trailhead which is about 6 miles of "paved" road outside of Westfir, then 7.5 miles of steep, windy, gravel forest road it took at about 1 1/2 hours to get there. So we were hitting the trail at 11am. Maybe part of becoming better hikers is getting up and out earlier on a weekend.</p><p>We piked Tire Mountain because <a href="https://emerald.npsoregon.org/PDFs/Wildflower_Hikes_Aug03.pdf" target="_blank">we read that it is peak wildflower season there</a> in early to mid-June. We were not disappointed. What I loved about this trail is the number of different elevations and terrains we hiked through. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LOeUiZHoI0g-Ibw0Rhz-Bbx7ucwu2R2BpgFMbc9a5BC6FM8kK32sx9RSDxN5T7SjhhWPCmdtV3y8S0S6j1rjfhrdNr-d90YYxWQwEELc0VZCB8qLEWC3x0WqpLiITl-rzFETmRZWu4pY3xcBGJicafrau9ekfVjLQiHfUk3cV8G42YoD8LTqzdUZY80/s2016/IMG_4571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LOeUiZHoI0g-Ibw0Rhz-Bbx7ucwu2R2BpgFMbc9a5BC6FM8kK32sx9RSDxN5T7SjhhWPCmdtV3y8S0S6j1rjfhrdNr-d90YYxWQwEELc0VZCB8qLEWC3x0WqpLiITl-rzFETmRZWu4pY3xcBGJicafrau9ekfVjLQiHfUk3cV8G42YoD8LTqzdUZY80/w300-h400/IMG_4571.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYNSN-zaxf6lNvYd8dXZL3ZufSFr-5OlMxQVFV-xTmpM_EAyXMeAsKzHgFdFFRuDHdAmLPsDE-_G2lGj1nmSbdIzu3_ZZFPV1dtRcjAiTcIrHAfgMxjqhOihVjl-qV_Wo8iLhQ2s8yiV1qb2brGsSFnEDX3SH0GM8R-0r556rdyQww2QXYPccb5ah6sE/s2016/IMG_4573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYNSN-zaxf6lNvYd8dXZL3ZufSFr-5OlMxQVFV-xTmpM_EAyXMeAsKzHgFdFFRuDHdAmLPsDE-_G2lGj1nmSbdIzu3_ZZFPV1dtRcjAiTcIrHAfgMxjqhOihVjl-qV_Wo8iLhQ2s8yiV1qb2brGsSFnEDX3SH0GM8R-0r556rdyQww2QXYPccb5ah6sE/w300-h400/IMG_4573.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRS0_rYekGj6_7b4GxGBJsso2kQGWVp1TWhO0DZD3pGL6-feeX2qLYR36CknH0uvtht4RBsYqDQSuq8eQvitkrRVKLcCwBgTIT__oqM6e_m85FIX7Ko68oU3705n5iwp4Fee1Kzx_fsMaKvwmr2z4gyGT3k4wT6oCzvBdrfllxK3mXncg5n-76f1UWAM/s2016/IMG_4570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRS0_rYekGj6_7b4GxGBJsso2kQGWVp1TWhO0DZD3pGL6-feeX2qLYR36CknH0uvtht4RBsYqDQSuq8eQvitkrRVKLcCwBgTIT__oqM6e_m85FIX7Ko68oU3705n5iwp4Fee1Kzx_fsMaKvwmr2z4gyGT3k4wT6oCzvBdrfllxK3mXncg5n-76f1UWAM/w400-h300/IMG_4570.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0nf_BRccAJH2e4tRdcjZmnlCQyK7ot7ehQ8d1Vwi_0DKdD6-gBXa6tUm2uoeOxoTv9aZGqwmwqZ7fc28p0v5Q8UG4QwOw5z0LOyb8ckwWAuDyxBgpTBO5b8k5x3E4juMijjhg_4GxIPf2Vb1NQcWD2XtMCnUR9pHyanCfucMntplEZBH9Hu_hJt40xM/s2016/IMG_4593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0nf_BRccAJH2e4tRdcjZmnlCQyK7ot7ehQ8d1Vwi_0DKdD6-gBXa6tUm2uoeOxoTv9aZGqwmwqZ7fc28p0v5Q8UG4QwOw5z0LOyb8ckwWAuDyxBgpTBO5b8k5x3E4juMijjhg_4GxIPf2Vb1NQcWD2XtMCnUR9pHyanCfucMntplEZBH9Hu_hJt40xM/w300-h400/IMG_4593.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fKRvGAflwvWjcFMyjFkSBYYetGCgAgswHRPjsfOf9cDsgrO0hHDiGLf1u_DFHei5JOyVY0hPuIJCsL78d5W6PscCSWMacL59cpfaLMFy3vgVs1LiR4X9yja4-q-Y4oCDeXm_Bd0vVVJ2y1jrgBMxneDvpNxdWYbRGNuibmCmxvG6SDMOmUKAfrm9_zY/s2016/IMG_4620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fKRvGAflwvWjcFMyjFkSBYYetGCgAgswHRPjsfOf9cDsgrO0hHDiGLf1u_DFHei5JOyVY0hPuIJCsL78d5W6PscCSWMacL59cpfaLMFy3vgVs1LiR4X9yja4-q-Y4oCDeXm_Bd0vVVJ2y1jrgBMxneDvpNxdWYbRGNuibmCmxvG6SDMOmUKAfrm9_zY/w400-h300/IMG_4620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Because of those different types of terrain and exposure, we saw a lot of different kinds of flowers. These are just a small sampling.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYiaCeQl35ymyIm8h6wyhLi62PtmB-uSv3eSuc_4cYkEISRnLkjMoHfxa6kzxDC_6CvFB-E1ewdkeduFJaJwoMovbXysp_ecl46Z-PtSiJX6LZBeNZIks2-VbMwCO2gjR2flm10LsoAtrOHOGuONhxZHu48tH_a2n_8TaoIHurKNdCQrSf3Hr0lOyc5U/s2016/IMG_4584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYiaCeQl35ymyIm8h6wyhLi62PtmB-uSv3eSuc_4cYkEISRnLkjMoHfxa6kzxDC_6CvFB-E1ewdkeduFJaJwoMovbXysp_ecl46Z-PtSiJX6LZBeNZIks2-VbMwCO2gjR2flm10LsoAtrOHOGuONhxZHu48tH_a2n_8TaoIHurKNdCQrSf3Hr0lOyc5U/w300-h400/IMG_4584.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balsamroot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYm0yQHk3O7QEsz0ExjXRQ4frnNI8k035YmwdSFkmLdrPHik6LC1TKFcX97TRMksbn9ogh1R2teu_AZD3kPg-kBI-kMWaiMwcSZZE7LlIcr3uV2IdAqD-V-3cWNWUZ8TMvtGieKwxkvXVJ5WvqwSb2fMOPBkcYT9krZ0O-KgTPCfkAgYdKY1wepR2DxA/s2016/IMG_4588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYm0yQHk3O7QEsz0ExjXRQ4frnNI8k035YmwdSFkmLdrPHik6LC1TKFcX97TRMksbn9ogh1R2teu_AZD3kPg-kBI-kMWaiMwcSZZE7LlIcr3uV2IdAqD-V-3cWNWUZ8TMvtGieKwxkvXVJ5WvqwSb2fMOPBkcYT9krZ0O-KgTPCfkAgYdKY1wepR2DxA/w300-h400/IMG_4588.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know what this is, but it was interesting!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJRVnF5mD4xLDMz747k2Mx5XLg8K2XGEPR4pFYoZBSkJt4Hpc6avgzjmRc_4wEnG4FsSdLRD2h8JRUi-wzHVMkq7vCrQ59RXqBeUpqfgdnmKs1kQI8upC4-oX25PMtY4SC3jvNMuIzIwZPI07Y0IosbnbS6saHvPfuNesYefCdYHS0wiPWe8WYDa9ZRo/s2016/IMG_4592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJRVnF5mD4xLDMz747k2Mx5XLg8K2XGEPR4pFYoZBSkJt4Hpc6avgzjmRc_4wEnG4FsSdLRD2h8JRUi-wzHVMkq7vCrQ59RXqBeUpqfgdnmKs1kQI8upC4-oX25PMtY4SC3jvNMuIzIwZPI07Y0IosbnbS6saHvPfuNesYefCdYHS0wiPWe8WYDa9ZRo/w400-h300/IMG_4592.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild rhododendrons.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ1oxCdBT-v7YRno-l3aIx6Cpd0B-njcweH9Mo3ymVNIBaxQqHvcNB3mmjznV_HujjQ0A-hASZ3MqyDE9VLFTWT4ztUlsh01xiy7Tc7tfP1DzE2-pUpNrGgI1vsm9WL-k6qbtpgoKx5r8xCRN8fuUpvae01ZLo9FG6MhtLu_ggGz2SOl_p1wpXpwDU_Y/s1429/IMG_4633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ1oxCdBT-v7YRno-l3aIx6Cpd0B-njcweH9Mo3ymVNIBaxQqHvcNB3mmjznV_HujjQ0A-hASZ3MqyDE9VLFTWT4ztUlsh01xiy7Tc7tfP1DzE2-pUpNrGgI1vsm9WL-k6qbtpgoKx5r8xCRN8fuUpvae01ZLo9FG6MhtLu_ggGz2SOl_p1wpXpwDU_Y/w400-h400/IMG_4633.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the white irises that grow in the forests at higher elevations.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And because of all the flowers, we saw a lot of butterflies, and a lot of different kinds of butterflies. These are just the ones that were big enough and held still enough to have a decent photo taken.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Jr5-TMbtJASnGWoVkCqpoRNncjxEhI6eW0ucHxTgsfcSGXayfZF3bVBp6BYBesztBJvlFuKasWEJwVxW68lgtng51F2WGxyifktoZOuJPvkvhOu6q_7r5w3IDtyTSDC8W_trtougNRhG5KOBMQnK0oIi1cxGOq8U6KnnLcNQhdf8Efm_qvNpbUE10M/s1297/IMG_4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Jr5-TMbtJASnGWoVkCqpoRNncjxEhI6eW0ucHxTgsfcSGXayfZF3bVBp6BYBesztBJvlFuKasWEJwVxW68lgtng51F2WGxyifktoZOuJPvkvhOu6q_7r5w3IDtyTSDC8W_trtougNRhG5KOBMQnK0oIi1cxGOq8U6KnnLcNQhdf8Efm_qvNpbUE10M/s320/IMG_4597.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This butterfly was quite taken by D, and tagged along with her for a while.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7tIjtkUgHX8_T-AYfpj3zCfChTJndPV0H96-XVYuDa05_8TdWj1O15xDWs-5Efkp3eYXE3NbPC1zm37Z-0eCvqayGyJS4o7_xbhcsth3h6OWc0-7IzgIbi-yedmLSrmvs19cPJE1HwmqWIasHj8Lq5RCZxcmUJxcp3hTItc-_TWmVO4cWSbx8DUElio/s1292/IMG_4622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7tIjtkUgHX8_T-AYfpj3zCfChTJndPV0H96-XVYuDa05_8TdWj1O15xDWs-5Efkp3eYXE3NbPC1zm37Z-0eCvqayGyJS4o7_xbhcsth3h6OWc0-7IzgIbi-yedmLSrmvs19cPJE1HwmqWIasHj8Lq5RCZxcmUJxcp3hTItc-_TWmVO4cWSbx8DUElio/s320/IMG_4622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0hGdww7uhj5uvNZ7a6bNOoCA59DyeBx8nzJnCGiktvTLGXEKxGbNOrSlJoec_tTT-_f_44ivKiSKe1QSwAMc9RbnTUOBmtn35z5KlzoSEZ6FiZ84D3V6d8E2zjH2i_DHto8-17yY3WJQ2kiAb3KceSEpmghWu6LjmkJ24Gnys4_P4SDIC7cvx2dtlsU/s1280/IMG_4624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0hGdww7uhj5uvNZ7a6bNOoCA59DyeBx8nzJnCGiktvTLGXEKxGbNOrSlJoec_tTT-_f_44ivKiSKe1QSwAMc9RbnTUOBmtn35z5KlzoSEZ6FiZ84D3V6d8E2zjH2i_DHto8-17yY3WJQ2kiAb3KceSEpmghWu6LjmkJ24Gnys4_P4SDIC7cvx2dtlsU/s320/IMG_4624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The first 3 1/2 miles we shared the trail with a lot of mountain bikers. I mean, <i>a lot</i> of mountain bikers. They were <i><b>always </b></i>very friendly and polite. But frankly, I got tired of watching for them, aiming for a wide spot in the trail, and stepping off. We learned that there was a mountain bike festival happening that weekend (of course!), but we also learned that it is also a really popular mountain biking location.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv3T9gLuVydykzINjrPTXEmDLOuzFaAGQciLN0vCMxP8VuU31-BF_ExfvmXjH7WGZXkwrIir7vCqjPTdu4tYkp0-lopGLAhC35l--PqteW8fihMTbyrkwRhN30esypO3OU4U0z73pVXLR0U6zt2D0D5zif9QxF-6EtEuDE7HgGOv8Q36Xv5Hpw817vPo/s2016/IMG_4564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv3T9gLuVydykzINjrPTXEmDLOuzFaAGQciLN0vCMxP8VuU31-BF_ExfvmXjH7WGZXkwrIir7vCqjPTdu4tYkp0-lopGLAhC35l--PqteW8fihMTbyrkwRhN30esypO3OU4U0z73pVXLR0U6zt2D0D5zif9QxF-6EtEuDE7HgGOv8Q36Xv5Hpw817vPo/s320/IMG_4564.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The benefit of having a lot of mountain bikers is that the trail is very well maintained. Once we turned off the main trail to make the way to the summit, the last 1/2 mile was an obstacle course of downed trees. I realized coming back down that a group of 3-4 trees had come down, and the trail was switch-backing back and forth across them. At first, it was no problem, we were, in essence, crossing the "top" of the trees. But the last crossing was difficult.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UcoW6HPaZbd8QOmPKWwFas_YZ33MVPQqeVWpisEHHmwAryUUqeCtYjxYIeFLFAzArja9OwJqK9gPNQmDLZnVml2Ue4Rz8U4Xf42hDsA9Ad7KSf3bzXmy1RhI9-axQkmv0tMSF1Tb4miM2bo9xwJAE1V3rjhhCc0sEERQRI1gdN48nhjxArnyQp8nPzE/s2016/IMG_4599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UcoW6HPaZbd8QOmPKWwFas_YZ33MVPQqeVWpisEHHmwAryUUqeCtYjxYIeFLFAzArja9OwJqK9gPNQmDLZnVml2Ue4Rz8U4Xf42hDsA9Ad7KSf3bzXmy1RhI9-axQkmv0tMSF1Tb4miM2bo9xwJAE1V3rjhhCc0sEERQRI1gdN48nhjxArnyQp8nPzE/s320/IMG_4599.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XN-sThEUEsbx4fzE628OyYsZn84uknK3_CXkBg6LNAwgKrUW66FXgWVhSf1gMKf3SC3dYr-f8jUKcqVRJheJjaTLB8lPen49dwH6NXM8roximbbDvmkAn7jtxVM1OPeTS-7W3_EuQ5VYkEaxMUMRFg_J040BQCppT0YsyRnUoFx87QKlSEq-5MAovJk/s2016/IMG_4614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XN-sThEUEsbx4fzE628OyYsZn84uknK3_CXkBg6LNAwgKrUW66FXgWVhSf1gMKf3SC3dYr-f8jUKcqVRJheJjaTLB8lPen49dwH6NXM8roximbbDvmkAn7jtxVM1OPeTS-7W3_EuQ5VYkEaxMUMRFg_J040BQCppT0YsyRnUoFx87QKlSEq-5MAovJk/s320/IMG_4614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pbzbKv2P2udLuxED65pdmwA8FzWmAwOMQjolnRDvvYX5d-Ct0_t49OGffj3La39xK3oEoeXa8ivWT5Y7MOYA3Gbgt2hXwLOQNRfw0C8B_MvGnb6GpNqAdx6Cj-Y9_Zs4Te6EOf-RCtwNYYTsQ94bBt9uLQUkd9SLsbOz_WguCOTJ5zUyxlyrPADPm4k/s2016/IMG_4610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pbzbKv2P2udLuxED65pdmwA8FzWmAwOMQjolnRDvvYX5d-Ct0_t49OGffj3La39xK3oEoeXa8ivWT5Y7MOYA3Gbgt2hXwLOQNRfw0C8B_MvGnb6GpNqAdx6Cj-Y9_Zs4Te6EOf-RCtwNYYTsQ94bBt9uLQUkd9SLsbOz_WguCOTJ5zUyxlyrPADPm4k/w300-h400/IMG_4610.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to describe this last challenge.<br />The log is on such a slope, that D. and I had to hold<br />on to each other's breaches as we slid<br />over the log to keep from slipping downhill. <br />And the log was so wide and tall<br />that sliding over it was difficult.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Tire Mountain summit was a let down. There were absolutely no views, it was flat and rocky because a fire lookout used to be there, and after we sat and had lunch -- we discovered it was home to <b><i>many </i></b>red ants.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9XEC3-WNRrl-r8Kzlcxmo17dV93vRjNrOlzxfyneZGcS-d8twldfNzoba5xPIjmJB32pIDnYsZA5nvr_R5VvKhUD-6Poc7S51V93QgzGBPXCBBJh0mQExMgIuWuplWpfYzHD7lYmhTzVbZHiyfkWC08sdADnDlLi-hLQZ9p4uXypLWqPAlhQGqfwevw/s640/IMG_4601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9XEC3-WNRrl-r8Kzlcxmo17dV93vRjNrOlzxfyneZGcS-d8twldfNzoba5xPIjmJB32pIDnYsZA5nvr_R5VvKhUD-6Poc7S51V93QgzGBPXCBBJh0mQExMgIuWuplWpfYzHD7lYmhTzVbZHiyfkWC08sdADnDlLi-hLQZ9p4uXypLWqPAlhQGqfwevw/w320-h240/IMG_4601.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that we made it to the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In all, a good hike. I loved being out there, but don't have a need to go back.</p><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-29612932846458810892023-06-21T17:00:00.001-07:002023-06-21T17:00:00.137-07:00Headin' East: A Quick Road Trip<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccjD84U7XLzNoBF4hQDVdDH0OFWage6hwlicw7ehzJe9xFvY4IasVP7UOkOm1cjAt1k00XMdgvTiRyYbPYGtYMDBrU5MVSlLFiMCJMF7mMWz0ec425PSdu-oH0P9AHFJSEHyRp2x7wSRgefvZ05wDungigdIoEjJUAyzaxBtG-mKyRwIDsmS_YNHi/s1280/IMG_4471.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccjD84U7XLzNoBF4hQDVdDH0OFWage6hwlicw7ehzJe9xFvY4IasVP7UOkOm1cjAt1k00XMdgvTiRyYbPYGtYMDBrU5MVSlLFiMCJMF7mMWz0ec425PSdu-oH0P9AHFJSEHyRp2x7wSRgefvZ05wDungigdIoEjJUAyzaxBtG-mKyRwIDsmS_YNHi/w400-h300/IMG_4471.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a lot of country out there!<br />At the Dallas Mountain Ranch Trailhead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />D and I headed up to the Coeur d'Alene Idaho area a couple weekends ago -- just a quick trip to visit family. Since we were heading through some territory that we don't travel through often, we wanted to catch some sights while we were there. (Driving for hours and seeing nothing but freeway, is a boring way to travel, IMHO).<p></p><p>We ended up doing a figure 8 for the most part, heading up the Willamette Pass on Friday afternoon. As we were making our way through Sisters, I told D I'd like to stop at the next rest area, so I got on my map app and found one just north of Redmond. I didn't know is was going to be the Crooked River Gorge! I love this stop. We've been here once before, but it was ages ago (and I know I was here as a youngster). Frankly, though, I wasn't exactly sure where it was... I'm glad we happened upon it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhW-OOaf4vUZF4iHENmb95AEk251YRxGbL8fpJMgiVM3lX67XxEgDOuYKqAvCJ-XysDuqRmqsE4mN4oKe4ioTKGJB50vDK12pCQUb4Rf-dqgNN9eTJJYvPpAHVfKN8ARG41ZpWKh9j8FsfQoFluLxmHQgTvjbhS0QqKgScG9edfWZsn1xjFiM8WrS/s2016/IMG_4411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhW-OOaf4vUZF4iHENmb95AEk251YRxGbL8fpJMgiVM3lX67XxEgDOuYKqAvCJ-XysDuqRmqsE4mN4oKe4ioTKGJB50vDK12pCQUb4Rf-dqgNN9eTJJYvPpAHVfKN8ARG41ZpWKh9j8FsfQoFluLxmHQgTvjbhS0QqKgScG9edfWZsn1xjFiM8WrS/w300-h400/IMG_4411.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crooked River Gorge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent traveling up Highway 197 to get to The Dallas. There's a lot of baren country up there. It was really fun to see, but I wouldn't want to go out there too often.<br /><p>On Saturday, we hit the freeways. It was bland, but we made good time getting to Idaho.... on Sunday after a lot of time talking with family, we turned around and headed towards home. (I said it was a quick trip!) We got off the freeway in eastern Washington (I think around Ritzville) and headed into farm land to see Palouse Falls (Washington's State Waterfall). This spot has been on my radar for a <i>very </i>long time, but it is truly out in the middle of no where—a fun drive once we got off the freeway! We saw a lot of crops, a lot of "hills and dales," and a lot of brown. What we never saw, was any sign of any type that a major river was near-by (except, of course, that the fields were irrigated!).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsA655VpUqymJOdOvLyDIFE83bYaIhFa81FVUjQTbBMJYREBEwAABg2oNDgZqLMFfnTdZUqbaaPUei3E6eI483qxG8IwB6UNV4s55Tr99beMJACwnqPGs5uVwQ7TYoF2GI-D-7q9GLWnYRLOAUy0Ib2lyJO1AwXRRWOTQGT6qC1_er8rEna9zhO49/s1861/IMG_4433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1861" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsA655VpUqymJOdOvLyDIFE83bYaIhFa81FVUjQTbBMJYREBEwAABg2oNDgZqLMFfnTdZUqbaaPUei3E6eI483qxG8IwB6UNV4s55Tr99beMJACwnqPGs5uVwQ7TYoF2GI-D-7q9GLWnYRLOAUy0Ib2lyJO1AwXRRWOTQGT6qC1_er8rEna9zhO49/w400-h300/IMG_4433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palouse Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AFHTJftSWI5fx5YsarkEgVFtd970S9vQs2u0El5r8keC8ciRuNXbijTx3fIxoNB3rG935yg38vcZy-gCPEVgcBcNqGxSYXkfwF4Wagz64NxkMsIi7qrtSkqRJ1pQ30sg4kA7BozpidzX6UrQ6c3DgQOodTQSmdTR-uHdKCWCtdcqDntxpC7jOp8c/s1544/IMG_4430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AFHTJftSWI5fx5YsarkEgVFtd970S9vQs2u0El5r8keC8ciRuNXbijTx3fIxoNB3rG935yg38vcZy-gCPEVgcBcNqGxSYXkfwF4Wagz64NxkMsIi7qrtSkqRJ1pQ30sg4kA7BozpidzX6UrQ6c3DgQOodTQSmdTR-uHdKCWCtdcqDntxpC7jOp8c/w400-h300/IMG_4430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were there.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>There's not much at Palouse Falls, except the falls. There isn't even many trails (probably about a quarter mile worth, to get some different angles). I was surprised by the number of people, and frankly, rather surprised by how much we enjoyed it and how much time we spent there. We even spotted a new bird, the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Swift/overview#" target="_blank">White-throated Swift.</a></p><p>While planning our trip, when we decided to go to Palouse Falls, D searched for "closest lodging Palouse Falls" and we ended up booking a room in Dayton, Washington. Frankly, I wasn't expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised. We had a nice Best Western in a cute little (but not too little) town, with several interesting food options. We picked a burger and brew at <i>Chief Spring's Fire & Irons Brew Pub. </i>Finding a good burger, great fries, and tasty beer is always a treat. My beer was hyper local, with local wheat and local honey. <i>Delicious!</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttj5USQQFUvy1QyDIUWDZR4vhMwT6LHfKdqCftCvsqPvaPuObBwULyi_y0eyOAjQMorN09nLsOqBVG9Txqxvh9yoejnau8Sq30AE4nuWB7aL-buA4pZQXbysGpDnLg1JaDJv8Iu2o9NwTng2y-BFEl9UBB6urA3TA9w6yEtC6ywrMOROTDWHytieL/s2016/IMG_4451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttj5USQQFUvy1QyDIUWDZR4vhMwT6LHfKdqCftCvsqPvaPuObBwULyi_y0eyOAjQMorN09nLsOqBVG9Txqxvh9yoejnau8Sq30AE4nuWB7aL-buA4pZQXbysGpDnLg1JaDJv8Iu2o9NwTng2y-BFEl9UBB6urA3TA9w6yEtC6ywrMOROTDWHytieL/s320/IMG_4451.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Monday we headed back to the gorge. After passing through Walla Walla, we stumbled across the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. It seemed like a good place to stretch our legs and learn a bit. The museum was closed for the day, but we walked the trails and learned about the history. We both liked that they acknowledged the one-sidedness of their displays and appear to be in the process of updating them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-xRLP_2f2jAbT4J3N4Vy5BO9Si1Xu9ihIyIeXn3GwnrHrfwgdbbJ-a207frot3el9zqietsbT6YEZfLPmBZV7FHji3cLxxhql05dwhZjchFmPNXLju5RhISN_VXAWJC9UzRriPK5R-J-owCquDWRg8fBfVXFlFlHVICfeaPTKlatwbc8j2Zu_FSB/s2016/IMG_4454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-xRLP_2f2jAbT4J3N4Vy5BO9Si1Xu9ihIyIeXn3GwnrHrfwgdbbJ-a207frot3el9zqietsbT6YEZfLPmBZV7FHji3cLxxhql05dwhZjchFmPNXLju5RhISN_VXAWJC9UzRriPK5R-J-owCquDWRg8fBfVXFlFlHVICfeaPTKlatwbc8j2Zu_FSB/s320/IMG_4454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail and display at the Whitman Mission</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASIv42wWZfS1UZekS_wBWlM1AnWqueb2i23YfSNKbTsDCiKtb2rENww11OgOqNWw8ssUwoK_3H9fs_9x5Hl8zPKCjOIOk6P6Oq8DU9yuDV3edf6mSafjK-ID9wKMq5RuZqtWgSrhlsKngcop_GNrK1WLp0GjIoR2NTOFScBjy--SFSaOo-N8rFrTV/s1757/IMG_4455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="1757" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASIv42wWZfS1UZekS_wBWlM1AnWqueb2i23YfSNKbTsDCiKtb2rENww11OgOqNWw8ssUwoK_3H9fs_9x5Hl8zPKCjOIOk6P6Oq8DU9yuDV3edf6mSafjK-ID9wKMq5RuZqtWgSrhlsKngcop_GNrK1WLp0GjIoR2NTOFScBjy--SFSaOo-N8rFrTV/s320/IMG_4455.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Back on the road we followed along the south side of the Columbia until Umatilla where we crossed back over to the Washington side so we could drive Highway 14 west. That's a quieter, and I think, more scenic drive than I-84 on the Oregon side. Our destination was The Columbia Hills Historical State Park. We had a late lunch in the dappled shade at the park, then found the pictographs and petroglyphs that are on display. These had been removed from the walls of the gorge before the dam was put in. There are more there that can be seen with a ranger tour, including <a href="http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/horsethief_butte_she_who_watches.html" target="_blank">She Who Watches</a>, which Mom loved and always wanted to see in person. I tried to get her up there, but the timing of the tours was never great, and I'm glad we never went to just see the ones available on the self-guided tour. They are nice, but would have been a let down as the sole focus of the trip.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlE9T69BU2Zf-Heh4BLxmuZret7YZyspp7hdq27B_hSdK9wc1AFpStP6oPMYc2JZh2gub0mqdZ-3p9RLH2VnUqSVEnEbh_hdw4hEGrvL2vFMrwrUFy9TlKVBL8b0fa37ftOaJ30up2Wx-_zPCTwe_ganhGMF9wPoNabfz33aoiOjiPVtO50JhBcwbBYg/s2016/IMG_4470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlE9T69BU2Zf-Heh4BLxmuZret7YZyspp7hdq27B_hSdK9wc1AFpStP6oPMYc2JZh2gub0mqdZ-3p9RLH2VnUqSVEnEbh_hdw4hEGrvL2vFMrwrUFy9TlKVBL8b0fa37ftOaJ30up2Wx-_zPCTwe_ganhGMF9wPoNabfz33aoiOjiPVtO50JhBcwbBYg/w400-h300/IMG_4470.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-guided tour of the pictographs and petroglyphs<br />at Columbia Hills Historical State Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw8TEfME9H28cy5n1kD1TsqFjzqyv392WXsme0MS2OVW__BVXx60vhYbFLogg2tSKyV7sTS5nE18VavBKeC22cvDdKmdCrKOkwoI1T2UE-SB82FOpkHAZ317kIgj_tcVXJ5ruO8Cw-Oe7dd7XPazg8lTHhcfDWpl_ZSkIW9kXEU-GFQ4QG1MJ8PlIJ6E/s2016/IMG_4465.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw8TEfME9H28cy5n1kD1TsqFjzqyv392WXsme0MS2OVW__BVXx60vhYbFLogg2tSKyV7sTS5nE18VavBKeC22cvDdKmdCrKOkwoI1T2UE-SB82FOpkHAZ317kIgj_tcVXJ5ruO8Cw-Oe7dd7XPazg8lTHhcfDWpl_ZSkIW9kXEU-GFQ4QG1MJ8PlIJ6E/w400-h300/IMG_4465.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw5TW5-CKY7WnNqP1wZsuLlY6budpRIR47sNrL0ohOGP-rJL8QdqGXz2r43b0zsS23WRd9oyGS-QRXD2QViTJbyE61epO-DPCvHNBCOfc7FzjsHBpgImPt19wz50u4V2IedkvNnIxfomf8Q0566VZ-LH_9Zehp7dALM44dtvZX1fryOJlFc1Ztqtptwg/s2016/IMG_4469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw5TW5-CKY7WnNqP1wZsuLlY6budpRIR47sNrL0ohOGP-rJL8QdqGXz2r43b0zsS23WRd9oyGS-QRXD2QViTJbyE61epO-DPCvHNBCOfc7FzjsHBpgImPt19wz50u4V2IedkvNnIxfomf8Q0566VZ-LH_9Zehp7dALM44dtvZX1fryOJlFc1Ztqtptwg/w400-h300/IMG_4469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The rest of the day was spent "putzing" around. On a whim we drove up to the Dalles Mountain Ranch part of the Park. We didn't tour the old buildings, but we walked the trails for a little bit enjoying the views. Once we were back in The Dallas we also walked the trails around the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (we go there too late to go in) and also discovered the River Front Trail that we walked for a bit, before making our way to our hotel and dinner.</p><p>Tuesday morning we tried to get around early. We headed out of The Dallas on the old highway, stopping at Rowena Crest Viewpoint and the Tom McCall Trail. Hiking the Tom McCall Trail was something else Mom and I wanted to do together. The wildflowers up there are beautiful, but my trips up were never timed right. D. and I were there the first weekend of June, and we were 2 months too late for wildflower season. Everything was mostly brown.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06Gcv918opCWHzO_DHeMHcWzYPXqPkw_4qACHTCf2MGqgFhxEj7N1Z2F5AgSNsDM9LEExQAC7MXJGPeBbkRcY8EcIvtD459-HnLxCTn1P13SixsQYgRP0_tA3xuV7sYeXM8ZyjIuixOHd2GggrDUTSelnzdkN26yIxJH_B8qZt0YtwzAbljDIpoyPWlE/s2016/IMG_4498.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06Gcv918opCWHzO_DHeMHcWzYPXqPkw_4qACHTCf2MGqgFhxEj7N1Z2F5AgSNsDM9LEExQAC7MXJGPeBbkRcY8EcIvtD459-HnLxCTn1P13SixsQYgRP0_tA3xuV7sYeXM8ZyjIuixOHd2GggrDUTSelnzdkN26yIxJH_B8qZt0YtwzAbljDIpoyPWlE/w400-h300/IMG_4498.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOhqzUXWwswbsiLgxtYCJPohJuWvpCs9dt3OynfKFFodwnMmIO_zhMcCZIr9Af_4w5WKFyizZ2rVBx_iEDU2hUTAFnsmsJOirct8QfYOORH3hzKRhAyXLllzU73ksihGIGjL9rI5exadK1jyyJosKWqielzN1XbTFSVVNkfH3x51FJS1-pQly1evCC1k/s2016/IMG_4487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOhqzUXWwswbsiLgxtYCJPohJuWvpCs9dt3OynfKFFodwnMmIO_zhMcCZIr9Af_4w5WKFyizZ2rVBx_iEDU2hUTAFnsmsJOirct8QfYOORH3hzKRhAyXLllzU73ksihGIGjL9rI5exadK1jyyJosKWqielzN1XbTFSVVNkfH3x51FJS1-pQly1evCC1k/w400-h300/IMG_4487.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally, we hit the freeway. We stopped at Cascade Locks to see my step dad for a bit, then buzzed on home. It was a quick trip. But a nice blend. We saw family. We saw sights. We had a good time together.</div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-60620724935313626922023-04-14T09:11:00.000-07:002023-04-14T09:11:56.021-07:00A Simple Rescue<p>As is typical on Thursdays, I worked in the office yesterday, near downtown Eugene. Sometime around 1:00, I needed to take a break but didn't want to do "lunch" yet, so I walked around the block (which is really longer than a block, but it's my standard loop and takes just about 10 minutes). I'm strolling along enjoying the birds and the fresh air, when I hear and see a kitty in distress.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qeARMRK_m-ougqIAWwYo6wjLIbbgqcN2B3EoMKhcyyW1VZg3QW-P-MDRlxb4k9MkrUHQKdUACiSZGVNH7oKtA5JTTucQ_FlOc538k-kGJoLaEfRDmYCg9QHBRa3C8ZG-xFxu_BsIhgWQLgmhRfGlZig8BCPyhxhUwn95vynr2bto3OzZyGDXXJbM/s640/IMG_4122%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qeARMRK_m-ougqIAWwYo6wjLIbbgqcN2B3EoMKhcyyW1VZg3QW-P-MDRlxb4k9MkrUHQKdUACiSZGVNH7oKtA5JTTucQ_FlOc538k-kGJoLaEfRDmYCg9QHBRa3C8ZG-xFxu_BsIhgWQLgmhRfGlZig8BCPyhxhUwn95vynr2bto3OzZyGDXXJbM/w400-h300/IMG_4122%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the cat?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Oh my, somehow this poor baby ended up in the Amazon canal. Luckily it made it too this small island of grasses (beat down from our recent rain storm). When I first saw it, it was extremely wet and scared, I think it must have just washed ashore.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgc36buVUpWHKTe0DDXrDsAUv5jtmqVdMJ48MeGFV6EMOQ14k6AVgCgbourOnisf0XDbr-CQ9h9j0etknfUUBZZL3H8Ul3kNxy7L5Qmw4MnYvaEhVwc2zdlAz98ie1LMyvj0dEWJEJPQYrPzDu1FkCFpXhX8xCz9u6XjMFneDgH9t6NbDG7mt6x4y/s1076/IMG_4122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1076" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgc36buVUpWHKTe0DDXrDsAUv5jtmqVdMJ48MeGFV6EMOQ14k6AVgCgbourOnisf0XDbr-CQ9h9j0etknfUUBZZL3H8Ul3kNxy7L5Qmw4MnYvaEhVwc2zdlAz98ie1LMyvj0dEWJEJPQYrPzDu1FkCFpXhX8xCz9u6XjMFneDgH9t6NbDG7mt6x4y/s320/IMG_4122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up.</td></tr></tbody></table>What to do? I ended up calling Eugene Animal Control, and before I walked away, I stopped to talk to a woman working in her yard... to tell her about the cat, what I'd done, and to ask her to keep an eye on it. As we are talking, Animal Control called back. They were on their way and would be there in about 5 minutes. I thought I might as well stay. </p><p>The gal from animal control was very compassionate, I had no doubt that she'd work to get that cat out, but I just couldn't walk away until I knew it was safe -- so I called work to tell them I was taking my lunch break, and stayed to assist and watch. The animal control gal brainstormed ways to get it out of there (the sides of the canal are about 10' plus the 3' fence on top). And since she was pretty new on the job, she ultimately called her supervisor, who also came out. Together they brainstormed some more. </p><p>The first gal started figuring out if she could lower a cat carrier down, maybe the cat would climb in on it's own. The supervisor gal started working the phones, looking for a tall ladder. I stayed near the canal, talking with the cat (which seemed to calm it), and talking to passers-by. Frequently someone would stop and ask what was going on, I'd show them, then follow-up with "do you have a ladder?" Young. Old. Maybe-homeless. Women. Men. It didn't matter. Finally someone said, yeah, I got a ladder. Turns out he was working a block away. He went to get the ladder, and returned with an 8' ladder and an assistant. An 8' ladder! It was clearly too short!</p><p>The supervisor gal told him not to try, we didn't want to be fishing out his ladder too. And he said something to the effect of "I got this." And he, indeed, did. It worked like a charm. This is a man who has spent a lot of time with ladders.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvZeapu6WwDVygT1oLOarMXz1Jo1TwMAs8PGHmifOmAlQlnvRqYC14zHvSBUmInxOlG3C88arhrjUCd32SK__uqxDM70AdHSahuo1DdPSpZN7ahEK8FRHKc60EdfALZfk6_BHTNlb_OflTG8JAqhUN-JUo-E3GD62YxdhoaPlEMVMX41Mwxg9owsf/s640/IMG_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvZeapu6WwDVygT1oLOarMXz1Jo1TwMAs8PGHmifOmAlQlnvRqYC14zHvSBUmInxOlG3C88arhrjUCd32SK__uqxDM70AdHSahuo1DdPSpZN7ahEK8FRHKc60EdfALZfk6_BHTNlb_OflTG8JAqhUN-JUo-E3GD62YxdhoaPlEMVMX41Mwxg9owsf/w300-h400/IMG_4123.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>He scooched over the fence, then dropped the ladder down the side of the canal. It was a foot or so lower then the top of the wall. And he was down the ladder in no time.<p></p><p>The 1st gal lowered down the cat carrier, while the supervisor gal is telling him "scruff the cat hard!" LOL! Instead he picked it up, held it to his chest and pet it, before putting it in the carrier. Then he and the cat came back up the ladder. The cat carrier went over the fence, he stepped off the ladder with one foot, and as he brought the other foot up, he tucked his toes under the top "step" and brought that up too. A true ladder pro! </p><p>It was great to see the cat rescued, and, frankly, pretty cool to see how this guy worked the ladder.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-64706692720386596652023-03-20T18:11:00.001-07:002023-03-20T18:19:18.935-07:00A Transition / Book Review: "She's Not There"<h3 style="text-align: left;">A Transition</h3><p>In the mid-1990s, I had my first experience with a transgender person (that I know of). A friend of ours came out that they were in the process of transitioning. I hope I was supportive, that's what I wanted to be, that's what I tried to be. But in reality, I was totally out of my element and internally my mind was just sort of saying <i>what? ummm, What?!? </i> I don't remember specifics about what I said, <i>or,</i> what I didn't say. Then our friend left town and we lost contact. This was way before social media and, really, before email was common. Losing contact was pretty normal when people left town.</p><p>Fast forward to 2022. Last fall I became the sounding board for a coworker of mine who learned a family member was transitioning. My coworker's intent was to continue being the loving and supportive uncle they always were, which meant that at this point in time, they needed to step up, be there for their loved one, and advocate for them within their family. Support people need support, and I was there to listen to their experiences, provide ideas when appropriate, and gently correct them as they became familiar with using new pronouns and a new name.</p><p>I've learned a lot in the last 30 years. To my knowledge, I still don't have a friend or acquaintance who is transgender, but I've learned the basics, and I've talked with friends and heard about their experiences. And, I know the harm that unsupportive and unaccepting friends/family can cause.</p><p>When I want to learn more about people's experiences that are different from my own, I turn to books, and late last fall I resolved to read books by trans authors with trans characters. So, imagine my delight in mid-February when I opened up our own little free library to find the book <i>She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders</i> by Jennifer Finney Boylan. I had never heard of it before, and as I flipped through the book I discovered it was a memoir. Perfect!</p><p><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Book Review: <i>She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders</i></h3><p>by Jennifer Finney Boylan.</p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(</span>5 of 5 stars)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaHGP0IrH-acaavdcL2PPR-nuk0xgryqsBRnKcFIFLZEoe5vPE54HXmxEebmzPQ7aReMUkwfmNfWixnwuFwnh8SYZVKKM0vCWAzQ2ba-PXxyykN93cC5cGdtr5Lgx7ps1ea9MWq65SXm6noRP9txjs2rz88mFda3FdhfR2Gul5ZYosmvHGCNC2Wyr/s2016/IMG_3912.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaHGP0IrH-acaavdcL2PPR-nuk0xgryqsBRnKcFIFLZEoe5vPE54HXmxEebmzPQ7aReMUkwfmNfWixnwuFwnh8SYZVKKM0vCWAzQ2ba-PXxyykN93cC5cGdtr5Lgx7ps1ea9MWq65SXm6noRP9txjs2rz88mFda3FdhfR2Gul5ZYosmvHGCNC2Wyr/w300-h400/IMG_3912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />After many years of trying to live life as a man, Jennifer Boylan came out to her friends and family, and began transitioning in 2001. Her memoir was published in 2003, and I think, she was really on the forefront of being public about her experience. In her 40s at the time and already a published and known author, she created a very readable book. I so appreciated learning about her experiences, her thoughts, her life. Not only about being transgender, but also as she began experiencing the world which saw her as a woman. "A Life in Two Genders" is the perfect subtitle.<p></p><p>To be honest, at first I hesitated to give this book 5 stars. After reflecting on it a few days, I realized that for me, it felt too one sided, too focused on her supportive family and friends. It wasn't until we get to the afterward by her Richard Russo that we really hear about the other side. The hurt and harm family, friends, and strangers can cause. But I also understand why Jennifer chose to highlight her supportive friends, family, and spouse.</p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-68284484401680055012023-03-12T11:51:00.001-07:002023-03-12T11:51:58.640-07:00Going Solar<p>Early last year, D and I began the process of adding solar panels to our house. It's long been a dream of ours, but it just didn't make sense when we were living in CG. By the time technology got to the point where I could see us adding it, we were already talking about moving "some day." It takes time to recoup the expense of adding solar, and we just weren't going to be there long enough to do that.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-75m7DzgOxXuQp2La_-vCsheKVoQi8ZHbXjFO_9D0780BQm1g_xeEzAtBvwMfQF0lHfMtJHnWDZk_71zyEBHYxagQjo5uw-fjfUTloFBsCKtTdaGXrttDsJMrEfjUCifS9CJ5zZ7dUXKyTOq1jkQCCUMrECVoVnbq1Fzzxq3ZmXuPi57O2kYpbFOA/s2016/IMG_3954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-75m7DzgOxXuQp2La_-vCsheKVoQi8ZHbXjFO_9D0780BQm1g_xeEzAtBvwMfQF0lHfMtJHnWDZk_71zyEBHYxagQjo5uw-fjfUTloFBsCKtTdaGXrttDsJMrEfjUCifS9CJ5zZ7dUXKyTOq1jkQCCUMrECVoVnbq1Fzzxq3ZmXuPi57O2kYpbFOA/w300-h400/IMG_3954.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new solar panels on a gray day. Even still, <br />last week (Feb 27 - March 5) they made 22% of the <br />electricity we consumed.</td></tr></tbody></table>However, our new house is in a prime location for solar. When we bought the house, we knew the roof would need replacing as soon as possible. Many people would have seen that as a negative, we saw it as a positive because it meant we could get the roof we wanted, and it meant that we could get solar at the same time. <i>And</i>, doing it as soon a possible after we moved in means we get as much benefit out of it as possible.</p><p>In March of 2022, we began talking with solar and roofing companies. For the roof, we priced both composite shingles and metal. Our preference was always metal. We loved our metal roof in CG. Initially they are more expensive but they last twice as long, they don't burn (and fire danger is always on our mind now), they don't grow moss, they're recyclable when their life as a roof is over (no going to the land fill), <i>and</i> they work great with solar panels.</p><p>I'll digress here for a funny story, or really, an indication of how backward the Utility Board is for our new house. When we started the solar process, I contacted the utility board to see if they had a solar company they liked to work with. Their email in return really tried to discourage us from adding solar; they talked about how low their rates were, then concluded by saying "I haven’t seen any bills where customers are producing even half of the energy they use."</p><p>A month later, I emailed them about water heaters. We wanted to replace our aging gas water heater with a new hybrid electric (aka, a heat pump water heater). They were running a promotion to encourage people to switch from regular electric to hybrid electric and I emailed to see if we could take advantage of that. We could not because we were switching from gas. Then the gal who emailed me (who was the same person as before) finished by saying "SUB’s interest in providing our programs is to reduce the electric load. By providing conversions from gas we would be increasing SUB’s Electric Load." So, the first email, she discouraged us from contributing to the grid and in the second email admonished us for wanting to use it. <i>What evs!</i> We did both. </p><p>Here's the thing ... different electric companies handle the power made from residential solar in different ways. Suffice to say that our backward old-school utility company is not interested in reimbursing us for the electricity that we make. If we make more energy than we use on any given day then we don't get a good rate on the extra that we pump into the grid. So for us, the goal is to break even in summer, not the winter. If we work to off-set a lot of energy in the winter, then we make too much in the summer, and we'd never recoup the expense of the added panels. </p><p>Working with our solar guy, we determined that 12 panels is our ideal. D and I bumped up to 14 panels in anticipation of getting a plug-in electric vehicle at some point in the near future.</p><p>Because of covid supply chain issues, even though we returned our signed proposal to the roofing company on May 3, the roof wasn't actually installed until the end of October. So, installation of the solar panels couldn't start until November, and the switch didn't get flipped until November 18. The dark days of winter are not a time to be making solar electricity—the sun is low and it's not up for very long. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7bBchodVXPae4-wnwJJFF4nrytzo31xpV--ZDdlNQO6I6MUMGFOQ-bGRe9-1IWgsyJ1x9B0T6JpP90q6hvJcgKDjSHSjncAgDapWv2hXBbHusxi4HtPkHd7_-S6__WEWoeUWmJ02gVtx_VOWo299F_b3sjf3cLN9Urmd9JDwUeDrW2txmzRt3ki_/s1728/IMG_3952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1102" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7bBchodVXPae4-wnwJJFF4nrytzo31xpV--ZDdlNQO6I6MUMGFOQ-bGRe9-1IWgsyJ1x9B0T6JpP90q6hvJcgKDjSHSjncAgDapWv2hXBbHusxi4HtPkHd7_-S6__WEWoeUWmJ02gVtx_VOWo299F_b3sjf3cLN9Urmd9JDwUeDrW2txmzRt3ki_/w255-h400/IMG_3952.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar production for yesterday (Mar 11, 23), our first day of breaking even.<br />We made 24.6 kWh and consumed 20.7 kWh during the day.</td></tr></tbody></table>I now have an app that shows our electric use in 15 minute increments (see the image). Throughout the winter, I could see us making solar, but nothing to get really excited about. Yesterday, March 11, is the first day that we made more energy than we used! In the screen capture showing our energy production and use, I can see </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>how much we made (the blue bars in the image), </li><li>how much we pumped into the grid (in the image, I see that we exported 17.9 KWh into the grid), </li><li>how much we consumed (orange bars in the grid), and </li><li>overall, how much we pulled from/or gave to the grid (yesterday, we exported a net of 3.9 kWh). </li></ul><p></p><p>As spring is approaching, it been exciting to see things change. The sun is in the sky longer, and it is up higher. And, on the flip side, we aren't using as much electricity to heat and light the house. I'm excited to see how it changes as the days get even longer and it is less cold out there.</p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-13444051697951271242023-03-05T08:44:00.003-08:002023-03-05T08:59:29.603-08:00Bird Chart & Bird App<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NbA64Wq0puVyy6gXBNdcUdG91tmvhH5PVKCvJ7JuKRQ8rjxwDYfoQhk3hRtxz_lu60Nb-MOxhc5PeEqUnFOWLt4nRt8l-834GBajrLRdKzoHyAN7PuchaZ7Tp-IkKnCBHAq_r5wrq8Qjh8y8PC69z0b1PsB8nbNsa3BAu9KPCAfXJhNqJuE0JmrR/s1200/yellow%20bird.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NbA64Wq0puVyy6gXBNdcUdG91tmvhH5PVKCvJ7JuKRQ8rjxwDYfoQhk3hRtxz_lu60Nb-MOxhc5PeEqUnFOWLt4nRt8l-834GBajrLRdKzoHyAN7PuchaZ7Tp-IkKnCBHAq_r5wrq8Qjh8y8PC69z0b1PsB8nbNsa3BAu9KPCAfXJhNqJuE0JmrR/w400-h266/yellow%20bird.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Crowned Warbler, 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Some time last year, I was showing my bird chart to a friend, and she thought I should blog about it. It is something I had thought I'd blog about on the other (now retired) blog site, but it never made it on there. So I'll share it here.<p></p><p>When we moved to Cottage Grove many years ago, I started my first bird chart. My inspiration came from the book, <i>Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest</i> by Russell Link. The goal is a quick and easy way to track the birds in your yard, being able to compare months and years.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QPbXK8nS-DCvcEGO7NALpXqE8kcWQfToBHAAJqfbsGoxMR9fJtSQQHmF09X91PWmQtr-6CQ-T0dJcPYY4Rcu5IxJw8xr-HB4NcVgL0GI_Mi70ZsVsnPvm29Ad6Dgsg-iMdHfdnbjNWvKPjSt4O6Q-F69bUvkLMG0kWjxfio79z_5tV9ItZZAt0Vg/s909/Bird%20chart%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="758" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QPbXK8nS-DCvcEGO7NALpXqE8kcWQfToBHAAJqfbsGoxMR9fJtSQQHmF09X91PWmQtr-6CQ-T0dJcPYY4Rcu5IxJw8xr-HB4NcVgL0GI_Mi70ZsVsnPvm29Ad6Dgsg-iMdHfdnbjNWvKPjSt4O6Q-F69bUvkLMG0kWjxfio79z_5tV9ItZZAt0Vg/w534-h640/Bird%20chart%202.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p>The chart lists a bird in each row. The birds are added when you see them, so it is very site specific. The columns are broken into months. Each year has it's own letter, starting with "a". So for my new chart, "a" is 2021, "b" is 2022, etc. </p><p>I also make distinctions between lower case and upper case letters. For this chart, lower case (a) means I saw the bird <i>from </i>our yard. Upper case (A) means it was <i>physically in</i> our yard. I also added the asterisk to mean that it was IDd with the Merlin bird app. The geese we see flying over head, I've been IDing with the app and noting that (for example b*), ditto the great horned owl we heard last fall.</p><p>I write in new birds when I see them (<i>always a treat</i>), then each year to so, I actually update the chart in Word. </p><p>So, the first year we were here, we watched the Violet Green Swallows fly overhead (a), but last year they were nesting in our new nest boxes (B). And I can see that they showed up in March (b), but were in a nest box by April (B). The Yellow-rumped Warbler showed up this winter, in January, and has been a common sight the past couple of months.</p><p>In Cottage Grove, I worked on a chart for about 5 years, adding new birds when I saw them, and tracking which birds were in our yard and at our feeders. At the end of 5 years, pretty much every time I thought I saw a "new" bird, I'd check our chart, and it would already be on there. After 5 years, I could really see the patterns of when birds migrated through, which birds were around in the summer, or the winter, etc.</p><p>Once we moved to our new place, I started a new bird chart pretty much immediately. I wasn't expecting to see many birds and I have been pleasantly surprised. I'm also very happy with the number of birds that I have been adding. They know this little piece of land is going to be good for them—we don't put chemicals on our lawn, so the robins and northern flickers often stop by; We leave our leaves on our beds throughout the winter, so the juncos, gold crowned sparrows, and varied thrushes like to come in and kick leaves around; I don't cut back our fall blooming flowers, and the gold finches fly through <i>en masse</i> and have a feast.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjjupco4rVXwwm91pzb0dwVVWMd58OVucNlqh2Ak4KKNKK5nqJxyzV81ZY8Oh6gbtpu6PpZD5CAId38xx_UxJWaXvFT6dnpEe10lkn_Cl_-LgBEA70DEetJ835nOMdj0_BdT7qBpvg5fJLJzuiLeaiAo-Y-6j59i_XjlKlx-KRzGffJEOZQgUkOan/s1280/IMG_3907.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="591" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjjupco4rVXwwm91pzb0dwVVWMd58OVucNlqh2Ak4KKNKK5nqJxyzV81ZY8Oh6gbtpu6PpZD5CAId38xx_UxJWaXvFT6dnpEe10lkn_Cl_-LgBEA70DEetJ835nOMdj0_BdT7qBpvg5fJLJzuiLeaiAo-Y-6j59i_XjlKlx-KRzGffJEOZQgUkOan/w185-h400/IMG_3907.PNG" width="185" /></a></div>Something new that I've been enjoying the last couple of years is the Merlin bird app. This app listens for bird song and identifies the birds. It isn't 100% accurate (and was awful in Hawaii), but it helps me double check the birds I think I see, and clues me in to birds I should on the look for. <div><br /></div><div>For example, lately it has been catching the sound of a purple finch. I've brushed up on the differences between a house finch and a purple finch, and I've been on the lookout for them in our yard. That would be a new one, and I'm excited to add it to our list, when I finally see it with my own eyes.<p></p></div><div>I wish I had been using this app when we were in CG. I imagine there were tons of birds down there I wasn't really seeing. Mostly, I was just IDing birds that were coming to our feeders, so I know I was missing a lot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking at my bird chart, I just counted and there are 42 birds on that chart, 34 were physically on our property at some point! I'm super happy about that, and looking forward to tweaking this little space and enticing more birds here in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>[Edit to note that I see that I've blogged about my bird chart/tracking sheet before, I just haven't give the mechanics of how it works. See these posts from 2011 (<a href="https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/window-observations.html">https://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/window-observations.html</a>) and 2009 (<a href="http://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-yard-news.html">http://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-yard-news.html</a>).]</div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-32839113387367312682023-02-17T07:40:00.000-08:002023-02-17T07:40:48.167-08:00Book Review: The Light of Days<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV6B1ocvI-PTLyxkTLzPfLFsSyDYbDc4q167Mi9Ur0Q5KqC8mHT1K3D9HYrb0ZL9PWo_ZeoyAfboQplDBvkJb1Vl3js_jeAo3jjNfMROC7eOm4DYMo_6_hyjX8ScpqiZBxVScQVyalkn1ulVcbqGsyhUVWmFXk6nWEa7OoUjxyPcHZDf0ikrudwqI/s1512/IMG_3815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV6B1ocvI-PTLyxkTLzPfLFsSyDYbDc4q167Mi9Ur0Q5KqC8mHT1K3D9HYrb0ZL9PWo_ZeoyAfboQplDBvkJb1Vl3js_jeAo3jjNfMROC7eOm4DYMo_6_hyjX8ScpqiZBxVScQVyalkn1ulVcbqGsyhUVWmFXk6nWEa7OoUjxyPcHZDf0ikrudwqI/w400-h400/IMG_3815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h3><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Light of Days</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">by Judy Batalion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 of 5 stars)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I sat down in mid-January to find my next book, <i>The Light of Days</i> happened to be at the top of the stack. I didn’t think it would be the book I would choose, but after sampling the first 2 paragraphs I was hooked. I was in, and I didn’t look back.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As the subtitle of this book implies, <i>The Light of Days</i> is about “The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos.” Set in Poland, and starting in 1924, the book showcases the accomplishments of the brave young Jewish women who resisted the Nazis.</p><p class="MsoNormal">What I liked about <i>The Light of Days</i> is that it is so encompassing. We learn about the whole movement throughout the war. Women who smuggled documents (like visas so others could escape), women who smuggled guns and ammunition (one smuggled dynamite in her underwear then had to make up a plausible excuse as to why she couldn't sit down when a seat suddenly became available on the train), women who lead missions in the forest to take down bridges and railroads, women who fought in the Warsaw uprising. As the war changed and shifted, their roles changed and shifted.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The author, Judy Batalion, did an excellent job putting actions into context, and humanizing what was being done. We don’t just hear about how difficult it was to smuggle weapons, for example, we hear about the women who did it and how they did it. And we learn why young women were in a unique position to accomplish these feats. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN62cuW7yHp5mK4ETgldttPluDYggi-QI3wLzkrTnjZu2K956D9X_xdlPF97p6oj20Tlhxk6HwXiEfypMeaR8oZ1CD55evVC85CFZQ-Orc3ifV8q-wEXdusF65MtMMK0-SX9imxiMDmDNztvKS2ioVcpw6csczuudD6jeu_-hjzNYsLkVYLsi8gwdX/s1512/IMG_3820.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN62cuW7yHp5mK4ETgldttPluDYggi-QI3wLzkrTnjZu2K956D9X_xdlPF97p6oj20Tlhxk6HwXiEfypMeaR8oZ1CD55evVC85CFZQ-Orc3ifV8q-wEXdusF65MtMMK0-SX9imxiMDmDNztvKS2ioVcpw6csczuudD6jeu_-hjzNYsLkVYLsi8gwdX/w400-h400/IMG_3820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>While the book is structured around one resistance fighter in particular (Renia Kukielka), and 19 others have a strong enough presence to be listed in the “Cast of Characters,” many women are introduced. We might spend a chapter, a section, or sometimes just a paragraph reading about a woman, getting to know her and her comrades, and then not follow her again. Not only does this humanize the resistance, it is helping to bring these women out of obscurity. It allows us, and history, to acknowledge their actions. At the same time, it makes it hard to track the main players. Ultimately, I gave up trying to track, and just immersed myself in the story of the movement as a whole.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>The Light of Days </i>is not for the faint of heart. The descriptions are graphic and it is difficult to hear what the Jews went through. It is difficult to hear the brutality that others inflict. It is difficult to see how others turned a blind eye or approved of what was happening. It is a warning of what can happen when one group of people believes another group is beneath them and begins to dehumanize them.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Reading this book after seeing the rise of nationalism, the resurgence of white supremacy, and the zeal of the Right to destroy our democracy and place into power an autocrat, gave me a perspective I wouldn’t have had 6 years ago. I used to wonder how the Holocaust could happen, how good people could be led to believe that Hitler was their answer. Now I understand better. The author also felt this. She wrote in the Epilogue, “It was not easy to read horrific tales of toddlers being torn from their mothers’ arms while I was working at a coffee shop across the street from my younger daughter’s synagogue preschool, especially as the nursery began increasing its security measures due to armed white supremacist attacks on US synagogues.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">This is an amazing book, based on years of research, primarily memoirs and testimonials in at least 6 different languages. The work that went into this is immense. And the author does an excellent job making it very readable. For someone like me who loves delving into history, and especially the role of women in history (which is often/usually ignored or trivialized) it hit the spot.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-61229466577651631712023-01-21T14:34:00.000-08:002023-01-21T14:34:26.985-08:004 books on my plate<p>I used to wonder about people who had more than one book going at a time. Pre-2017, I would do one book only and stick with it until the end. I remember one summer, I decided I was going to read "<i>a lot!".</i> The first book up was <i>Eat, Pray, Love</i>. I never got into it; actually I never even got past the "eat" part. Consequently, I ended up not reading that summer, but I lugged that book around with high hopes.</p><p>At the end of 2016, I was finishing up my studies at LCC and feeling that my blogging days at MSL were drawing to a close (I actually spent a gob of time doing research for that blog). I decided to <a href="http://grovegarden.blogspot.com/2017/06/reading.html" target="_blank">rededicate myself to reading</a>. It took a few years for me to get into the groove; At first, just finishing 12 books a year was a big accomplishment.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DQ3H1fAo30_wSSockJ8-rlC2Xn4QE0mS4a-F9rN-WaODHO7KGpnsudCAjo4biJdce95e22knNQfY09bshji3a0d8PHmCns5q2rbPUQhgsnXaOAph0MSQiTXRar5mymPaGTZRKssFoRLHOqcZD45cSgQD8ultnhYuNtjE8Y2xZmq4Y61Xy0G0lCaY/s3648/Four%20books%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DQ3H1fAo30_wSSockJ8-rlC2Xn4QE0mS4a-F9rN-WaODHO7KGpnsudCAjo4biJdce95e22knNQfY09bshji3a0d8PHmCns5q2rbPUQhgsnXaOAph0MSQiTXRar5mymPaGTZRKssFoRLHOqcZD45cSgQD8ultnhYuNtjE8Y2xZmq4Y61Xy0G0lCaY/w400-h300/Four%20books%20small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four books currently I am currently reading/listening to.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now, here I am today with 4 books on my plate. Each book has its own place and time.</p><p>My main book is <i>The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos</i>. Set in Poland and starting in 1924, the book tells the "extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who resisted the Nazis." It is grim, the circumstances were difficult (to say the least), and people were cruel. Just surviving was an accomplishment. It is a good book, but one I have to read when I can concentrate, and I certainly don't want to read it close to bed time.</p><p>Thursday as I was on my lunch walk, I realized I wanted a lighter book for the times when <i>The Light of Days</i> just wasn't going to work. I scrolled through my mental list of the books on our shelves and I couldn't think of one that would do the trick. Since I was close to the used book store, I tucked in to see what I could find. It seemed like a good opportunity to explore a graphic novel. I had several on my GoodReads list and found one used. <i>Almost American Girl</i> is actually an illustrated memoir. Intended for teens, it is about a young girl moving to Huntsville Alabama from Seoul South Korea. I'm enjoying the experience. Its requires slowing down and savoring the images as well as the words to understand the story.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_w2mJD5pKATt53VaTMa2LwiS1wRUX53XzH6ZKXoxrTQ6He7mrP1Oj4XIZV94emxDIBr_FweUKe1FCTyRjy3b_ICzvE7sTNReg_EJFrVvaUdGOWL-GUYg9zAAB72rbxmeWYXTyTuq0QbMCAtgg33iz5JNxtJgsh6rKiyPZmgCVvfUmxv2aqE30S91/s1702/IMG_3728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1702" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_w2mJD5pKATt53VaTMa2LwiS1wRUX53XzH6ZKXoxrTQ6He7mrP1Oj4XIZV94emxDIBr_FweUKe1FCTyRjy3b_ICzvE7sTNReg_EJFrVvaUdGOWL-GUYg9zAAB72rbxmeWYXTyTuq0QbMCAtgg33iz5JNxtJgsh6rKiyPZmgCVvfUmxv2aqE30S91/s320/IMG_3728.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>Almost American Girl</i>. Robin/Chuna's first day of school in America.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Also, after a short break, I started a new audio book. Usually I do nonfiction for my walks, but given the intensity of <i>The Light of Days</i>, I turned to the only fiction book in my audio queue. <i>The Stationery Shop</i>, is a historical romance that goes back and forth in time between 1953 Tehran and 2013 America.</p><p>And finally, there's the book I read at night, in bed. These have to be books that are enjoyable to read out loud, don't take much concentration, and don't require me to track a lot between readings. Often they are anthologies, or YA/teen books, or travel books if we have travel ideas. Right now, it is <i>Argentina</i>, because that is on our travel radar.</p><p>Four books being actively read, and it would not be unusual for me to read a bit of each in one day. And, reading one doesn't take anything away from the others. They each have their own purpose. I used to wonder how people could have more than one book going at a time, now I don't know how people have just one.</p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-16682795852643703462023-01-17T17:58:00.002-08:002023-10-01T08:14:52.248-07:00McKenzie River Trail: Southern Trailhead<p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTSM4qWy7VPJeZgSmxjCO26eJ1I8ykOsMkX4WZ14qoCs11Tn4LgTfa5CJL_mQjCTUih3ienXjIjVGUHl-FsdBd30NCYYuViospCU7X_Ji3tzhJEnxnG6o7CizZUhDdAexyFP46nqNRQZM5rxptHapRHQhBy3If8xKUjQ0gR1a2InkyDXXSWrWpp-F/s1544/IMG_3693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTSM4qWy7VPJeZgSmxjCO26eJ1I8ykOsMkX4WZ14qoCs11Tn4LgTfa5CJL_mQjCTUih3ienXjIjVGUHl-FsdBd30NCYYuViospCU7X_Ji3tzhJEnxnG6o7CizZUhDdAexyFP46nqNRQZM5rxptHapRHQhBy3If8xKUjQ0gR1a2InkyDXXSWrWpp-F/s320/IMG_3693.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the southern trailhead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />New for 2023 is exploring the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4479" target="_blank">McKenzie River Trail</a>! It's a trail neither one of us has spent any time on, and that is about to change.</p><p>In a nutshell, the McKenzie River Trail is a 25.9 mile trail that starts up near Fish Lake, skirts around Clear Lake, travels through an old lava flow (at this point the McKenzie River flows underground), then follows the river for about 21 miles. </p><p>When we lived in Cottage Grove, it was just too far away and much too popular for us to bother with. We are now closer, and I suspect if we explore early in the season and not on the weekends, it won't be <i>too</i> busy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfs3dYI-mdfxA2c3xEGZ57dVnyF1BYGtPtnImNa7MMLEKnDhAPQF6-nqq-9Xfp5dyuuHtQ7nVVoHwLKD1j_pBFmiSS0sjGuahnWrVWYhEe1VUEbiGRZOOcQAbCC9Ip3H3sPgmclWsKIcsE9LVFjXJaTqOY8dpQNEgKcI2iOTeaIYD4y0rnXn4WneSK/s2016/IMG_3698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfs3dYI-mdfxA2c3xEGZ57dVnyF1BYGtPtnImNa7MMLEKnDhAPQF6-nqq-9Xfp5dyuuHtQ7nVVoHwLKD1j_pBFmiSS0sjGuahnWrVWYhEe1VUEbiGRZOOcQAbCC9Ip3H3sPgmclWsKIcsE9LVFjXJaTqOY8dpQNEgKcI2iOTeaIYD4y0rnXn4WneSK/w400-h300/IMG_3698.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trial.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Monday (MLK Day) was our initial trek. We stopped at BiMart on our way out of town to get a National Forest Parking pass, then headed up Hwy 126 to the southern most trailhead (just past the "town" of McKenzie Bridge), roughly 49 miles from home. </p><p>We hiked the first 2.6 miles to Paradise Campground (then, of course, the 2.6 miles back to the car). The trail was lovely... lots of ferns, lots of moss, lots of huge trees with interesting bird activity and lichen. We had sun, and rain, and hail, and even a faint rainbow. And we had the glorious McKenzie River which never fails to impress. In all, we saw very few people (though mid-January is not really known as hiking season.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbulLmUHcI1Zn7xYzGRY1mq_7KVEtvNUO_TG6df804CIHYmk3h_D8sw0EfDmN4G3YnAMmLiTHrwgoIAhTHMxw734gyEFMNThhI7ma5U-RiVEtw-CINeJ8gI8yUqNmR2PTk9BC_M97bS1C2bt3FGDVQJyUF_jdf6-s797mcxARIkdJgpQd9iOhoP-H/s2016/IMG_3699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbulLmUHcI1Zn7xYzGRY1mq_7KVEtvNUO_TG6df804CIHYmk3h_D8sw0EfDmN4G3YnAMmLiTHrwgoIAhTHMxw734gyEFMNThhI7ma5U-RiVEtw-CINeJ8gI8yUqNmR2PTk9BC_M97bS1C2bt3FGDVQJyUF_jdf6-s797mcxARIkdJgpQd9iOhoP-H/s320/IMG_3699.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of birds appear to be working on the trees around here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ck5XiwJ4HbUKGfAkRR5XuH_kXiE6zpDDaJSGTrAlMn424_n-wI6AeCkas21Zg9xzO5JRB6jj5aKW6aPU9msu6ObUhnwQOvchoKiKqO92KMd1vnVlbPL8kMRmDr-kk99slAbmltHziZV0gBVbgwDnqH44HJVV3CHtiqK-jZbMJSdfu2w_xVX40CHk/s2016/IMG_3709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ck5XiwJ4HbUKGfAkRR5XuH_kXiE6zpDDaJSGTrAlMn424_n-wI6AeCkas21Zg9xzO5JRB6jj5aKW6aPU9msu6ObUhnwQOvchoKiKqO92KMd1vnVlbPL8kMRmDr-kk99slAbmltHziZV0gBVbgwDnqH44HJVV3CHtiqK-jZbMJSdfu2w_xVX40CHk/s320/IMG_3709.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss and lichen everywhere!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'm looking forward to exploring this whole trial, in little bits and pieces. As I look at the trailheads that are available, it looks like about 10 different hiking trips to get the whole trail in.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_iUs9MA-Lm3B_5bznR06icjHrEar3smX8ErbPq9CggRH4oE5GW4NlJCKo-CKKNL6qiCXQAW8eTOzitzxqMDKFx-iG-G0auGEqwjEYq8R82sSFK09E-NmXzZ2WBMXf5d2dRag3UUz7tGSeGiylnUriAQNpxWNm91ADPdb46OiLPz0Mx0q8mTumdx1/s2016/IMG_3704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_iUs9MA-Lm3B_5bznR06icjHrEar3smX8ErbPq9CggRH4oE5GW4NlJCKo-CKKNL6qiCXQAW8eTOzitzxqMDKFx-iG-G0auGEqwjEYq8R82sSFK09E-NmXzZ2WBMXf5d2dRag3UUz7tGSeGiylnUriAQNpxWNm91ADPdb46OiLPz0Mx0q8mTumdx1/w300-h400/IMG_3704.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun and trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Logistics:</div><div>The Southern Trailhead is about 1.5 miles past the "town" of McKenzie Bridge. There is parking on the north side of the road. When we were there, there were NO facilities (no port-a-pot, no garbage cans). The McKenzie Ranger Station is 1.1 miles up the trail (closed on Monday because it was a national holiday), and the Paradise Campground is 2.6 miles up. The campground was closed, but there is also a boat launch, picnic area, and parking for accessing the trail. (We start here next time.)</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxNCcgUpHQ61olr3DvYM9-3paWDhkB4R3lZjJZjRrtPkJ9Qa46chzAiiXhAtwd9sMHhoJXf9qNkt6u2FnwGDgt85A485BTRJhngoiN5-UzPtshk4qCzo72Mp3_abjSzgUDNwYyb-j4R8Z0CZMdkRAw5A_WmVYx2yvaD2JiBn-S5xWIyR-niZaPwHW/s2016/IMG_3711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxNCcgUpHQ61olr3DvYM9-3paWDhkB4R3lZjJZjRrtPkJ9Qa46chzAiiXhAtwd9sMHhoJXf9qNkt6u2FnwGDgt85A485BTRJhngoiN5-UzPtshk4qCzo72Mp3_abjSzgUDNwYyb-j4R8Z0CZMdkRAw5A_WmVYx2yvaD2JiBn-S5xWIyR-niZaPwHW/w300-h400/IMG_3711.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a rainbow in there. Do you see it?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Id1fo-LC6TEfutSRtjouoSpaLsiSOqacpDaS3Oh6iXDOodeo3ISHAbVlPEr-K24WZxXJnHk1bUa4fXbo9FIX0q6J0KJMbejeoDj4neB4APjWbUabZsE9ki9K_FEXyVQsumUNUwcrNLFheB77NPmy6WgFJyDn-orLnJ-lmfihjWvoSSsibQ6v2TKr/s2016/IMG_3708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Id1fo-LC6TEfutSRtjouoSpaLsiSOqacpDaS3Oh6iXDOodeo3ISHAbVlPEr-K24WZxXJnHk1bUa4fXbo9FIX0q6J0KJMbejeoDj4neB4APjWbUabZsE9ki9K_FEXyVQsumUNUwcrNLFheB77NPmy6WgFJyDn-orLnJ-lmfihjWvoSSsibQ6v2TKr/w400-h300/IMG_3708.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKenzie River from Paradise Campground boat launch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-32763268775791569572022-12-31T18:59:00.004-08:002023-01-15T15:09:32.130-08:002022 Reading Roll Call<p></p>2022 was a great year for reading! I can't believe that I devoured so many books this year—28 books in all. Downsizing our responsibilities, turning off the tv, putting down the "phone," and tuning in to more audio books all adds up. It also helps that I didn't tackle any massive tomes this year.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_WM0pRAVjmp4BC6eRYkkR0rxZOr1zmJM2CYsHWPyxpaeG8nkXvlwypnPBFQmmas8bdvDxYLlHslBELFK3RckRQoaFnY6s6JUEoZ0QFt7KCFU9xXFVW5yNoHBEsyZzQ0NZIZJDv3vGQiasCVBZJrWspX66dq13UeR0zczhwLNtTKavVoz7cuxIS-7/s2016/Beach%20Read.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_WM0pRAVjmp4BC6eRYkkR0rxZOr1zmJM2CYsHWPyxpaeG8nkXvlwypnPBFQmmas8bdvDxYLlHslBELFK3RckRQoaFnY6s6JUEoZ0QFt7KCFU9xXFVW5yNoHBEsyZzQ0NZIZJDv3vGQiasCVBZJrWspX66dq13UeR0zczhwLNtTKavVoz7cuxIS-7/w400-h300/Beach%20Read.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the year with a beach read: <i>Iced In Paradise</i> read on the island of Kaui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>This year was really about reading the unexpected. My TBR pile hasn't been touched as much as I thought it would because of books given to me by friends ("you need to read this" books), and the books coming to the Little Free Library (either from other people in the neighborhood, or friends/family who drop them off for the library). I like it!<br /><p></p><p>My official total includes books for adults and young adults. What doesn't count are middle grade and younger books. I got into those this year too. The past couple years, I've been increasingly interested in exploring books for young readers and with our new Little Free Library the opportunity opened up.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudaMl9XNAAL578Dy64CFNgneGANA_kzaRN5Y955fvbidayyvrtmbikYbNFfsCFJyScJreWUwrBOjV9Rsss6nx__IfPxX1-v4OF7FTkqd2vmsqm0Ztrxp6Ik5gTmVU0ytZQnpiKvKUk5-4zHYr4Aj3dWUltPqFwmxY2-ScRkiIVZgOqTnMJm9InYg/s2016/Front%20Yard%20-%20Paradise%20Lot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudaMl9XNAAL578Dy64CFNgneGANA_kzaRN5Y955fvbidayyvrtmbikYbNFfsCFJyScJreWUwrBOjV9Rsss6nx__IfPxX1-v4OF7FTkqd2vmsqm0Ztrxp6Ik5gTmVU0ytZQnpiKvKUk5-4zHYr4Aj3dWUltPqFwmxY2-ScRkiIVZgOqTnMJm9InYg/w300-h400/Front%20Yard%20-%20Paradise%20Lot.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early spring read on the front porch. Reading about edible gardens in <i>Paradise Lot</i> while looking at the soon-to-be-removed water "feature".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>In all, 11 of the 28 books I gave 5 stars. My lowest rating (2) went to 2 books. (I never give "1" because if they are that bad, I give up on them.) Here's what stands out to me about 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reading year started on a high note with <b><i>Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants</i></b> by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This was an absolutely beautiful read. I got my copy from the City of Springfield Public Library (even though, technically, we are not within the city limits, and so aren't members). I took part in a virtual book discussion and then virtually attended an author talk done by the UO. (This was all early 2022, things were still, mostly virtual at that time which was great because I could attend during my work lunch hours. If the events had been live, the travel time would have made doing these unfeasible.)<p>In early August I listened to <b style="font-style: italic;">The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature</b> by J Drew Lanham. I knew nothing about Dr. Lanham but was drawn to the book by its description. About 2/3 of the way through, I realized the similarities between it and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Braiding Sweetgrass</i>. Both use poetic essays that nicely blend life, family, culture, nature, and science. Further investigation revealed that they were both published by Milkweed Press, which also published <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Seed Keeper</i> (one of my favorite books from last year). I'll be watching this publishing house closely in the future.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5k1YilAU6TDcVxG84kiy0FEflTFUYk3CvpQ-NH7a-bYrCjZxkUT2AF6XGDRLpRO726nnVqTT-G9fsFYeQlxMYS5tXj4n5W3ZBtoT50IAuVFTUxZV2ccj1zdCmvEJMgMJ_iwe9tX3hpBcvGxPz1EKbmjhQ5BNvSlEjM-W3gs0aND6KYUGzBc-WYNj/s2016/River%20Read.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5k1YilAU6TDcVxG84kiy0FEflTFUYk3CvpQ-NH7a-bYrCjZxkUT2AF6XGDRLpRO726nnVqTT-G9fsFYeQlxMYS5tXj4n5W3ZBtoT50IAuVFTUxZV2ccj1zdCmvEJMgMJ_iwe9tX3hpBcvGxPz1EKbmjhQ5BNvSlEjM-W3gs0aND6KYUGzBc-WYNj/w300-h400/River%20Read.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet reading spot while the car is being worked on. A walk, sunshine, and a good book all rolled into one.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another book of note is <i><b>Peace Like a River. </b></i>You know those times when you start a book, and the tone, pacing and voice all click for you? Your brain sort of does this little <i>oh yeah.</i> This was one of those books for me. I knew nothing about it when I cracked the cover; it was given to me by a friend who highly recommended it. Sometimes going into a book (like going into a movie) with absolutely no expectations is the best.</p><p>Another highlight this year was <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Hate U Give</i>. This book has been sitting on my TBR shelf for a long time. After the heaviness of <i>The Nickle Boys</i> from last year, I put off reading this. I shouldn't have. It is an amazing read, and while it delves into a hard topic (losing a best friend to police violence, and finding your own voice). It was amazing. People who advocate for banning it clearly have not read it, or are so enbittered that they can't see the whole story. It is definitely not "anti-police" but "anti police violence." (Personally, I think pro-police folks would want to get rid of the people giving their profession a bad name. But that's a rant for a different blog post.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLBHJg4b2nVkdaU5bFZR9bp6YA9Cx38uta43nvyjkh1UsZ-2BGxP_G8iqh7wZ1UX89t9ycZG2cZaVoARq2Kn8LS9o8lwczUN74ROQHIhfJ9nKHcPvRxg5oQHDNytwFGmZJb2wS2mZcMo4yeQ_3AE9moc-dtU1V9SS2iD2PhbMhMb3aF5F2lVTTURu/s2016/Station%2011%20Kayak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLBHJg4b2nVkdaU5bFZR9bp6YA9Cx38uta43nvyjkh1UsZ-2BGxP_G8iqh7wZ1UX89t9ycZG2cZaVoARq2Kn8LS9o8lwczUN74ROQHIhfJ9nKHcPvRxg5oQHDNytwFGmZJb2wS2mZcMo4yeQ_3AE9moc-dtU1V9SS2iD2PhbMhMb3aF5F2lVTTURu/w400-h300/Station%2011%20Kayak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't everyone read in their kayak???</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last fall I started a year-long membership with Audible. I got a sweet deal -- a one year membership comes with 12 book credits and when I did the math it was totally worth it. After subscribing, I got another free book credit (<i>score!</i>) then discovered that they have also have free books. That one year membership will keep me in audio books for a number of years. ... Anyhow, books I listen to are totally different than those that I read. I bought <b><i>Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II</i></b>, because it got great reviews including for the narration. I was not disappointed. In a nutshell, it is about the 442th Army Division during WWII. It was a division made up entirely of young men of Japanese dissent. They were rugged heroes and the regiment is the most decorated in U.S. military history for their size. They faced a lot of discrimination at home and fought while their parents and families were being held behind barbed wire in interment camps. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uJrh7U0hJXTcb_GQ5f7E0SU1PuPtFNJpLKg0uz1VG8X_knp0lIfihgI6IgTF23TzU-8hVJhl6vybTRPCejuGVWmTsPUiNEslzkmSuPbnODu2QVseK2g9Z464M_-dqyDnd-6m8Z0XXcdp5YDjN4lLj55IBD7IKNIQs52vmLTfjVzgbBORjxz_PfbM/s2016/back%20yard%20read.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uJrh7U0hJXTcb_GQ5f7E0SU1PuPtFNJpLKg0uz1VG8X_knp0lIfihgI6IgTF23TzU-8hVJhl6vybTRPCejuGVWmTsPUiNEslzkmSuPbnODu2QVseK2g9Z464M_-dqyDnd-6m8Z0XXcdp5YDjN4lLj55IBD7IKNIQs52vmLTfjVzgbBORjxz_PfbM/w400-h300/back%20yard%20read.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammock reads are the best! I've already complained to D. about this, but we did not do enough hammock reading this year.</td></tr></tbody></table>One thing I realized this year, is that I haven't been reading very many books with LGBTQ+ characters. Sometimes the characters are there, but I haven't been seeking them out, and I should. Representation truly does matter; even "mature" readers need/like validation sometime. Also with all the recent attempts to ban books with LGBTQ+ characters, I need to counteract that. (A bonus is putting them in our LFL to spread out into our neighborhood 🙂). <i style="font-weight: bold;">Last Night at the Telegraph Club</i> (set in 1950s Chinatown San Francisco), and <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Boy From the Mish</i> (set in an aboriginal community in Australia) were both YA coming of age stories that I'm glad I read this year. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Telegraph Club</i> started so slow it was almost grueling, but I'm glad I kept reading, the 2nd half redeemed the book. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-TfnJrdHX7DEjjwniEtstqXg6svyw1PxRb7EuD_1o2zSfv59RE3S_E8BfSqqeRgxvVHHTF7-Xfj_6BVP0T3hljf8I_OXVRCUWhtvb8i0_QtE4IOzXHY3hZrYer3OgMUO46eaxTPIggoFASfo3i-vgNL3LPH3BLoLrBS0sCdPW8yFtKC-JXmRxVlS/s809/Year%20in%20books.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="457" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-TfnJrdHX7DEjjwniEtstqXg6svyw1PxRb7EuD_1o2zSfv59RE3S_E8BfSqqeRgxvVHHTF7-Xfj_6BVP0T3hljf8I_OXVRCUWhtvb8i0_QtE4IOzXHY3hZrYer3OgMUO46eaxTPIggoFASfo3i-vgNL3LPH3BLoLrBS0sCdPW8yFtKC-JXmRxVlS/w226-h400/Year%20in%20books.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the books completed in 2022</td></tr></tbody></table>This year I also realized that I wanted to read more "classics," and at some point, I realized that my year-long subscription to Audible got me access to many free books. So I dived into both <b><i>2001: A Space Odyssey</i></b> and <b><i>Swiss Family Robinson.</i></b> (The later was almost unreadable. I sped up the audio and listened while driving —two things I rarely do—just so I could make it through the book.) I'll try more classics, but so far, I'm not impressed.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/_b1mx3SI7vI" width="480"></iframe>
<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Here's another way to look at my reading year</h4><div style="text-align: left;">Non-fiction = 10<br /><div>Fiction = 18<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Saj__aN9kmq-zZCp-tJJjSUTCrZL9VtnjkFV066alHc9Vg3UIsplbsyDJ1muru2AyitvNELp3-wtppUJCUNwzA4wBpkhXjjA0s14WBe_QLkAxrejMhlPNlrsIkvKJJiXcCGnj_JdQxjjVFJzH7blYFgmqQf3jXc2G72hl87UdYqmAyNPa-vbLMF/s1440/EA2C828A-D7C2-4471-9A38-C72F413F38C9.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1440" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Saj__aN9kmq-zZCp-tJJjSUTCrZL9VtnjkFV066alHc9Vg3UIsplbsyDJ1muru2AyitvNELp3-wtppUJCUNwzA4wBpkhXjjA0s14WBe_QLkAxrejMhlPNlrsIkvKJJiXcCGnj_JdQxjjVFJzH7blYFgmqQf3jXc2G72hl87UdYqmAyNPa-vbLMF/s320/EA2C828A-D7C2-4471-9A38-C72F413F38C9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlights of 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Books written/edited by women = 15</div><div> written/edited by men = 13</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Books written/edited by people of color: 14<br /> written/edited by white folks: 13</div><div><br /></div><div>Books set partially or totally outside the US: 9</div><div> set entirely within the US: 16 (but 2 in Hawaii, 1 in China town SF)<br /> set in space/the future: 2 <br /><br /></div><div>Books picked up at a Little Free Library (ours or elsewhere): 9</div><div> bought new: 6 (often as gifts for each other)<br /> bought used: 2<br /> hanging out on my shelves for a long time: 0<br /> from friends, gifts, free: 4<br /> audio: 7</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Now, what am I going to read next?</b></i></div></div></div></div>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-13249034362827712582022-12-31T08:02:00.000-08:002022-12-31T08:02:16.753-08:00Uncanny: 2022<p>Since the move, it's interesting what has come with us, what we've shed, and what has taken off. I'm not talking about personal belongings but what we do with our days, what we enjoy (or not), and what has stayed, gone, or grown in our routines/lives. Canning is a good example. At the old homestead, canning was a big part of my life, especially in the late summer. Many a weekend was spent standing in the kitchen putting food up. I've scrolled through my old canning posts and I think part of that is because we no longer have the big garden. Even though I never planted for canning, overage always got put up somehow. Part of it is also our new focus in life -- walking/hiking, kayaking, biking and being out are taking precedence over canning, crafting, and gardening. </p><p>But, canning is still happening. I still enjoy doing it, and I still get great satisfaction when I pull out a can or sit down to a meal that includes food we've put up. And, while my notes are minimal, when I get it all listed out like this, I see that I did more than I thought I did. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUTzMK3Xm2jeWO8A53IOlxIV2gbwZSnFJyTBo87_ryMAOxofRfmvMG3JYHEg1NyoD5CkVvpMQVg049kcznRiPrWgcadFSwHilMJUHHK8oJbTDfOYoBEDg6KEguZ5MV7E0imYmEPA3-jZ9ccadmfqPqtBImXQZnrqUpnGruCbM-OuhG-Az1MUp3S8N/s1280/23B623E3-E693-44AE-A65D-E075B6047F07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUTzMK3Xm2jeWO8A53IOlxIV2gbwZSnFJyTBo87_ryMAOxofRfmvMG3JYHEg1NyoD5CkVvpMQVg049kcznRiPrWgcadFSwHilMJUHHK8oJbTDfOYoBEDg6KEguZ5MV7E0imYmEPA3-jZ9ccadmfqPqtBImXQZnrqUpnGruCbM-OuhG-Az1MUp3S8N/w320-h400/23B623E3-E693-44AE-A65D-E075B6047F07.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pickled peppers were awesome! They went in the fridge and weren't canned (so not included in this post). <br />But I need a picture and wasn't good at taking them this year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>A couple highlights this year....</b></h4><p></p><p>Late last summer I picked up a mini-canning rack. Instead of the usual 7-8 pints, it will hold about 4 and goes in a smaller pot (ie., less water, less fuss). In years past, my canning has always been whole day affairs with many projects in the day to make maximum use of set up and hot water. With the mini-canner, which easily works on the stove (no need to set up the canner in the back yard), that has changed. A small batch of pickles or jelly still takes time, but it doesn't need to take <i>all</i> day.</p><p>Last Christmas, our young niece-ini (the daughter of our nephew) asked if I would show her how to make dill pickles. I was delighted, then immediately nervous. Making dill pickles means canning, and sharp knives, and very hot water/jars. I also don't have a lot of experience with kiddos and how to engage them. I hit up my teacher friends to get pointers and gave it a lot of thought (aka worry). I also have a Facebook friend who often posts photos of cooking with her <i>very </i>young son, and over the months saw how she set him up to help out, working within his abilities. (I know, not novel concepts, but role modeling I needed to see.)</p><p>When the day came, I had bought everything we needed (including a bunch of dill flowers since my garden is lacking). And had the brilliant idea to use the mini-canner, so we would only do 4 jars. Our young niece-ini showed up with her even younger brother (<i>gads!</i>), but I did well, showing them how to do it and keeping my constant urges to do things myself at bay. They did an awesome job and did the best pickle packing I have ever seen! And, I enjoyed doing it with them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqmUbQxOOeBLH37IIGFoLF1UlbqS0hff3vMuhEm0Sgpd5nU5EEYIpj5j4iYD5i3X_bpz3IZb1y2fnB02q2lrSxvTSbiIz1otANZxO02wQxbDMNhgTU_DM2Ah3O_hpy537ALtLVfGYYl4CU0gCxFf2CYrnlh8Kathqs8aBuclHEB_V5xZCtv284_E4/s1890/IMG_3030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1890" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqmUbQxOOeBLH37IIGFoLF1UlbqS0hff3vMuhEm0Sgpd5nU5EEYIpj5j4iYD5i3X_bpz3IZb1y2fnB02q2lrSxvTSbiIz1otANZxO02wQxbDMNhgTU_DM2Ah3O_hpy537ALtLVfGYYl4CU0gCxFf2CYrnlh8Kathqs8aBuclHEB_V5xZCtv284_E4/s320/IMG_3030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One small batch of plum jam.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="text-align: left;">Here's how our canning year shaped up:</h4><b>Staples</b><br />Tuna: 23 1/2-pints<br />Crushed Tomatoes: 7 quarts and 16 pints<br />Green beans: 34 pints</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Jams and Jellies</b><br />Blackberry/current/crab-apple jelly (cleaning out the freezer!) - 5 1/2 pints<br />Blackberry with a hint of lemon verbena jelly<br />Plum jam - two small batches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Other</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet-hot dills<br />Kosher dills<br />Hamburger dills</div><p style="text-align: left;">No salsa. No ketchup. No corn because we still had plenty from last year. No broth, but D has been pressuring me to do that again, to take the load out of our freezers. Experimenting was kept to a minimum (lemon verbena with the blackberry to help cut through the sweetness, since my current bushes aren't producing yet) and plum jelly from our foraging and friends.</p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-32365802546346090002022-12-05T08:00:00.001-08:002022-12-05T08:00:00.166-08:00Book Review: Facing the Mountain<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISjv85R6vwmAuidiAE5ZCUORkOBGlmUywHqUgEXu37kGwEVPlX4a45eEIKy5Pm7_7cyhxVMoBlYBovZnDheIY7BFtoNIqOpc5fBJpAjtAvjui80FULCOMEAJ-lVVA8LlVf7jHoqpTFSvQ4FNa8U9bcruodPGBtCCa8t4Tnf_WdQLJpa-qQE9Zgp_G/s591/Facing%20the%20Mountian-LR.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="591" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISjv85R6vwmAuidiAE5ZCUORkOBGlmUywHqUgEXu37kGwEVPlX4a45eEIKy5Pm7_7cyhxVMoBlYBovZnDheIY7BFtoNIqOpc5fBJpAjtAvjui80FULCOMEAJ-lVVA8LlVf7jHoqpTFSvQ4FNa8U9bcruodPGBtCCa8t4Tnf_WdQLJpa-qQE9Zgp_G/w400-h300/Facing%20the%20Mountian-LR.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet road and a good book.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i>Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American
Heroes in World War II</i></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">by Daniel James Brown; Louis Ozawa, Narrator</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5 of 5 stars)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Facing the Mountain</i> tells the story of four young men
throughout the course of WWII. Kats Miho, whose family operated a small hotel on
Maui; Rudy Tokiwa, whose family operated a farm in California and was relocated
to an internment camp; and Frank Shiosaki whose family owned a laundry in
Spokane Washington and lived outside the exclusion zone. These 3 young men
eventually became part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit comprised
entirely of Nisei men—2<sup>nd</sup> generation Japanese Americans—deployed to
France, Germany, and Italy. It is also the story of Gordon Hirabayashi, a
patriotic resister who stood up for the civil rights of Japanese Americans
throughout the war.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSzbNMMqrgIrYiYWIGm9CnBsM79ABCd6c0u774NoNtxdyToW1BBNj1At7PBzNmBLwWkcoS-H6CiPL8Kc-hjBbfAI_ZgVXRTcoRWmTcKx7ivccGGWPZ1revKgmLJ8eGCoxYYDwQrGfVPDV4Ut7kEGz567cvPQw6zeo9gnsIAVAaVVt_RKwAuw69bOi/s1280/IMG_3473.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSzbNMMqrgIrYiYWIGm9CnBsM79ABCd6c0u774NoNtxdyToW1BBNj1At7PBzNmBLwWkcoS-H6CiPL8Kc-hjBbfAI_ZgVXRTcoRWmTcKx7ivccGGWPZ1revKgmLJ8eGCoxYYDwQrGfVPDV4Ut7kEGz567cvPQw6zeo9gnsIAVAaVVt_RKwAuw69bOi/w320-h320/IMG_3473.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book cover. Frankly, I don't understand <br />this image selection. The internment camps were<br />not the focus of the story, and I think misrepresent what<br />this book is about.</td></tr></tbody></table>Beginning in Honolulu on December 7, 1941 <i>Facing the Mountain</i> weaves
together the stories of these men, as well as the stories of their families. It
explores the rampant racism against people of Japanese descent during the war
and how that impacted them. Ultimately it is about the 442nd Regimental Combat
Team, a segregated unit comprised entirely of young men of Japanese descent. Today,
the 442nd is the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the
history of the US military.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I listened to the Audible version of this book, narrated by
Louis Ozawa, and was engrossed from the start. I appreciated the engaging story, the depth of the research, and the contrast of experiences (between those men from Hawaii, those whose families were being involuntarily held in interment camps, and those whose families were outside the exclusion zone).</p><p class="MsoNormal">My only regret is that by
listening to the audio version, I missed out on the pictures in the print
version. Luckily there are photos of the 442<sup>nd</sup> online, but not many
of the men themselves. I also missed out on the copious notes at the end. As
someone who likes to dig deep into how a story is researched, this is
unfortunate, but part of the give-and-take of audio vs print books.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurLAPtr-VV_NmP7c6jWwq1DOsYfAjUttclh2ubFm92bNH4IJ9DD6g750-6Q_0JrnQES2C-F2tWaAwQLFt3wHX45dXB0ihdQ-G_YzavljL5ofYAWkO3nMRqaARxtRVAaoGN7gftv90VlSTbTyV8N7vl5oPbcauNDHK-G3NqDsdAcCksMVdTfhQm-rj/s2016/IMG_3471.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurLAPtr-VV_NmP7c6jWwq1DOsYfAjUttclh2ubFm92bNH4IJ9DD6g750-6Q_0JrnQES2C-F2tWaAwQLFt3wHX45dXB0ihdQ-G_YzavljL5ofYAWkO3nMRqaARxtRVAaoGN7gftv90VlSTbTyV8N7vl5oPbcauNDHK-G3NqDsdAcCksMVdTfhQm-rj/s320/IMG_3471.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tribute to the Nisei Soldiers at the <br />Eugene Japanese American Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table>In all, this was definitely a well-spent 17+ hours, and I
recommend it to anyone interested in well-researched American history. I’m
looking forward to listening to this book again.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><hr /><br />I've been posting intermittent book reviews to other social media accounts for a couple years—I like writing, and I like the challenge of writing something different (book reviews). I've also have been enjoying extending my love of reading and books into a new activity. It dawned on my today, that I should be posting them to my blog, too!<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338690566546804020.post-24792652362256413352022-11-19T08:50:00.006-08:002022-11-19T08:50:50.603-08:00Urban foraging (part 2)<p>When I look back at our summer and fall, I realize that D and I have been experimenting more with urban foraging than I thought we would ... or in some cases, maybe urban scavenging would be a better term....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNTZlI8wpbLVVZ96niZGxrI79JOgu5uH8Ex2nWIG7Ei4NuPkVL7Y4kGsfRICb-s1S6ESrnqLOFvt0xvwJHZLTD3KlUxt0whED0PZhQpcaruEU0W9NU9QsXGzJUxC8vsjQ9gLDhZ3grFaLD6CJFliS9pg_qVmQNwb3H3fhrlLv6iqqyCU9ooczetob/s1890/IMG_3030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1890" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNTZlI8wpbLVVZ96niZGxrI79JOgu5uH8Ex2nWIG7Ei4NuPkVL7Y4kGsfRICb-s1S6ESrnqLOFvt0xvwJHZLTD3KlUxt0whED0PZhQpcaruEU0W9NU9QsXGzJUxC8vsjQ9gLDhZ3grFaLD6CJFliS9pg_qVmQNwb3H3fhrlLv6iqqyCU9ooczetob/w400-h300/IMG_3030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small batch plum jam.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In late summer, as I was riding home on a nearby bike path, I discovered someone's backyard plum tree was hanging <i><b>way</b></i> over their back fence and into the public space. It was loaded with Italian plums and public picking seemed totally acceptable. D and I headed down there a few evenings later and picked a batch so I could make plum jam. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUDbsleJnUgSlFSam6Bk6s9yeoqzMwkm6E70JYW7CKicF7V9vMI26YogAmyeBVBAaMw9ifzHFG890iv9WQZF7tbWW8rcvyZI4MQWJmqe0Om8w0KOnLHNLtvDK9SlidDrENsvyvLy1UEQNyVuykmqytS-Bf_2hBfp9PiziEUuB7CE4JutaG_DdQosX/s1512/IMG_2785%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUDbsleJnUgSlFSam6Bk6s9yeoqzMwkm6E70JYW7CKicF7V9vMI26YogAmyeBVBAaMw9ifzHFG890iv9WQZF7tbWW8rcvyZI4MQWJmqe0Om8w0KOnLHNLtvDK9SlidDrENsvyvLy1UEQNyVuykmqytS-Bf_2hBfp9PiziEUuB7CE4JutaG_DdQosX/s320/IMG_2785%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First fig find on July 28. <br />We found trees that kept us supplied until the 1st frost, just a couple weeks ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This year we also found some productive streetside fig trees which were not being attended to by their owners. Regular jaunts past the trees led to numerous afternoon snacks. Hopefully we'll soon have our own fig tree(s) but I think we'll probably always keep an eye out for the free ones. We were eating fresh figs for 3 months because of our finds!</p><p>Is this "urban foraging"? I think it is stretching the definition, since the trees aren't "wild" but I'm counting it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DXAMEI0vRHy96fXaparrW3O6Zw6UNIg3k0cxXKK6_8Bs8al6SXMC3z2Zum5RuDZGgTeZYXybnkhlX5IBcXMH4NoO0IgSjXIfMpiQ4HSsKOvPgh62UFILmqP9G0KVD2Tb3gQAeAE7EwFxE713x7w58KcozsyleCT_Fq9wQoKvn6sj2ACvwzTvFdXQ/s2016/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DXAMEI0vRHy96fXaparrW3O6Zw6UNIg3k0cxXKK6_8Bs8al6SXMC3z2Zum5RuDZGgTeZYXybnkhlX5IBcXMH4NoO0IgSjXIfMpiQ4HSsKOvPgh62UFILmqP9G0KVD2Tb3gQAeAE7EwFxE713x7w58KcozsyleCT_Fq9wQoKvn6sj2ACvwzTvFdXQ/w400-h300/IMG_3144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking a channel along Hwy 126. Those trees on the left are fruit trees. <br />(Maybe this was an old orchard before the reservoir was put in?)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Then, sometime in September, we were kayaking in a channel of Fern Ridge Reservoir, just off of Hwy 126. From that angle, we could see that some of the trees lining the highway were actually fruit trees, and one was loaded with wild pears. I've seen tons of wild apple trees, but I've never noticed wild pears before. We spent a lot of time looking at and talking about the tree, but couldn't find any way to sample the fruit. We paddled on, passing it off as an anomaly.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3tOxAbZf_r0Ik7WH_SS2EijWsdUKioXNA9zgYJ-XIs9_NGqYNVry_5X4J8lzONGHd-AncR2smJrmo7WcRbkc3unchzjaJsgJhlPTlmh0o71euzFw5onMBlHqzYdrzSMGmPkTSM7t41gNmIAdXPYMftT11ohjykYg38TukJhgBFoqqYAmhGmIEs1G/s2016/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3tOxAbZf_r0Ik7WH_SS2EijWsdUKioXNA9zgYJ-XIs9_NGqYNVry_5X4J8lzONGHd-AncR2smJrmo7WcRbkc3unchzjaJsgJhlPTlmh0o71euzFw5onMBlHqzYdrzSMGmPkTSM7t41gNmIAdXPYMftT11ohjykYg38TukJhgBFoqqYAmhGmIEs1G/s320/IMG_3151.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild pear on Thurston Hills. Oct. 2.<br />(Gotta remember this tree next year!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EVpmk_bUwCa4JzybbQrBABJrJs52-JUtHRD8PiT76t-Yhaa855_AhZYP3XMXe3dndhn0hXtEGKpZqxeTF2J05qF-v_E065WmGooqa10EbHzNvaLz8ZZSjTQQVUgALyjgIBuHYWCDaPEmT_HTA3ybBz4wdux6d3gtE7keE9ffpvOQnuZg3Whr9KEv/s1440/AB226080-0485-43A1-B864-56FDBF012499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EVpmk_bUwCa4JzybbQrBABJrJs52-JUtHRD8PiT76t-Yhaa855_AhZYP3XMXe3dndhn0hXtEGKpZqxeTF2J05qF-v_E065WmGooqa10EbHzNvaLz8ZZSjTQQVUgALyjgIBuHYWCDaPEmT_HTA3ybBz4wdux6d3gtE7keE9ffpvOQnuZg3Whr9KEv/s320/AB226080-0485-43A1-B864-56FDBF012499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sliced and ready to eat.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Then just a couple weeks later, we found another wild pear while we were out walking. We could harvest from this one and the pears were mouth-wateringly delicious. They were, quite possibly, the tastiest pears I've ever had. Since then, we've seen other wild pears out and about (though none had fruit worth picking). Either we've just never noticed them before (perhaps assuming they were apples) or this was an exceptionally good pear year. I'll be keeping my eyes out for them next year.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_iozYV6i1rAaLSPE9y520cZUtTuhiUiImGcbLKx0P_i5BQhazjIxRpNIua7yJVWwwRtwaqyQHLahjr1cagugdT3aPT4dOe0jrYsKgn9yPCUBpDKrstI4G3N6oPZlWCmE-mXvK8XCI7IVxJBC1Yj0uVwCrG4yRllX-DDpcCamlZxW7AHMv5Cm9jWR/s2048/Image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_iozYV6i1rAaLSPE9y520cZUtTuhiUiImGcbLKx0P_i5BQhazjIxRpNIua7yJVWwwRtwaqyQHLahjr1cagugdT3aPT4dOe0jrYsKgn9yPCUBpDKrstI4G3N6oPZlWCmE-mXvK8XCI7IVxJBC1Yj0uVwCrG4yRllX-DDpcCamlZxW7AHMv5Cm9jWR/w400-h400/Image-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvesting rose hips along the Booth-Kelly path, and our Rose Hip Whiskey Smash.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Finally, we played around with harvesting wild rose hips. For many, many years, while living in CG I tried to grow rose bushes specifically so I could harvest the hips. I was thwarted for a variety of reasons and gave up on the idea when we moved. Then I thought... harvest wild! There is a learning curve there. I discovered you can't just pick willy-nilly. Rose hips get buggies just like other fruit do. And, man those wild ones are tiny! But I did eventually pick enough to make a rose hip syrup, which we then combined with whiskey for a "<a href="https://www.growforagecookferment.com/rose-hip-whiskey-smash-recipe/" target="_blank">Rose Hip Whiskey Smash</a>." It was a good first foray into rose hip foraging and rose hip experimenting.</p><p>So, not too crazy... we're not out digging roots or eating leaves and such, but we're dabbling at it.</p>colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530993206669133513noreply@blogger.com1