A Few Spring Adventures

Well as it goes spring was all over the place. I was able go get out early in February, but not in March or most of April. Ce la vie! Here are the photos of the places I was able to visit. Hopefully I can hike more this summer. 

What I Did This Summer

So remember how this spring was wet? Well this summer was HOT. Nearly 30 days 90 degrees or hotter... Yuck. But I was able to do a few things this summer outdoors. They weren't really hiking, but I did get some steps in. Here are those photos. 

The Last Autumn Outings - For This Year

Here are the photos of my last hikes and adventures before the cold weather really hit in. My rule is no long or moderately difficult hikes November - February. I'm just glad the weather held out long enough for some cool new places. Winter this year should be interesting...

End of Summer Adventures

Despite the smoke and heat we got (again) this August, I was able to see and do a few things - more towards the end of the month and in September, but it still counts. Here are the photos from those hikes, gatherings, and adventures. 

Spring Outings

Once the rain stopped and the temperatures warmed a little late in April, I was finally able to get outside. Here are the photos from the few day trips I took this spring. 

Hood River & Fish Adventures

Here are the pictures from Jeanette's and mine adventurous day-trip to Hood River, and the adventure of my aquarium fish getting a new home. Gotta love adventures.

Beating the Heat

While the heat prevented some hiking this summer, I was able to do a couple of day trips. The Canterbury Renaissance Faire & the Maryhill Museum up in Washington.

My Trip To The SoCal Renaissance Faire

I decided early spring I should do more solo traveling this year, and this faire that I've wanted to go to, decided not to reopen in summer, but in spring. I got a weekend off work and voila a new adventure. Here is how it went. 

Spring Splashes

The rain has prevented me from doing a lot of hiking this spring. But I have managed to get a few in. Here are the photos from Mt. Tabor & the Portland Memory Garden which I hit before Easter, and the Rhododendron Garden & part of Marquam Nature Park that I hit the last couple of weekends. I took way too many photos at the Rhododendron garden, but hey I haven't been since I was a kid, & there was a lot to see. The trails at Marquam Nature Park were sloppy wet, & one of the trails had a missing chunk due to a fallen tree that had taken it with it, so I didn't see the whole area. But since it looks much the same as Forest park... No big deal lol. 

Gresham City Park & Its Hidden Japanese Garden

Nearby to family of mine, I often drive by Gresham's main city park, and wonder about it. Well the other day I learned it held a Japanese garden within its boundaries... So after visiting an aunt, I decided to stop by. I was surprised at how much was here. The park itself is fairly large, designed around a watershed so there are bridges everywhere. And it connects to a really cool part of the Springwater Corridor trail at its rear. I actually spent over 1.5 hours here, and still I hadn't seen everything. What a terrific find! Yes mom the tree at the end is for you lol :D

Horseback Riding in Pacific City

I had more time off after I got back from the Chalet so I decided to take a trip to Pacific City to do something I'd never done before: Horseback Ride on the beach. Was lots of fun.

Chalet Adventures

Jeanette and I took a little vacation to the Chalet Shalom. Good timing too, we were able to escape the last few days of the historic heat wave that swept the northwest. Here are some pics of our adventures.

Westmoreland Nature Park & The Oregon Garden

More outdoor places that somehow I've never been to... Both were smaller than I expected, but nice little adventures. The Oregon Garden pics start with the "Art in the Garden" sign. I actually didn't get to see all of the Oregon Garden because their oak grove area is closed for repairs, and somehow I didn't get to their northern forest (because I thought it was also closed haha). But those 2 areas combined happen to be 1/3 of the entire 80-acre area so I figure a 2nd visit early fall to see those spots (& the Frank Llyod Wright Gorden House which I also didn't know was open today) will be worth the admission price. The rest of the garden is a combination of 22 mini-gardens, & that took me an hour and 20 minutes to see so yeah. Neither of the two central-garden fountains were running since we're in a drought, but many areas had running water incorporated in that space even if you couldn't see it.

Crown Point & Willamette National Cemetery on Memorial Day

Taking advantage of the recent warm weather while praying for rain... Took some rose petals up to graves at Willamette National Cemetery, didn't have enough for the whole rotunda up top lol, but it's all good. 

Whale Watching in Depot Bay

Whale watching was such a cool experience! We had the best boat out there, highly recommend Dockside Charters! We did see gray whales, spouts & fins, though I wasn't able to grab a picture of one. Jeanette did though!

Forest Park 4/4/21 / 4/11/21

Photos from hiking a couple of trails (out of the dozens) on the lower/south part of Forest Park, as well as a trail on the more northern side.

New Year, New Hopes

I don't know about you, but I was so grateful when the calendar switched to 2021. Even though the covid pandemic is still here, the vaccines have arrived, we have a new President & VP, and artists are dropping new music. God is good, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are the top 5 tunes that are giving me hope right now.

1) Great You Are by Jordan Smith

2) Rescue by Lauren Daigle 

3) Angels We Have Heard (Glory Be) by Jordan Smith

4) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Pentatonix

5) No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David/Melissa Helser

What are you listening to?

Autumn Jammin'

Here are the Top 5 songs I'm listening to right now!

1) So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship
2) Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson
3) Speak the Name by Koryn Hawthorne, ft. Natalie Grant
4) You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
5) All of Switchfoot, but mostly songs from their newest album 'Native Tongue'

What are you listening to?

Summer Adventures

Photos from my trip to Silver Creek Falls with Heather & Miles!

Photos from my day at the beach with mom!

Photos from Random Summer Adventures!

Testing The Cat - Literally

 

My Betty White rose bloomed bundles a day before it was supposed to rain, and my Oklahoma rose finally had its dark red flowers (instead of purple) so I had to make a bouquet to keep them from water damage. (I also gave clippings of the Betty White to a good 4 neighbors, and it still has buds on it...) Gotta love a rose bush! I'm hoping by putting the vase behind the dish rack the cat won't be tempted to knock it over. But we'll see!