All Sorts of Interesting This Autumn

Oregon actually got an Autumn this year! Apparently for the 2nd year in a row... But I do think this fall was more autumny than last year's. I got more hiking in for sure, though the theme of "hard to get to" continued. Here are all of the fall adventure pics. 

Summer Waterfall Adventures

This summer I had the goal of finding more waterways that I'd never been to before. And the thought occurred to me after I found the first one on my list, that I should be bringing my Native American flute on these journeys (so I could make musical videos at each waterfall). So here are those adventures, which include 2 flute videos. Don't worry, I'll find more this fall!

Hiking In Autumn

Yay for autumn this year! Sadly it rained more than I would have liked on the weekends. But I did get a few hikes in before mid-November. Here are those photos.

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. 

Oh My Gosh I Can't Believe I'm Finally Hiking This Year!!

So 2024 started and somehow the rain decided to appear on all of my weekends in March, and most of April. Ugh. And when visiting places I'd never been before... Kind of have to be safe & not hike in rain. So I didn't really get into the great outdoors until late spring. But hey better late than never! 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. 

Early Summer Trails and Adventures

I've been able to hike a little more this year thankfully. Here are the pictures from the places I visited late May through July. Hopefully August isn't too hot so I can keep exploring!

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. 

Autumn Adventures

I wasn't able to get in as much hiking as I wanted to this fall because it was hot until mid-October... Then my car got totaled (yes I'm okay). So yeah lol. But here are some pics of a few things I was able to have fun with. Hopefully once I get a new car I can get back out there again!

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.

Portland Audubon Trails & Coastal Adventures

Recently I discovered the woods behind the Portland Audubon Society in west Portland. With benches and boardwalks and curated areas, it was more like an overgrown garden. If the bench behind the great tree boardwalk wasn't already taken I would have sat there for hours. But sitting near one of the creeks wasn't bad either. However be warned, I got 7 bug bites on that trip because I forgot my Off! fan lol. Next time! Then after a random trip back to Depot Bay, I walked the park trails behind the bay a bit, & on the drive back towards Lincoln City I discovered the trails on the Siletz River Wildlife Refuge. I'm surprised I never stopped on that part of HWY 101 before, they were lovely. I always finish a coast trip with pics of the beach at sunset if possible. 

June/July Vacation

Here are the photos from the 2 day-trips I took on my week off the end of June/beginning of July. It was a good week, though some of the things I'd planned got pushed out to later this summer. But that just means more photos later right?

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. 

Winter Adventures

There were a few days this winter with sunshine... Saw a cute squirrel in my neighborhood early January. Visited Marshall Park (complete with ceramic art animals) with friends in February. And on a search for a specific skyline view, I recently visited a few spots in the west hills: Council Crest, with sequoias and a unique drinking fountain - and the viewpoint at Pittock Mansion, which is surrounded by the wildwood hiking trail in forest park.

Tyron Creek State Park & University Falls

Well this late in October it's hard to find a free day that isn't raining! Finally a friend of mine & I caught a break & went to Tyron Creek State Park. I didn't know it was a state park until we got there... Her dog Phoenix was not the only dog we rain into. And then the next day, Monday, I had off work. So I finally went back to HWY 6 to find those University Falls I'd seen signs for earlier in the summer. I had no idea I would be driving down a dirt/gravel logging road to get to the trailhead... But it was worth the time. I only wish I had more time to hike the trail that continued beyond the falls. 

Note: The car video watches much better on a phone (that most likely has newer video software) as otherwise the light reflecting off the glass gets in the way...

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

End Of Summer Adventures

I visited Tualatin Hills Nature Park this last week, and had one last beach trip of the summer with my mom. In Lincoln City, my mom and I not only saw Road's End Beach & depot bay, but we also hiked around Devil's lake for the first time.