Month: October 2012

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge

It was rainy on my last day in Washington last week and I found myself in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge to be specific. I didn’t mind at all that our view was obstructed. When you are at your final destination on a trip, one 

Port Angeles By Night

Port Angeles By Night

The next destination on our Washington itinerary was Olympic National Park, waaaay north just across the bay from Vancouver, Canada. Did I mention I have never been to Canada before? Or seen it, despite living in Northern Wisconsin for 4 years of my life. My 

Outside My Window

Outside My Window

Autumn is behind in California but just beginning in Washington.

It’s the evergreen state, for sure, but dramatic splashes of color are showing up. Along with the mighty Mount Rainier, which I’m seeing out my window for the first time.

Outside Olympic National Park, the trees are ablaze.

Moved by the Spirit

Moved by the Spirit

On the morning we left Yakima Valley, our family finally got together for a group picture, and also to show off some pumpkin carving artistry, namely from my dad. It’s been years since we carved pumpkins together, so I was pretty happy that we got 

City of Murals

City of Murals

A day trip to the old cowboy town of Toppenish gave me a chance to catch up on local art. The town is covered in murals, one commissioned each year to honor the community’s history and culture. No surprise they call it the “city of 

Yakima River Canyon

Yakima River Canyon

This week we found ourselves in the Yakima area of Washington, and went for a drive to explore it more and search for wildlife. (Picture a stopped car with four people squinting up into the hills through binoculars and you have my family.)

We admired the craggy cliffs of basalt jutting out of the canyon. The big-horn sheep climb up with their lambs to protect them from predators in the spring. Can you believe the safest place for them is at the edge of these cliffs?

 We found a herd of sheep grazing with two rams trying to impress the ladies. They weren’t interested.

What wildlife have you spotted recently?

Fun with Fake Vintage Prints

Fun with Fake Vintage Prints

 A little fun on the road with the Android spinoff of Instagram, called Retro Camera. Good news for mediocre photos and subpar photographers. A boring old snap on the road looks like a unique and intentional shot. Glad I have a way to beef up 

Mount Saint Helens or Bust

Mount Saint Helens or Bust

After cruising along the Columbia River Gorge and heading into Washington state on our way to my aunt and uncle’s house, a mysterious mountain loomed ahead. Actually, we had to exit and drive a ways first, but then we saw it … Mount Saint Helens, 

Bob’s Red Mill and Multnomah Falls

Bob’s Red Mill and Multnomah Falls

Before we left our brief introductory visit to Portland, there was something I had to do.

See Bob’s Red Mill. Aka a baking pilgrimage of sorts. A paradise of organic bulked goods and health food products for bakers and gluten intolerants.

My one bit of advice before going here, because you simply must someday, is to make a plan! I had no shopping or wish list beforehand, so I was a bit overwhelmed when I got there. This usually leads to 1) shopping with zero restraint whatsoever or 2) becoming paralyzed by indefinite options and buying basically nothing.

I spent a little over $6 and got two dog biscuits, 4 pounds of sea salt, a little over a pound of mixed soup beans, some black Hawaiian sea salt and some snackie sesame sticks. When I got to the car I thought 1) is that all I got? and 2) geez, I am boring.

Next time I will do things differently, include go to the production warehouse for the mill tour and not just the flagship store.

Still, seeing the store was thrilling and had some lovely surprises, like antique flour milling stones and an instant nut butter making machine.

If I see the real Bob playing piano next time, I will have died and gone to heaven. And I will want this to be my tombstone.

After my dad calmed me down from my breakfast sandwich on sprouted wheat and side of grits, we regained our focus and headed back on the road. We had a date with a massive year round waterfall less than 20 miles away.

Welcome to Multnomah Falls, the second highest waterfall in the country after Yosemite Falls.

And this is during the dry season. A picturesque lodge waits at the bottom, greeting hundreds of tourists throughout the day looking straight past it up to the mesmerizing falls.

There is nothing like starting a week with sensory overload.

Bridges, Beer and Box Scores

Bridges, Beer and Box Scores

When we woke up near Coos Bay this morning, we needed to get some more miles under our wheels and were quick to get back on the road. Of course, we did make a few stops on the way.  How can anyone turn down the