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Angel's Rest Trail

2008-03-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday was yet another beautifully sunny, warm and dry, springlike day in the Northwest. We decided to take advantage of the great weather and hike a popular trail just outside of Portland known as Angel's Rest. The end of the trail tops out with a panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge. Our guide book: Sixty Hikes Within Sixty Miles Of Portland claims that on a nice day one can encounter more dogs on this trail than people on other trails. It is true. We invited our friend Nick to hike with us who, coincidently, was dog sitting a very intelligent and well behaved labmix named Keeper.

Fire restrictions in March?

Samantha and Keeper.

Looking across the Gorge towards Washington State.

Coopey Falls.

The morning had been very foggy but by 10am or so the moisture had burned off.

Nick.

Douglas Firs.

The upper portion of Coopey Falls.

The climb passed through a large area of dead trees that may have been killed by bugs or fire.

Angel's Rest in the background.

My best impression of William Clark.

Flushed or just too much rouge?

Looking south down the Columbia.

Nick and Keeper had to find a different route to the top instead of scrambling up these rocks.

Two huge, loud ravens riding the warm updrafts.

The hike topped out at 1560'.

Looking east towards Hamilton Mt.

Lots of snow over in the Washington highlands.

There were dozens of people quietly sunning themselves on these rocks.

Angel's Rest.

The light was so bright that it haloed everything.

Nick squinting.

The amazing Keeper.

Nick ...... checking his fly I think.

Moss.

Heading back down for lunch.

I caught a Garter Snake. My hands still smell.

The buds are opening everywhere.

Samantha displaying a bridge.

Epic lighting that day.

Trillium!

Rocky Butte/Columbia River/Kelly Point Park road ride

2008-02-24T22:06:00.000-08:00

From Rocky Butte one can watch the planes take off from PDX with Mt. St Helen's in the background.

Don with bikes.

Sam in front of the staircase leading to the top of Rocky Butte.

The park looks like a castle from below and is probably as solid as one. It was built with federal funds by the youth conservation corps in during the nineteen thirties.

Samantha and the Columbia River.

Don swore that he saw cows along the bank of that island last time he took this route.

The homes of the rich in Vancouver, Washington State.

We came across these two guys practicing their parachute handling skills.

The confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers aka Kelly Point.

The weather was cooler and windy but ideal for road biking.

This tree was really cool.

Kelly Point.

The forests along the river are equal aged stands of poplar trees dependent upon floods for seed germination. The upper rivers are now damned so I wonder what will replace these unique forests.

Joey Bates and new friends

2008-02-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Joey Bates came down from Seattle to stay with us. He was also in town to see an old friend named Gregory who just moved to Portland from San Francisco with his girlfriend Heather. The weather was perfectly bright and sunny and about 60 degrees or so. We spent the day riding bikes in parks and along the river stopping for food or coffee along the way. Everyone in the city was out of hibernation to enjoy the day. It was nice.

Laurelhurst Park.

Gregory and Heather's garden.

Portland across the Willamette River.

Some fearless skateboarding twelve year old.

Mt. Hood to the east.

The river front was swarming with people.

Sam and Joey.

We rode all day.

Joey and Don along the river.

Joey thawing some shrimp for our fondue dinner.

Don preparing some salmon, yum!

Don, Sam, Heather, and Gregory photographed by Joey just before our fantastic fondue feast.

Handmade Bike Show

2008-02-09T23:38:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we went to a Handmade Bike Show at the Convention Center. There were hundreds of beautiful and varied hand-built bikes. Here are a few of them and some brief descriptions.

This bike had MANUAL gear shifters

This bike was made of steer horns, wood, bamboo, and carbon fiber

This is Don's Bike

This is Sam's Bike

This bike frame is made of hollow hardwood and weighs only 17 1/2 lbs.

These rims were wooden - very classy.

One of our favorites

This bike drew the biggest crowd.

A bike you can ride even in the middle of winter is Michigan or Ohio.

Our favorite Bike Shop

Sam on her Bike

Sushi Night

2008-02-08T23:22:00.000-08:00

This past Friday we made Sushi for the first time! Sam got a beautiful sushi set along with a cookbook (from a certain awesome boyfriend, in fact). There is an Asian Mall called Fubonn near by and there you will find most anything needed for any authentic Japanese, Korean, or Chinese meal.

The set is in our current favorite color - turquois

Don cutting the Sashimi grade Tuna

Chopping...

Sam with a beautiful scarf from Angela on her head, slicing an avocado.

We used raw ginger root, and now understand why pickled ginger is used - it tastes much better pickled.

Along with the avocado and ginger, we also used shiitake mushrooms, red bell peppers, asparagus and wasabi paste.

We bought Nori(dried seaweed) at Fubonn

Don working diligently on his first roll! The Sushi set included 2 bamboo mats for rolling the sushi

Beautiful roll Don!

Sam's significantly smaller roll is on the left, Don's is on the right.

Success!!

Don theatrically eating a roll

Delish

Chocolatefest!

2008-02-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

On this chilly Sunday we attended a festival of decadent treats cleverly titled Chocolatefest. The event was held at The World Forestry Center. I'm guessing they choose this location because cocoa beans are derived from a tree.

The awesome cross eyed chocolate loving postcard lady on our window sill.

Another awesome not so cross eyed chocolate loving lady in front of a train outside of the World Forestry Center.

The worlds largest truffle. It weighed something like 250 pounds! It was super delicious but a little overwhelming. Samantha had half a piece. Don ate two.

Future fat person.

Samantha perusing the goods.

All are true.

Oregon Zoo and PNCA featured artist: Joe Sacco

2008-01-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the Oregon Zoo. There was a 100% chance of rain and it was very cold, so we opted out of a hike....as it turns out it didn't rain a drop, and the skies were blue when we arrived back downtown.

Sam at the entrance to the zoo. There was a beautiful border collie tied up there, we wanted to take it home. We really want a pet dog.

Here is a sleepy mountain goat we saw as we entered the park. Don saw quite a few of these over the summer in Montana. We hope to be out that way soon and see these in their natural habitat.

There were 2 black bears there - both very sleepy.

Sam looking at the salmon.

Don looking at the Salmon. (Sam unfortunately but characteristically forgot her camera and therefore this is the only evidence that Don was even present this day)

We really want an aquarium.

There were MANY different species of duck - they were kind of playing follow the leader and swimming one way in a straight line and then the other.

This polar bear was sleeping - the other polar bear there reminded us why we don't go to zoos often. It was taking 5 steps forward, and then the same exact 5 steps backwards. That's all it was doing. There are some animals, large animals that need to hunt and socialize, that just do not belong in zoos.

This is a bird in the bird sanctuary that kept swooping down close to our heads. Beautiful.

The giraffe during feeding time!

Blurry, naked mole rats!

These meerkats were piled on each other for warmth. It was adorable.

There was a great display of bats and we witnessed two bats mating aggresively; something we've never seen before.

Lorikeets - very friendly, brave, loud birds.

The world's largest feline.

The sea lions were HUGE. The zookeepers were feeding them and making them do tricks for the crowd of children watching.

Penguins . . . playing?

After the Zoo we stopped by the Pacific Northwest College of Art to see their latest exhibit of graphic artist Joe Sacco. He writes and illustrates graphic novels about his travels in Palestine, Bosnia, and other war torn countries. The illustrations were beautiful and similar to one of our personal favorite artists, Daniel Clowes (look him up).

Here are some examples of Joe's work.

Ecola State Park and Crescent Beach

2008-01-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

Today Sam and I again drove over the Coastal Range to visit the beach. The weather in Portland was overcast and cold this morning but as we drove west the sky cleared and the air warmed considerably near the coast. We visited a State Park called Ecola and spent most of the day on Crescent Beach.

The snow was deep in the mountains and legally we needed chains but really the roads were clear.

Crescent Beach to the south from Ecola State Park.

Looking north up the coast towards Tillamook Head point.

A light house.

Sam actually using HER camera!

Looking west towards Japan.

Sam in front of a wind blown spruce.

A bashful caterpillar on the trail.

Some kind of subterranean animal tore up the park grounds.

Samantha next to a giant Sword Fern.

Don waving at the camera.

The spruce trees here grow really, really big.

This tree looks like a turtle eating Don's head.

Crazy suspended stilt tree.

The beach!

Along the shore little springs sent up fresh water and dark sand from the inland cliffs leaving marbled patterns on the ground.

One of the springs bubbling like a cauldron.

Here is a stream created by one of the springs.

The lighting here was truly epic at times.

A waterfall.

Don posing in front of the waterfall thinking he's all bad.

We looked around for animals in the tide pools and rocks.

Here are some anemones, barnacles, and a starfish.

The rain came down around us but really never wet anything.

Sam found this tangled ball of kelp that washed up with the driftwood and Don picked it up and got goo all over him and it smelled bad and he frowned.

Don sprained his thumb climbing around and he felt old and frowned again.

Don feeling better.

Don petting a starfish.

the starfish came in all colors... except turquoise.

more.

The cheesiest of all pictures!

This is apparently the same beach that Lewis and Clark came to once they crossed the continent for the first time.

The waves got bigger as the sun went down. They are very loud.

Sun setting.

Bike ride to Oaks Bottom Public House and Hike up Council Crest

2008-01-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today, we went on a bike ride down the Sellwood Corridor, which is a bike trail along the east bank of the Willamette River. Linette, the accountant that Sam works with, invited them to go to lunch. So the three of them along with Linette's husband, Gabe, their 14 month old baby Ethan, and Gabe's sister, Lelah went to eat at a pub called the Oak's Bottom Public house. It was a beautiful day, with no wind, no clouds, and temperatures in the high 40's.

After the ride, we drove to the SouthWest side and hiked up to a place called Council Crest. It is the highest point in Portland, and from it, you can see Mount Saint Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adam's, and you can barely see the tip of Mount Ranier. It is an amazing sight.

Sam and Don by the Hawthorne Bridge before the ride.

Looking south down the Willamette River.

The morning started out very foggy, but it all burned off by noon.

A paddle boat heading north up the river.

A view of the downtown from our bike ride.

(the highlands to the left are where we hiked to later that day)

The View from Council Crest

Mount Hood

Mt. St. Helens, and just sightly behind and to the left you can get a glimpse of Mount Ranier, over 100 miles away.

Behind Don is a view towards Washington.

Same view, with 3 peaks behind her. From left to right: Mt. Ranier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams

(sorry they didn't turn out very well)

A view of the city from Council Crest.

(The tall building in the bottom left corner is the building Sam used to work in)

Wish you all could have joined us!!

Our Day at Hamilton Mountain

2008-01-06T19:47:00.001-08:00

Don and I went on our first hike of 2008. We went to Hamilton Mountain, which is actually in Washington. We used the book that Marla got us for Christmas, called '60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland'.

The entire hike, to and from was about 7 miles.

Rodney falls: The water practically exploded out of the side of a rock and sent with it 40mph winds. It was beautiful.

Climbing....

The snow line was right around 1,000ft. It was amazing how precise the line was.

A view from tha top, looking westward down the Coumbia River Gorge.

Another view

Douglas Fir trees are the most prevalent tree type out here.

Don at the top. Many signs were mysteriously missing.

Sam at the top.

Beginning the descent.

We couldn't quite figure out what this sign meant, but it seems appropriate regardless.

There was at least 3 feet of snow in many places. We weren't too well equipped for it, but it was a wonderful little taste of home.

Hamilton is the peak on the left.

A view east, along the Gorge.

(Thank you Marla!!)

Christmas!!!

2007-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

Dot, Dave, Sam, Don. (Look at all those presents!!)

Don and I opened our gifts from one another on Christmas Eve. Sam got a beautiful Sushi set and sushi cookbook. As well as a few pairs of chopsticks.

Don opening his thermos from REI. He also got a pair of waterproof gloves and a black hat.

Christmas Morning

STOCKINGS!

We all opened gifts together on Christmas morning.

It actually snowed! That is our house, Dave and Sam are on the porch. You can't see so well - but Sam's wearing a long brown sweater from Don's Mom.

Don got this AWESOME stunt kite from his mother!

Sam got some house slippers with little snowmen on them

The crockpot from Sam's parents. The perfect compliment to the George Foreman Grill that his Dad and Suzanne bought for him.

We finished the day by playing "Bookopoly" and watching White Christmas.

Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and for, most of all, your support in our move out here. We couldn't have done it without you. We are both looking forward for you all to come and visit us, as well as to our return to our respective homes for the next Christmas season.

Seattle

2007-12-22T22:43:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Christmas, we went to Seattle to visit Don's friend Joey Bates. Sam had never been. It was great and glorious.

This is Samantha reveling in the beauty that is Seattle (and an awesome bike helmet found at the REI Headquarters).

Don at Joey's parents house, surrounded by their Christmas display of almost 200 porcelain houses, elves shops, candy making factories, and the like; complete with a working train.

The Seattle skyline from Gasworks Park.

Sam and Joey at Gasworks.

Joey, Sam, and Don all stayed at the house of two Seattle artists. They spent most of the night gushing over pricey art books and reminiscing. This pup is their dog wishing he could join us.

Joey being bashful before an awesome mexican breakfast in Ballard, WA.

Sam with a group of Richard Serra sculptures in Seattle's new sculpture park. Afterwards we all went to the newly renovated Seattle Art Museum (SAM).

Samantha in a kinetic sculpture.

Thanksgiving!!

2007-11-22T23:09:00.000-08:00

Here is our breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. We made coffee cake and French Press Coffee.

Sam in the kitchen all ruddy nosed and teary eyed after talking to the family in Boston via Skype.

Don doing the first round of dishes.

Pumpkin Pear soup on the stove.

Our Dinner! From left to right: Candied Yams with Marshmallows, The Turkey, Mashed Potatoes.

Don 'carving the bird'.

We accidentally bought only part of a turkey. We went to look for the legs and there weren't any! It was just a breast.

Don about to eat...

Sam about to eat...

Don and Sam's Thanksgiving 2007!!!

Oceanside Beach and Tillamook, Oregon

2007-11-18T21:55:00.000-08:00

This was our first trip to the Pacific Ocean. We crossed over the costal mountain range and passed through a small town known as Tillamook. This area is known for it's cheese production and subsequently we had to stop and sample some of the goods at the Blue Heron French Cheese Company. Afterwards we drove to a popular beach known as Oceanside. The weather was colder and wet but the views were well worth it.

Samantha in the parking lot of the Blue Heron French Cheese Company harassing the chickens.

Oceanside Beach.

Samantha in front of three protected islands known for there bird nesting grounds and sea lion populations.

A tunnel cut out of a large rock formation that divides the beach in half.

More islands.

Don in front of the rock formation as the tide was coming in.

Don overexposed.

Some really beautiful rocks along the shore.

More rocks.

More islands.

.....

As Don stood on a rock to take this picture the tide surrounded the rock and trapped him for a few moments. It was very dramatic.

The tide was coming in so fast that we decided to leave because we weren't quite sure if the water would rise up to the level of the tunnel that we still needed to walk through to get back to the car. Scary stuff.

Samantha as we left with the tunnel in the background.

Don about to cross through the tunnel. Those rocks were very, very slippery.