Mt. Hood

Another of highlight of our Oregon adventure in August, was a trip to Mt. Hood and the Timberline Lodge. Mt Hood also happens to be on the Pacific Crest Trail which we wouldn't have known if we hadn't stumbled across the trail marker (left) while exploring behind the lodge. We met a true mountain trekker, however, "Fig Newton", who began his 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail trek in April, in Mexico, and was en route to Manning Park, B.C., the end of the line. An avid hiker since his Boy Scout days, he said he'd hiked the Appalachian Trail three times, so we have no doubt he'd make it. A true gentleman, he was a pleasure to meet and chat with.

"Fig Newton" on the Pacific Crest Trail

Indian Paintbrush on the slopes of Mt. Hood.

Sunday Brunch deserts from the historic Timberline Lodge.

More Columbia Gorge Falls

Horsestail Falls

Been away from the blog for awhile. Editorial work and a virus that laid me up for over a week. Nasty. Returning to Portland via U.S. 30, after a visit at Hood River for some lovely IPA's  and eats at the Full Sail Brewing Co.,  stopped at Horsetail Falls and Multnomah Falls. The clouds that had been dogging us all day finally dissipated and we were treated to really wonderful late afternoon light at both places. Sometimes you just get lucky. The trick is to always be willing to work with the conditions you are in at any given time-especially if you don't have the luxury of hanging out at any specific location until things are "just right".

Horsetail Falls

Multnomah Falls

Trail Bridge, Multnomah FAlls

Lower Multnomah Falls, Pool

The Oregon Trip, Day Two

After touring the Pacific Coast between Cannon Beach and Cape Disappointment, traveling the Columbia River Highway west of Portland on our first full day, Marika took us to see some of the falls along the Columbia River east of Portland for our second day's adventure. First stop was at John B. Yeon State Park and a hike up the Gorge Trail to Elowah Falls.

First view of Elowah Falls from the trail.

The base of Elowah Falls.

Full view of Elowah Falls.

Gotta get a wild flower guide! These around the pool at the base of Elowah Falls.

On our way back down the trail from Elowah Falls, we decided to take the trail to the Upper McCord Creek Falls. This trail afforded us some views of the Columbia River  that the lower trail did not, so it was pretty cool. A few rain drops along the way, but nothing significant to keep us from enjoying the moment.

Upper McCord Creek Falls. Next post will find us visiting the town of Hood River, Horse Tail Falls and Multnomah Falls.

Portland, Pearl District, Night

After a long day of driving along  the Oregon Coast and Columbia River, we were hungry and maybe a little tired, but not so much that we weren't up for some IPA's and ribs at Deschutes in Portland's Pearl District. It was all very, very good!
Views are looking up NW 11th Ave and the Gerding Theatre at the Armory.

Cape Disappointment, WA

Following our visit to Cannon Beach, OR, we decided to look for the sun and headed north on the Oregon Coast Highway, aka US 101. A few patches of it broke out around the town of Seaside. Undaunted, we continued north to Astoria, OR, and when things didn't improve, figured, might as well cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge and see what was on the other side- the state of Washington, of course. Learning of a place called Cape Disappointment not far off, headed there. 

Even with the fog and heavy air, I can't say we were disappointed, the gray gloom adding to the mystique of the park, even if it didn't provide us with the picture perfect postcard view. This also coincides with my sense that there is always something of interest to photograph if you are open to seeing in terms of being in the moment rather than letting  preconceived expectations cloud your vision of it.

 

As if to be rewarded for persevering in the face of such a foreboding seascape, we discovered the existence of the North Head Lighthouse. 

Though not as tall and magnificent as the lighthouses we visited on Long Island in May, it does have it's unique charm and utilitarian dignity standing as it does on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Unfortunately, we arrived after the last tour of the day and so were unable to go inside. Nevertheless, it did present a number of graphic possibilities as the detail of the entry door attempts to portray.

Detail of the entry to the North Head Lighthouse

Lighthouse keepers lived large. This is the lightkeepers house for the North Head Lighthouse you can vacation in. There's a smaller assistant lighthouse keeper's house on the grounds, too, also available for overnights. It, too, seemed more than adequate for the task.

More Cannon Beach, OR

Looking south down Ocean Avenue in Cannon Beach. A gravel road at that, and yes, dusty.















It wasn't that windy to bend that Cypress tree over when we were there, but it's safe to assume there's a prevalence of a nearly constant on-shore breeze to train it that way-and judging from the sparseness of the limbs, those breezes can be strong.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

 The Coaster Theatre, in the City of Cannon Bach, Oregon, began life as a roller skating rink in the 1920's. In 1972 it was acquired by Portland art patron Maurie Clark who renovated the building into the theatre it is today. When he died in 2001, the Coaster Theatre Playhouse became a not for profit organization. 

Here's a good example of employing elements of vanishing point perspective to draw the eye to the theatre's marquee.

Building materials & architectural elements of the Coaster Theatre.

The City of Cannon Beach is very much a resort town-it has 1600 or so residents but attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. There are a number of very attractive beach rental properties available and in the mix, a fine array of eclectic and individually appointed residences as well as the usual mix of Cape Cod themed homes. Coincidental with the tourist trade are souvenir and novelty oriented shops and restaurants, however it would appear the civic leaders take their role seriously and keep the tackiness level to a minimum.

A   very healthy hydrangea waiting to devour a house on Ocean Avenue.

Some of the local labels available at the wine shop across from the theatre. Sorry to report I cannot give a review of any of them. Maybe next time.

Oregon's Cannon Beach

Finally made it to Vancouver, WA, to visit our daughter who lives and works there. Great surprise when she arrived to pick us up at the airport in Portland with a new set of wheels! Naturally, we had to drive it hither and yon, not just for the experience, but to beat the heat that had been going on for a week or so. Forecast was for Cannon Beach, OR to be gorgeous, so that's where we went. Into a fog bank, naturally. View of Haystack Rock , above.

Overcast days don't mean you don't get out and do it- even if your chosen method of transport is a bicycle.

And water dogs don't give a fig about rain, or sun, or cloud. It's all about retrieving the ball, or stick, Frisbee, or whatever was tossed into the surf.