Year in Review 2016

 Some of my favorite photos from the blog in 2016.

Leaf and Sky Reflection

Winter in the Columbia Gorge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falls Creek Reflection, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

 

Walla Walla Countryside

Sunrise at Sunset Beach, Astoria, Oregon

Animated Shack, Trout Lake, Washington

Panther Creek Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Lewis River, Battle Ground, Washington

High Tide, Bandon, Oregon

Mt. Hood Sunrise

Blackberry

My favorite invasive species.

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to all my blog friends. 

Marina

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Winter Light

I stumbled upon Fallen Leaf Lake Park in Camas yesterday. I knew it was near Lacamas, vaguely, but just lucked into spotting the almost hidden entrance as I was heading home from a day in the gorge. I'll explore it more later, but did a quick walk while the sun was still up, and happened upon a really great patch of light. So glad we got sunshine for the first day of winter; I just love the low light angle this time of year.

Winter

 Blueberry field at noon.

Whose Woods These Are

I think I know...The campus trails made for an enchanting walk for me and Clover during our second snow of the year yesterday. We had the woods almost completely to ourselves, only meeting a runner and his dog and a couple out enjoying the winter wonderland. As we passed the couple who were on their way home, the man told me there was a Robert Frost poem in the woods. Maybe a professor on campus, I thought. Of course he was right; it's why we were all out, stopping by woods on a snowy evening.

The Beaten Path

My preferred walking route with Clover, and our dusting of snow this past week, which brightened up the scene a bit. This field/young woods is fun to explore, and Clover gets some off-leash time, but in the winter the field gets really soggy because this soil tends toward clay. My snow boots worked great, but in warmer weather I need some waterproof shoes that can handle both water and hills. 

Anime

I always love seeing animated buildings; I appreciate the imagined personality. 

Hello, happy little shack or barn! Whatever you are, you look content with it. 

Self-actualized shack. 

I Use Antlers in All of My Decorating

...My what a guy, that Gaston. 

(Favorite song line from Disney's Beauty and the Beast)

Just happened upon this fabulous ranch entrance south of Trout Lake yesterday.  I'm really kicking myself for not taking a moment to change out my lens and get a wider view of the really charming ranch.  I felt uncomfortable hovering in the entrance, but when I was backing around to leave, the owner showed up, returning from his trip to town with a wagon load of hay.  He was super friendly, asking if we needed help, and he looked just like the (imagined, stereotypical) rancher who would live here.  Even though it's a close up, I guess you can get the idea a little bit.  

Mystery Falls

I remember reading, on one of my earliest visits, that there are 77 waterfalls throughout the Columbia Gorge, on both the Oregon and Washington sides, but more in Oregon.  And I remember thinking how can there possibly be that many waterfalls!  Now that we've lived here for a few years, my thinking is just the opposite.  77 seems like a ridiculously low number!  Gorge waterfalls must number in the hundreds.  Unless 77 is just waterfalls falling right at the edge of the Columbia.  Either way, this waterfall would be one of the 77.  It's one of two waterfalls I walked past on my short walk along the Historic Hwy 30 Trail near Starvation Creek.  I especially liked the tree clinging to the edge of the cliff wall. 

A Mossy Wood

I see this stretch of moss and evergreens every time I'm driving east on I-84 to Hood River, and always want to stop for a photo.  Not long ago I noticed that the historic US Highway 30 Trail extends along the edge of this forest, so this week I made time to pull off and walk the stretch of trail just west of Starvation Creek.  These trees extend back maybe 100 ft. until they reach a cliff wall, thus the dark background, and perfect mossy growing conditions.  I have to say, it's a nice little trail, especially for people looking to avoid the steeper elevations.  Only downside is that you walk awfully close to I-84 so lots of highway noise.