Just the Melody

Over the River and Through the Woods

Back when I was a kid (before smart phones and video players in the car) we amused ourselves on long car rides in 'old fashioned' ways, like singing old songs that my mom taught us. 'Over the River' could be sung anytime of year, but of course it got special attention on Thanksgiving Day, as we drove to both sets of grandparents' houses to celebrate.

Over the river and through the woods,

To Grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,

Through the white a drifted snow.

Over the river and through the woods,

Oh how the wind does blow! 

It stings the toes and bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the woods,

Trot fast my dapple-gray.

Spring over the ground like a hunting hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the woods,

Now Grandfather's face I spy.

Hooray for the fun! Is the turkey done?

Hooray for the pumpkin pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Before The Drop

I liked this maple in my neighbor's yard walking Clover the other day, partly because the woods behind it were such a pretty yellow.  But also because just the right amount of branches were showing.  Really the tree was pretty full of leaves still, but I focused in on the trunk and branches.  The next day when I walked by, all the leaves had dropped!  Funny how some trees lose their leaves so slowly and others drop all at once!

Bread and Jam

I happened to stop along Dog Creek Trail on my way down from Mt. Hood a few weeks ago,

and found it a really lovely little trail!  It's just outside of Mt. Hood National Forest, and the trail is maintained by a mountain bike group.  Not too surprising once you start on the trail; I imagine it would be fun to ride on with lots of good hills and turns for mountain bikers. I of course did most of my photography at the creek. 

Mountain River

I just watched this really great Oregon Experience on PBS titled "The River They Saw...", featuring the works of late-19th and early-20th Century photographers as a way to show how the Columbia used to look, especially before the dams, but also just before so many people were here.  It was absolutely mesmerizing for a photographer, and I know I will watch it a few more times (at least!) Several of the photographers worked in a style popular back then called 'painterly', and this photo of Trout Creek on a misty early morning sort of lent itself to that style. I admit it's a little weak on reflection, other than that great painterly light on the water!

Nevertheless, linking to Weekend Reflections.

Subtle Sign

It's not the strongest rainbow ever, 

but all signs point to a pot of gold in that old barn.

A Good Day

 ...for staying inside and getting things done.

And if you must go out, don't forget your rain boots!

The Red Leaf

I've commented in previous posts about the fall Vine Maple color in Gifford Pinchot.  I couldn't help noticing that the leaves deep in the forest were a bright yellow,  while the leaves at the edge of the forest or in clearings turned red.  Of course for every rule, there is an exception, and this red leaf (Big Leaf Maple?) was pretty exceptional in my opinion!  Yellow leaves as far as you could look in any direction, and then this one red show off! Just doing his own thing. A true nonconformist.

It Was November

It was November,

the month of crimson sunsets,

parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea,

passionate wind-songs in the pines.

-Anne of Green Gables

Linking to Skywatch.

Big Leaf Maple

Big Leaf  Maple leaves hamgimg on

in a little Poplar grove in Gifford Pinchot.

And another bonus image for reference...

my hiking boots (ehem) women's size US10.

Trout Creek

Trout Creek in the Rain

I'm breaking with my usual protocol today to post before and after images from hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail in Gifford Pinchot. The first was taken during a steady rain, and I ended up cutting the hike short because I was waterlogged and my camera rain cover was all fogged up. I wanted to return as soon as possible, because the fall

Trout Creek After the Rain

color was at its peak and extra vibrant this year, but we had heavy rains and gusty wind for several more days. I came back once the weather cleared, and photographed the same location, and I'm including that 'after the rain' image because the comparison is interesting I think. The second image was taken with a different lens, so zoomed in a bit. Only the two largest mossy boulders are visible in the swollen creek. The Y-shaped tree above broke off, probably struck by that large trunk now lying along the bank. And of course, notably less colorful, especially the reds. Just a few days later, and a completely different scene!