Spring Break 2019 – Knitting and Cherry Blossoms

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Knitting – Frost Slippers

I crocheted the steeks,

and cut,

and cut again.

I have basted the edges, and blocked.

Frost Slippers – uppers and soles, blocked.

Next I will sew soles to uppers, then add cuffs. There is a lot of finishing work in these slippers, but so far I am intrigued enough by the process to keep going!

Lyle Cherry Orchard, WA 3/29/2019

A beautiful day to hike up the cliffs above the Columbia River with friends, and try the new trail switchbacks. There are a few old cherry trees along the uppermost cliff loop that were not in bloom today, but we saw many wildflowers, including some balsamroot. (Hike #14, 5.6 miles, 1500 feet)

We are headed to the top of the cliffs…

The second bench

River cruise below…

One of the vernal ponds along the upper trail

View to the east from the Cherry Orchard

And to the west

One of the new switchback legs – nowhere near as steep or cliffy as the former trail.

Plenty of new flowers along the way:

The first blooming balsamroot of spring!

Budding balsamroot

prairie star

miner’s lettuce

filaree

ballhead waterleaf

fading grass widows

manroot

Yellow bells

Columbia desert parsley

Oaks toothwort

buttercup

salt and pepper

slender phlox

glacier lily

Yellow parsley and gold stars

Neighborhood flowers…

Lots in bloom these days,

euphorbia

rhodies

cherries

tulips

windflowers and violets

including poetry:

Portland Cherry Blossoms – Sunday, March 31

The waterfront on a sunny day with cherry trees in bloom. Today is a day for embracing the crowds.

We decided to walk up onto the Steel Bridge to look down on the waterfront.

Views from the Bridge:

I love the railing shadows.

Wandering around amongst the trees and crowds:

A maple tree budding out, with bugs!

White Stag and Old Town Water Tower behind the trees.

View of the eastside of the Willamette River.

And a little Portland weirdness, because it is always here.

Group-peddled brew cycle.

Spring Flowers, Coyote Wall and Portland

March 25, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Coyote Wall, WA, Thursday, March 21, 2019

Up the Little Maui trail, more up on the Old Ranch Road and Coyote Wall trails, then, down the Little Moab trail, with the early flower suite just opening…(Hike #13, 4 miles, 1100 feet)

Hiking up the waterfalls of the Little Maui trail:

Gold stars and Salt and Pepper (biscuit root) sprinkled across the landscape.

Long banked switchbacks to aid the cyclists

Lunch stop

Columbia Desert Parsley guiding the way

Looking up to our cliff-edge destination along Coyote Wall from Old Ranch Road:

Views from the cliff:

First look.

We go a little higher

Looking back toward Oregon; Mt Hood a faint wisp on the horizon.

Our highest viewpoint for the day.

Starting down – looking east toward the Columbia Hills and Tom McCall Point.

The flowers:

Grass widows

Gold and Prairie stars, Spring whitlow-grass

Spring whitlow-grass, my pinky for scale

Swales of gold stars and whitlow-grass

Yellow pungent desert parsley

Columbia desert parsley

Salt and pepper, and grass widows all the way down the slope.

Knitting

Learning the increases and decreases that make brioche knitting look so magical…with a lifeline!

Vintage Prim Hat, pattern by Andrea Mowry.

Garden – the first tulip! and Star Magnolias!

Better late….flowers are opening in the neighborhood:

Our first tulip

star magnolias

I don’t remember the name of these.

Late Early Flowers at Catherine Creek, WA, with Robins

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

March 14, 2019 Bitterroot Trail to Rowland Wall

We hiked a Catherine Creek loop, up past the vernal ponds along the Bitterroot Trail, then down Rowland Wall. (Hike#12, 3 miles, 1000 feet)

Fairy ponds

View to the east from the Bitterroot Trail

The Arch

We saw the first wildflowers just beginning to bloom.

grass widow

saxifrage

salt and pepper

bitterroot foliage

gold star

yellow parsley

flowering outcrop

On the upper grassy slopes we noticed robins hopping in the grass all around us.

There are probably a dozen robins bobbing and hopping in this view, though they are hard to photograph as they don’t stay still for long.

Here is one…

And another one in the snow.

The snow level was about 1000 feet, and we could see extensive snow covered landscape in every direction, though it is melting out.

Still looks very snowy out in the high desert

The orchards of Mosier, and Mt Hood

Rowland Wall, Rowland Lake, Mt Hood beyond the Columbia River

Mere

Returning via the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks. Burnt trees on the Oregon Gorge skyline.

Knitting

I finished the soles for the Frost Slippers, but haven’t yet crocheted the steeks.

I have started the brioche patterning on a Vintage Prim hat.

Garden and Neighborhood

The hyacinths finally bloomed out front,

and there was our annual neighborhood St Patrick’s Day parade down the street.

Klickitat Bald Eagles and the Labyrinth, WA

January 13, 2019January 13, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

1/10/2019 Balfour/Klickitat Bald Eagles

We met up with friends in Cascade Locks, then drove to the Balfour/Klickitat wildlife viewing area near Lyle, Washington. Early January is bald eagle nesting season there, and we saw many eagles in the trees across the pond.

Our first eagle sighting – white head in the oak trees.

Two eagles on this branch…

Actually, there are seven in this picture – four on the lower level and three higher up.

I watched these two eagles for a while – as they looked around.

For every white head in the trees, there were two or three brown juvenile eagles. They are as big as the mature eagles, but harder to spot because they don’t get their white feathers fully until they are four years old.

Three juvenile eagles in the tree, one flying nearby.

We witnessed a lone salmon struggling up the stream, and then watched as a juvenile bald eagle grabbed it with his talons, pulled it onto the adjacent mudflat, and ate it. Other eagles joined in after a while. It was the circle of life before our eyes – not pretty, but the way of nature.

The salmon

Juvenile eagle lands nearby

and pounces

Drags the salmon onto the mudflat

Joined by other eagles.

We also saw two great blue herons on the nearby cliffs.

Two great blue herons, circled in blue.

A closer view of the herons.

Shortly after this drama, a couple of dozen eagles flew in circles above the area for five minutes. My camera telephoto lens is not quite up to clear pictures of all these events, but I enjoyed watching and marveling at the beauty.

Labyrinth Trail

After a quick lunch we walked up the nearby Labyrinth trail to the tall Jefferson pine landmark tree. We saw Mt Hood, the Columbia Hills and eastern gorge with snow dusting, and a few early wildflowers on on this misty, cloudy day. A good day with friends. (5.8 miles/1000 feet/#2 for 2019)

The Old Highway waterfall

The upper waterfall

My favorite oak grove

Views of Mt Hood

Phlox

Phlox, eastern gorge dusted with snow

Salt and pepper

Oak trees in low light

Columnar basalts

View under the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, our meeting place.

Happy New Year 2019!

January 10, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

First Hike of the New Year: Ferry Springs Trail, Deschutes River State Park, Oregon – January 5, 2019

We did this same hike almost exactly one year ago – January 6th, 2018. It was a beautiful day with blue sky and long reaching views. Today, was a cloud covered day with no actual rain. We saw the effects of the July 2019 Substation Fire that burned both river banks for about 20 miles upstream from the park.

There was a bald eagle near the trailhead, but it flew off as I watched it.

Bald eagle near the trailhead.

Bald eagle – the white tail visible in the center of the photo, flying downstream.

Our trail started along the river, through riparian vegetation, but then we crossed the fire line and saw before us nearly completely denuded and blackened landscape through which grass in now emerging, a green/black palette. In some ways it reminded us of the highlands of Scotland.

From dry grass to burn zone, though the bench is intact, as were the other benches along the lower trail.

We passed below, then above the arch as the trail looped back north and uphill towards Ferry Springs.

Looking up at the arch.

Looking down through the arch.

I was looking forward to resting on the bench on the upper trail, but it was burned.

Lookback: Two views from the Upper Trail toward the mouth of the Deschutes River and Columbia River. In 2018 we were walking through dry grass. This year, the edge of the burn is well defined.

January 2018, pre-burn

January 2019, post fire

After crossing Ferry Springs, we headed back to the trailhead, looking down at the fire scars along the way.

This wooden gate survived, though the area around was scorched.

Looking back upriver.

The dry waterfall

More scorched earth, then back to dry grass.

This landscape is renewed by fire. I don’t think all the green grasses emerging are native grasses, but we did see new growth on some of the native plants. It will be interesting to return next year to see what happens. (5 miles, 560 feet, Hike #1 for 2019)

A yellow composite flower

New foliage on burned shrubs.

Crafting

Cross stitch of Jane Austen’s house – I just need to add the windowpanes and french knot flower centers.

I finished the second sock, now I have to find the place in the stripe sequence that will match the place where the knot was in the first sock.

Other Adventures

It has been a busy couple of weeks of the New Year, winding down from the holidays, and getting my daughter and her things sent back to college. I note that today is one year exactly since my surgery. I am adjusting to all my new medications, and am healthier for not having excess growth hormone secretly running around in my body and creating future problems. I am grateful for my recovery. My husband has just stepped down to half time work, with full retirement planned for a year from now. Thus we will likely have many more hikes and adventures in the years to come, including having just booked a hiking trip in New Zealand for a year from now! I am used to hiking at my own pace, but I will need to increase the difficulty of my hikes as the year goes on to prepare for the trip. A good goal, one of many, for 2019. (2019-1)

New Years Eve hike at Cape Horn, Washington; and Farewell 2018 (18-60)

January 1, 2019January 1, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Cape Horn, Washington 12/31/2018 (Hike #66 for 2018)

We started in the middle, hiked down to the Nancy Russell Overlook and a little beyond, then hiked back up and to the top viewpoints on Cape Horn. It was cold and a bit windy, but nice to be out in the bright sun as we bid farewell to 2018. 4miles, 500 feet.

Trail to the Nancy Russell Overlook

View from the Fallen Tree Overlook to the eastern gorge.

Silverstar Mountain to the north.

Quilting-

I finished three quilts this year.

Jane Austen Reproduction

Welcome Blanket

Baby Pinwheel

Knitting-

I knit 4005 yards in 10 projects according to my Ravelry project pages.

Hiking –

I completed 66 hikes/adventures for a total mileage of 310 miles, and 47,315 feet elevation gained. The longest hike, the 12 mile Obsidian Trail in the Three Sisters Wilderness in Central Oregon was also my favorite hike of the year. The steepest hike was Phlox Point on Hardy Ridge in the Columbia River Gorge, Washington – 2200 feet elevation gain over the 8.2 mile trail. The hardest walk was my first lap around the neurosurgery ward at OHSU after my pituitary surgery. And my favorite of our hikes in the UK was The Lizard in Cornwall.

Books Read in 2018 –

93 total, which I keep track of on Goodreads. My favorite fiction book was Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, and my favorite nonfiction book of the year was Becoming by Michele Obama.

Blog –

This is the 60th post for the year. I am glad I am keeping it up, but I may do something different with the format next year – still thinking about it. And I still owe three posts from our trip to southern England.

Poem –

from a poetry post in my neighborhood – a hope for the future….

Memaloose Hills Hike, and Christmas (18-59)

December 31, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Memaloose Hills Hike, Oregon 12/27/2018

We went east through the gorge again to the sunny Memaloose Hills, and walked 3.2 miles, 600 feet, through the dormant winter landscape. (Hike #65 for 2018). This area is known for abundant wildflowers in spring.

View north, with a peak at Mt Adams, from the upper trailhead on old highway 30.

Ponderosa bark

Trail up to the lower viewpoint.

Chatfield Hill – our upper destination

Dan heading up Chatfield Hill in the dormant winter.

Same view in springtime….

View to the east and lower viewpoint.

View to the west from the top

Northern view toward Mt Adams

Mt Adams

Mt Hood

An apple tree and Mt Adams, on the return hike.

Apple tree

Dalles Dam

Another hiker reported seeing bald eagles at the Dalles Dam, so we drove to the Visitor Center to see them. We walked some of the paths in that area and saw interesting views of the infrastructure, but no bald eagles.

Under the freeway bridge

Looking toward the dam

A dusting of snow in the hills

Mt Hood in the distance

Zooming in – Mt Hood and The Dalles.

Bald eagles should be here

Fishing platforms

Another westward view in the low winter light.

Driving Landscape Views

I snapped photos from the freeway as we drove back through the gorge. There are great views of our hiking spots on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and I thought I did fairly well at freeway-speed photography!

Lyle Cherry Orchard

Lyle, Washington

Catherine Creek

Rowland Wall

The slope above Coyote Wall

Coyote Wall

Coyote Wall

Snow dusting the black-fringed cliffs above Cascade Locks

Corbett Point

Closer view of Vista House

Knitting

I knit a star ornament for my friend who has made the costumes for a local production of Mary Poppins, I finally finished seaming the Ivy Cardigan, and I finished another round washcloth.

Mary Poppins Star

Ivy Cardigan

Wash cloth

Christmas

Lovely quiet Christmas with family and friends.

Our tree.

My only new ornament – from the Jane Austen Museum in Bath, England.

Viburnum in my garden

Lyle Cherry Orchard, Washington (18-58)

December 18, 2018December 18, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

December 15, 2018

Once again we escape east of the Cascades to dry skies, a bit of sun, no wind, at Lyle Cherry Orchard. Quiet on the trail today. (5.2 miles/1250 feet, hike #64 for 2018)

Approach trail, up the first set of cliffs.

View from the Convict Road to the east

View from the Convict Road north – we are going up those cliffs to the top!

Hiking up to the second tier..

We could see the new trail reroute partially cut by WTA workers that will make the upper cliff ascent farther from the cliff edge and less steep in gradient. And lots of native plant seedlings in place.

Those lines in the slope ahead are the new trail, in progress, with a gentler gradient than the steep track we will climb today.

Looking back at the flagged new trail, not cut yet.

Lunch stop near the top…

The trail continues in and out of the woods along the top of the cliffs to the remnants of a cherry orchard…

View to the east from the grasslands near the cherry orchard.

One of the old cherry trees

Cherry tree in foreground, Lyle Peak above – our trail doesn’t go there.

We head back down…

View west toward Lyle

Closer view of the terrane we hiked, and the Convict Road Viewpoint on the lower left.

Convict Road viewpoint – where we stood looking up this morning. The grey background is the Columbia River, not the sky!

A spot of sun on the way down.

GPS track

Crafting

Another knit dishcloth,

and I’m now adding backstitch detail to Jane Austen’s cross stitched house….

Return to Angel’s Rest (18-53)

November 29, 2018December 2, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Angel’s Rest Trail, Oregon November 24, 2018

A few trails in the Columbia River Gorge that have been closed since the September 2017 Eagle Creek Fire were reopened for the first time this past weekend. We went to Angel’s Rest on Saturday morning, along with hundreds of other local hikers. It was with care, scrutiny, appreciation, and gratitude that we made our way up 1500 feet to the iconic views over the gorge. The trail was in great shape, thanks to the many trail keepers who have worked on recovery.

Into the woods

Views of Cape Horn, the Columbia River and Phoca Rock emerge on the lower trail.

Coopey Falls

Angel’s Rest – our destination.

The trail begins to switchback up the front of Angel’s Rest.

Burned tree trunks and open views line the trail.

First view west toward the trailhead.

Well repaired trail surface next to blackened trees.

Blackened stump.

Nearing the top, the views unfold:

To the west, from near the top.

The Hilary Step of Angel’s Rest – leads to the ridge crest. Sometimes there is a line of hikers waiting to go up or down.

From the top, looking toward the overlook where many rest.

Open view west – toward Portland, Cape Horn in Washington and Phoca Rock.

Open view east – toward Hamilton Mountain in Washington.

We wandered around on top for a while, admiring the view from various perspectives, and found a place to eat lunch.

Closer view of Cape Horn in Washington.

The bench is still there.

We saw a single blooming white yarrow near our lunch stop.

Yarrow

We headed down, stopping for a few more views along the way.

Looking back toward the top, where the first views are seen.

My shadow in the low November light.

My favorite sculpted shoreline of the Columbia River.

View through the rock piles.

Seasonal berries

Trees that are burned, dying, no longer evergreen.

Looking back as we hiked down:

Where we were – and much more visible with all the undergrowth burned away.

White berries lined this part of the trail – not sure what they are – possible snowberries, or the dreaded poison oak.

Golden Hike of the year, #62, 5.2 miles, 1500 feet.

Look back:

I found a couple of comparison photos from previous hikes – this one in January of 2013:

January 2013 – the white tree trunks are left from a fire in 1991.

November 2018 – the white trunks are blackened, and the green trees are now dying.

A closer view:

January 2013

November 2018

An image taken in 2017 from Cape Horn looking over to today’s hike to Angel’s Rest.

Angel’s Rest, October 2017, From Cape Horn, WA.

Pumpkin Pie

A lovely Thanksgiving dinner with a small gathering of family and friends.

Knitting

Another round cloth. Some new sock and hat yarn acquired from my LYS on Black Friday.

Jane Austen House Cross Stitch

I have been rather obsessively cross stitching in the evenings.

Neighborhood

Leaves fully gone from the flame ash tree.

Other Adventures

It has been about a year since I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. I had another trip through the MRI this week to evaluate the tumor surgery site, accompanied by a Joni Mitchell soundtrack in my head this time. Fortunately, all appears well. And I could see all three mountains from the OHSU tram view patio.

Mt St Helens on the left; the top of Mt Adams just right of center on the horizon. Tillikum Bridge over the Willamette River on the right.

Tillikum Bridge on the left; Mt Hood on the horizon – looking east from the OHSU tram patio.

Rowland Basin from Catherine Creek, Washington (18-51)

November 20, 2018 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

Trails of Rowland Basin and Rowland Wall, 11/17/2018

We decided to explore some new to us trails below Rowland Wall. From the Catherine Creek trail head, we walked west to the lower part of the wall, then took a side trail that drops over the cliffs, down the scree slope, and then winds uphill in the valley above Rowland Lake. We traversed oak woodlands, grassy slopes and lava fields. There are historic ‘Indian pits’, associated with native peoples, in this area. We found a spot on the upper grassy slopes for lunch, then continued upward on the looping switchbacks of the ‘Shoestring’ trail, hoping to find the connecting trail to upper Rowland Wall. The trails in this area are not marked, and switch back and forth in tight loops that are a bit confusing – constructed for cyclists. We decided to turn back the way we came for a 5 mile, 1000 foot day, a beautiful day on the trail. (#61)