December is a month for hibernating, preparing for holidays and family visits, rooting for the solstice, and trying to get all the knitting done for holiday gifts. I only went on two hikes this month.
Early December...sun getting lower, shadows longer, I was counting down to the solstice with two advent-style knitting projects and a few walks on dry days.
A little bit of knitting every day on the stocking and the mystery gnome…
Arne and Carlos Mystery Stocking
Imagined Landscapes Mystery Gnome
Hanukkah was early this year. We lit candles and had friends over for latkes on one of the nights.
December 12 – Hike – Lyle Cherry Orchard Discovery Trail, WA – We hiked the 4.5 mile loop on an overcast day – taking in the views and getting some good exercise.
Looking east as we ascend
View west from our lunch stop
Circling back below the Lyle town sign
And almost back to the Convict Road.
December 15th – We passed Joan of Arc on our way to lunch and bead shopping with the knitters…
December 20th – Hike – Dry Creek Falls, OR – Another dry weather window – we hiked a past Dry Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail to one of the pinnacles, but not all the way to the main pinnacles. It was a good seven mile hike.
Starting up the trail at Cascade Locks.
The pinnacle near our lunch stop. All the forest we have hiked through today has 2017 burn scars
Slight view across the Columbia River from our lunch stop.
Back to the PCT bridge over Dry Creek,
and upstream a short way to the falls —
Dry Creek Falls, pouring out of a notch in the columnar basalt.
They are quite beautiful!
Splash pool at the base.
And back at the trailhead, the park at the Bridge of the Gods is adorned with festive light displays.
On the Solstice, I took an enjoyable walk through the neighborhood – happy to know that longer days are ahead.
Christmas week – House guests, finishing the knitting, decorating the tree, wrapping and unwrapping presents, tamales on Christmas Eve and dinner with friends on Christmas day. A little bit of baking, but not too much. It was a relaxed and enjoyable week.
Some of the Knitting:
The month ended with more clouds and rain. I found a version of the Christmas story on instagram that resonates with me for its inclusiveness, and the reminder that although history repeats itself in terrible ways, there are always people who step up and help.
Weak sun through clouds
Rain wet streets and sparkling lights
Message of hope
Margaret Quilts 