First Trilliums of spring

March 15, 2020March 15, 2020 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

March 2020

On two hikes last week we saw the first trilliums of spring. I also went on the Rose City Yarn Crawl with knitting friends, and to the Portland Art Museum to see the exhibition in honor of the 40th anniversary of the eruption of Mt St Helens.

Tryon Creek State Park, March 4, 2020

Hike #30 of 2020, 3 miles, 400 feet.

Early trillium blooms scattered on the forest floor.

Trillium

Trillium buds unfurling

Other early flowers in the forest:

Indian plum

Skunk cabbage

Oregon grape

Salmon berry

Poetry in the park.

Angel’s Rest, March 9, 2020

Hike #31, 5 miles, 1500 feet.

Trillium and oak’s toothwort on the Angel’s Rest trail.

Trillium blooms on the forest floor.

We were treated to the usual stunning views from the top of Angel’s Rest on this sunny, calm day:

West toward Portland.

North to Silver Star Mountain.

East up the Columbia River.

Knitting

Buttons from Twisted and Close Knit in Portland, and Blizzard in Vancouver.

Portland Art Museum: Volcano! Mount St. Helens in Art

This exhibit marking the 40th anniversary of the Mt St Helen’s eruption is multifaceted – videos, photography, and paintings, depicting the mountain before and after the eruption. We did not live in the area at the time, but have hiked around the mountain often in the past ten years. My favorite paintings were these two vibrant depictions of the eruption:

Meanwhile, in Portland…

March 7, 2020 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Back in Portland after our trip to New Zealand, we were greeted by blooming daffodils, hyacinths and wind flowers.

wind flowers

last crocuses

hyacinths

daffodils

Catherine Creek hike, February 27, 2020

We went to Catherine Creek in the eastern Columbia River Gorge to see what early blooming spring flowers were still on view. We lucked upon a windless, blue sky day, with Mt Hood reflected in the Columbia River. Grass widows were waning, desert parsleys, gold stars, yellow bells and buttercups were emerging.

grass widows and gold stars

yellow bells

spring whitlow grass

Saxifrege, grass widows, and prairie stars

Salt and pepper and grass widow

buttercup

Columbia desert parsley

desert parsley

We hiked the lower paved loop, then the upper Bitterroot Trail above the fairy ponds all the way up Sunflower Hill to Atwood Road. We walked down the connector trail to Rowland Wall, for the first time.

Trail connection to Rowland Wall

Going down Rowland Wall.

We still want to try the inside out switchback on the upper Shoestring Trail that we missed last time. I love that there are so many trails to follow in this area, and that each visit during the next couple of months will present a different wildflower suite.

Hike #29, 5.5 miles, 1300 feet.

Knitting

I knit a small amount while in New Zealand.

Geology shawl, and my current traveling socks.

Hamilton Mountain, WA, and first knit socks of 2020

January 16, 2020January 9, 2020 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

January 3, 2020 – Our first hike of the New Year was to Hamilton Mountain in Beacon Rock State Park on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. We’ve been many times, usually to see the cliffs become hanging gardens in the spring. Today we had perfect winter hiking conditions – not too cold, a bit muddy, full waterfalls, clear views from the top.

The first summit of Hamilton Mountain, as seen from the power line cut on the lower trail.

Approaching the upper cliffs, eastern gorge beyond.

Bonneville Dam, with Mt Hood appearing to the south.

First view from the summit- Mt Adams glowing in winter white beyond Table Mountain.

Wide view from the summit.

Mt Hood to the south, in low winter light.

After lunch at the summit we continued the trail to the northern saddle/plateau –

A last look back at Mt Hood.

Western gorge, filling with mist and a painterly sky.

Columbian lewisia foliage in the saddle.

Crossing over a very full Rodney Falls on the return hike.

Hike #1 for 2020, 8.2 miles, 2250 feet.

Knitting

First knit finish in 2020 – traveling socks that I started last May.

2019 review/2020 preview

January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

High points for 2019 were two weddings, a reunion, and a graduation that gave us multiple opportunities for connecting with family and friends. We travelled to San Francisco, southern Connecticut, Brooklyn, Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Colorado,and twice to Los Angeles.

I look at my intentions set for 2019, and I completed about half of them. I have kept up with this blog (58 posts), though I know it is occupying time I might have previously spent quilting during late night inspiration sessions.

Hiking – 58 hikes, 289 miles, 51180 feet in elevation. Snowshoeing at Crater Lake, and hiking through the lush wildflower meadows of Mt Rainier were among our amazing experiences last year.

Knitting- According to Ravelry I knit 3353 yards in 17 projects. I made a spectrum of items – hats, a headband, a shawl, a cowl, socks, slippers, fingerless mitts, washcloths, a bib, a cup cozy, a peach and an acorn. I have found a weekly knit group, and I am so enjoying getting to know the other knitters.

Reading- According to Goodreads I read 75 books.

Quilting/sewing- Quilting is mostly in hibernation mode. I mended a lot of hiking pants and altered clothing that were no longer fitting well.

Health update- My health is good. My body has adapted to the acromegaly medications, and I have managed to beat back some of the metabolic issues that the excess growth hormone was amplifying before my diagnosis and surgery. I am maintaining a healthy weight, and hope to keep up with my husband as he heads into retirement.

2020 Plans- Retirement will bring more travel – I am pre-exhausted with the planning, but also looking forward to our upcoming adventures! We have New Zealand, Washington DC, and Italy on our calendar for next year.

I plan to keep up with this blog, though it may have gaps during travel times.

Crafting- I hope to finish some of those languishing quilts, sew some clothing, set up my embroidery frame, and finish some scrap books that are done but for the writing. And I have new yarn for three different knitting projects:

Lows – I like to celebrate high points and the beauty in the world on my blog. There have been private losses this year as well. The low I feel it important to acknowledge is the dementor-like gloom of the political climate, the constantly ratcheted upward incivility and threats to democracy, my fear of impulsive ignorance and that someone wants to be the one to start world war three or some facsimile thereof. I return to this poem, found on a neighborhood poetry post last year, that expresses the optimism I try to feel going forward.

Colorful holidays, and a visit to Eugene

January 4, 2020January 4, 2020 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Christmas week, 2019

Various Christmas trees, lights, candles and sweets:

Proper trifle

Pointsettia

Candles

Tall tree

Short tree

Viburnum

My favorite scene

Light

Santas

Sweets

Wide tree

We drove to Eugene for a day to visit family and walk along the Willamette River.

Leaving Portland via the Macadam Bridge.

Dense fog in the Willamette Valley.

Sunny skies and lunch at the Public Market in Eugene.

View upriver from the Peter DeFazio Bridge.

Downstream view- a heron, and the Ferry Street Bridge.

Four of the twenty four American Nobel Peace Prize Laureates that are honored in the Peace Plaza at Alton Baker Park.

Downstream view from the Ferry Street Bridge.

Knitting

I finished the Rafa’s Hat for my son after he tried it on – thankfully it fit and he wore it for the rest of the day.

I unsuccessfully searched my button collection for buttons for the Meris cardigan.

Christmas Eve at Dry Creek Falls, and knitted ornaments

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 / margaretquilts / 3 Comments

December 24, 2019, Cascade Locks, Oregon

A foggy day – a good time to head into the forest. The trailhead park at the Bridge of the Gods was decorated for the holidays. We hiked in the other direction, south on the Pacific Crest Trail, and up hill away from the Columbia River. It is about 2.5 miles to this lovely waterfall that pours over a columnar basalt cliff. We had it to ourselves for lunch and a photo session. Then back down the trail, back to town, to finish up some elf work.

Bridge of the Gods trailhead

Into the foggy forest that is scarred by the 2017 fire.

Dry Creek just below the waterfall.

Dry Creek Falls

Closer views:

Still foggy on the cliffs as we drive home.

Hike #58, 5.5 miles, 1050 feet

Back home, I baked a few cookies, wrapped a few presents, and constantly rechecked the airline website as our daughter’s flight from DC was on a long delay. She eventually arrived about 1 am. Her visit for the week is the best present!

Knitted ornaments

I made a little acorn for my friend’s tree – a last minute project. I collected the acorn caps last year after seeing some knitted acorns on Ravelry. It was a very quick project, using a bit of scrap yarn.

A knitting group friend gave us all ornaments that were knitted by a mouse.

Up the Labyrinth and down Coyote Wall in fog and sun

December 24, 2019 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

12/13/2019 Coyote Wall, Washington

Once again we drive through the foggy, rainy Columbia River Gorge to the east side of the Cascade Mountains…

Rainbow over White Salmon, from the Hood River Bridge.

Once again, we walk along Old Highway 8, parallel to the Columbia River…

Look Lake reflections.

Columbia River, Oregon beyond.

Geese on those rocks above the river.

Once again we hike up the winding trails of The Labyrinth, through layers of shifting fog.

Red Oregon grape along the trail.

Labyrinth waterfall

Fog ahead

My favorite oak grove

The sun is trying

Mt Hood’s flattish top peaking in and out at us as we go higher.

Our favorite landmark tree viewpoint – one moment in the fog,

then clear skies for a while.

Once again we hike higher, then across Atwood Road to the sudden cliff edge of Coyote Wall.

Cliffs of Coyote Wall are just beyond the oak tree

Coyote Wall, Look Lake, Columbia River.

Looking north to the upper slopes of Coyote Wall.

Eastern Columbia River Gorge.

Once again we hike down the ankle breaking bike trails, one called the Crybaby trail, while the fog layers shift and disperse.

East view from Old Ranch Road

Looking back up the wall, fog descending again.

Summer parsley.

Looking East toward the Rowena orchards.

Almost back to the Coyote Wall trailhead.

(Hike #57, 7 miles, 1500 feet)

Knitting…

Button bands on the Meris cardigan done; and about two thirds of a Rafa Hat.

Oaks Bottom, a rainbow, and a knitting update

December 16, 2019 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

12/8/2019 Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

We went for a quick walk around the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Portland. The last time here I was in the slow walk mode, recovering from my pituitary surgery. Today we walked briskly along – not too many birds out, but a nice dryish respite from the rainy days behind and ahead. (Hike #56, 3.1 miles, 100 feet)

Oaks Bottom

Bald eagle on a perch in the Willamette River.

Neighborhood

Lots of rain, and a rainbow…I am looking forward to the solstice.

Knitting

I finished a foxy bib for a baby shower present,

I put the thumbs on the mitts,

and have finished the body and icord hem on the Meris cardigan; on to the button bands….

Ridgefield birds, and darning success

December 9, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

11/30/2019 Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WA

On a cold morning we walked the Oaks to Wetlands Trail in the northern unit – the best views are from the railroad bridge. (Hike #55, 2 miles)

Swans in the lake…

Frosty leaves

Bird, oak galls.

We then drove the Auto Tour Route in the southern River ‘S’ unit and saw many more birds than were here in early October.

View from the bird blind – swans and geese will be closer on the far side of the driving loop.

Beyond the lake, a large flock of tall birds…

Zooming in-

sand hill cranes, a heron,

and an egret.

A great blue heron landed right next to the road.

Meanwhile, in the lake:

Lots of geese and swans,

and a black swan.

Knitting and the darning pile:

Fingerless mitts – just need the thumbs. Malabrigo Arroyo in the Jupiter color way.

Darned and depilled – three pairs of socks and a sweater!

Reflections and birds at Steigerwald Lake, WA

December 4, 2019December 1, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

11/23/2019

This is the place we go to see upside down trees that don’t exist except as reflected imagery in water.

Mt Hood beyond the lake.

And birds. We enjoy spotting them in their home, though we are not true ‘birders’.

Northern Harrier

We saw this Great Blue Heron several times from different vantage points:

Hiding in plain sight. I didn’t notice the heron in the middle of the picture until I was looking at my photos later.

Green Heron

Egret

Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge is in the early stages of a major overhaul. Dikes to the Columbia River will be breached, the lake will be enlarged, and wild salmon will return to the streams in the surrounding hills. Trails will be rerouted. Today we see early work – large logs have been placed to provide underwater wildlife habitat throughout the area that will become the enlarged lake.

Hike #54, 3.8 miles

Knitting, etc

Cold front in Portland this week, Thanksgiving supplies are in – I am chopping and baking and decorating for a small gathering.

One pair of sock toes mended so far.

Chocolate silk pie!

Margaret Quilts

Quilting, Knitting, Hiking

Knitting

First Trilliums of spring

March 2020

Tryon Creek State Park, March 4, 2020

Angel’s Rest, March 9, 2020

Knitting

Portland Art Museum: Volcano! Mount St. Helens in Art

Meanwhile, in Portland…

Catherine Creek hike, February 27, 2020

Knitting

Hamilton Mountain, WA, and first knit socks of 2020

Knitting

2019 review/2020 preview

Colorful holidays, and a visit to Eugene

Christmas week, 2019

Knitting

Christmas Eve at Dry Creek Falls, and knitted ornaments

December 24, 2019, Cascade Locks, Oregon

Knitted ornaments

Up the Labyrinth and down Coyote Wall in fog and sun

12/13/2019 Coyote Wall, Washington

Knitting…

Oaks Bottom, a rainbow, and a knitting update

12/8/2019 Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

Neighborhood

Knitting

Ridgefield birds, and darning success

11/30/2019 Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WA

Knitting and the darning pile:

Reflections and birds at Steigerwald Lake, WA

11/23/2019

Knitting, etc