A Winter Day at the Oregon Coast

February 28, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

2/21/2019

We drove over the snowy Coast Range from Portland to Cannon Beach and explored some of our favorite places on a cold, sunny day. Everywhere else within reach was colder, wetter, snowier.

Arcadia Beach State Park

First stop, late morning. High tide was in the early afternoon so the beach was shrinking as we walked a couple of miles south along the shore. We could not get around any of the headlands. Heavy mineral concentrations on the sand-depleted winter beaches made beautiful patterns.

Looking down on Arcadia Beach from above – at low tide we would be able to walk around the headland and north all the way to Cannon Beach.

Tidal channels

Heavy mineral patterns

Foot for scale.

View to the south toward Hug Point and beyond.

Zooming in on Hug Point – as close as we would get to it today.

Hug Point State Park

Tide even higher, so our stop here was brief.

Beach at Hug Point State Park – north view at high tide. We would not be able to see the waterfall or Hug Point itself today.

South view – in the summer the sand stretches for miles at low tide!

Arch Cape Beach

We have stayed near this beach many times over the past 30 years. We found a log to perch on while we ate our lunch. Only the rocky shingle was exposed on the winter beach. Thick foam was washing around in the swash zone, floating on the ebbing water, sparkling in the sun.

Lunch view to the north.

Lunch view to the south, Arch Cape and Castle Rock.

Neahkahnie Viewpoint

At the south end of Oswald West State Park, the view to Nehalem Bay and Manzanita to the south is stunning.

Neahkahnie Mountain

We hiked the three mile round trip to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain – beautiful views on this cold day.

Much of the trail is through shady forest.

View from the rocky top. Nehalem Bay and Manzanita Beach.

Note the snow capped peaks in the Coast Range.

Short Sand Beach, Oswald West State Park

We walked a couple of miles here on the interconnected trails that lead to Short Sand Beach in Smuggler’s Cove.

Bridge over Necarney Creek

View to north from the south beach

View to south from the south beach

North beach of Smuggler’s Cove – Falcon Point and Blumenthal Falls

There were a few surfers in the water.

I accidentally photographed a surfer when I was zooming in on the falls.

Blumenthal Falls

Silver Point View

Looking back toward Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.

Cannon Beach/Haystack Rock at Sunset

After an early dinner in Cannon Beach, we parked near Haystack Rock. Dan walked down the beach to photograph the sunset. I watched from above, keeping warm in the car. (Hike #11, 8 miles, 1100 feet for the day).

Haystack Rock

Tillamook Head to the north.

Crafting

I finished the first sock of this pair. I have set up a frame to practice canvas stitching.

Winter Gardens, Portland

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Hoyt Arboretum 2/15/2019

Two hours with no rain – we took a walk to the Winter Garden in Hoyt Arboretum, Washington Park. (Hike #9, 2 miles, 200 feet)

hellebore

wich hazel and daphne

bleeding dogwood

camellia

Erica arborea

heather

rose hips

birch trees

We saw more blooming witch hazel near the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial:

Crystal Springs 2/17/2019

A dry day – we met friends at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, and walked all around the lakes and garden paths. We then crossed the road and walked along Crystal Springs Creek through Reed Canyon on the Reed College campus. (Hike#10, 3 miles, 150 feet).

Bridge at the north end of the gardens near the entrance.

Winter plants were blooming, though nothing like the riot of color during rhododendron and azalea season.

Early blooming azalea

hellebore

heather

manzanita

heather

snow drops

an early rhododendron

paper bush

Water birds and reflections:

Crystal Springs Creek trail in Reed Canyon:

The bicycle/pedestrian bridge across the canyon.

Walking east along Reed Canyon.

A great blue heron near the marsh.

The spring inlet on the east end of campus.

The lake on the west end of campus.

Cross Stitch

I mounted the Jane Austen House Cross Stitch on foam board using sequin pins and a few stitches at the corners. The piece is now hanging on my wall!

Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, May 2018. I realize now the cross stitch kit view is the side facing the garden, not the street front.

Knitting

I found buttons for my Brioche Headscarf, and have worn it!

Silver Falls and Steigerwald

February 2, 2019February 2, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

1/27/2019 Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge, WA

A short walk on a foggy day with one of our sons.

Ducks

Swans

Great Blue Heron near the bridge

Ephemeral reflections

Bald eagle pair watching over all.

2.3 miles, hike #5 for 2019.

1/28/2019 Silver Falls, OR

Windy and cold in Portland, but warmer to the south. We drove to Silver Falls State Park in the Cascade foothills east of Salem, Oregon, where the North and South Forks of Silver Creek fall in steep drops or shorter cascades over ledges of volcanic rock. We hiked the Trail of Ten Falls, though we skipped one – so the Trail of Nine Falls. One or more waterfalls every mile of the seven mile loop keeps the trail interesting. Lots of water in the falls, compared to my last visit in August of 2017!

South Falls 177 ft

We started at South Falls, but skipped the path behind the falls as I didn’t want to start out the hike wet.

South Falls from the upper viewpoint

South Falls from the bridge.

Lower South Falls 93 ft

Stairs down the cliff.

Walking behind the falls.

Dan on the left, emerging from behind the falls.

The trail follows the river, with occasional bridge crossings.

Lower North Falls 30 ft

Double Falls 178 ft

Drake Falls 27 ft

Named for the man who created the park.

Middle North Falls 106 ft

Twin Falls 31 ft

North Falls 136 ft

The trail leads behind North Falls.

Behind the falls.

Looking back.

And now we have to climb up out of the canyon.

Looking back down at North Falls.

We did not walk the extra distance to Upper North Falls (65 ft), but followed the Rim Trail toward –

Winter Falls 134 ft

We only saw the upper lip of this one, though there is a trail down to the base.

Winter Falls rim.

This was the last waterfall of the hike (7.0 miles, 1200 feet, hike #6 for 2019).

Wildlife

There was a ladybug picnic on one of the fence posts:

White River, first crocus

January 28, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

1/24/2019 White River Snowshoe, Mt Hood, OR

We started in mist with promise of sun breaking through. As we walked up the snow covered braid plain of the White River, the glowing peak of Mt Hood showed in silhouette, then in clarity against clear blue sky.

Looking back to the start point, fog lifting.

Clear blue skies over Mt Hood.

We hiked up onto the ridge and continued toward the mountain.

Approaching Boy Scout Ridge, near our lunch stop.

Lunch stop view point. A large group was already there, and the mountain peak was glowing ethereally as the sun came in through the clouds.

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Lunch view.

Return down the White River, high clouds forming.

Tree shadows on the snowy moraine surface.

Last look back at Mt Hood.

(Hike # 5, 3.3 miles, 750 feet)

Winter Bulbs Blooming

The first snowdrop and crocus bulbs have opened in the garden this week.

Pink and blue striped sky, half moon hanging above. From January 12, 2019.

Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge birds, a lunar eclipse, and new knitting projects

January 23, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

1/19/2019 Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WA, in the fog

We drove the auto tour in the southern, River S Unit, to see if anyone was out today.

We saw several bald eagles through the fog all along the route.

It was a great day for Great Blue Herons near the road.

Great blue heron standing in the field beyond a flock of Canada geese.

We also saw swans and more geese,

lots of nutria swimming, and this one crossing the road:

lots of ducks,

We watched a hawk take a bath on a sign near the exit.

1/20/2019 Lunar Eclipse

The clouds cleared for about 10 minutes. We saw the moon just as it was entering totality. My camera could not see it once it went dark, but we briefly saw the orange glow of the blood red moon before the clouds closed in again.

My best image, hand held and zoomed in.

New knitting

I cast on another pair of socks from Berocco Sox yarn – plain vanilla with a 3×3 cable down the sides.

And a Brioche Watch Cap from Berroco Millifiori yarn – this makes a cushy and shiny fabric, and works up fast!

Good deeds for the week – I cleaned out my sewing cabinet and organized my threads and notions, so now I should be able to find things and get back to sewing. And I enabled a new sock knitter!

Neighborhood Poetry Posting

Rest In Peace, Mary Oliver. Your poems will live forever.

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

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

Winter trees at Tryon Creek, OR (18-56)

December 11, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

December 9, 2018 Tryon Creek State Park

After two weeks of clear, cold, windy days our clouds have returned, warming us up enough for a short hike through Tryon Creek State Park. It was mostly empty on the trails, unlike in spring when the trillium are in full bloom. Bare trees, stream reflections and a sunbreaks marked the woods this day. (2.2 miles, 200 feet, #63)

Crafting, etc

I finally cast on a new pair of socks.

I have finished the cross stitching on Jane Austen’s House – that has been my evening work lately. Next, back stitching and french knots.

I have done some pre-winter clean up in the garden. We have our Christmas tree standing in the living room, as yet unadorned. I went to see the latest Fantastic Beasts movie with one of my sons at a midweek matinee, and we were the only viewers in the theater. We both enjoyed the movie. Otherwise, I am trying to finish up my blog posts about our UK trip last spring by the end of the year – there are so many photos to sort through – it really was an amazing trip! I am enjoying reliving those experiences.

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.

Coyote Wall, WA (18-49)

November 7, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

As we drove toward Hood River to cross the bridge to the Washington side of the gorge, we noticed fire burning high on the slopes above White Salmon. We realized it must be a controlled/slash burn, not a wildfire, thankfully.

Little Moab and Old Ranch Road Trails, November 3, 2018 (#60)

We walked up Coyote Wall about half way on an overcast day.

Walking along Old Highway 8 to the trail up Coyote Wall.

First view to the east – a different perspective on the fruit orchards east of Mosier from our Catherine Creek hike last week.

Approaching one of the viewpoints over Coyote Wall on the Little Moab Trail.

Looking over the wall and up. The sky is a bit smoky from the fire above White Salmon, just over the hill.

We begin to see the shoulders of Mt Hood under clouds to the south.

Junction of Little Moab and Old Ranch Road trails. We are headed up.

Lunchtime view to the east

Lunchtime view to the south

Lunchtime view up Coyote Wall

We decided to head down, as the wind was picking up and blowing more smoke toward us. 4.3 miles, 1000 feet for the day.

Looking back up to where we had been on Coyote Wall from the trail head.

Lookback:

Comparing fall and spring views:

View to the east, October 2018

April 2017

View toward Mt Hood, October 2018

April 2017

Knitting

I am blocking the Ivy Cardigan, and I finished another round dishcloth.

Neighborhood

The fall colors have been a pleasure to walk through – my camera can’t quite catch them and yet I try.

A Crisp Fall Day at Catherine Creek, WA (18-48)

November 1, 2018 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Catherine Creek Arch Trail, October 27, 2018 (#59)

We walked a loop above the arch and part way up Tracy Hill, then dropped down into the oak and big leaf maple-lined canyon in front of the arch. Windless day, river like glass, slanting sun through the clouds enhancing the fall colors.

First stop near the trail head – looking across the Columbia River to the fruit orchards east of Mosier, Oregon.

Our path along the far side of the canyon.

Walking upward toward Tracy Hill.

Looking over dry flower heads back to the river.

Lunch view from the knob just north of the arch.

Lunch view to the eastern gorge, Rowena Plateau and Memaloose Island.

From our high point on Tracy Hill the lowest shoulders of Mt Hood can be seen under the clouds.

Heading down to Catherine Creek.

Orange oak trees, yellow big leaf maple trees.

The pinnacles of Catherine Creek.

We walk by the Arch….

And continue our way back to the trail head, feeling refreshed, before heading back to the rest of our rainy weekend in Portland. 3 miles, 600 feet.

On our way to the hike today, we stopped at the Women’s Forum Viewpoint on the Historical Columbia River Highway to look at the view of Vista House, Beacon Rock and beyond.

Knitting

The back and one and a half front panels of the Ivy Cardigan.

Fall Colors at Home