A Day For The Soul

I have been restless. I get that way this time of year. I think it is because I don't fair well when couped up all winter. Not that I am couped up entirely, but from some of the great hiking spots in the area. Some may say, "Stephanie, you can hike in the winter." And my response would be, "Yes, I know this, but I melt in the rain." Not really. I've done lots of things in the rain, hiking has unfortunately not been one of them. Maybe I should try that next winter on a nice day.

Anywho, I've been sort of stir crazy as of late and decided that this would be the weekend I got out. I awoke early this morning (in anticipation of my adventure?!-maybe), 6am, early for a weekend anyway. Earlier even than when I wake up during the work week. I did consider jumping out of bed and heading somewhere, but figured I would crash entirely too early this evening. So, I dawdled. It was wonderful. I had decided to head into the Columbia River Gorge. A place that I often forget to include in my spur-of-the-moment ventures. I took the Historic Columbia River Highway and was not disappointed. I had been in the gorge multiple times. It just doesn't tend to be my first thought for a Sunday drive type of destination.

The first stop I made was at the Portland Women's Forum. This scenic viewpoint is most definitely scenic. It hosts some of the most captivating views of the gorge, especially on a clear day such as today.

Look closely and you can see the Vista House at Crown Point.
Approaching the Vista House

View looking East from Crown Point

View looking West towards Portland

The Vista House was built in 1917 and designed to be an ideal site for “an observatory from which the view both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite.” ~S Lancaster, proposer of the observatory. It is still true to those words, all these years later.

After my stops at the Women's Forum and Vista House/Crown Point I headed back down towards the multitude of waterfalls that can be found in the gorge.

First falls:

The picture below reminds me of some sort of ethereal something or other. In actuality it is the sun streaming through the mist of the fall. If only there'd been a rainbow...

Approaching the elevation of the drop-off location of the falls. Amazing views from this height.

Falls stop #2:

This is a fall that I have not ever seen from the road, as you have to hike in to see it (I believe).

I posted the picture below because it cracked me up that you can so easily see the reflection of my hands in my sunglasses...

Falls stop #3:

I love this fall. I would classify it as my favorite among the falls of the gorge.

After seeing my favorite I decided to head up to see the Upper Horsetail Falls, AKA Ponytail Falls. Again, amazing views from that height.

The grotto, yes, that is the official name of the area carved out behind/below the falls; reminds me so much of Silver Falls State Park, another favorite of mine.

I was in heaven sitting under and behind the water. The rumble and crashings of water was so loud that I could barely hear myself think, let alone any one of the number of people surrounding me.

To end my day I was invited to go on a walk with my friend Megan. I had also asked if she wanted to do a picnic dinner at Rocky Butte. A place so near to her home that she had yet to visit and I'd been asking her if she'd been there for a year now. Today was the day. Our walk turned into just the picnic, which was delightful, even if a bit chilly as the clouds had rolled in. The views from the butte are pretty much amazing, I think. You can see all of Portland, along with Mt Hood, St Helens, Adams and Rainer (on a clear day). We had a short glimpse of Mt Hood before the clouds settled down around its peak and we had several great views of St Helens.

Looking East toward my earlier-in-the-day adventure in the gorge.

You can faintly see Mt Hood below, if you look real close...yes, squint just like that... :)

Downtown PDX. I love this city, especially in the spring when everything is so green and fresh.

Happy Soul Rejuvenation Day!

Dear Mom,

I love you! Hope you had a fantastic day! Thanks for all of your unending love and support.

~Steph

Taken June 2009 in Wheatland WY

Only 5?!

This was shared by one of my co-workers as a reflection during a staff meeting. I LIKE it, A LOT!~~

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson

I

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk

I fall in.

I am lost...I am helpless.

It takes me forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it.

I fall in again.

I can't believe I am in the same place

but, it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in...it's a habit.

My eyes are open

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

V

I walk down a different street.

"Their blooms, a hidden gargle in their green throats" ~Kathleen Jamie

After living in PDX for 9 Spring seasons, and wanting to visit this garden each of those Springs, I made it. Megan graciously accompanied my to the Crystal Spring Rhododendron Gardens. The garden was so quiet and peaceful, reflective of me and my mood for the day. The weather cooperated for the most part. (Except our fingers about froze off!) The garden is 7 acres and contains many colors of Rhodie, Azaleas and other trees, plants, bushes, etc. It also host a quaint little lake and many waterfalls.

The bridge at the entrance garden.
Megan at one of the waterfalls.

She was trying REALLY hard not to fall in!

Toddling among the stepping stones leading to the waterfall.

It started and stopped raining at this point....

Amazing colors!

If you look in the distance, under the archway you can see a waterfall! I love the sounds of cascading water, the smell of spring.

Megan on a log, remnants of a tree that felled due to weather, I imagine.

DUCKS! Everywhere!

Megan took a series of pictures (probably 12 in all) just to get the "perfect" picture of both duck butts up in the air!

"Can you twist that way."

Amazing colors!

Craggy branches and trunks!

Another felled tree.

Baby ducks; AKA ducklings! They were adorable!

More colors.

By now, I think our fingers were officially frozen. It was worth it though. The garden was beautiful. I will return, even in the "off season" as it is a truly peaceful place.

Maybe you should come out next spring and go with me?! YES! I love visitors!

1,073 feet above sea level

After helping a friend with some painting around his family's new house, I decided to head out on an adventure! Portland is full of adventures. I love that. A friend of mine had told me of the ampitheatre at Council Crest Park. I had never even been, so I decided to go. This is said to be the highest point in Portland, 1,073 feet above sea level. It was a beautiful park. I didn't stay long. It was a little cool and cloudier than it had been when I initially set out. And there was the matter of the creepy guy hanging out, so I took my leave. I will return again when there isn't a cloud in the sky, when I can see all the mountains that can be seen. You really can hear yourself echo back when standing in the center of the ampitheatre...the same as when you stand in the miniature ampitheatre at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

The city is really very beautiful with all the trees freshly budded out and the expanse of green that you encounter wherever you venture.

If you look closely through the trees in the picture below you can see the 405 bridge.

Imagine Mt Hood in the picture below. That's what you'd see if it weren't for the clouds.

April Poem of the Month

Ancestors
by Anon

If you could see your ancestors
All standing in a row.
Would you be proud of them or not
Or don't you really know?
Some strange discoveries are made
in climbing family trees
And some of them you know
Do not particularly please.

If you could see your ancestors
All standing in a row.
There are some of them perhaps;
You wouldn't care to know.
But theres another question
Which requires a different view,
If you could see your ancestors,
Would they be proud of you.