"Nothing left but the core" ... Beacon Rock, Washington

Beacon Rock is a large monolith that is situated on the north bank of the Columbia River on the WA State side of the Gorge. It's always been a place I wanted to hike, but never had and I didn't really know if I could hike it with a bad knee and bad hip. Especially since I'd been told it pretty much vertical. WA State Parks hosted a free day today and I decided to take advantage of a free day on the trail. I ventured to the WA side of the river and made my way East to Beacon Rock State Park. I was going to climb what was left of the inside of a volcano!

 At the trailhead!

 On of the views!

 In order for Beacon Rock to be climbable, one of the original owners had created a switchback ramp system...with railings, thank goodness. This is a picture looking up with the zigzagging railings.

 Another great view!

 Chipmunk at the top of the 848 ft monolith.

 Looking down...

 After the hike up and down (which my knee and hip did very well with) I made my way over to the water and for a view if Beacon Rock from the river.

Click on the below picture and look closely...you can see the railings.

What a lovely hike, wonderful views and a great escape for the day!

PDX Exploring

My friend Jenny loves the little farmers market near where I live (and where she lived until recently) but she'd never been to the big Portland State University Farmers Market. So, we planned a day to hang out and I told her it was a surprise about where we were going. It was a cloudy and cool morning. We ventured downtown and walked to the market and Jenny was very excited to be there. I love introducing someone to something new and seeing their excitement. We did a quick walk around so she could gage what there was and then we made a game plan....coffee/hot chocolate, food and then goodies to take home. We ate good food, sat and watched interesting Portlanders, chatted and then decided after the market we'd make our way to the Portland Waterfront as Portland is still in the midst of Rose Festival and the dragonboat races were happening as well as Fleet Week with all the ships. Once I told Jenny that people can tour them she decided she'd like to go...so we found ourselves among the throngs of people as the sun had come out and Portland was shining in all her glory. The lines were an eternity long to get on the ships and we had time contraints so we moved on after taking these pictures...

On our walk back to the car we stopped for lemonaide at the Saturday Market and while waiting in line a Coast guard Helicopter lowered someone into the river to do a demo of one of their helicopter rescues. It was so fun to watch. Pretty impressive!

At the end of the "rescue" I said 'and now the helicopter pilot will dip it to bow.' I was completely joking, but sure enough, once the rescued guy was in the helicopter and the crowd was cheering, the pilot did indeed turn the helicopter and dipped the nose to bow. How fun?! What a fun day! Thanks for the adventures, Jenny!

Starlight Parade

It's not very often that I get to spend time with Holly, and even rarer to spend time with Holly and her son, Isaiah. Yesterday I got to do both! Holly and I had planned to have lunch together and see the new Divergent movie. While we were at lunch we sort of decided to go to Portland Rose Festival's Starlight Parade that night. You see, the last time we went Holly was pregnant with Isaiah and he loved the marching bands. Since Holly is pregnant now also we decided we could call it tradition. Also, if ever I am pregnant we decided the tradition will have to continue. 

So...here are our smiling faces! 

Until the next pregnancy! Thanks for the fun time Holly and Isaiah!

Children Present

I couldn't resist taking this picture the other night at Stasia's. You know children are a part of the household when Lego guys hang out in drawer handles.

Makes me smile!

“In order to comprehend the beauty of a Japanese garden, it is necessary to understand-or at least to learn to understand-the beauty of stone.” ~Patrick Lafcadio Hearn

 I was off from work on Friday and had had this grand plan of driving to Central Oregon and hiking at Smith Rock State Park. A place I've wanted to hike for years and have never been. Timing has never worked out real well. It is recommeded that you hike early in the season or late in the season because in the middle of summer the heat can measure over 100degrees easily. It's always warmer in Central OR than in Portland and then with the heat coming off the rocks it can get real warm. I read one hikers account that by noon it measured 110 degrees up near the rocks. I thought that the end of May would be perfect. I shared my plans with a few people and everyone (minus one friend) was against it. They all had a variety of reasons. I was still going to go, but then on Thursday evening I was driving home late from work and feeling exhausted and had a stern talk with myself that maybe this wasn't the ideal time. Getting up early and driving 2.5 hours to Central OR and hiking and driving back in a day when I was already tired and hadn't prepared at all might not be the best idea. So...I had a game plan change because I know myself well enough to know that I needed to do something.

I decided I'd go to the Japanese Garden. It had been nearly 10 years since I'd gone. My mom and I went the summer of 2004 when she was visiting while I staying in Portland to take summer classes. It was a lovely time and one of my favorite charms from my charm bracelet came from there....and silver origami cane. I got up Friday and got all ready and just as I was walking out my door it started downpouring. Now, the last thing I really wanted to do was go to an outdoor garden in the West Hills of Portland in the pouring rain. So instead I ran errands, planned a spur of the moment lunch with a friend and continued to be a bit bummed, knowing full well that it was sunny in Central OR. Oh well. I'd get there another day.

Saturday was also a bit rainy so I decided to go to the Japanese Garden on Sunday after church-so that I did. As I was walking up the hill to the garden entrance I discovered that my camera was on its last of battery power and really debated about leaving and coming back Monday (Memorial Day) or another weekend. But, I decided I'd go and make it work.

Here is the lower entrance from above it before hiking (or you can ride in a shuttle) up to the main entrance. As the title quote says, it is necessary to understand the beauty of stone in a Japanese Garden because it is everywhere. I love it.

 Such a peaceful place.

I love the picture below. Love it. I don't know why exactly, I just do.

 Love watching the Koi. Fish are so calming.

So right about here my camera battery died so I pulled out my cell phone (my non-smart phone) and took some pictures and they weren't too bad.

It was a cool and overcast Portland day, of course until I was leaving the garden, but it was wonderful to go back and see things that I didn't even recall having seen 10 years ago. Maybe I will try for 5 years between visits this next go-round.

Also, plans for that Smith Rock State Park hike are being dreamed about for the fall. Stay tuned. I will get there sometime.

Kindergarten Bound!

My, how time flies. Seriously. I met this adorable little one nearly 5 years ago. He was about 3 months old when I'd met him as he was born in St Louis. He was adorable then and still is. This picture was taken July 10th 2009. The day he and his parents arrived back in Portland following his dad's seminary stint. Stasia was a good friend in college as was Dave once they got married. We'd spend evenings together, a fun Thanksgiving holiday together among other adventures. Stasia and I kept in touch while they were in St Louis, Michigan and back in St Louis. I was excited when Dave was called to be a pastor here in Portland. And, close to me. I'd met them at a hotel briefly when they were house hunting in June and met Myles for the first time. Little did I know how involved in his life I would get to be. It is such a privilege. 

The cute on above has turned into the more grown up looking 5 year old that just graduated from preschool below. Forgive the blurry picture...my camera didn't like the lighting when I refused to let its flash go off.

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

 Myles next to his cousin, John.

 Getting his diploma...

 ...and his memory book.

 With cousin John after the ceremony.

 I had asked Stasia to get a picture of Myles and me and Josie wanted to join!

It's amazing how this little one grew up to this kindergarten bound boy that is all arms and legs and smiles on this day. And, how blessed am I to have gotten to experience so much of it. From his sleeepless nights early on to bathtime fun, to adding siblings, having all of our grand adventures. There have probably been hundreds of books read, laughs had and questions asked. I get to experience a lot of the best parts of his life.

 Myles...I pray you go far in your upcoming years of education. Before long I hope to have a picture of you and me at your high school and college graduations! Getting ready to go off to live your life doing something you are truly passionate about. Much love from Miss Stephie.

And here, for enjoyment are a couple cute/subpar quality pictures of me and Josie because a camera can't be out without Josie wanting a picture.

My favorite....

Lot of love, cute kiddos.