There and back again

[ksmith]

Spent a week in the Portland Oregon area. Visited good friends. Did some research. Experienced the joy of driving twisty, winding roads. Really twisty. And winding. After a drive, my right leg ached from tension and brake-hitting.

This time, I actually visited scenic vistas.

Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park:

A view of Haystack Rock from Ecola State Park

NB: Haystack Rock is that vaguely conical rock way in the back, on the far right of the photo. The other haystack-looking rocks are mere impostors.

The Columbia River Gorge (view from Crown Point Vista House):

View of the Columbia from the Crown Point Vista House

Multnomah Falls:

A gorgeous day at the Falls

Had lunch at Elephants Deli.

It was good to get away.

Came home yesterday–saw the Great Plains snowfall from the plane, and found 2.5 inches of wet stuff in the backyard rain gauge. Also found a very clean deck–the deck guy had powerwashed it on Monday. Tomorrow, he repairs what needs repairing. He thinks he’ll be able to coat/seal on Friday.

Also tomorrow, plumber installs new water heater. Meanwhile, I am planning the decluttering. It’s going to be All House All The Time for the foreseeable future.

Before I left, I picked the last of the tomatoes. Most were pretty green, so I bagged them and stuck them in the closet to ripen. Checked the bags yesterday and found about half were ready to go, so today I roasted them with garlic and balsamic vinegar. Had some for lunch with rigatoni, goat cheese and arugula. So. Good.

Busy days ahead.

Mirrored from Kristine Smith.

Comments

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

What? I missed seeing you? Damn!!!!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I seriously ran out of time--I didn't do half what I hoped to do.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Life happens that way, doesn't it? Too bad you couldn't be here for Orycon and mix in some business. Tax deductions!!! It's only a month or so away. Come back!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Won't be traveling for a while, unfortunately. I will even have to bail on Windycon. Schedules for house stuff, etc, got pushed forward and I need that weekend.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

Ahh, THAT twisty road! <3

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was a twisty one.

Truth be told, they all were. And narrow.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

Lovely photos!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm usually expert at either taking really bad photos or forgetting my camera, but this time brain, eye, and the weather were all on my side.

[goingferal.livejournal.com]

Those are some beautiful places to visit. I lived in Oregon for a couple of years for grad school--fell deeply in love with it.