tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39344921709850532332024-03-12T17:17:14.797-07:00Moving to PDX: Paul, Jenny and Buckley too!The trials, tribulations and escapades of the Mayo family as they make a new home in Portland, OR.Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-45963394907550818012010-01-04T13:45:00.000-08:002010-01-04T13:49:05.664-08:00And a special congrats to Paul today...on his first day, officially, as an attorney at DLG! This is the same firm that he has been at since we moved here (previously as a law clerk), but recently accepted a promotion. Congrats, counselor!Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-72960531237950085132010-01-04T12:43:00.000-08:002010-01-04T12:43:11.222-08:00Christmas in Michigan<div>Happy New Year!! Yes, I realize Christmas was a week and a half ago... we needed time to decompress! </div><div><br /></div><div>We traveled to the mitten for the holidays this year for a short and sweet trip. After a red-eye flight with a three hour delay right in the middle, we landed in Detroit at 8am just in time for the 2.5-hour drive to Grand Rapids. Yay! So after more time in planes and cars than we've spent in the last year combined, I didn't leave the house much. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>As per usual with this family, there was a lot of eating, drinking, laughing... more drinking... more laughing... with some presents mixed in. I took a lot of pictures, so this post will read more like a family album. Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">December 23rd</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy2Z9_78VtnpVEP20Keifd15SUSFz74IiU9X7chupBsrINiGcaTmdlmVCpIwbQ3DblSZe07HAkHB1cNI9CxF36-ODiWYBmmYIK2CBVsl_8jjImgOgcD0y6W9QOheZvuu8t5XifLTmIpw/s1600-h/DSC_3882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy2Z9_78VtnpVEP20Keifd15SUSFz74IiU9X7chupBsrINiGcaTmdlmVCpIwbQ3DblSZe07HAkHB1cNI9CxF36-ODiWYBmmYIK2CBVsl_8jjImgOgcD0y6W9QOheZvuu8t5XifLTmIpw/s400/DSC_3882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422966219067847970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">My usual post</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeak4Kd9LDstHN001IxYRYl8ScAHLvfI887YgNfIYA1MpAQ4RhZ2J_88ptC5AiKarmjfdomCt1UNWm2fMiLKVsSl_h761olIj6xaRp7CcR2zXxaeojirDyuWqPDAPZXaBcL_hyphenhyphenKVqoIA/s1600-h/DSC_3831.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeak4Kd9LDstHN001IxYRYl8ScAHLvfI887YgNfIYA1MpAQ4RhZ2J_88ptC5AiKarmjfdomCt1UNWm2fMiLKVsSl_h761olIj6xaRp7CcR2zXxaeojirDyuWqPDAPZXaBcL_hyphenhyphenKVqoIA/s400/DSC_3831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422966210883942146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Elliot and Grandma Horvath</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGv_VQ9wf9YIQugzhFq_GKvTEPlxftNKCDH5PILwMY_CKOwI_8UcVp5OdpypwNBIIfIFe5yIWG60YAtC1Q5WTXlqmxxgh7wHf9ktmt3aOAVJzLg7pDqgSA4hgRNSI7fzO6nwoDolX_rE/s1600-h/DSC_3833.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGv_VQ9wf9YIQugzhFq_GKvTEPlxftNKCDH5PILwMY_CKOwI_8UcVp5OdpypwNBIIfIFe5yIWG60YAtC1Q5WTXlqmxxgh7wHf9ktmt3aOAVJzLg7pDqgSA4hgRNSI7fzO6nwoDolX_rE/s400/DSC_3833.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422966204669522178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Wrapping presents!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENfTfE5cGBvQrR7K3EUWYqb_wcxcfshr1Kp_ua48LBJSqZlBBZoWfaLfnagF3EDyf7t-zqsfH5HzsI133kP_TudyWvc3KLJ4iP56i240J5Rx4bLOtmVx-B-kTYcLekixqGWwdW-NWXwU/s1600-h/DSC_3862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENfTfE5cGBvQrR7K3EUWYqb_wcxcfshr1Kp_ua48LBJSqZlBBZoWfaLfnagF3EDyf7t-zqsfH5HzsI133kP_TudyWvc3KLJ4iP56i240J5Rx4bLOtmVx-B-kTYcLekixqGWwdW-NWXwU/s400/DSC_3862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422966195911603618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Grandma and Grandpa Mayo</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ8LXk9r6Er14bVT3iuZWDestpTQbAyknLmyu9xXq_fcOfdqa7BZ8g9lAeeljgahLVqvQ9xMBcpGMTDCgpMQUp_8L9eTobLs1FWxUBGARIIlb3aVuxIxb_Fb5GIJ15zQ6BvzdJJ5ZI2U/s1600-h/DSC_3872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ8LXk9r6Er14bVT3iuZWDestpTQbAyknLmyu9xXq_fcOfdqa7BZ8g9lAeeljgahLVqvQ9xMBcpGMTDCgpMQUp_8L9eTobLs1FWxUBGARIIlb3aVuxIxb_Fb5GIJ15zQ6BvzdJJ5ZI2U/s400/DSC_3872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965903414914994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Don't worry, Elvis was there, atop the paper towels.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulN8d4tKo85J8kWqPsxEhNNmPVTCiJpl4_Y0pgH43lvd2pyhQHuoKhK63HdRLIGlnNxgYx1P80nDV2QVc1GZFBPwszMwqTLbgvNcEtG45dySG1EyMGCEtq-9v2Aj-6My4QwL6bJ2LFbs/s1600-h/DSC_3877.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulN8d4tKo85J8kWqPsxEhNNmPVTCiJpl4_Y0pgH43lvd2pyhQHuoKhK63HdRLIGlnNxgYx1P80nDV2QVc1GZFBPwszMwqTLbgvNcEtG45dySG1EyMGCEtq-9v2Aj-6My4QwL6bJ2LFbs/s400/DSC_3877.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965894320041042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Lauren and Grandpa Horvath reminiscing</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOaB14RN-VY69Icbz73lJc8VF752gXgL0tdjQi6p0OjLt3EBPRpGxNqoRrpGavY83tbSNyKd3D5e2mOBbZUfAFfRTyUxi3aF3iXsHw6UsNjf4ZDa9kVDI_-wKMISmjozBRKKCcHofnXo/s1600-h/DSC_3906.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOaB14RN-VY69Icbz73lJc8VF752gXgL0tdjQi6p0OjLt3EBPRpGxNqoRrpGavY83tbSNyKd3D5e2mOBbZUfAFfRTyUxi3aF3iXsHw6UsNjf4ZDa9kVDI_-wKMISmjozBRKKCcHofnXo/s400/DSC_3906.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965883363015314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The stockings were hung...</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8htW8SrfMS5JDVQH-bqSdsdSjJF2KhStrqqRgJzFTw-q6eUbHfnhKWmY4L6v0iGpAZZBiYTGMI4Oo62hEjGvJiYT9890nSLVcmVAB5-UmmuXvRxghdyyHGuXOFwr2qmLb71UMdZLQtMY/s1600-h/DSC_3885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8htW8SrfMS5JDVQH-bqSdsdSjJF2KhStrqqRgJzFTw-q6eUbHfnhKWmY4L6v0iGpAZZBiYTGMI4Oo62hEjGvJiYT9890nSLVcmVAB5-UmmuXvRxghdyyHGuXOFwr2qmLb71UMdZLQtMY/s400/DSC_3885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965878076016194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Presents!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59XWzvDOegg9YQHjUap3Ta8FQC98qP4izuIzbfi6vN63XzT6p3RFRCnWiN4jxwWjitZNfRzKZ1wT4KALqAyJwTKWXSn40M-Efr9quFg1IXCK1_sZ8hbfVaaw4Ga47SUIokQK6ZtMvFto/s1600-h/DSC_3892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59XWzvDOegg9YQHjUap3Ta8FQC98qP4izuIzbfi6vN63XzT6p3RFRCnWiN4jxwWjitZNfRzKZ1wT4KALqAyJwTKWXSn40M-Efr9quFg1IXCK1_sZ8hbfVaaw4Ga47SUIokQK6ZtMvFto/s400/DSC_3892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965408910060034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Joyce and her parents</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JEd_x7ON_4hVtF31KB9bdbOwK_xLolliLu56-zGGDBtOyDEQxqPUFP7Nku8ShsRfYPXFoL3C94xqwixyCJr6C3hWiz4AlWKdI-uFAKqGubPzM2ZAgQtiHyxHSqGxoL9oRxrjso8adYI/s1600-h/DSC_3894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JEd_x7ON_4hVtF31KB9bdbOwK_xLolliLu56-zGGDBtOyDEQxqPUFP7Nku8ShsRfYPXFoL3C94xqwixyCJr6C3hWiz4AlWKdI-uFAKqGubPzM2ZAgQtiHyxHSqGxoL9oRxrjso8adYI/s400/DSC_3894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965397691892946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Me, Joyce and Grandpa Horvath</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B8MnhTW0wyebUDlG5dw8gS-9D8Eu-5P_jmU7BF42JTLoSl9wBX3LNVktlzTS3AyAeKz-rXRPT9Yotr3IUsGASgBCBHjPYzXNZrnqVwG3PvPPSIP7rcZDBjJyieY08AtsPBsD7WFrtkM/s1600-h/DSC_3912.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B8MnhTW0wyebUDlG5dw8gS-9D8Eu-5P_jmU7BF42JTLoSl9wBX3LNVktlzTS3AyAeKz-rXRPT9Yotr3IUsGASgBCBHjPYzXNZrnqVwG3PvPPSIP7rcZDBjJyieY08AtsPBsD7WFrtkM/s400/DSC_3912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965389181609026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jkGducyUe5oMk2wByekRMwK6PSc1zowdBt31Wl5eNr5JG7etdbJ-dLGHGjSBLzSh20605rH8cwbbqjQjg6x9qAQdS7f7wy5L63EPwsOL_ZyFyOLHa9ocewcScDc8R2XbfN2JDl9L5bU/s1600-h/DSC_3914.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jkGducyUe5oMk2wByekRMwK6PSc1zowdBt31Wl5eNr5JG7etdbJ-dLGHGjSBLzSh20605rH8cwbbqjQjg6x9qAQdS7f7wy5L63EPwsOL_ZyFyOLHa9ocewcScDc8R2XbfN2JDl9L5bU/s400/DSC_3914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422965381499886626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Joyce and new Tom</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>That night we all headed to Bar Divani in downtown GR for the much-anticipated Lime Green Shirt reunion. Lime Green Shirt, what is that?? Musical worlds colliding as DJ Elijah (aka Elliot), Archangel and Sylock (better known to most of you as the two rad dudes who DJ'd our wedding) reunited for an epic set. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6xMEQK0V-gzJWPXBoAFOokASO4oRX48yLKA1LcxZ163lvvWUcRC0q2KLhJpoCkaY150O9tdOOIgwSd0EHv-WRztVw2ZKwDoOYJUHiRIbJ3ZJP3fIZTbxlYhnGvA4iGjxIpSM-PQN1Ek/s1600-h/DSC_3922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6xMEQK0V-gzJWPXBoAFOokASO4oRX48yLKA1LcxZ163lvvWUcRC0q2KLhJpoCkaY150O9tdOOIgwSd0EHv-WRztVw2ZKwDoOYJUHiRIbJ3ZJP3fIZTbxlYhnGvA4iGjxIpSM-PQN1Ek/s400/DSC_3922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964891966459682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn83UzPkiK_NfGYQwiWN-z_3lhuZ2afr28t-VmVx-26SgrALiIr0bL_h86MQnzhf7oyUgDJbSJfVLpDeIp1sVm_0MaxyyvUHwnWaWuhb855wM3gdYkDJweInhYodYyWXMFmhswKfl21Dw/s1600-h/DSC_3929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn83UzPkiK_NfGYQwiWN-z_3lhuZ2afr28t-VmVx-26SgrALiIr0bL_h86MQnzhf7oyUgDJbSJfVLpDeIp1sVm_0MaxyyvUHwnWaWuhb855wM3gdYkDJweInhYodYyWXMFmhswKfl21Dw/s400/DSC_3929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964882884069954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyruw57UJ67QLMTuoI4a3DF2z-jhsIGPlhf5wJOkTQr0Jg0_Cc7od7VBPqfxv_zlTLnLpGiyrsUrLE0FgKKLCooBL1855CvXUl1ZfVD8_QNslEtD8i5XU1ISK0JbSFPLwyePV5UpEbaBQ/s1600-h/DSC_3934.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyruw57UJ67QLMTuoI4a3DF2z-jhsIGPlhf5wJOkTQr0Jg0_Cc7od7VBPqfxv_zlTLnLpGiyrsUrLE0FgKKLCooBL1855CvXUl1ZfVD8_QNslEtD8i5XU1ISK0JbSFPLwyePV5UpEbaBQ/s400/DSC_3934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964879498117858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5qL0KZ-V7zPasvaN1Co_RwIMJyb-M9Nvi_FztJn3YBbRZF1nRVOp8_JevtncuMg2DVPFIhMrcuElqWrHASw5Gc-8CWQch0hRXSLyXW15YmCgcfhb8o5fIQZ8DDJMW4NqE0Y8c5t4Deg/s1600-h/DSC_3949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5qL0KZ-V7zPasvaN1Co_RwIMJyb-M9Nvi_FztJn3YBbRZF1nRVOp8_JevtncuMg2DVPFIhMrcuElqWrHASw5Gc-8CWQch0hRXSLyXW15YmCgcfhb8o5fIQZ8DDJMW4NqE0Y8c5t4Deg/s400/DSC_3949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964871708716674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufYELoeozcyjC-Wnr6JQ_aZqepimNFpJHsJg66UMWb2gp8-DflY2QpfYYJLux9fMjaXWj7PCeaiKjhgoO8uBD8nfO8snWf5qzDV-0VFn8Ndh-alBG3iFiTtKsfNYIVlQyvByVl4i_6Ss/s1600-h/DSC_4008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufYELoeozcyjC-Wnr6JQ_aZqepimNFpJHsJg66UMWb2gp8-DflY2QpfYYJLux9fMjaXWj7PCeaiKjhgoO8uBD8nfO8snWf5qzDV-0VFn8Ndh-alBG3iFiTtKsfNYIVlQyvByVl4i_6Ss/s400/DSC_4008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964437824661282" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">December 24th</div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas Eve! Of course after excessive imbibing the previous evening, we all rolled out of bed late morning and proceeded to lazily hang around the condo all day. Just like the three cats that live there as well.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc49Og6EF2QUInLSt43HARzQu7fEMKPXVUqa6YDZA09nIqZ4-NAjXX6OagLOAiB217YHDlkIeKa0gBj-D5DRtV12d-OHo0qVPWQDeOkS3jS-v0uprBWJjgqvhrDhaiPK_k9VUfWg7qlA/s1600-h/DSC_4044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc49Og6EF2QUInLSt43HARzQu7fEMKPXVUqa6YDZA09nIqZ4-NAjXX6OagLOAiB217YHDlkIeKa0gBj-D5DRtV12d-OHo0qVPWQDeOkS3jS-v0uprBWJjgqvhrDhaiPK_k9VUfWg7qlA/s400/DSC_4044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964435217355266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">This is Max. He's awesome.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbEhU_vaP2hSsKWLa4RUk3Mztag55TdFT4ACIhgfzYyfFIik24YJKxxNZoSZRBel7w0GyV4dmqx-rjglxdUQ0ZsZcc_eY50LKDKOqXpMsrxp34kjIfkGFIbvQ4Db90RfwlvLGpv5dcz4/s1600-h/DSC_4091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbEhU_vaP2hSsKWLa4RUk3Mztag55TdFT4ACIhgfzYyfFIik24YJKxxNZoSZRBel7w0GyV4dmqx-rjglxdUQ0ZsZcc_eY50LKDKOqXpMsrxp34kjIfkGFIbvQ4Db90RfwlvLGpv5dcz4/s400/DSC_4091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964423829238578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Catnap!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl3R1IDelVzkVkyqa-OjRlqsQTXPD8hPUP9g_p4LEYxeTonTmGS2Pep2B5SeFEu57egdsEKtqWuAZPjlSgdngpAsnOawoQXx7p3cpTH12uTE_3GXEChCZGegx-GEB_U2Wz4NRDJqK3wU/s1600-h/DSC_4095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl3R1IDelVzkVkyqa-OjRlqsQTXPD8hPUP9g_p4LEYxeTonTmGS2Pep2B5SeFEu57egdsEKtqWuAZPjlSgdngpAsnOawoQXx7p3cpTH12uTE_3GXEChCZGegx-GEB_U2Wz4NRDJqK3wU/s400/DSC_4095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422964412883751298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">This is Shadow, the most cuddly friendly cat I've met.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMHD9L_7psNvjQp6TcdvfI3nNkMza25qIXxeFPZOVRIVW85BV25xy1p88A9AaKk-IJ2viE0r9W1wIZKJIRv2WY1LBTtI7qn-XvtSRkFxy-PULKezvetijMWQ1WuZTF0R_QBDnuNgpV_8/s1600-h/DSC_4117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMHD9L_7psNvjQp6TcdvfI3nNkMza25qIXxeFPZOVRIVW85BV25xy1p88A9AaKk-IJ2viE0r9W1wIZKJIRv2WY1LBTtI7qn-XvtSRkFxy-PULKezvetijMWQ1WuZTF0R_QBDnuNgpV_8/s400/DSC_4117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963907886704050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hX4UTx5HSM4HzMAyqH13hya-Y-zWMdiIwVR824qQk4An7laiVAsB8URXmQt6UdiopAT3FUnDpO91Vn6U15oh4IFnfZdDgZFP-xWKT7o_FhfwKcig3zZQV0y_8nADDG8fCm00XNZ_xLo/s1600-h/DSC_4302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hX4UTx5HSM4HzMAyqH13hya-Y-zWMdiIwVR824qQk4An7laiVAsB8URXmQt6UdiopAT3FUnDpO91Vn6U15oh4IFnfZdDgZFP-xWKT7o_FhfwKcig3zZQV0y_8nADDG8fCm00XNZ_xLo/s400/DSC_4302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963896734560706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">And of course Sam... the fat one.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk60rvJZwDEraVKUsWU7BGc7uD596y5CXcxGOOzaGOQtQF_zmgxV9H9RNcRTMSvXlUZe4bfijKu0y0RV1PiQy-mQX8guY03dTdxtWglhi0t2es2wU5ZygmdLrQq61QBpBcZNIINP6GOJo/s1600-h/DSC_4312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk60rvJZwDEraVKUsWU7BGc7uD596y5CXcxGOOzaGOQtQF_zmgxV9H9RNcRTMSvXlUZe4bfijKu0y0RV1PiQy-mQX8guY03dTdxtWglhi0t2es2wU5ZygmdLrQq61QBpBcZNIINP6GOJo/s400/DSC_4312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963883818868178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Rar!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFSkKU6Bx9eO3QCIdFLozEcIet2Y0v0ydbBu2FG-e8W_Kp1cRwUy6UHutsscSCgCFFiT6HHP5J4Mb-DLfdA8TRzpFMJKRG0eoijBuxZgJMlcZX7j3fJfg9-94EGdcjSMgfyJOfLM9q2M/s1600-h/DSC_4133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFSkKU6Bx9eO3QCIdFLozEcIet2Y0v0ydbBu2FG-e8W_Kp1cRwUy6UHutsscSCgCFFiT6HHP5J4Mb-DLfdA8TRzpFMJKRG0eoijBuxZgJMlcZX7j3fJfg9-94EGdcjSMgfyJOfLM9q2M/s400/DSC_4133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963870208826786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Nature's fridge.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwBFaP16UAON6zIaQ6vvF9OagKXnSDVOhDpCMDZYpGQytdo1NoIOtGktx4Ykz3mkXqF950b4enHKOD-DPUajqpTOMHBj-qO_ZKyNKPWhVuhgzfHaXeUBhMn00nd6dSL_KxN12T08gotA/s1600-h/DSC_4134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwBFaP16UAON6zIaQ6vvF9OagKXnSDVOhDpCMDZYpGQytdo1NoIOtGktx4Ykz3mkXqF950b4enHKOD-DPUajqpTOMHBj-qO_ZKyNKPWhVuhgzfHaXeUBhMn00nd6dSL_KxN12T08gotA/s400/DSC_4134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963408812216050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">"Don't worry, I got it... I'm way tall."</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7grE0oX985iazkfuSwGLyXOK7eEa00rBe5Sjyqx3vKbv8-DxPR9CDXVoJQB6FSlcbhvxdntt5pFPEMDyDh4nFI3UkqMc_5YYTvA-G8dRyH9oM1XFMOiZzZf-595djkcUCbNa2znGGluQ/s1600-h/DSC_4139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7grE0oX985iazkfuSwGLyXOK7eEa00rBe5Sjyqx3vKbv8-DxPR9CDXVoJQB6FSlcbhvxdntt5pFPEMDyDh4nFI3UkqMc_5YYTvA-G8dRyH9oM1XFMOiZzZf-595djkcUCbNa2znGGluQ/s400/DSC_4139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963389657476146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Dinner prep</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MYRvi0HJob_2TCEawctevkw__0D-uZ747ZwHdj89rtDYdRp4eyiINxhbYzILsCoi4KFd9TPRTaiWmJ5JzqRL3sLexMyJXKqVqgBJNFY_RvfcLgTj5i9Pj6Eorh4ORHaF6rdaSeMhYfU/s1600-h/DSC_4143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MYRvi0HJob_2TCEawctevkw__0D-uZ747ZwHdj89rtDYdRp4eyiINxhbYzILsCoi4KFd9TPRTaiWmJ5JzqRL3sLexMyJXKqVqgBJNFY_RvfcLgTj5i9Pj6Eorh4ORHaF6rdaSeMhYfU/s400/DSC_4143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963376865889538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Lauren, Erica and Elliot</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbqjV48dTrXoXagf5wyjnyKjRLBm68ZuUWw9TrhYfHLv1WWiNEejNV9JpLQuJaiIFzHoGFwBG64d17vY3laihU_SYd7AZtcrEp4_HcoVHQDLuGSyQrxPb8h9pBzn7G6DynqTd_WwpPeM/s1600-h/DSC_4149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbqjV48dTrXoXagf5wyjnyKjRLBm68ZuUWw9TrhYfHLv1WWiNEejNV9JpLQuJaiIFzHoGFwBG64d17vY3laihU_SYd7AZtcrEp4_HcoVHQDLuGSyQrxPb8h9pBzn7G6DynqTd_WwpPeM/s400/DSC_4149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422963363937274738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Grandpa and Grandma Mayo patiently waiting to be fed.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXyWgNoPjOAkJlUIpAE1yYhnL2o49ffmvuwWD34fWWoeT0fgVtiPEJmDubseyQV8L7NLcayVfNzu3k3J-omRtsc_fVpj3rsgKwEKGJg_7s5Bds56je14BFnRu965KAJaAxjTribFR3X8/s1600-h/DSC_4173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXyWgNoPjOAkJlUIpAE1yYhnL2o49ffmvuwWD34fWWoeT0fgVtiPEJmDubseyQV8L7NLcayVfNzu3k3J-omRtsc_fVpj3rsgKwEKGJg_7s5Bds56je14BFnRu965KAJaAxjTribFR3X8/s400/DSC_4173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962860967260562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">There's one proud lady</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzKIMy0MkJAriaZ8cFGF4RQp9W7Sm8FQJHNt9zjpwlPS43Cj5g_sNAIW6QNBdgp7KhBw2lTj8rBz0oqqZx__0HjBZ31lD1ZcDZFWGloT1tEzSKlXrFqwNqyfZt_ab4HhZYsg50B5tFTg/s1600-h/DSC_4199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzKIMy0MkJAriaZ8cFGF4RQp9W7Sm8FQJHNt9zjpwlPS43Cj5g_sNAIW6QNBdgp7KhBw2lTj8rBz0oqqZx__0HjBZ31lD1ZcDZFWGloT1tEzSKlXrFqwNqyfZt_ab4HhZYsg50B5tFTg/s400/DSC_4199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962854489053058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">PRESENTS!!!!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i384qIVGmT9USCW7_ziXwqfqW1Y1jd2QgbJjWQSjBcDX-Bb25pcQiSUxkWzb7rn4ZOQa2TLw_U5WT8tMV1F8zJDm0bxUgCN3b4C6UVS_jiW4BxVQkuzyzu0X2_gGB_rjgSK1PdZRl1I/s1600-h/DSC_4201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i384qIVGmT9USCW7_ziXwqfqW1Y1jd2QgbJjWQSjBcDX-Bb25pcQiSUxkWzb7rn4ZOQa2TLw_U5WT8tMV1F8zJDm0bxUgCN3b4C6UVS_jiW4BxVQkuzyzu0X2_gGB_rjgSK1PdZRl1I/s400/DSC_4201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962843085062802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wOitORQ73v-FvI5eV2OEDeUScqqEH2hbXtBD4HCytlwcpFg_2eX1-HT_yxn5a1iY6ve7dyme-rYtqgXAlAe1UFXM9PJzg3-e3-pW3WvFbRONuifwXU5fe3xnsDj8aXqvRV0nlVp_mCU/s1600-h/DSC_4211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wOitORQ73v-FvI5eV2OEDeUScqqEH2hbXtBD4HCytlwcpFg_2eX1-HT_yxn5a1iY6ve7dyme-rYtqgXAlAe1UFXM9PJzg3-e3-pW3WvFbRONuifwXU5fe3xnsDj8aXqvRV0nlVp_mCU/s400/DSC_4211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962834582837842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGndVgV4AwWm3mXPAIwtX28zC3sJpIr4c1SUxu7xKzgKbnO3NA6h0YSbZIayyBCywsVCfdBH_g93X6NjwCRCggFWdYYqiM3wjLGKxuyBtNr1Ts4TCWzb3SMzR7VoEk9bYgZsGbmDa-98/s1600-h/DSC_4217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGndVgV4AwWm3mXPAIwtX28zC3sJpIr4c1SUxu7xKzgKbnO3NA6h0YSbZIayyBCywsVCfdBH_g93X6NjwCRCggFWdYYqiM3wjLGKxuyBtNr1Ts4TCWzb3SMzR7VoEk9bYgZsGbmDa-98/s400/DSC_4217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962504569945538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtONwqoJar0q6L6CWOQClIa2kqzhmeSjsIsEzQ_zdcs3AuQcWmrP2bRlVmCscgNl3HjWo97_IZsV6ihLBp9JY8pAAmQrZZ-GnSQDmmQJulB7UjN4u7yTQ0RWEpfJoxz-Wr2WoOAXiChKY/s1600-h/DSC_4224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtONwqoJar0q6L6CWOQClIa2kqzhmeSjsIsEzQ_zdcs3AuQcWmrP2bRlVmCscgNl3HjWo97_IZsV6ihLBp9JY8pAAmQrZZ-GnSQDmmQJulB7UjN4u7yTQ0RWEpfJoxz-Wr2WoOAXiChKY/s400/DSC_4224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962497320787026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">"Thanks for the 4-years-expired coupon, Erica" - Elliot</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtcKCv829LUpbeYBFQt-hehui2sCLcBP2EY7eYOz5mbyeIGIMTuNQiIji5FU271PRmoyADNIl9n0d97h4ZG4r4OY2UAxwYMOUNLxo-CcwgIuUcSkdNW13Dak9wfGVSMPTaTJJRNY673o/s1600-h/DSC_4230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtcKCv829LUpbeYBFQt-hehui2sCLcBP2EY7eYOz5mbyeIGIMTuNQiIji5FU271PRmoyADNIl9n0d97h4ZG4r4OY2UAxwYMOUNLxo-CcwgIuUcSkdNW13Dak9wfGVSMPTaTJJRNY673o/s400/DSC_4230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962482021837794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Watching Paul attack siblings and cousins with a foam noodle at Christmas 1994</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jam5P_hgBOisoZRVxnwmxmIF7MHs5bQXhI3tugQUfFVQqNW7yN9yRUuJwPVZ019Tz-anFsaJ3qlbcs5I6I8EIb6whLUrxX4ZaWfn2sKHdJgKPAi1NzqePwJaGK1J2wrlSJROndjqgfA/s1600-h/DSC_4232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jam5P_hgBOisoZRVxnwmxmIF7MHs5bQXhI3tugQUfFVQqNW7yN9yRUuJwPVZ019Tz-anFsaJ3qlbcs5I6I8EIb6whLUrxX4ZaWfn2sKHdJgKPAi1NzqePwJaGK1J2wrlSJROndjqgfA/s400/DSC_4232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962473615690338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Watching old family Christmas videos</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">December 25th</div><div><br /></div><div>This should come as no surprise, but Paul decided rather than one big Christmas dinner, he would roll out food all day long, sorta like tapas. Eating all day long? Yes please.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bEdTW1EgkvX-qZL45Krdtii3kiErswW66bx3FcOHjqKWXVuYgdsQovlruqsB68SDV9tjvtIAkXWE9t9u0tvE0Xe34Ssf7A6es0__BzVORwRMh3RJYTi6ZgQM_pRkYtU8X6vI4Bslri4/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bEdTW1EgkvX-qZL45Krdtii3kiErswW66bx3FcOHjqKWXVuYgdsQovlruqsB68SDV9tjvtIAkXWE9t9u0tvE0Xe34Ssf7A6es0__BzVORwRMh3RJYTi6ZgQM_pRkYtU8X6vI4Bslri4/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962078148821602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo, chevre, and chipotle. Supreme deliciousness.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1dT0izm4hJQ0RsA6F5hMVU2QvNrlbAZEgI35_h-cr-JFpgAyduU6jZVqKsbFu0PxH_m2brErbhduZfheE0Xgg9JE5HTUcMAqWfYjLMIRliocNx9Uzj7DpnQj3H-T3sF4_0EF4ETyh4Q/s1600-h/DSC_0041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1dT0izm4hJQ0RsA6F5hMVU2QvNrlbAZEgI35_h-cr-JFpgAyduU6jZVqKsbFu0PxH_m2brErbhduZfheE0Xgg9JE5HTUcMAqWfYjLMIRliocNx9Uzj7DpnQj3H-T3sF4_0EF4ETyh4Q/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962070833604530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Gramps Mayo diving into the goods.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH_9_Xu-4uUFVUxdymYK__dv9_4t4jzp5Tr9QcsmH9KKPv2cw5l2dR9ZlEVUsaRfJP7jJUvO11sWJLT4XUmJOddoIzTEUo4wK12SqlpRrkt1-QvDZaZCjFLOcAAbpTmpCJ493CPjBbmA/s1600-h/DSC_0056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH_9_Xu-4uUFVUxdymYK__dv9_4t4jzp5Tr9QcsmH9KKPv2cw5l2dR9ZlEVUsaRfJP7jJUvO11sWJLT4XUmJOddoIzTEUo4wK12SqlpRrkt1-QvDZaZCjFLOcAAbpTmpCJ493CPjBbmA/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962061003270978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Mom, Joyce and me in front of the fire.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGbMljKr17_eh6y9DfRJK-UhIbAf4XTCyXKmSXx0uSK_MDvyrlDqavX35dRYtWFnOwHWYTLxrSbIjh6iQf6uKJJgCaR_PfBo23Ux-MoH0qUmZHJuBiUGoXRR9rn4KsaS8qp5ZGTHTmMo/s1600-h/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGbMljKr17_eh6y9DfRJK-UhIbAf4XTCyXKmSXx0uSK_MDvyrlDqavX35dRYtWFnOwHWYTLxrSbIjh6iQf6uKJJgCaR_PfBo23Ux-MoH0qUmZHJuBiUGoXRR9rn4KsaS8qp5ZGTHTmMo/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422962055742007506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Erica, Grandpa Horvath, Grandpa Mayo, Marshall, Grandma Horvath and Grandma Mayo - potato peeling party!!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKf8_MUTgmuQ3_L-wKiE1KUEAzkNyjtPgPufblqCtXYuZUDS8go3ipg-hFzCsEkUnQ8a2Dp15zJdx74HRxyWTUBUHN4TKILqU7pQDohNTMmsNav9yfaxTV6GVi7Bk-uaJE8LBR154wJs/s1600-h/DSC_0065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKf8_MUTgmuQ3_L-wKiE1KUEAzkNyjtPgPufblqCtXYuZUDS8go3ipg-hFzCsEkUnQ8a2Dp15zJdx74HRxyWTUBUHN4TKILqU7pQDohNTMmsNav9yfaxTV6GVi7Bk-uaJE8LBR154wJs/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961719623095186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPYOfp41RkUbxtiMozHaKWdNd9e2-5XV9_i8wL7nwVXgXVvM-Z2gyFrb_klq8TYIlfzxM-MqaF0RMQYYgPCczm6_5fHecEbscgo9nQr0zpcWR5nTSy8yW6WArc-4sk1by-FF26tUEHpo/s1600-h/DSC_0072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPYOfp41RkUbxtiMozHaKWdNd9e2-5XV9_i8wL7nwVXgXVvM-Z2gyFrb_klq8TYIlfzxM-MqaF0RMQYYgPCczm6_5fHecEbscgo9nQr0zpcWR5nTSy8yW6WArc-4sk1by-FF26tUEHpo/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961709421229858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Mom and Grandma Horvath</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiBimOy_mz-esDEXF3cQ6xPsv0lOGQTx0cPPLXE3J3XznG_6HdcBIbziJn2z45dpRSj84rf2GiX9P7w2DSDy8EC3BIgkzKkFGZkNhpJ7V_f1mZMY-csDezquLlMIgAXJO6RcgPTfrg7s/s1600-h/DSC_0092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiBimOy_mz-esDEXF3cQ6xPsv0lOGQTx0cPPLXE3J3XznG_6HdcBIbziJn2z45dpRSj84rf2GiX9P7w2DSDy8EC3BIgkzKkFGZkNhpJ7V_f1mZMY-csDezquLlMIgAXJO6RcgPTfrg7s/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961701409705682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Dad and Grandpa Horvath in front of the dual fires.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoS92KplSpyfGKDnx5GD3XiOysjev2HSAn63kt4_8jlWDLX2dJjus2hCuXR2XiNnAdNIu-jWuOPX2_VSX-EfsRjW2b_pRyetoJkBNsXTjNqcD7WiNJj2dLRiREXnuRCBaffqOT_-ay5I/s1600-h/DSC_0117.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoS92KplSpyfGKDnx5GD3XiOysjev2HSAn63kt4_8jlWDLX2dJjus2hCuXR2XiNnAdNIu-jWuOPX2_VSX-EfsRjW2b_pRyetoJkBNsXTjNqcD7WiNJj2dLRiREXnuRCBaffqOT_-ay5I/s400/DSC_0117.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961696708899506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78CtCbXKTEQR6xMP1-PkEYr7_KARqiIuMe5kUc93BSG-EwSY9YbluYUHFf9KMgXf8eqcNW-yAAQOn-YYmyD_Kmn9d5OBROY2y9Ye-3-EBtF7KNj1X8Xb2JDZEo1pVS_yMrZvfiAdqlZU/s1600-h/DSC_0131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78CtCbXKTEQR6xMP1-PkEYr7_KARqiIuMe5kUc93BSG-EwSY9YbluYUHFf9KMgXf8eqcNW-yAAQOn-YYmyD_Kmn9d5OBROY2y9Ye-3-EBtF7KNj1X8Xb2JDZEo1pVS_yMrZvfiAdqlZU/s400/DSC_0131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961261459073362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8C9PEKDWmF8_z69uz3_rnRdXC9VQvVvVLxhe524ELj0wx0jDbKHLvZrk_r84zWEbXsQkMGXPj_EbDAGcU4ar5WAX4Vc_eT5afbtCX0H0n0n7sjJnbIsnkTo5CezUnHsk7JWMxwY6LFw/s1600-h/DSC_0150.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8C9PEKDWmF8_z69uz3_rnRdXC9VQvVvVLxhe524ELj0wx0jDbKHLvZrk_r84zWEbXsQkMGXPj_EbDAGcU4ar5WAX4Vc_eT5afbtCX0H0n0n7sjJnbIsnkTo5CezUnHsk7JWMxwY6LFw/s400/DSC_0150.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961253356015778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Grandpa Horvath never gets caught without a martini</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyry2pZ-gMBl60dPkBaUaz16TlknYHLSlq5ooVRc7yEjYgNg7dxFZ1V3cHRz6IjNGiu7jt52rJwrqc6aRiLu7jn1WHKe5ScHJLr9pyhYIl-o_wuAFw3-Bt7IjFjfgEpY6dsqoTQmejhs/s1600-h/DSC_0164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyry2pZ-gMBl60dPkBaUaz16TlknYHLSlq5ooVRc7yEjYgNg7dxFZ1V3cHRz6IjNGiu7jt52rJwrqc6aRiLu7jn1WHKe5ScHJLr9pyhYIl-o_wuAFw3-Bt7IjFjfgEpY6dsqoTQmejhs/s400/DSC_0164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961248046706178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Carving the rosemary and horseradish crusted prime rib that Paul made.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What better way to conclude a perfect Christmas than an impromptu piano concert from Lauren's boyfriend Dan?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqr_kLJbSfPdUS61SRUTu7Epk9mrnjEgEVBY4PNZLbSweTyA4OQcLEOZI3IGMkFsCQm_P6cgwJ2ZZPfIeEn9ZgEgKdhIqbQgLvaYbkkkYvCn61qVzcaTcFNz6OKX8gki692kStZJWu98/s1600-h/DSC_0170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqr_kLJbSfPdUS61SRUTu7Epk9mrnjEgEVBY4PNZLbSweTyA4OQcLEOZI3IGMkFsCQm_P6cgwJ2ZZPfIeEn9ZgEgKdhIqbQgLvaYbkkkYvCn61qVzcaTcFNz6OKX8gki692kStZJWu98/s400/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422961236761420370" /></a><br /></div><div>It was a wonderful holiday, albeit short. And just for fun, here's a little stop-motion video of Erica and Elliot throwing down.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwAT5BQxji3vjRRtEKd6v6PELKRP6vZjEREyOZ-oQwrYhgL0OlLNG7yqzpSp5Wqv6jnUQ3CE4ynBvnhzMeAeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>To anyone who made it through this entire post and is still reading... I also have some news. The day we left for Michigan, I was offered a position at Jive Software, a super awesome software company in Portland that I have been hoping to work at for forever! I applied for a job with them before we even moved here, and finally the time is right. Starting January 11th I will be Jive's newest Sales Support Specialist. While this is a fantastic opportunity and I am so excited, it is bittersweet as it means I have to leave my beloved Veritable Quandary. I was so lucky to get a job at the VQ only two weeks after moving here (thanks for taking a chance on an unknown!), and it's been such a wonderful year and a half since then. It is truly like a family, and it's gonna be tough to leave all the awesome people I've had the privilege to work with during that time. I am happy and sad and nervous and scared, but I know it's going to be great. Wish me luck!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Jenny</div>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-79108302871584187742009-12-05T13:00:00.000-08:002009-12-05T13:00:55.909-08:00Trillium LakeWe've been having gorgeous weather this week in Portland (except for today, BRRR!), so on Tuesday we decided to head out of the real world and snowshoe around Trillium Lake, situated at the base of Mt. Hood. It was great to get out of the city for a day and just enjoy the pristine beauty of the lake.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlp4aBu4otfCDbNyLG_zZLqXyX4yDufKDwDZSY72QMATfuEV-I-LA4PCJxqvsJn7y_5fo6effJavb_RkjtdghB4zIL_unvkmUI_30EEt4Rp5mWptx8SMM-h4no1Wi-pPUZ27tEjC4GDc/s1600-h/DSC_3608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlp4aBu4otfCDbNyLG_zZLqXyX4yDufKDwDZSY72QMATfuEV-I-LA4PCJxqvsJn7y_5fo6effJavb_RkjtdghB4zIL_unvkmUI_30EEt4Rp5mWptx8SMM-h4no1Wi-pPUZ27tEjC4GDc/s400/DSC_3608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590869260099634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Not a single cloud in the sky all day</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAkTfJWSh_DgrVFOFYkRH326NTL3dqZ6gt_eS803yRgxZxLBKJmzJddhs1fEAL99TcYKp8g1wAeafUzjK6k4q-MWTgHeweeUHlmKUuAPyWqyPjPlBLNYlLJpunvknuS_8heO8oCIoCng/s1600-h/DSC_3620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAkTfJWSh_DgrVFOFYkRH326NTL3dqZ6gt_eS803yRgxZxLBKJmzJddhs1fEAL99TcYKp8g1wAeafUzjK6k4q-MWTgHeweeUHlmKUuAPyWqyPjPlBLNYlLJpunvknuS_8heO8oCIoCng/s400/DSC_3620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590857309363970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Show us the way</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhmdHE-EdECjaEAhyOKNmJ4zkRTeZv1N81COoc0WnaKS5WAE2Dmpzh_avfIABv4dyMQpiplbNG2gCHYf-d2q82m41MSurMhXQuvnWC-F4EmK4icGIm6hD96MLcqJij2ma854dR-DMvOE/s1600-h/DSC_3637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhmdHE-EdECjaEAhyOKNmJ4zkRTeZv1N81COoc0WnaKS5WAE2Dmpzh_avfIABv4dyMQpiplbNG2gCHYf-d2q82m41MSurMhXQuvnWC-F4EmK4icGIm6hD96MLcqJij2ma854dR-DMvOE/s400/DSC_3637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590626342324866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pajpngs6xmLdH_ye4xTG5WY9qOlW_DssJh6BRv5PhCk7ccm1bcRDVP6riYYZV0jct7EpODNy_z3V98o1HddrxTVksR5MXBiBqDe_LCWD4ND55-Wi_u7Qeo5oxVt28_Zz1Y7srKgkovs/s1600-h/DSC_3638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pajpngs6xmLdH_ye4xTG5WY9qOlW_DssJh6BRv5PhCk7ccm1bcRDVP6riYYZV0jct7EpODNy_z3V98o1HddrxTVksR5MXBiBqDe_LCWD4ND55-Wi_u7Qeo5oxVt28_Zz1Y7srKgkovs/s400/DSC_3638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590612577688834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJulnDqWBVQymlhl7qSGShYm1KgdXBeGoeRhThpy2q9RmELhZdmtf_0QDeOVE8K6gPNqqPd_evEtdAoQ-vGSmOI8WmUJoSstBm6PyQF9G5EJyzgImgAc7d4CyROEd2TCbPGO_FYq3jns/s1600-h/DSC_3639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJulnDqWBVQymlhl7qSGShYm1KgdXBeGoeRhThpy2q9RmELhZdmtf_0QDeOVE8K6gPNqqPd_evEtdAoQ-vGSmOI8WmUJoSstBm6PyQF9G5EJyzgImgAc7d4CyROEd2TCbPGO_FYq3jns/s400/DSC_3639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590603658073634" border="0" /></a><br />You have to hike in about 3 miles to get around the one side of the lake and emerge from the trees, but once you do, this is the view you are greeted with.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-HVJpFyX41EzIcueL6_dgXBM2OP9CLje8kh4DeIplaluAn28oAyuySYfxvhShFXhy7l6yicrIrhC_Elyq7G1V9T_tl9kx1ry5-bSIhn59NhmEc27VbngWpMqxPFj7LU1Nvm5a2yOpk/s1600-h/DSC_3645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-HVJpFyX41EzIcueL6_dgXBM2OP9CLje8kh4DeIplaluAn28oAyuySYfxvhShFXhy7l6yicrIrhC_Elyq7G1V9T_tl9kx1ry5-bSIhn59NhmEc27VbngWpMqxPFj7LU1Nvm5a2yOpk/s400/DSC_3645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590590662297906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wow.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UMaLvlJv4SdTQMGV-rh4DfHwaQGeEFIfqMorkjZBy0jYZXeE7484h0klzuPAYxj85ugvVtnfqF78303qdY0WSU-ucZ_KgozOyhgOjYSuR9e9Xy79dOQLtgG4rYc9v_RE85tkil2Mphk/s1600-h/DSC_3650.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UMaLvlJv4SdTQMGV-rh4DfHwaQGeEFIfqMorkjZBy0jYZXeE7484h0klzuPAYxj85ugvVtnfqF78303qdY0WSU-ucZ_KgozOyhgOjYSuR9e9Xy79dOQLtgG4rYc9v_RE85tkil2Mphk/s400/DSC_3650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588422536200050" border="0" /></a><br />The lake is surrounded by campsites, which we definitely intend to check out soon (maybe in the summertime though...). Of course the lake and everything around it is frozen over by now, so we stopped off at a frosty picnic table to enjoy the view and take a little break.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF_jzGezI0G0T7rx3pJLE7kPN_ncPVMuZY_nK87csb2YWrCZV02hnv2GZaZ2iF9pmwM7kBRtdlFUy8rXKzn6rRLxuCwQWaMqmIkNO19HHdCNb38X3Z86p5EWsag6S7tzdDnhxxv_Swtc/s1600-h/DSC_3651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF_jzGezI0G0T7rx3pJLE7kPN_ncPVMuZY_nK87csb2YWrCZV02hnv2GZaZ2iF9pmwM7kBRtdlFUy8rXKzn6rRLxuCwQWaMqmIkNO19HHdCNb38X3Z86p5EWsag6S7tzdDnhxxv_Swtc/s400/DSC_3651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588414609512898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7HIKjiEn_ev1KlEDIiOAmflTn1aGfjIyb_KAunVXs4AUPK68S8lkaUd5NGClqnlDxZ5d2B7MyZMowtwvhm4lF0nIE-0sSoL5_Qhvw_mt0gyX5Taw5O8qkQZUJ09TS3skD715TBnsE7Y/s1600-h/DSC_3656.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7HIKjiEn_ev1KlEDIiOAmflTn1aGfjIyb_KAunVXs4AUPK68S8lkaUd5NGClqnlDxZ5d2B7MyZMowtwvhm4lF0nIE-0sSoL5_Qhvw_mt0gyX5Taw5O8qkQZUJ09TS3skD715TBnsE7Y/s400/DSC_3656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588404947983986" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_FfNdDcPTRGK_BinE6V7KWG9F1F0cHOlUh4z4Tfshh8VGJF6cdqMVSjSwC36V56Y2Sz8Slq9WcrXWN8ghULz0tiV0loy3spO7A7OujOJFF_l2xNxx9WYfbajeDp-i56w2DlNeO8sXUU/s400/DSC_3689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411587326292555650" border="0" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">We almost froze our butts off. Literally.</span><br /></div><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid66M2pNY6r71DWA4qlv-Ud-s9izHAQPZlTkXBrtfbjrcKjS4dTGSnMd-69yQ2FDhKid0L-ty2-tgwqAsMU3u4O6Gm-4qrS5jNW2p1tpPh_mkAVIhoTpG9BYi6vm_clihvuSDAC6I9gPA/s400/DSC_3663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411587633181160082" border="0" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXjCWeMCo7Duy3efcq6ZipNovVjckFw1x26hnL-0E-YtcQfVgWygA_b4iQELvnBfs00lcIDObWKeePVvem8FnAyMn5yjSq6QhBbuy560-UuF9d4WqyqPI3DxigZ4SjWntHG4V356yD1Q/s400/DSC_3700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411587317577233634" border="0" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Time to move on.</span><br /></div><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnXb6n_lx0zh2PYB6pvzhrQn4MSUTsjQv2lO9WkGmWWQM_KKvS5F-YuGXJCnRi_U9zozdSw4M1FnyDseenYCDAptSul1cwj1D3_onHqbeqhA7dG7fo8Gop4UICMkcNMGglHY-SLWMQZk/s400/DSC_3674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588395038566210" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LAXLjTMhGBZPsUKx-bqTpVHFGYqo1r24_MH7d85aEE3yCIrGLxQKeYw3V7Gn7SRIzVuzONal7nD4oEkyfyPqNbkrAu6f79k48cZfj6gk-1mGdGCBnshyphenhyphenQRnxzYEGnhS4dzJOYRMU_MM/s1600-h/DSC_3704.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LAXLjTMhGBZPsUKx-bqTpVHFGYqo1r24_MH7d85aEE3yCIrGLxQKeYw3V7Gn7SRIzVuzONal7nD4oEkyfyPqNbkrAu6f79k48cZfj6gk-1mGdGCBnshyphenhyphenQRnxzYEGnhS4dzJOYRMU_MM/s400/DSC_3704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411587308368697506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4e__SX79ZhKjMY7TH6oGJBQ6zU-VHKq5wX9mB-k1mAQQhwBZ0uLMAgquScHphy6h1WYODWMyRzny0vAx9yESCz2XF037ZoD_MO0r48EwylLEWs-sklmrclH-DVhXiQVw80SCoCAI4F0/s1600-h/DSC_3708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4e__SX79ZhKjMY7TH6oGJBQ6zU-VHKq5wX9mB-k1mAQQhwBZ0uLMAgquScHphy6h1WYODWMyRzny0vAx9yESCz2XF037ZoD_MO0r48EwylLEWs-sklmrclH-DVhXiQVw80SCoCAI4F0/s400/DSC_3708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586713639352242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvGkyZFfLIJE-8yNqfbKV-U2s7xRFYn-1derZWNyGjxapOgBRg4qhyphenhyphen07Elv4WEoS6TglRnwTfjOv1Ut167zSqvgDLY3S-DpiXKRXTbIb0SqKsi0frhf9d7BvISasArMVmJ-CAnKHuk4Q/s1600-h/DSC_3711.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvGkyZFfLIJE-8yNqfbKV-U2s7xRFYn-1derZWNyGjxapOgBRg4qhyphenhyphen07Elv4WEoS6TglRnwTfjOv1Ut167zSqvgDLY3S-DpiXKRXTbIb0SqKsi0frhf9d7BvISasArMVmJ-CAnKHuk4Q/s400/DSC_3711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586705961266930" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to stick around for at least the beginning of the sunset to take some pictures. We came across this dock that provided a perfect view. So perfect that there was another photographer there. :) He was super nice, a very serious amateur, and gave me some good tips. He was even nice enough to take our picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwSanyU_v4GHC2h1HSm3BBoEaqf0oY3e66MnEvPfSwr8ObEBjL_C4vmmBOhu4tbQUKMqMBAGOdjjK0RM4aUOcR6DiABSIXDKqQ3uEzVK7_XKAJFYkgv2aTHsPEpz25dX19CoP9hruuHc/s1600-h/DSC_3755.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwSanyU_v4GHC2h1HSm3BBoEaqf0oY3e66MnEvPfSwr8ObEBjL_C4vmmBOhu4tbQUKMqMBAGOdjjK0RM4aUOcR6DiABSIXDKqQ3uEzVK7_XKAJFYkgv2aTHsPEpz25dX19CoP9hruuHc/s400/DSC_3755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586693979583602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaFfVT_KKfzVc3PZxvo6tEhTEfjeh02c66L3XYnQvNKB3SnR54xe9irqQUGNmWnuIR6qPXz31-l90osDWJAgYcDjQsLxt5_L3QvFPoRqm5KPeJziA7ZMbCK7-m8rH4CglP9MA256V-eE/s1600-h/DSC_3744.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaFfVT_KKfzVc3PZxvo6tEhTEfjeh02c66L3XYnQvNKB3SnR54xe9irqQUGNmWnuIR6qPXz31-l90osDWJAgYcDjQsLxt5_L3QvFPoRqm5KPeJziA7ZMbCK7-m8rH4CglP9MA256V-eE/s400/DSC_3744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586687989836978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Taking a break on a bed of snow</span><br /></div><br />We couldn't stick around for too long since, after all, the sun was setting and we're out in the woods... but we did get to see the mountain turn a really pretty orange.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMMbwnbQBHa5NlE6Mhn6occi7U1rShpJf2gTcg2MXKYILoW42ALlSVKBwBUM7r4AHwLZfX2zcQfAE8lCcSlWgXRsDnxbS10__PDDaQp8IZt6bQiuuqrbKsZehdlzkkFcwBv1WS6QH6O0/s1600-h/DSC_3779.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMMbwnbQBHa5NlE6Mhn6occi7U1rShpJf2gTcg2MXKYILoW42ALlSVKBwBUM7r4AHwLZfX2zcQfAE8lCcSlWgXRsDnxbS10__PDDaQp8IZt6bQiuuqrbKsZehdlzkkFcwBv1WS6QH6O0/s400/DSC_3779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586233493209442" border="0" /></a><br />And even though we couldn't clearly see the mountain on the trail back, it was a gorgeous sunset nonetheless. Just look at this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIiX_ey9xquCy3txchXPvSwyMlZ0pbKtYxfnF-2HiOzF-RhMTz21fhQWWhyCtzsjAze3jhfDsy0Pgwo8IY1eLhELpUAHynfq1FAvOZvZtgDx_hxQIiY34KLGr7jRQtdm6CKZnwh6j438/s1600-h/DSC_3818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIiX_ey9xquCy3txchXPvSwyMlZ0pbKtYxfnF-2HiOzF-RhMTz21fhQWWhyCtzsjAze3jhfDsy0Pgwo8IY1eLhELpUAHynfq1FAvOZvZtgDx_hxQIiY34KLGr7jRQtdm6CKZnwh6j438/s400/DSC_3818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586217449330802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSYCwovDxKAFiqIX-1ATBaXmyCwf9NT2Sc5V366EuMo_vFDHKJZsY8BwBrWOXhvJH6716WDk47RoYu7mM2I9zhdWZzLTPwknsJ5BdtNVVO8bnH89HwuGsOG09KHr1BkaOWe-_-Pryldg/s1600-h/DSC_3820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSYCwovDxKAFiqIX-1ATBaXmyCwf9NT2Sc5V366EuMo_vFDHKJZsY8BwBrWOXhvJH6716WDk47RoYu7mM2I9zhdWZzLTPwknsJ5BdtNVVO8bnH89HwuGsOG09KHr1BkaOWe-_-Pryldg/s400/DSC_3820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411586208366206066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The moon rose just as the sun set</span><br /></div><br /></div></div>And of course, we took some video while we were there. I used iMovie to piece it together and set it to a little ditty by Passion Pit.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6OYw-yK-wfM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6OYw-yK-wfM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />And we were back to the real world by dinnertime. We are certainly lucky to have such a wonderful playground an hour's drive from home. Expect to see more of Hood this winter!<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-39934251121335557842009-12-05T07:22:00.000-08:002009-12-05T13:03:19.557-08:00Thanksgiving 2009<div>Well, only a full week late... but here is the Thanksgiving post! My parents ventured to PDX for the holiday (after visiting their long lost slot machines in Vegas of course). It was a short trip, so there wasn't too much time for anything other than hangin' out and prepping the big dinner... so that's what we did. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and this post is a combination of my photos and my Dad's (since at any given moment, one of us was snapping one).</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0jXuffpPWkzYRVs7oElaZKmkv2l_oNM-jejNBNZLExDIh6Gf4Lt8jGKHMYlIqBDbBK3oJ6pi3TVbGNt29tvM617DPp9ft1ikXw2phildTNhyzDLuzPiIFsxL3N1P6L6Kk6dufmp3678/s1600-h/DSC_3197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0jXuffpPWkzYRVs7oElaZKmkv2l_oNM-jejNBNZLExDIh6Gf4Lt8jGKHMYlIqBDbBK3oJ6pi3TVbGNt29tvM617DPp9ft1ikXw2phildTNhyzDLuzPiIFsxL3N1P6L6Kk6dufmp3678/s400/DSC_3197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411584557793563794" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Relaxin' all cool.</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5PT0zRVZm6682Vun519v1OdcgavDRIwQvhKv5MpbmSJQB7ywZfHcskCq3hy6jJRO4XGSabzWwv_L8i61GcU5SA4mS3l-pgt-V67bjmUBVxn1gqgxylIhrd2VOFiuFzTXl5kEfLkMMic/s1600-h/DSC_3185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5PT0zRVZm6682Vun519v1OdcgavDRIwQvhKv5MpbmSJQB7ywZfHcskCq3hy6jJRO4XGSabzWwv_L8i61GcU5SA4mS3l-pgt-V67bjmUBVxn1gqgxylIhrd2VOFiuFzTXl5kEfLkMMic/s400/DSC_3185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411583386132397266" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Buckley getting reacquainted... kisses!</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg293qeoCVFs4dod0v1-95ickLKMgfiegxgmn7NvG8_hPPl-A6EQR55Bs7Rd1PF0ERVhz3dEmufVIL6mMlfmaT83I31qNYGltsKkYVTtWryNIkwEAJ5uoXnMNR-ymhJQgY4uDIW6GqfQSk/s1600-h/DSC_3194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg293qeoCVFs4dod0v1-95ickLKMgfiegxgmn7NvG8_hPPl-A6EQR55Bs7Rd1PF0ERVhz3dEmufVIL6mMlfmaT83I31qNYGltsKkYVTtWryNIkwEAJ5uoXnMNR-ymhJQgY4uDIW6GqfQSk/s400/DSC_3194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411583376432692594" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">"Ok, NO!"</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wydmaVwpdWFM527GNG-dkRMWQESj864oL08EtcnjA0NiGIDXcW3RZDOvepp86cuFJJFIJ8lMSp8KoD-03vJU4jCSoeloSxjupiQ2GvME6QSQOQAusBnrgkVtRt_ftxqhlbqFL9cUC2c/s1600-h/DSC_3240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wydmaVwpdWFM527GNG-dkRMWQESj864oL08EtcnjA0NiGIDXcW3RZDOvepp86cuFJJFIJ8lMSp8KoD-03vJU4jCSoeloSxjupiQ2GvME6QSQOQAusBnrgkVtRt_ftxqhlbqFL9cUC2c/s400/DSC_3240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411583367732658898" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">He eventually settled down.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCP5yXD-h11vdyK7MDvg0Azdwn4ngomr7nR6wfJUMszasjYQlQH-r46Ouucu_9d6WeeOAv8ttQvyePlATPQepc_mDo5FMaZlX8Md3EurB9fHa1yyR85pZ0aSh8rKEI27ASQGRAp-58bo/s1600-h/DSC_3235.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCP5yXD-h11vdyK7MDvg0Azdwn4ngomr7nR6wfJUMszasjYQlQH-r46Ouucu_9d6WeeOAv8ttQvyePlATPQepc_mDo5FMaZlX8Md3EurB9fHa1yyR85pZ0aSh8rKEI27ASQGRAp-58bo/s400/DSC_3235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582798582649826" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Whatchu lookin' at?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>On their first morning here, they woke up to a beautiful sunrise over Mt. Hood.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F9NsqNkr-zy3TTzSIYxC6reB72PGczrja_bkfLQmPpy2E3ipR4s0lL5utAJml6SbsI2Hx_wDwR1URmyzglt-ytHe09nmn4b5D7wNe8szGst9laD1x2SK95_Q8MCoM5cf2T-Eg6n9hK4/s1600-h/P1050067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F9NsqNkr-zy3TTzSIYxC6reB72PGczrja_bkfLQmPpy2E3ipR4s0lL5utAJml6SbsI2Hx_wDwR1URmyzglt-ytHe09nmn4b5D7wNe8szGst9laD1x2SK95_Q8MCoM5cf2T-Eg6n9hK4/s400/P1050067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582788746206562" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">From their room (from my Dad's photos).</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY-G14QqJEDGvDHi2bsliYTDOsC1ssI3XiIGF-eBwn6kv_AKncpBNak44_PKq7vA4BSqpKhJnqVWfHGGivm5UsO6esvXFHtft0Bm57LHK-hfG6MOTh9knnGtFjsS5Yn8cxplGqDkXtzo/s1600-h/P1050069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY-G14QqJEDGvDHi2bsliYTDOsC1ssI3XiIGF-eBwn6kv_AKncpBNak44_PKq7vA4BSqpKhJnqVWfHGGivm5UsO6esvXFHtft0Bm57LHK-hfG6MOTh9knnGtFjsS5Yn8cxplGqDkXtzo/s400/P1050069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582778407878802" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Breakfast at the Pearl Bakery.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO4j8OABh6HJ63Z3t0ttIX_RYMg55Apt7hTgOkudPsBEZqTzojsyTRHHSE1p0vJg5us6hPwXfJyKZqwJwFwiZHOICMD9pVUrHOU9z0fmi32kEqYmfGz_I-tsJe1V_v7zodEgqLh2vk8Q/s1600-h/P1050072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO4j8OABh6HJ63Z3t0ttIX_RYMg55Apt7hTgOkudPsBEZqTzojsyTRHHSE1p0vJg5us6hPwXfJyKZqwJwFwiZHOICMD9pVUrHOU9z0fmi32kEqYmfGz_I-tsJe1V_v7zodEgqLh2vk8Q/s400/P1050072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582766985322386" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">In the Pearl, on our way to grocery shop for Thanksgiving dinner.</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBqv8KWcLI7f4tvE7I9_wyHlfCjN__ok1K7zl8StBnhomzr5rmnJR08QvQiwJqxsiHfjscTxSpKK44s15vu8hlvUZyVcZVNSlr6-H9ihet-r8plopZsBQyryFvmPNgBuvVgpDsSa_j8w/s1600-h/P1050074.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBqv8KWcLI7f4tvE7I9_wyHlfCjN__ok1K7zl8StBnhomzr5rmnJR08QvQiwJqxsiHfjscTxSpKK44s15vu8hlvUZyVcZVNSlr6-H9ihet-r8plopZsBQyryFvmPNgBuvVgpDsSa_j8w/s400/P1050074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582107814497458" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Walking back home with the goods.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After shopping for dinner, it was time for lunch. Somehow, I convinced my Mom to give the food carts a shot! Epic win. I didn't even care what we ate for the rest of their trip. I think when I mentioned a cart with pierogi, that changed everything for her.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwwbE451NUmmFk6A3hsTjRGwKmktaQkTKQjAxIwNsa-Z6RQ1oJv0SV7ZLvVGIim5PioI1U7Rd01FH1m_p4O9aHkarsVELyKgJRnoE5K8rP5ENeZIMV9pt76VBtoRucZYW3cgrmxnx428/s1600-h/P1050075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwwbE451NUmmFk6A3hsTjRGwKmktaQkTKQjAxIwNsa-Z6RQ1oJv0SV7ZLvVGIim5PioI1U7Rd01FH1m_p4O9aHkarsVELyKgJRnoE5K8rP5ENeZIMV9pt76VBtoRucZYW3cgrmxnx428/s400/P1050075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582102974136866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We ended up with potato & cheese and farmers cheese pierogi from the Polish cart, some pitas from the Bosnian cart (both the spinach and meat varieties), and bratwurst from the German cart. And they loved it. Woohoo! So glad they got to taste a little of true Portland.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRgOhokH9lzNXFAGDXzqwHa12QgfIOD2UMywmzL-UcTtycSoZIz_HRdxEUdDab__ZqV91ROAlVw3VVwxERwQvTtGd3SiwM-OQUwTVJkyk7IayIoiy0n4xWxOocDQBg09aEPZVQ23B0ks/s1600-h/P1050079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRgOhokH9lzNXFAGDXzqwHa12QgfIOD2UMywmzL-UcTtycSoZIz_HRdxEUdDab__ZqV91ROAlVw3VVwxERwQvTtGd3SiwM-OQUwTVJkyk7IayIoiy0n4xWxOocDQBg09aEPZVQ23B0ks/s400/P1050079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582095739793026" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>After hours and hours (well, maybe more like two) of prepping, we all headed to Deschutes to enjoy some beer. Deschutes is a brewery out of Bend, OR with a satellite brewery a couple blocks from our place. I used to think their beer was just OK, but recently it's grown on me... they have a sublime imperial stout (The Abyss) and oak-aged barley wine (Mirror Mirror), and they usually have some sort of experimental/small batch/special brew on tap which has always been good.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5o0xp7-4jXGh0LUdyuzOd5M8M1ynWAXtAvc4MTTbU2Cq1R4yYZUaK4fOrQdu-6__9ECtB1gZ7xjNOSeCqdgSCh3ShPKilGJBMbp-nI6-w4Ehg4Z_GLqy6pSIzz14TJVyYkRxjVuovo/s1600-h/P1050080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5o0xp7-4jXGh0LUdyuzOd5M8M1ynWAXtAvc4MTTbU2Cq1R4yYZUaK4fOrQdu-6__9ECtB1gZ7xjNOSeCqdgSCh3ShPKilGJBMbp-nI6-w4Ehg4Z_GLqy6pSIzz14TJVyYkRxjVuovo/s400/P1050080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411582087029803538" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">We prefer our beer in snifters.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The weather was total crap on Thanksgiving, so it was pretty much an indoor day. I cooked (most of) my first Thanksgiving dinner! And it was a success! Cooking a turkey is <i>way</i> easier than I thought it would be. My mom helped with everything and Paul made the giblet gravy, so I cannot take all the credit.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0itctNM6s2kolf-z7M5sZm6-x0bY0e10Rt_Kr2KblViUcO9RtPuZSCKZoALaLCcMW9IzMG9mopEBod7jiFssXxou20vakSO1Z_OK6OsKd9eyeJCuftVxKvtSazMdU3xRmB71nqdsGWQA/s1600-h/P1050081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0itctNM6s2kolf-z7M5sZm6-x0bY0e10Rt_Kr2KblViUcO9RtPuZSCKZoALaLCcMW9IzMG9mopEBod7jiFssXxou20vakSO1Z_OK6OsKd9eyeJCuftVxKvtSazMdU3xRmB71nqdsGWQA/s400/P1050081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411581751167402610" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0I6nNdax_rBtEMih0BabQvcWrTjredHWougv0e-6W_VvwaCX2fBR99NhIXeRsv3crEXHvvRcxzQ8WgTF0AukKRTbLa302BEjf1mEBHraY6CyQbz_B7t46B-DarzLMHNcLcnQNxM5B2U/s1600-h/DSC_3563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0I6nNdax_rBtEMih0BabQvcWrTjredHWougv0e-6W_VvwaCX2fBR99NhIXeRsv3crEXHvvRcxzQ8WgTF0AukKRTbLa302BEjf1mEBHraY6CyQbz_B7t46B-DarzLMHNcLcnQNxM5B2U/s400/DSC_3563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411581744421361122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6w6v1EpswnTH9HKhc4N3sECWu1DXwkmjI_bVieZkdv6OsumtIIWEu3DCwPeULD8HRoynqvs-bR5Y6RQC36APk8FQvrPVM-lYBKs3Yq-_j7sb1V3Z-RygHfkhmOTi8D-fOBc2XVkE3Og/s1600-h/DSC_3569.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6w6v1EpswnTH9HKhc4N3sECWu1DXwkmjI_bVieZkdv6OsumtIIWEu3DCwPeULD8HRoynqvs-bR5Y6RQC36APk8FQvrPVM-lYBKs3Yq-_j7sb1V3Z-RygHfkhmOTi8D-fOBc2XVkE3Og/s400/DSC_3569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411581736152915042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM45p6CVTMjEb6m0nrDMDnrIVGWfLmJvanQ6BA6s_2mOd9yMtolWwh2pcG_jWxyvW2hqO6DmaciExZV0tABF3LDtRkDoeBSsz5OdyZjpRQr3ffvNG69zQF4Nlx0GyPOHJiWqa7NMZXSuQ/s1600-h/DSC_3572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM45p6CVTMjEb6m0nrDMDnrIVGWfLmJvanQ6BA6s_2mOd9yMtolWwh2pcG_jWxyvW2hqO6DmaciExZV0tABF3LDtRkDoeBSsz5OdyZjpRQr3ffvNG69zQF4Nlx0GyPOHJiWqa7NMZXSuQ/s400/DSC_3572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411581726391287458" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The feast</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0MZxmuPwkojXGXvclT6wiL4GCmZF8JsW-pY_PerlR7nn3qnnqk_ap7Qj1zoCbISLL5leI1ZOy1tSCY2bw4qvtGc12ePuDZ_10ek6al6w5ZRRFS3G5yMv-mn_JIP5RXxdh1r4C0UM6jU/s1600-h/DSC_3573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0MZxmuPwkojXGXvclT6wiL4GCmZF8JsW-pY_PerlR7nn3qnnqk_ap7Qj1zoCbISLL5leI1ZOy1tSCY2bw4qvtGc12ePuDZ_10ek6al6w5ZRRFS3G5yMv-mn_JIP5RXxdh1r4C0UM6jU/s400/DSC_3573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411580975647097874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-QGXz-0ICnHWADs_Ymw-4FO1FLHLimRxV255XcU5tEZDBPHGgzY0Cg1qwqCuAtaEqoLBmNYjznxmpt7reDouzu6Ed27te0A-muypDZYiG_yV9vpdmLEVk6nn_2UgMeny8jIpMnhntaY/s1600-h/DSC_3579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-QGXz-0ICnHWADs_Ymw-4FO1FLHLimRxV255XcU5tEZDBPHGgzY0Cg1qwqCuAtaEqoLBmNYjznxmpt7reDouzu6Ed27te0A-muypDZYiG_yV9vpdmLEVk6nn_2UgMeny8jIpMnhntaY/s400/DSC_3579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411580967957589794" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Our little table</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q9izgcJf7RzOn8Fq17JxGZuPmNxCW1ZwaALkQQkvQ3C0pgH524IunDA6HECouSTzZ3z3F8XtkmjOAHzk70RrPElW4oyTZMjms7bM-FVVRwYNnLOc04FBvv2v3PniuC2DG_f-Gp6uJP4/s1600-h/DSC_3581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q9izgcJf7RzOn8Fq17JxGZuPmNxCW1ZwaALkQQkvQ3C0pgH524IunDA6HECouSTzZ3z3F8XtkmjOAHzk70RrPElW4oyTZMjms7bM-FVVRwYNnLOc04FBvv2v3PniuC2DG_f-Gp6uJP4/s400/DSC_3581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411580958239881538" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">I was so excited for these napkins... ah, the little things</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncTk47j2kVhFVGDIY7X79PAKlV8LpvkNyVujnftZYwht8Fh41e39lc6NTwdcoeHV_4Hpe49tFbfPngRU-8Uz6WMvHPIiPQdmpumJ9b-QN47n9z5zUgnt888ta-vwuci2d2lSiU3FYrw/s1600-h/P1050100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncTk47j2kVhFVGDIY7X79PAKlV8LpvkNyVujnftZYwht8Fh41e39lc6NTwdcoeHV_4Hpe49tFbfPngRU-8Uz6WMvHPIiPQdmpumJ9b-QN47n9z5zUgnt888ta-vwuci2d2lSiU3FYrw/s400/P1050100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411580949869666930" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">What else would I be doing?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, turkey naps, and several rounds of Catch Phrase, their visit was pretty much over. It was nice to have them here for the holiday, even though it was short... but we get to see them and the rest of the Mayo gang in a few short weeks in Michigan! It's crazy how this year has flown by.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a bonus to the holiday, Paul and I also went to see Holly Miranda, The xx and Friendly Fires the night before Thanksgiving at the Doug Fir. Quite possibly one of my favorite shows I've been to, for realsies. We hadn't heard of Holly Miranda before, but whoa... she has this effortlessly beautiful voice that sorta blew me away. As expected, The xx and Friendly Fires rocked as well. It was kind of hard to take really clear photos with the low light, but I did my best.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKTGRRNLiYZ3aO4_4cMH4EOTJz4YMwXSfwJeaqtkkpBFuI-Cu_Iqe0Nu9vPJOl8SHoYkqgO9GsqCyPM6zVbFLukKZ0dOCHick4HT1JZiXvbos-0D_lMPOJM0S39fsDxAzvB9gHvxd2pg/s1600-h/DSC_3243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKTGRRNLiYZ3aO4_4cMH4EOTJz4YMwXSfwJeaqtkkpBFuI-Cu_Iqe0Nu9vPJOl8SHoYkqgO9GsqCyPM6zVbFLukKZ0dOCHick4HT1JZiXvbos-0D_lMPOJM0S39fsDxAzvB9gHvxd2pg/s400/DSC_3243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578474146975906" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Holly Miranda</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNKeZ0GQNWXWDjtDul8UbKut0dNpEyG_COx2Wjvk6c8qzDg55lDNLiJ3466T5Qt_irccggANbbQsTBwNb98anyB45HyaFN83PoQazGAfgjtUO8RoyD9NCx6W2SIIk0CCZ1CTPOw-YKKc/s1600-h/DSC_3303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNKeZ0GQNWXWDjtDul8UbKut0dNpEyG_COx2Wjvk6c8qzDg55lDNLiJ3466T5Qt_irccggANbbQsTBwNb98anyB45HyaFN83PoQazGAfgjtUO8RoyD9NCx6W2SIIk0CCZ1CTPOw-YKKc/s400/DSC_3303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578466616961970" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The xx (they're not even 21 yet, totes adorable!)</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eDFhoRwfTznLwrc2RHHr1_FxvYjQMtycX3Kuo7AOhTWPCQhsir_S-a_wFecYtJt1h0opo25P7TjNmvnoMM9lwKCIz7-YAcW05RJXrnYcotUVQxpiQ6UuQnp6_M7Qe8qJ-oroaYvoclY/s1600-h/DSC_3314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eDFhoRwfTznLwrc2RHHr1_FxvYjQMtycX3Kuo7AOhTWPCQhsir_S-a_wFecYtJt1h0opo25P7TjNmvnoMM9lwKCIz7-YAcW05RJXrnYcotUVQxpiQ6UuQnp6_M7Qe8qJ-oroaYvoclY/s400/DSC_3314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578081078451058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfr3mbqrz9yQInUAyl0HPOVn-3bCh9_C1X074zWG8P53sltoZi78UTxJ4iP4405F5-vT_1MHFUXot2OUg3TmZIagqmSThypc4tForzsPt9VnlOgHIWDcdlyYdpA-ZNGHKiUxvfwOXCo4/s1600-h/DSC_3340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfr3mbqrz9yQInUAyl0HPOVn-3bCh9_C1X074zWG8P53sltoZi78UTxJ4iP4405F5-vT_1MHFUXot2OUg3TmZIagqmSThypc4tForzsPt9VnlOgHIWDcdlyYdpA-ZNGHKiUxvfwOXCo4/s400/DSC_3340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578071626207234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96aPkUYrh0awuqQQ5l4T_Xuq8-lZOyj960-1LMQ7JQb07EqFfN4T7rOhhRW-m2DTzH4N1ey2L7FmT2FEF2GFrw3w-puscKQPGzFqFnepwiYrFVg30_h0hhOcIq5xGhvs1wEozz6EfB6c/s1600-h/DSC_3356.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96aPkUYrh0awuqQQ5l4T_Xuq8-lZOyj960-1LMQ7JQb07EqFfN4T7rOhhRW-m2DTzH4N1ey2L7FmT2FEF2GFrw3w-puscKQPGzFqFnepwiYrFVg30_h0hhOcIq5xGhvs1wEozz6EfB6c/s400/DSC_3356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578062694149602" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Friendly Fires set list</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYsXg3Afd4Xep8yXtR40EZ0o0r3NB7kDToRNzht4POtnQGl-M_9xDFeFWeI42ccgTXAX4S-UMlJf6ZWcPTFm-FhOU49UZYxlwNucAVq3ndMHzV3ZA_va0WGINurs0vuADgkt6TyCTxr4/s1600-h/DSC_3403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYsXg3Afd4Xep8yXtR40EZ0o0r3NB7kDToRNzht4POtnQGl-M_9xDFeFWeI42ccgTXAX4S-UMlJf6ZWcPTFm-FhOU49UZYxlwNucAVq3ndMHzV3ZA_va0WGINurs0vuADgkt6TyCTxr4/s400/DSC_3403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578054095348610" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Friendly Fires</span></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxxvQE5KbbBlECmoY55h9eLI8IauJ549YIDuLAhOPheXJ9oWjJVaJNKtwgFvnZ5Jl4v7vEaj724lAteTKvU1kjroCA-MlJYvDX9JW0cGpqQAOmy4mAIAsOpSxIp5JcBM56y8n-apRSps/s1600-h/DSC_3416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxxvQE5KbbBlECmoY55h9eLI8IauJ549YIDuLAhOPheXJ9oWjJVaJNKtwgFvnZ5Jl4v7vEaj724lAteTKvU1kjroCA-MlJYvDX9JW0cGpqQAOmy4mAIAsOpSxIp5JcBM56y8n-apRSps/s400/DSC_3416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411577755395540386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_unjcnM53YMxLtwg_wZbWo4bWs8pZf4gCfCauvay2gkXfXrcTJEl5eCgWrhqgh8nnwWG4Ju_8NxfC-M4FXZM9v0jqjX94XRWaqmWV_AvhE8-yP0oL5rp7k4CVzIP4oNHNM-awYIwO3j4/s1600-h/DSC_3443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_unjcnM53YMxLtwg_wZbWo4bWs8pZf4gCfCauvay2gkXfXrcTJEl5eCgWrhqgh8nnwWG4Ju_8NxfC-M4FXZM9v0jqjX94XRWaqmWV_AvhE8-yP0oL5rp7k4CVzIP4oNHNM-awYIwO3j4/s400/DSC_3443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411577745588317522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvT-FRd2mB5lguYpKqZRywhO41caUMt11vIITPuKmYGwyAeKGEUSs2Rux7zJE3oQbbZdoaVOk92499wrXpITPw4kF0mualGG5D3Wibg_0rDXHW-pzPis0BG_AJZzNjiP8RBltJt5XOIw/s1600-h/DSC_3460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvT-FRd2mB5lguYpKqZRywhO41caUMt11vIITPuKmYGwyAeKGEUSs2Rux7zJE3oQbbZdoaVOk92499wrXpITPw4kF0mualGG5D3Wibg_0rDXHW-pzPis0BG_AJZzNjiP8RBltJt5XOIw/s400/DSC_3460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411577734216348962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_cwSNOnmvQoU3RiYmiH7EfYG9Q-SLHtJci9RMYtrjS0RJXRpDzRr3_VDDN_g5gpV75GsLtCBGF2Ov5ecbnyc2mAvGtnqGILKQAfcjp59baoq-YjNXO3bbdXO2Ff1fEDwWRBfAAwxXEY/s1600-h/DSC_3490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_cwSNOnmvQoU3RiYmiH7EfYG9Q-SLHtJci9RMYtrjS0RJXRpDzRr3_VDDN_g5gpV75GsLtCBGF2Ov5ecbnyc2mAvGtnqGILKQAfcjp59baoq-YjNXO3bbdXO2Ff1fEDwWRBfAAwxXEY/s400/DSC_3490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411577728824924002" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We even managed to take a couple decent videos with our new Kodak zi8, an HD video camera about the size of a Blackberry. It's crazy! It does not take the highest quality video (I mean, it is 1080p, but it's sorta shaky and not great in low light), but it's great for fun stuff. If this works correctly... this should be The xx performing Crystalised:</div><div><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/23rVkSlfdHY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/23rVkSlfdHY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And Friendly Fires performing On Board:</div><div><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bm3oGHUi1t4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bm3oGHUi1t4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Paul and I tried our hand (foot?) at snowshoeing this week also, so I have a whole new post to follow this one! Coming soonish!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Jenny</div>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-79227733591984332932009-10-29T08:49:00.000-07:002009-10-29T10:01:24.067-07:00Dog Day on Sauvie IslandAfter MSU's crushing loss to Iowa on Saturday, we decided to hit Sauvie Island on Sunday morning to lift our spirits. We headed over with Eric and Kelly and their puppy Pinot (who is getting so big!!) and of course, Bucktown.<br /><br />It was sort of a dreary day, but it felt right for an autumn morning surrounded by pumpkin patches. We walked the beach for a few hours, and we were literally the only ones out there so the dogs got to run free. All these pictures are just for cuteness' sake!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKnlq_f_JimpYxdAHq7wJoVbSxZEuxaMiWCXHYUjsx2HWMkHiD_Nc15R3eKjB2rrktngWewwmCT-hb60PIMnvedNb1SovSmuDUdJg2qasfYbG3rsYkhi4nh7ai2WsDmL5zhFl52j4H2U/s1600-h/DSC_2686.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKnlq_f_JimpYxdAHq7wJoVbSxZEuxaMiWCXHYUjsx2HWMkHiD_Nc15R3eKjB2rrktngWewwmCT-hb60PIMnvedNb1SovSmuDUdJg2qasfYbG3rsYkhi4nh7ai2WsDmL5zhFl52j4H2U/s400/DSC_2686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397145715555682834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley chasing after Paul</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGi40T2qHbPCXfMed1ZzqdYayh0rCMp-uiToRClbPozpFsR5blytpDwWWWOLrxKSDhkxzzOxmB-2-EB60fDrvTRSPCphegQAV3Z3fEs4s4MLFHhUmQ-fft3mttZaLMI8jQzwZ78Lfxzo/s1600-h/DSC_2696.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGi40T2qHbPCXfMed1ZzqdYayh0rCMp-uiToRClbPozpFsR5blytpDwWWWOLrxKSDhkxzzOxmB-2-EB60fDrvTRSPCphegQAV3Z3fEs4s4MLFHhUmQ-fft3mttZaLMI8jQzwZ78Lfxzo/s400/DSC_2696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397145702294077394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKcgj6FICg63Dse6KfvfHuAR4IFZxIeBBCr3RdpMoySdT8IMRLCg-w8qzIzMR0nLQH-6CPxuzuVl0kQwada8tuuUC6-9xBXZZOEwkkh-k5MzYLRk651WHC7LFYhyqnpHhCcUt9yU6p5A/s1600-h/DSC_2714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKcgj6FICg63Dse6KfvfHuAR4IFZxIeBBCr3RdpMoySdT8IMRLCg-w8qzIzMR0nLQH-6CPxuzuVl0kQwada8tuuUC6-9xBXZZOEwkkh-k5MzYLRk651WHC7LFYhyqnpHhCcUt9yU6p5A/s400/DSC_2714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397145344206089314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I urge you to click on this picture to enlarge it, and look at Buckley's face. It will make your day.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjCG8CrJvCfonXwGZ9CKkbKqwLyE8j0XYQ_qJDCVLVWQ8-PAyrs_31zrLyvSgcD1wo119pmXNpdlHZPf0rvWs87qQf_QXZNfDnp3yz5pjkwPlhClYG72xGxghw-Yg16HkjunVMqR61hc/s1600-h/DSC_2718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjCG8CrJvCfonXwGZ9CKkbKqwLyE8j0XYQ_qJDCVLVWQ8-PAyrs_31zrLyvSgcD1wo119pmXNpdlHZPf0rvWs87qQf_QXZNfDnp3yz5pjkwPlhClYG72xGxghw-Yg16HkjunVMqR61hc/s400/DSC_2718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397145342549907506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258R4vBjXSyP264dEIUyqZb2GjpVnEC_eEF_mGcWxpxLVRYF_55S0dyE5wWdVo6zW0BkMRzKSD-P5H-MvwP0a15Zqggz9ufk27E6qIOqQPvI0BE_mB3-vkuDoQhyXaDu8pwuKO4D2bRs/s1600-h/DSC_2723.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258R4vBjXSyP264dEIUyqZb2GjpVnEC_eEF_mGcWxpxLVRYF_55S0dyE5wWdVo6zW0BkMRzKSD-P5H-MvwP0a15Zqggz9ufk27E6qIOqQPvI0BE_mB3-vkuDoQhyXaDu8pwuKO4D2bRs/s400/DSC_2723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397145331074203330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Are these dogs ready to go or what??</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g0wCoR4tIxuDOQUKSjRN47_wpNj88WtxBZGi6w1JnQCMVDdvRvo5jYxdoFE2OUYmhn7pwEAFUWR2e_12TXyv0-O_uWT3yEzWcU6f3wvvBRkvkra27Bk6VW2ExtwglTgTZzOGEjxU3v0/s1600-h/DSC_2728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g0wCoR4tIxuDOQUKSjRN47_wpNj88WtxBZGi6w1JnQCMVDdvRvo5jYxdoFE2OUYmhn7pwEAFUWR2e_12TXyv0-O_uWT3yEzWcU6f3wvvBRkvkra27Bk6VW2ExtwglTgTZzOGEjxU3v0/s400/DSC_2728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397132872494957762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Best buds!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcdzAgWQ4DK9le5bttIfE5mTV3zLV4_7Fo-Z1cTENEfGREuUGKxHdBYtjl02zYW7yMPAra2Z4wFGJc_1I4tIGlB8MFl6VBSj-NCqywtnBEovcqA0aLe0NbuQBMZsfIlzsPIqnWI1ptMw/s1600-h/DSC_2733.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcdzAgWQ4DK9le5bttIfE5mTV3zLV4_7Fo-Z1cTENEfGREuUGKxHdBYtjl02zYW7yMPAra2Z4wFGJc_1I4tIGlB8MFl6VBSj-NCqywtnBEovcqA0aLe0NbuQBMZsfIlzsPIqnWI1ptMw/s400/DSC_2733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397132862398051618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CasDHkX5ztgb__G-3fWPn4XJ7oiiYBVIg-7vQQw3RFmtxMBOEaXXbmb6Yg4XGaywtbBBIbfTsnE5DMGhNZhQ5JhiM8GAcxa5eT6zT99KsfZhyphenhyphenay5Fq1aGAdTGl-gjkGTUAdd0sC5Hsw/s1600-h/DSC_2736.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CasDHkX5ztgb__G-3fWPn4XJ7oiiYBVIg-7vQQw3RFmtxMBOEaXXbmb6Yg4XGaywtbBBIbfTsnE5DMGhNZhQ5JhiM8GAcxa5eT6zT99KsfZhyphenhyphenay5Fq1aGAdTGl-gjkGTUAdd0sC5Hsw/s400/DSC_2736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397132855321792466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauvukYEalcapr03K0_THInXuwDAZpbtVJdcVqnN7uuGPSxFolUaqKsMGoHamaGT6A7NYJKUDdYp3ZqkJWeL9ijFL79jeanhvpUaq3o05nErx8s2wGUnUWZs6NPzTu91ufATgEYFXoDmw/s1600-h/DSC_2760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauvukYEalcapr03K0_THInXuwDAZpbtVJdcVqnN7uuGPSxFolUaqKsMGoHamaGT6A7NYJKUDdYp3ZqkJWeL9ijFL79jeanhvpUaq3o05nErx8s2wGUnUWZs6NPzTu91ufATgEYFXoDmw/s400/DSC_2760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397131729250293074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A Blue Heron that we spotted</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh0TQ4jFRzcgnOzr08cWxIAPLKkFcr51hO7_LGO75oQUA4ca3dMwS_qysuXKH1OUeKsV5bfZiLU20WnwWhTZcne7ZzrTdySqXahd2wGKwi1BULME_IKpDPleIwglJ5tPKkuwBfPgsHE8/s1600-h/DSC_2770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh0TQ4jFRzcgnOzr08cWxIAPLKkFcr51hO7_LGO75oQUA4ca3dMwS_qysuXKH1OUeKsV5bfZiLU20WnwWhTZcne7ZzrTdySqXahd2wGKwi1BULME_IKpDPleIwglJ5tPKkuwBfPgsHE8/s400/DSC_2770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397131720730171394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Obviously something smells very interesting...</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDioyNGfv5uc-V8LKYlohRFJY9l-sgHkLAjRvnkHalBiILy0CacZhrNvC4Se1TM-SAiv7t7kz2HLnEUqjk0pLdgVSqqsA5V6i3q3BlzvgBhAdY7FvuqoMvpdbtoB7bvGjfvIDt8aHqYdg/s1600-h/DSC_2776.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDioyNGfv5uc-V8LKYlohRFJY9l-sgHkLAjRvnkHalBiILy0CacZhrNvC4Se1TM-SAiv7t7kz2HLnEUqjk0pLdgVSqqsA5V6i3q3BlzvgBhAdY7FvuqoMvpdbtoB7bvGjfvIDt8aHqYdg/s400/DSC_2776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397131710816209650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPF9ixIy5Q-Llox_qQGDATSzCxtCQvtu3nSCIqE5eN9hpWhBrrBOiq4VJ2y6BRUQa5dSKp4tWm_1YY1kwawnYU4Bhaav_ZUKN5jaDM1OlD4ewOhJ6j1JnHsQbZGvRLjj1bI01vPsNlVs/s1600-h/DSC_2801.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPF9ixIy5Q-Llox_qQGDATSzCxtCQvtu3nSCIqE5eN9hpWhBrrBOiq4VJ2y6BRUQa5dSKp4tWm_1YY1kwawnYU4Bhaav_ZUKN5jaDM1OlD4ewOhJ6j1JnHsQbZGvRLjj1bI01vPsNlVs/s400/DSC_2801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397128744046657426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOudQqYTWVCCklijes1BczN37m05uBLjUvDaqYIwNWTjxzIFDUW-7O5JvVVNPNayXSmz95ImudzrZiyz47rLiRg98LuPIcQfvUvKwY1JQEHaknWnLsCOqhCtz1QNwlNo07vyTF57-7RM/s1600-h/DSC_2811.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOudQqYTWVCCklijes1BczN37m05uBLjUvDaqYIwNWTjxzIFDUW-7O5JvVVNPNayXSmz95ImudzrZiyz47rLiRg98LuPIcQfvUvKwY1JQEHaknWnLsCOqhCtz1QNwlNo07vyTF57-7RM/s400/DSC_2811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397128738167673634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A makeshift jungle gym!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcULtSTOHYT5afpcj7iUuGrstolgnVk2_fFSuJ-RmWuMb5AUarNSPsqQg2lWxr-V4Dwl0nT_1sR_dZwncHKlE_O65JEMNKwtKHsVJ_slFEMG6Jf5YDosp8BLwLSI0MlDv4NFwfsdoQqOU/s1600-h/DSC_2818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcULtSTOHYT5afpcj7iUuGrstolgnVk2_fFSuJ-RmWuMb5AUarNSPsqQg2lWxr-V4Dwl0nT_1sR_dZwncHKlE_O65JEMNKwtKHsVJ_slFEMG6Jf5YDosp8BLwLSI0MlDv4NFwfsdoQqOU/s400/DSC_2818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397128729752912882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zhVeAeB-SO3KUkPGUE6RJWXWyuKavy4I9NZ3UkFQvZXerxLi_5iRMqL3qc4I91IuVRI-t2seF-U3BhGVCitasaHP3vQ-LNUgIVfuoFbVotF2NvexLZhZSu3pqZf18duRwqw5yGrmbac/s1600-h/DSC_2821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zhVeAeB-SO3KUkPGUE6RJWXWyuKavy4I9NZ3UkFQvZXerxLi_5iRMqL3qc4I91IuVRI-t2seF-U3BhGVCitasaHP3vQ-LNUgIVfuoFbVotF2NvexLZhZSu3pqZf18duRwqw5yGrmbac/s400/DSC_2821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397126200987329970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDKWQmqcALAxjjMFY4UOpRSUfk2VeljYwS8OEB5xFbsMfDpsyTaUmosu2ceh74pzVvFii8jmU1GjnXhVGRfzV5WFsGMuT18P6DuN0gcMwBKbSeoSZylOLOvv9Ba8kz440SjT7Htzsg-Y/s1600-h/DSC_2857.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDKWQmqcALAxjjMFY4UOpRSUfk2VeljYwS8OEB5xFbsMfDpsyTaUmosu2ceh74pzVvFii8jmU1GjnXhVGRfzV5WFsGMuT18P6DuN0gcMwBKbSeoSZylOLOvv9Ba8kz440SjT7Htzsg-Y/s400/DSC_2857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397126192053243538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSbvc2COj2rCIz0Aqmcfu67tC0YOpbtThBJYKpX9ZPCQcncs9geJHIimNF8Ybt24BEaA3U3DrC1ECN8Hj5RREtCSWnopgGItcuUPjx9z5UGgoHZpIbHOT27KE5nAsbQ4BX57eR8kWhBM/s1600-h/DSC_2870.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSbvc2COj2rCIz0Aqmcfu67tC0YOpbtThBJYKpX9ZPCQcncs9geJHIimNF8Ybt24BEaA3U3DrC1ECN8Hj5RREtCSWnopgGItcuUPjx9z5UGgoHZpIbHOT27KE5nAsbQ4BX57eR8kWhBM/s400/DSC_2870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397126189615883586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi1FK6QdmKvJtUurhaXizPpGlPfs0HIW8zwb3-9DxQWjrhgRGWnWTzAhhJVLjpD7OFr5PRFNtS-axa-tYRMhrZTLkYxacL2z8Ruud4RLpxulV7fqJd8XgY9MLPl9MjyPUjzFHpuOkDvw/s1600-h/DSC_2877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi1FK6QdmKvJtUurhaXizPpGlPfs0HIW8zwb3-9DxQWjrhgRGWnWTzAhhJVLjpD7OFr5PRFNtS-axa-tYRMhrZTLkYxacL2z8Ruud4RLpxulV7fqJd8XgY9MLPl9MjyPUjzFHpuOkDvw/s400/DSC_2877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397122288690681858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wheeeeee we're spinning!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOj3LayNofLfnT3OQ01oGRqaTY6oDNUJm5QBswOCWaHf6M9YiP-ur3o_fQzhBmSxgurjiBsmqK0y3Nj7XD0E-BEeF_8sihC7AqBPKhg5NbgskCXVpiEAxklga8BdLJlMeh-YL9IRqgms/s1600-h/DSC_2895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOj3LayNofLfnT3OQ01oGRqaTY6oDNUJm5QBswOCWaHf6M9YiP-ur3o_fQzhBmSxgurjiBsmqK0y3Nj7XD0E-BEeF_8sihC7AqBPKhg5NbgskCXVpiEAxklga8BdLJlMeh-YL9IRqgms/s400/DSC_2895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397122282982360994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley scaled this thing in about 5 seconds</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Oq72N_Ix04YJWDkLg7JmNkmqBoJvcF4Erp0ihG_Wc6QlXs_AYzxbEYIqid_L5AilbQXFmPYGwrr9Ty_ZCQ4FJew5IUsZK6hEdczVMRFnNW6k3o4tcIDPEE0nakGBI17mHZDIsTXQ34/s1600-h/DSC_2916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Oq72N_Ix04YJWDkLg7JmNkmqBoJvcF4Erp0ihG_Wc6QlXs_AYzxbEYIqid_L5AilbQXFmPYGwrr9Ty_ZCQ4FJew5IUsZK6hEdczVMRFnNW6k3o4tcIDPEE0nakGBI17mHZDIsTXQ34/s400/DSC_2916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397122272125848482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The daddy-doggy shot</span><br /></div><br />We topped it off with lots of food and caramel apples at Kruger Farms. A glorious day. I bought a pumpkin too, meant for making pumpkin bread with, but don't have a recipe. Does anyone have a good one??<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-88621303805981225592009-10-26T23:07:00.000-07:002009-10-26T23:09:05.247-07:00Japanese GardensAutumn has definitely arrived here in PDX! In Portland this does mean gray skies and rain... but through the veil of drear, believe it or not, one can actually enjoy some amazing autumn colors right now. And of course this also means my camera has been in overdrive.<br /><br />We visited the <a href="http://www.japanesegarden.com/">Japanese Garden</a> on Thursday, about a 30 minute walk from home (awesome) to see all the fall foliage. We just so happened to visit on what we're told was the peak day for color, before all the leaves started dropping off. Double awesome.<br /><br />The five traditional gardens are maticulously tended to year round for all (well, all with $8) to enjoy. As you might imagine, these gardens are a very peaceful and zen place to be. Everyone is hush hush, kind of like a library. And of course, the gentle kachik-kachik-kachik of eight zillion cameras floated through the air as well. It was a very popular day for photographing. :)<br /><br />On our way up to the gardens we strolled through the International Test Rose Garden. Surprisingly, some of the roses are still in full bloom or are just starting to bloom. I thought they would all be wilted away for sure. And after a fresh rainfall, I couldn't resist some close-ups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-mwymBpukuOk9u-LcjIgWftp4SMKyuMQpobWyMy2A5m4MhRjOqSyMAr02gMH3A3Y8UZr8e2RhXluMx1NiIUHan3PRt1VeTUKmc380c-AhsSnNxzHkbFCvuwvY_6qC_DA_bx-5cIABkA/s1600-h/DSC_2345.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-mwymBpukuOk9u-LcjIgWftp4SMKyuMQpobWyMy2A5m4MhRjOqSyMAr02gMH3A3Y8UZr8e2RhXluMx1NiIUHan3PRt1VeTUKmc380c-AhsSnNxzHkbFCvuwvY_6qC_DA_bx-5cIABkA/s400/DSC_2345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047919784550530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5EYhtP_joZMX3YXi4zXF_oeCYa430tBGMA2pSYQjV24Jgv9Hz1w8GtDJLYBbMq_gUdX3B83ogYJVALczAJtGqxeC37P79a7HYG50wSP4ayjoh3bMr7emyOhfBu8Mslrshyp8-fWQ49w/s1600-h/DSC_2349.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5EYhtP_joZMX3YXi4zXF_oeCYa430tBGMA2pSYQjV24Jgv9Hz1w8GtDJLYBbMq_gUdX3B83ogYJVALczAJtGqxeC37P79a7HYG50wSP4ayjoh3bMr7emyOhfBu8Mslrshyp8-fWQ49w/s400/DSC_2349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047915253036978" border="0" /></a><br />From here on out are Japanese Garden pictures. I recommend clicking on any of them you find interesting, to enlarge them in a new window. There is not really much I need to say about them, as they pretty much speak for themselves, so I will probably shut up for most of the rest of this post. <span style="font-style: italic;">Most </span>of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsABadXvIWMq5OQ2GjApeoyH9X59SGDddHT9tUj4ONqSlCUN_KkoyeJoM0ARAxk099bDItZmPyv5rXTqb8UKTlF5ZehUCnAZL1IbF_yUs93Dv9JNRcMgoMbCpBnGo4sPxNHFPU3C1-bqY/s1600-h/DSC_2406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsABadXvIWMq5OQ2GjApeoyH9X59SGDddHT9tUj4ONqSlCUN_KkoyeJoM0ARAxk099bDItZmPyv5rXTqb8UKTlF5ZehUCnAZL1IbF_yUs93Dv9JNRcMgoMbCpBnGo4sPxNHFPU3C1-bqY/s400/DSC_2406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047686552747874" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhf20xH-VlRnU3Ykc0ASQ-uYtV3OmVHqu8XUfQviLjFfqYe9YRs1kUq3Gph4vtCmfeb66gXVuG2d6ON-f7mppH7F_R5l4dmdoUIyKYKllnJu2N-n8Gc9lkwmmMONULUQWserqHfgZAj0/s1600-h/DSC_2412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhf20xH-VlRnU3Ykc0ASQ-uYtV3OmVHqu8XUfQviLjFfqYe9YRs1kUq3Gph4vtCmfeb66gXVuG2d6ON-f7mppH7F_R5l4dmdoUIyKYKllnJu2N-n8Gc9lkwmmMONULUQWserqHfgZAj0/s400/DSC_2412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047676447704594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A floating leaf friend right in the middle</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0pO3vOjhdeewTwNzslq3oJKgI6X5jHcg10SR4F14fJSIX35ruXKxQ20lm9lAgLl6Yr0pPYHVzWg6rQrsifNME1DcYkLDROW7I_fwahzhcujtd_rSiqf4uXUrbBN8CzvczM_dqhm48EE/s1600-h/DSC_2422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0pO3vOjhdeewTwNzslq3oJKgI6X5jHcg10SR4F14fJSIX35ruXKxQ20lm9lAgLl6Yr0pPYHVzWg6rQrsifNME1DcYkLDROW7I_fwahzhcujtd_rSiqf4uXUrbBN8CzvczM_dqhm48EE/s400/DSC_2422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047396332129154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vY-wj4p-xiDqv9LrUCfuxOHx4uO6yciyT4NPRcBGtkiSmYISbs5SMVr0rX-wdrQilL4BIdQXLcV9EjGtjFfLqCtExvtYPvwA9tgr6P_-lMFaZUbtinkCfB8oQd71qsjVgvjtrKmOmHc/s1600-h/DSC_2427.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vY-wj4p-xiDqv9LrUCfuxOHx4uO6yciyT4NPRcBGtkiSmYISbs5SMVr0rX-wdrQilL4BIdQXLcV9EjGtjFfLqCtExvtYPvwA9tgr6P_-lMFaZUbtinkCfB8oQd71qsjVgvjtrKmOmHc/s400/DSC_2427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047393420085490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Japanese Maples all looked like they were on fire</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU_cyFdr7Wha5Cahyphenhyphenm2gAeMWZ6nARkGp8GTx4Sl3q0DxxqJp_mybGJTDYhX0lTasNIxWS_xNLDVwPMhqakGwnZA185N1Xo3nTk870AeJdJxWDuspO2D2eQ-TL5ih6kkMUyw1MzkWjtBU/s1600-h/DSC_2430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU_cyFdr7Wha5Cahyphenhyphenm2gAeMWZ6nARkGp8GTx4Sl3q0DxxqJp_mybGJTDYhX0lTasNIxWS_xNLDVwPMhqakGwnZA185N1Xo3nTk870AeJdJxWDuspO2D2eQ-TL5ih6kkMUyw1MzkWjtBU/s400/DSC_2430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047383640398354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUPzzTWimXsGRYDkj_8wm4Tcnvr69TlykAk0FGEunBX2PAcMMVpdAkxrbwz3KFgiH7v7lFJCjNdV7FiZk_DAgFrY3EOMfD6m9Qqq98VDAqJ496ZaqSdngTRjfXKLFAGrYUCnZ1aRRH5A/s1600-h/DSC_2444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUPzzTWimXsGRYDkj_8wm4Tcnvr69TlykAk0FGEunBX2PAcMMVpdAkxrbwz3KFgiH7v7lFJCjNdV7FiZk_DAgFrY3EOMfD6m9Qqq98VDAqJ496ZaqSdngTRjfXKLFAGrYUCnZ1aRRH5A/s400/DSC_2444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047063718831602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZtnOKJQ5QjFwtlpeCoWO6jrNPh9l2FL3EPGXTVfWlCBvMg5k3Nw_p6zMUt6H1aIZAyv_5pSErkRs_QJR4UXht69OVUtcGYDAmBOh8eoWaj6HnjSwNVKnlLns2j2xKQYiBZjrLqAHvGA/s1600-h/DSC_2453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZtnOKJQ5QjFwtlpeCoWO6jrNPh9l2FL3EPGXTVfWlCBvMg5k3Nw_p6zMUt6H1aIZAyv_5pSErkRs_QJR4UXht69OVUtcGYDAmBOh8eoWaj6HnjSwNVKnlLns2j2xKQYiBZjrLqAHvGA/s400/DSC_2453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047053817587650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Y0G766quqOaCXb70GNVA6KZ3Btrb5iNNvz_dsZcoXCy9bIV_df18Z7vpPGUQVe3lXxD8XD0ARaWQ1KqjG_M0whvbhztYcTLoHK4xYmN1QgbWRYMhvRsHsAixw_aK6l4AIUGoh4dxh0/s1600-h/DSC_2464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Y0G766quqOaCXb70GNVA6KZ3Btrb5iNNvz_dsZcoXCy9bIV_df18Z7vpPGUQVe3lXxD8XD0ARaWQ1KqjG_M0whvbhztYcTLoHK4xYmN1QgbWRYMhvRsHsAixw_aK6l4AIUGoh4dxh0/s400/DSC_2464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047041592364514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZLbRD95ruP6sdzkuu6lUNP2Fd_91t1bYg8Njdrit6DKylU8oJ-MzYjak6K5DTAmdd85YNmQg4mgdjj8or3UbQdk1VGwNAh2zZlXMtwCsXZ3O4pHLwMwtRMiC5exCccRtKAzBHgmwEGU/s1600-h/DSC_2474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZLbRD95ruP6sdzkuu6lUNP2Fd_91t1bYg8Njdrit6DKylU8oJ-MzYjak6K5DTAmdd85YNmQg4mgdjj8or3UbQdk1VGwNAh2zZlXMtwCsXZ3O4pHLwMwtRMiC5exCccRtKAzBHgmwEGU/s400/DSC_2474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046484056890274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtR0SMUTpraWfvmeipTs5rQf_TPkcwbeGxTVvil__aFLzWv1I_DuNSRUftghCziu1ASWrXnTtXhC1lfuWfJjBgQePcZJDVK9MwpWYIrFRsRBk3PIIZBbbRGMQ3sa30Be3rSer5CNR7BQ/s1600-h/DSC_2490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtR0SMUTpraWfvmeipTs5rQf_TPkcwbeGxTVvil__aFLzWv1I_DuNSRUftghCziu1ASWrXnTtXhC1lfuWfJjBgQePcZJDVK9MwpWYIrFRsRBk3PIIZBbbRGMQ3sa30Be3rSer5CNR7BQ/s400/DSC_2490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046477426753602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq-BWMQl_axbwHAEfV4s14B3FT3CUz3kOWykYjg_-P7q2NpX4jExyDp63V0ZRP6pN5iPcgBRZzso43C4_rA_ivsVup99dMK0Mi5cnJEAtKOKnb89d6aFjiVzNvUeoUsjL31myYejN26k/s1600-h/DSC_2509.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq-BWMQl_axbwHAEfV4s14B3FT3CUz3kOWykYjg_-P7q2NpX4jExyDp63V0ZRP6pN5iPcgBRZzso43C4_rA_ivsVup99dMK0Mi5cnJEAtKOKnb89d6aFjiVzNvUeoUsjL31myYejN26k/s400/DSC_2509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046468259933730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhmu-2SBbzSPCqF41V-1_DRQvLZ_pQdmakaaBBOT5xgR5r4b6ncg69cJtyxTPWMA5vG2MLT9KKF6s7cCZAMRZ7qiQYXuucf7fHbGdszW4k2uNttlU6mYhgfzMDhfOv8QApEhGMbOt6W4/s1600-h/DSC_2511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhmu-2SBbzSPCqF41V-1_DRQvLZ_pQdmakaaBBOT5xgR5r4b6ncg69cJtyxTPWMA5vG2MLT9KKF6s7cCZAMRZ7qiQYXuucf7fHbGdszW4k2uNttlU6mYhgfzMDhfOv8QApEhGMbOt6W4/s400/DSC_2511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046053247779202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheotmygjZlbEGOQwDW1yAOrGs8zZ2QG6OodDNorU31bvFtkWeUI2myVPrdcBdSCrN7iaiv2W6ipM8IpLIopifuhIaGLEWFsh8RcwTzvfEuz97y9rOniTfXU7wjF6UFuxy5Q597JowJd4I/s1600-h/DSC_2522.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheotmygjZlbEGOQwDW1yAOrGs8zZ2QG6OodDNorU31bvFtkWeUI2myVPrdcBdSCrN7iaiv2W6ipM8IpLIopifuhIaGLEWFsh8RcwTzvfEuz97y9rOniTfXU7wjF6UFuxy5Q597JowJd4I/s400/DSC_2522.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046048317703346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyw7-iFHCCAd9-FYo-roUuNpklnamCCvNHOE9aafdZCFzF-ysEak6SY-_Efo4y_r-0ZyTao3FmudnU_jw3mPuOaV9zWWFqKJ3XHIfyPaG9k5lnT8WGlBMH7b58DgDzvJ18K_CBhcsa7A/s1600-h/DSC_2546.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyw7-iFHCCAd9-FYo-roUuNpklnamCCvNHOE9aafdZCFzF-ysEak6SY-_Efo4y_r-0ZyTao3FmudnU_jw3mPuOaV9zWWFqKJ3XHIfyPaG9k5lnT8WGlBMH7b58DgDzvJ18K_CBhcsa7A/s400/DSC_2546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397046036637320130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVUCkTz_g_FU_fplJzakBoUv0wJjGuYJ8zx90ZCtrfixMB3JTUzZD19T6Nfeo7WzpBkcDYEjJTUNqJjFdFZ9ZoQwUMsTdUfETF4wO2ZBhH5Hk0S_AmIdeXhQs4tmH9_7QXvMpf6q3Jbk/s1600-h/DSC_2574.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVUCkTz_g_FU_fplJzakBoUv0wJjGuYJ8zx90ZCtrfixMB3JTUzZD19T6Nfeo7WzpBkcDYEjJTUNqJjFdFZ9ZoQwUMsTdUfETF4wO2ZBhH5Hk0S_AmIdeXhQs4tmH9_7QXvMpf6q3Jbk/s400/DSC_2574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397045402016346466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">An upskirt shot of a maple</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Z-QDYCMP6DsQIIafdfmwi-2GjBqFSaKro-6USzC_UppP0MdnQ68iXt7QeDP2s3AOmseB-QZJhPo1rb3rOkL1NHbwespJmisuj030pHFipZFoQ3p01PwrfH_EHmXzj2niWdMPU0gw8xk/s1600-h/DSC_2585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Z-QDYCMP6DsQIIafdfmwi-2GjBqFSaKro-6USzC_UppP0MdnQ68iXt7QeDP2s3AOmseB-QZJhPo1rb3rOkL1NHbwespJmisuj030pHFipZFoQ3p01PwrfH_EHmXzj2niWdMPU0gw8xk/s400/DSC_2585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397045393540099090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnec1mo81-PSxR3CQQlc-C6G9WPtTmzynoGqf99lIN3_wFp4yPX8UZfSAvwXw8yRJiSCzHW_T0Xp-sNb6PTppJSQhhmNRRFOzeM1jjrWy9M7rXw7p0aZCZOzO6z9D2le_pR78KxZCbic/s1600-h/DSC_2601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnec1mo81-PSxR3CQQlc-C6G9WPtTmzynoGqf99lIN3_wFp4yPX8UZfSAvwXw8yRJiSCzHW_T0Xp-sNb6PTppJSQhhmNRRFOzeM1jjrWy9M7rXw7p0aZCZOzO6z9D2le_pR78KxZCbic/s400/DSC_2601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044878454853362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These little water bugs were so cool... they just skated across the water surface like it was ice</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8VRZybNPspRsFIU1M_dSahjrCgADZYAUz7-6lP0-ywt2sv2qTZbA6BO_pJttjuSbJuhuZe5YXtfGXiNT7SHyTIhIvSN7BXkHXIb2c7lctIScRJis96s0yp-vfYvhtpNLUF-EMhzPuas/s1600-h/DSC_2628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8VRZybNPspRsFIU1M_dSahjrCgADZYAUz7-6lP0-ywt2sv2qTZbA6BO_pJttjuSbJuhuZe5YXtfGXiNT7SHyTIhIvSN7BXkHXIb2c7lctIScRJis96s0yp-vfYvhtpNLUF-EMhzPuas/s400/DSC_2628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044859082950034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tlc7eId8V-aoSflohieOv8lZS2n6tf7j5VrRiGOjI15tP9A0DyY7JKhp-ZAMl-DJB4xz70RJVIwH5Ht8mDDmCSTBx_N99IOwaIX6VwAcBsYKD8r4I4IUlF29z510fgGNhXdwRVwi-Ro/s1600-h/DSC_2640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tlc7eId8V-aoSflohieOv8lZS2n6tf7j5VrRiGOjI15tP9A0DyY7JKhp-ZAMl-DJB4xz70RJVIwH5Ht8mDDmCSTBx_N99IOwaIX6VwAcBsYKD8r4I4IUlF29z510fgGNhXdwRVwi-Ro/s400/DSC_2640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044549526479154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlFSodEvCrVP6qtJlxvu06phyedV-BL-4J7Qnpp9g20U3uv9OvPSOaXkT7d00SXauMS6mL5wAxsZA0YjWFzQWBL8zWN54RjOlW6Dn7jo81LBQTi87iBCKgmBEhfaeIgeRo6Ma2uvvxNA/s1600-h/DSC_2657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlFSodEvCrVP6qtJlxvu06phyedV-BL-4J7Qnpp9g20U3uv9OvPSOaXkT7d00SXauMS6mL5wAxsZA0YjWFzQWBL8zWN54RjOlW6Dn7jo81LBQTi87iBCKgmBEhfaeIgeRo6Ma2uvvxNA/s400/DSC_2657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044542403276610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Quite possibly the most photographed tree in Portland</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHoGGmllo-6fw-XI8ve8g7bMQ3JA9jbjNMZqYXh2ntFPNiSB-dp0X-y6r_0qJfjPpbZtgRsyECQ4WlUg6kr8mJrCOeqz24eE2tBcn2p4U8ZPtHMTsdNeC-uFeDt9eP762ONVKSGW_hpo/s1600-h/DSC_2677.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHoGGmllo-6fw-XI8ve8g7bMQ3JA9jbjNMZqYXh2ntFPNiSB-dp0X-y6r_0qJfjPpbZtgRsyECQ4WlUg6kr8mJrCOeqz24eE2tBcn2p4U8ZPtHMTsdNeC-uFeDt9eP762ONVKSGW_hpo/s400/DSC_2677.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044531231694258" border="0" /></a><br />That's it, hope you enjoyed! Up next on the blog, a Mayo/Fischer/doggy trip to Sauvie Island for a day of beachcombing. But not til tomorrow, cause I'm sleepy.<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-10269573824071916622009-10-11T22:26:00.000-07:002009-10-11T22:26:20.942-07:00Beervana<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BCqWohe6Pe6r-Ei1MHMcnuudTBZqor_W7aNGdzS3wOiJ75eF57PHkLjRcn_0d23TT7b5FZYalMmlXriKQyF8EkFumPBK0KD_ShL9vRqkvrU535EE0vQnCRjKVEcNc3NaEw2mxG1vLtw/s1600-h/DSC_2078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BCqWohe6Pe6r-Ei1MHMcnuudTBZqor_W7aNGdzS3wOiJ75eF57PHkLjRcn_0d23TT7b5FZYalMmlXriKQyF8EkFumPBK0KD_ShL9vRqkvrU535EE0vQnCRjKVEcNc3NaEw2mxG1vLtw/s400/DSC_2078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487718412053890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Drink it in</span><br /></div><br />There is definitely a reason Portland is nicknamed Beervana. On a rare Saturday off for me, Paul and I took advantage of a couple local beer festivals to sample the bountiful hops Oregon has to offer. First up was the annual <a href="http://oregonbeer.org/fhbt09/">Oregon Bounty Fresh Hop Beer Tastival</a> at <a href="http://oakspark.com/">Oaks Amusement Park</a>, a riverside amusement park that has been in operation for over 100 years. And only a quick 5 mile bike ride from home!<br /><br />Fresh hop beers (sometimes called wet hop) are brewed with fresh, just-picked hops, in this case grown locally (sometimes by the brewers themselves). Most often, after hops are harvested they are dried in a kiln and then packaged tight for shipping to brewers. The beers at this festival were all made with the full wet hops, which creates an intense earthy flavor rarely found in other beers. And it's a just plain really cool way to celebrate and reconnect the beer to the land.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfnu8CCJGcPM6ddcMdyAm497dGkhV23I2nntub5vbhTD9mTYdHi4QODEMwhWhcgM7bR6cC65m7JxBJVSWxQJEWiaYjamOzYjUjiKMu_npdyDbNrjoLOCQKkeRpXDm4QY4uGcPtfPqCU/s1600-h/DSC_2072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfnu8CCJGcPM6ddcMdyAm497dGkhV23I2nntub5vbhTD9mTYdHi4QODEMwhWhcgM7bR6cC65m7JxBJVSWxQJEWiaYjamOzYjUjiKMu_npdyDbNrjoLOCQKkeRpXDm4QY4uGcPtfPqCU/s400/DSC_2072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487535811857026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Waiting for the doors to open at noon</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-0ZcaC-0BpyTPgaljt9mQzC7HYrOflJLCq6yczJ1V9-OJDnvj70Bn_MJax3sA96xOY-zYJMQY7hPnaih4f-G2ebyUz9P96bOYaPUG1mTo4-EDQea6gPNZBYbnb1A0EUMKkuEU1nWZeo/s1600-h/DSC_2076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-0ZcaC-0BpyTPgaljt9mQzC7HYrOflJLCq6yczJ1V9-OJDnvj70Bn_MJax3sA96xOY-zYJMQY7hPnaih4f-G2ebyUz9P96bOYaPUG1mTo4-EDQea6gPNZBYbnb1A0EUMKkuEU1nWZeo/s400/DSC_2076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487526963738498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">38 beers on tap, all ready to go</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM5-ZuOD4VWFKpbmcc9Lxd7602rbv4HqfViMGv5poFcKLfKMLbI4IKUN1XpRul_cd0D9DFoFkUdjk004DagwQakzqcf3ypqA8GfyYYwwhGcdU9D5LqeCl6ihYuVemS8o1CrRDOL73bgk/s1600-h/DSC_2074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM5-ZuOD4VWFKpbmcc9Lxd7602rbv4HqfViMGv5poFcKLfKMLbI4IKUN1XpRul_cd0D9DFoFkUdjk004DagwQakzqcf3ypqA8GfyYYwwhGcdU9D5LqeCl6ihYuVemS8o1CrRDOL73bgk/s400/DSC_2074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487524685668162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The crazy kegcycle that Hopworks Urban Brewing brought. A pedaling party!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dz3uq-Bs8UY21Dv_kxmJFNFJXvKt2DFrBE8aBnmYBaNh6lSp5X_KGalRk5_A-uM-zdbwQwf7hDXKFu4Mxza5HlleNAlecu3DQ1HE3pqHyEAYs5HjTLBc_01xBcZeI_AwcwpFKCrV0Cw/s1600-h/DSC_2077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dz3uq-Bs8UY21Dv_kxmJFNFJXvKt2DFrBE8aBnmYBaNh6lSp5X_KGalRk5_A-uM-zdbwQwf7hDXKFu4Mxza5HlleNAlecu3DQ1HE3pqHyEAYs5HjTLBc_01xBcZeI_AwcwpFKCrV0Cw/s400/DSC_2077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487167175130690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Aaahhh... fresh hops</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4bgNmhsSkpXrmjp0-IBokBFhxr9-H0HYVkKcx-vqt2qEXsdevyR54madk8zzn1Sb_zKRVABDduQ_eaBbI14AmS8Z5vp14CS0VSb_gOG_yRpdBNTHAEfcL-IscD90-FpMY4K6xJNPU7A/s1600-h/DSC_2088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4bgNmhsSkpXrmjp0-IBokBFhxr9-H0HYVkKcx-vqt2qEXsdevyR54madk8zzn1Sb_zKRVABDduQ_eaBbI14AmS8Z5vp14CS0VSb_gOG_yRpdBNTHAEfcL-IscD90-FpMY4K6xJNPU7A/s400/DSC_2088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487147126138930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUxzw4c2-KmVftPe0j0_iG7iTAv2yxWfjrtrMaZdg8HnBbHroVhubNdeq9rXFEU9vK0ZcS-eEKpAUhgKdvTZfG-amPrI9ClpTQEk4uiq-uQ_YjoOTE91hPorp7PfWwCIherDsxZHdBpU/s1600-h/DSC_2098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUxzw4c2-KmVftPe0j0_iG7iTAv2yxWfjrtrMaZdg8HnBbHroVhubNdeq9rXFEU9vK0ZcS-eEKpAUhgKdvTZfG-amPrI9ClpTQEk4uiq-uQ_YjoOTE91hPorp7PfWwCIherDsxZHdBpU/s400/DSC_2098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486864218340002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The guide listed all the varieties of hops used... never really knew there were so many!</span><br /></div><br />There were 38 brews on tap, but at $1 a pop for a 4 oz. taste, we had to pick and choose. :) For anyone interested, we landed on:<br /><br />Astoria Brewing Company <span style="font-style: italic;">Hoptimus Prime 2.0 Pale Ale<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Barley Browns Brewpub<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Roadside IPA<br /></span></span></span></span></span>Beer Valley Brewing Co.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Leafer Madness Imperial IPA<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Double Mountain Brewery<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Killer Green IPA<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Lompoc Brewing<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Crystal Wheat<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Lompoc Brewing<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Millennium Imperial IPA </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">(my fav of the day... ohmygodsodelicious)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Pelican Pub & Brewery<span style="font-style: italic;"> Elemental Ale<br /><br /></span>I sincerely wish we would have had more dollars...<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7V-H9Fi9tfKnnGV5isbSOO8UZr9YUShtxggckvpDe9N-iJgFMSP78K3yxqDoevJnG_6nZLAccBGCOqRdDBpV2RcUagdiHvdkfgAVoZx3Wr4-GARll9iAmohdMLTcMP43yZBX05YUJ6o/s1600-h/DSC_2109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7V-H9Fi9tfKnnGV5isbSOO8UZr9YUShtxggckvpDe9N-iJgFMSP78K3yxqDoevJnG_6nZLAccBGCOqRdDBpV2RcUagdiHvdkfgAVoZx3Wr4-GARll9iAmohdMLTcMP43yZBX05YUJ6o/s400/DSC_2109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486850480041346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Who loves beer? I do.</span><br /></div><br />It was a gorgeous, sunny mid-60s brisk autumn day, so we took the party outside to the park grounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi4euKQVUryMmHgE9xk5wDP96b3fDNL-YfYqtsbUDIAhZrQIdFFsMRZxN6aOgRhAhyun_X1lFmqiZJc0bPuYreYm-5EP68VE7OpP7HpT_ZLni_oHS8mK8b1SRPif8lXb5-w82Zi4a31k/s1600-h/DSC_2111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi4euKQVUryMmHgE9xk5wDP96b3fDNL-YfYqtsbUDIAhZrQIdFFsMRZxN6aOgRhAhyun_X1lFmqiZJc0bPuYreYm-5EP68VE7OpP7HpT_ZLni_oHS8mK8b1SRPif8lXb5-w82Zi4a31k/s400/DSC_2111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486835311932578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVmCxJ7emLcbva9x6edC-DBllskziTrtPQf3Ej7LMCHEx9VPWRCeFpm-1zeBjxPvCMFlMFFQhf9gAn9-V3Z-5S0ZkSUoTzx8vbBfB60E6Yg4-oUs3PjfrWbbWQEy_i-cq0D3-Y_fiZJ4/s1600-h/DSC_2145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVmCxJ7emLcbva9x6edC-DBllskziTrtPQf3Ej7LMCHEx9VPWRCeFpm-1zeBjxPvCMFlMFFQhf9gAn9-V3Z-5S0ZkSUoTzx8vbBfB60E6Yg4-oUs3PjfrWbbWQEy_i-cq0D3-Y_fiZJ4/s400/DSC_2145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486475204910034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Climbimg trees after a few beers is a good idea</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xjvz8m42tgwz7GfnTn16BqPrvJ8Flge60mFJfnEBCoH6-ZtUK-Cfm2B2k2WiRMZ3dH8_7LjnPvw1y3PstbIwzDca70lXjN8qhMx8vMNNb4eXoh6grzvf21VGfZ1BC4G-XdzopxN-I_U/s1600-h/DSC_2162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xjvz8m42tgwz7GfnTn16BqPrvJ8Flge60mFJfnEBCoH6-ZtUK-Cfm2B2k2WiRMZ3dH8_7LjnPvw1y3PstbIwzDca70lXjN8qhMx8vMNNb4eXoh6grzvf21VGfZ1BC4G-XdzopxN-I_U/s400/DSC_2162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486467292788658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoHtRrqs7rhoA6bFrckpK8LO7Us6qo7bgKsT3_7yi71WMtbCOCUAxCmijWc4WQj8vme1BxR5Z0swe2OtT9kJySTXjAyDeGQvPeKLlxcc7ihe7imMqCBARuu80aYWGk40EiL2NoYC2oec/s1600-h/DSC_2163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoHtRrqs7rhoA6bFrckpK8LO7Us6qo7bgKsT3_7yi71WMtbCOCUAxCmijWc4WQj8vme1BxR5Z0swe2OtT9kJySTXjAyDeGQvPeKLlxcc7ihe7imMqCBARuu80aYWGk40EiL2NoYC2oec/s400/DSC_2163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486456463207954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Enoying the sunny lawn spot where I parked myself</span><br /></div><br />The best part... free train rides all day! The slower-than-walking-pace (literally) train goes in a big circle around the festival. I realize this is mainly for small children... but it was free.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvmRCnvRTD4A5MtN7Sy63P_Gth1ogA9HYP_kV_XhHSE13zvtVkZw4T9OdlogXXg_WV8YcPXljnSGP5Juu0AMGC3smrc6kbMRRMQk4ysS96eLHMcy4EHfknO3o1jPbQJCQmA_WGx8GIAQ/s1600-h/DSC_2166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvmRCnvRTD4A5MtN7Sy63P_Gth1ogA9HYP_kV_XhHSE13zvtVkZw4T9OdlogXXg_WV8YcPXljnSGP5Juu0AMGC3smrc6kbMRRMQk4ysS96eLHMcy4EHfknO3o1jPbQJCQmA_WGx8GIAQ/s400/DSC_2166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485956601813202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">CHOO CHOO!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewmr7Z1fFL_HnzN1-nSUSbeCe1_sn9KJR_m48G5huOQlJlXxbnSIqwnT2MSIJDo13yIwWtcNB95MoTGznCetmB_5dimi79blxrwIYAbc62rDk6hpI3WEIYuz0F5IOU-sD4UeSlVtS5zA/s1600-h/DSC_2177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewmr7Z1fFL_HnzN1-nSUSbeCe1_sn9KJR_m48G5huOQlJlXxbnSIqwnT2MSIJDo13yIwWtcNB95MoTGznCetmB_5dimi79blxrwIYAbc62rDk6hpI3WEIYuz0F5IOU-sD4UeSlVtS5zA/s400/DSC_2177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485941913839106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The fest from the train</span><br /></div><br />Since we couldn't imagine Hop Fest getting any better than that sweet train ride, we decided to head out on that note and make our way back downtown to the <a href="http://brewpublic.com/">Brewpublic</a> Killer Beer Fest at Bailey's Tap Room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyZM0VBqe06XU_BZkBLJv3TOPSkw0XRI3bf0ESTh142FOqlMtN2fCSgFrJWCcedB1-9zyuh09VR1TzdMXmxtHqg9K1T2MzDTFpAkb0K_PQrNgNEMRwpfYGI9pY_9CYhXRGSzsY1NPKV4/s1600-h/DSC_2186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyZM0VBqe06XU_BZkBLJv3TOPSkw0XRI3bf0ESTh142FOqlMtN2fCSgFrJWCcedB1-9zyuh09VR1TzdMXmxtHqg9K1T2MzDTFpAkb0K_PQrNgNEMRwpfYGI9pY_9CYhXRGSzsY1NPKV4/s400/DSC_2186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485937098287650" border="0" /></a><br />Just for the day, Bailey's replaced their 20 taps with all local one-of-a-kind beers. Most of these were just one-off brews, so it was a special treat to be able to try so many of them at once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_TekmKw0rLrLTSrd26hrmfyAyO-rduxuzjuOMaqOPiX8Bom1BQYoQXvJOaQP0aPzzHahgMpIzq0JFR7KihxTAfjLGx0H9zxbFjlIetIo0cyvirqQJCUr15vKyLtqubDhlqkVYrleQiw/s1600-h/DSC_2183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_TekmKw0rLrLTSrd26hrmfyAyO-rduxuzjuOMaqOPiX8Bom1BQYoQXvJOaQP0aPzzHahgMpIzq0JFR7KihxTAfjLGx0H9zxbFjlIetIo0cyvirqQJCUr15vKyLtqubDhlqkVYrleQiw/s400/DSC_2183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485584771622834" border="0" /></a><br />They had a HUGE turnout for this event. I have never seen a bar so swamped with people and bartenders sweatin' quite like this, so we decided to each do a 5-taste flight and then get outta there. Between the two of us, we had:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barley Brown's Baker City Wild Wet-Hopped American Strong Pale Ale</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Brewed with fresh hand-picked unknown hops that grow wild on the side of the road in Baker city. Bad ass!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vertigo Midnight Harvest Fresh-Hop Ale</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Start-up brewers Mike Haines and Mike Kinion hand-picked fresh Willamette and Cascade hops through the night for this one.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">BJ's Enfant Terrible</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Started as a base beer from their 2007 OBF entry, then racked into clean whiskey barrels and fermented with a Lambic yeast/bacteria blend.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walkabout Jabberwocky Strong Ale</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Dark and hoppy American strong ale with a smooth creeping palatability that has been known to "knock a dick in the dirt."<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Old Lompoc Barrel Fermented Centennial IPA</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />100% fermented in a vintage white English oak barrel, brewed with crystal malts to give it a rich golden color.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Double Mountain Abbey Hoffman Belgian Brown Ale</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Spicy and robust, 7.5 % ABV but well masked with yeastiness and delectable almond notes.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Block15 Bourbon Barrel-aged Fat Monk Dubbel</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Aged in one Pappy Van Winkle 20-year-old bourbon cask, this batch only produced 3.5 kegs. *Holy crap, this one took the cake! One of the most delicious, rich, caramely beers I have ever had the good fortune of tasting.<br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5DXO2BUsaoD7ErEgyF4amgHHFiEpR_YBaSsjGRCgVpzTxTr9tFeB0m7xo1ccsbu-U3CFOMtCfvP7zQORcCU4yJqEsPtz_c6r0kS269bXodMRWWpqk9TYJLXqNjGDHZJQd6e96D7kGqw/s1600-h/DSC_2182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5DXO2BUsaoD7ErEgyF4amgHHFiEpR_YBaSsjGRCgVpzTxTr9tFeB0m7xo1ccsbu-U3CFOMtCfvP7zQORcCU4yJqEsPtz_c6r0kS269bXodMRWWpqk9TYJLXqNjGDHZJQd6e96D7kGqw/s400/DSC_2182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485576023520402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Line 'em up, knock 'em back</span><br /></div><br />After sufficiently drinking myself silly, accusing the bartender of losing my credit card, finding my credit card in my bag and apologizing profusely, popping over to the Benson Hotel happy hour for a glass of wine that I clearly needed, and hitting Taco Bell hard... it was time to call it a night. What a glorious, glorious Saturday off.<br /><br />In closing, a lovely sunset from a few nights ago:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRyFogA40RwBn6I0A36IpSDKy5X-FMgBK9ggcHg2xKE6y-t44D3eEaHLWe-JEp9rkgnWzNw0BN_3XN3UOFAx_pkv0uYoQ9lDxPyoNqW2P-x0l_3kDtGfS2IjM-b0diRWj86F9Dms8CSw/s1600-h/DSC_1912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRyFogA40RwBn6I0A36IpSDKy5X-FMgBK9ggcHg2xKE6y-t44D3eEaHLWe-JEp9rkgnWzNw0BN_3XN3UOFAx_pkv0uYoQ9lDxPyoNqW2P-x0l_3kDtGfS2IjM-b0diRWj86F9Dms8CSw/s400/DSC_1912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391485564919743202" border="0" /></a><br />To Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hoppiness!<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-81893947844646134082009-09-24T08:27:00.000-07:002009-09-25T08:25:24.231-07:00Swift Watch 2009Wednesday night, we got to do something new and different in our own neighborhood... I love that!<br /><br />At sunset, we headed over to Chapman School to watch the <a href="http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch">Vaux's Swifts</a>, a flock of up to 15,000 tiny birds that migrates south every fall. During migration, every night at sunset the flock finds a place to roost (sleep) overnight. The swifts have been coming to the chimney of this school every night in September since the late 80's. It has turned into a huge event, with hundreds and sometimes thousands of people gathering on the school lawn every night to watch the giant cloud of birds swirl into the chimney.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjuMeARSMF7dT_6IukJ0fcQYNijHSZUOGQOTF5RmNz96bteVPIKkuydkaLrryfgcyF0bFtl0N_4CFCWOBgclDt_NP98VON0kw91nOciDIEfkzT4gh0RMS-9OVs2DvhxBPikDa7_y2duA/s1600-h/DSC_1683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjuMeARSMF7dT_6IukJ0fcQYNijHSZUOGQOTF5RmNz96bteVPIKkuydkaLrryfgcyF0bFtl0N_4CFCWOBgclDt_NP98VON0kw91nOciDIEfkzT4gh0RMS-9OVs2DvhxBPikDa7_y2duA/s400/DSC_1683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058907306742546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Chapman School</span><br /></div><br />I knew it was a popular event, but I was still surprised to see the turnout. Parents, children, neighbors, and out-of-towners turned out in droves. Throughout the event, children were sliding down this big hill on cardboard toboggans and excitedly running straight back up, which was sort of cute.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHKAbWrorg9c2m2zw_kBhHf1i097i6FKZqnGpWKGKGAqsbO_cRyfx6JCUXPc5KevqUaSzXmTE4WSEvzaQ-n07W4yV4-H_xgmgAn-1FDvKjP92aEtYpjfQtpAA3H8ekoZyiMWy2F3Khlg/s1600-h/DSC_1615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHKAbWrorg9c2m2zw_kBhHf1i097i6FKZqnGpWKGKGAqsbO_cRyfx6JCUXPc5KevqUaSzXmTE4WSEvzaQ-n07W4yV4-H_xgmgAn-1FDvKjP92aEtYpjfQtpAA3H8ekoZyiMWy2F3Khlg/s400/DSC_1615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058899326516274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bombs away</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDHsHC1w9DX1AhCOoj2jaJHgFvpA3FmziZUXCZh9R-JoTlQtqyL9Snej6YE9vehBsfhi7Mo-w9sIq7_euR571MgvCcG3r6Hbc_POmR62TqKRL-5DXkyxpPc2xiYnoMTlZtegjNmcDkUM/s1600-h/DSC_1676.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDHsHC1w9DX1AhCOoj2jaJHgFvpA3FmziZUXCZh9R-JoTlQtqyL9Snej6YE9vehBsfhi7Mo-w9sIq7_euR571MgvCcG3r6Hbc_POmR62TqKRL-5DXkyxpPc2xiYnoMTlZtegjNmcDkUM/s400/DSC_1676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058890215108626" border="0" /></a><br />Since the new camera does not have a video recording mode, I did my best with photos in the low light. The swifts are tiny, so I strongly encourage you to click on the photos below which will open them up at full size, so you can actually see what's happening!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FbW75B5RtrXzVDagVNCOfs1IwsW_5VKSfMhRHwRyGtiW1jqqluhwlaqcU0nbPboiLKp_mRQkD4NLYFdsMAjsXJ9mvB8gUqyDEc1Sg9BPH36BVWGb0YDffbEUH21Zk4Xogn1K0s652r8/s1600-h/DSC_1711.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FbW75B5RtrXzVDagVNCOfs1IwsW_5VKSfMhRHwRyGtiW1jqqluhwlaqcU0nbPboiLKp_mRQkD4NLYFdsMAjsXJ9mvB8gUqyDEc1Sg9BPH36BVWGb0YDffbEUH21Zk4Xogn1K0s652r8/s400/DSC_1711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058876040929874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Just getting started, the swifts are scattered and flying all around</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-f2zgo1gfSDIHrJdIZxuhwmc8jzPe5YOH-gTJBsBhcODaY4RwH8cCdYu4z1x0QKY2rALTk6bFiThSIXmkIvCyScXE051W9HH5wJ7KurA1uTtdJFHc-jJdeLIcv3OceyrStVr5Jx8uYA/s1600-h/DSC_1743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-f2zgo1gfSDIHrJdIZxuhwmc8jzPe5YOH-gTJBsBhcODaY4RwH8cCdYu4z1x0QKY2rALTk6bFiThSIXmkIvCyScXE051W9HH5wJ7KurA1uTtdJFHc-jJdeLIcv3OceyrStVr5Jx8uYA/s400/DSC_1743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058271234670418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">As if on cue, they start swirling and slowly funneling into the chimney</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUtNREfQWtVX2bctn9ikyQUyyhzUbkV5JskXVPLyANBO67QOygS3qFdUwJjv84mJ_yeZUDgWsQ2NLnlgANj4i46CE7bJtEaESss-kBJO0NkBqpxaVRzS70oCCQFVslNk1r5F_2BryFDY/s1600-h/DSC_1758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUtNREfQWtVX2bctn9ikyQUyyhzUbkV5JskXVPLyANBO67QOygS3qFdUwJjv84mJ_yeZUDgWsQ2NLnlgANj4i46CE7bJtEaESss-kBJO0NkBqpxaVRzS70oCCQFVslNk1r5F_2BryFDY/s400/DSC_1758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058259936511122" border="0" /></a><br />The swifts just kept coming. The sky was darkened by this huge swarm of little flapping birds, it was crazy. If you enlarge the picture below, you can see how the vortex of birds reaches way far up into the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5n_qJUtnpXaJv_pIN55ycM29rSpcpq36aPhAH41yVxwxbS1pMJUMKNv4IPb5wlfzfTYrkKruc01WbqhvLCRI_Yj_e7JhI9iz6O4OSxJKzb3AhwAkubVGxb5CI1shaOgFrumFOwq4_Lw/s1600-h/DSC_1761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5n_qJUtnpXaJv_pIN55ycM29rSpcpq36aPhAH41yVxwxbS1pMJUMKNv4IPb5wlfzfTYrkKruc01WbqhvLCRI_Yj_e7JhI9iz6O4OSxJKzb3AhwAkubVGxb5CI1shaOgFrumFOwq4_Lw/s400/DSC_1761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058252173559858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxOjLpkUU58GoVL-9geXXqpukfSGDgCMEPGBdI_57nSY9XWxLXrqEFzAqjKvrcB6_gtJsbvx-fWNfJqbHXcD9bykz8GjJNXLY1eB4KxU4y9UoPfBLI4fcgC0yGS5i4L1m1zeMwxPoPyE/s1600-h/DSC_1783.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxOjLpkUU58GoVL-9geXXqpukfSGDgCMEPGBdI_57nSY9XWxLXrqEFzAqjKvrcB6_gtJsbvx-fWNfJqbHXcD9bykz8GjJNXLY1eB4KxU4y9UoPfBLI4fcgC0yGS5i4L1m1zeMwxPoPyE/s400/DSC_1783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385058234967578626" border="0" /></a><br />We also apparently witnessed a somewhat uncommon event when a few falcons (I'm not sure exactly which variety) came around, and starting dive-bombing into the thick of the flock. One of the reasons the swifts choose this location again and again is for the lack of predators. Not tonight though. We saw a couple of them reach out and snatch a swift in their talons and fly away... brutal, but pretty cool too. Nature.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75nDXjIkSVDb25PsFz2QbK4vNxC4Pi0AYxMjyckdqv5Rz4bcs8wzgYoE2FrtnSUmF0wIfHSMPuttixIRieYb281qi3YmyFkdaiQ7IoRxp4xn9kAuOWgYudUPVAMCQBM2t5eOYtEhHFk4/s1600-h/DSC_1799.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75nDXjIkSVDb25PsFz2QbK4vNxC4Pi0AYxMjyckdqv5Rz4bcs8wzgYoE2FrtnSUmF0wIfHSMPuttixIRieYb281qi3YmyFkdaiQ7IoRxp4xn9kAuOWgYudUPVAMCQBM2t5eOYtEhHFk4/s400/DSC_1799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057548969625602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">There were about twice this many people behind us on the hill too</span><br /></div><br />There is a good video of the event on youtube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Ec4OScNyE">here</a>. It's only a couple minutes long, I recommend checking it out. The truth is, it's hard to capture this event on any sort of camera as it literally fills the sky above you. But you get the idea. I'm glad we got to catch it this year!<br /><br />Earlier in the day, Buckley got to go for a walk in Forest Park with his new buddy Pinot, a Vizsla puppy that Eric and Kelly just got a few weeks ago. She is SO cute... so these pictures are just for cuteness sake. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFkg4tFZ726oRJ2MuEbhDUW9LdXRAmjBSVQPaFeonnnhOeZeOC7BnYUGoD_vY_pSp4MFEgRAB_zu9aSSWlFcJ7TbyUJWpl2vRB_BqGW0nWLFbkvzF3eSCR3NicBUYhEfJM27d0Xr0bWI/s1600-h/DSC_1595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFkg4tFZ726oRJ2MuEbhDUW9LdXRAmjBSVQPaFeonnnhOeZeOC7BnYUGoD_vY_pSp4MFEgRAB_zu9aSSWlFcJ7TbyUJWpl2vRB_BqGW0nWLFbkvzF3eSCR3NicBUYhEfJM27d0Xr0bWI/s400/DSC_1595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057537400302226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Meet Pinot</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO4PSvGlZ-kiZqEpG-cTc_XUd0woApwaxAK2ekCIINa6LwX3Cr_TSWWJ5SE6MlWsbOFABSSljaAkRkeq34BnDF2d2M9SoAS6ThOoo-UX7etTXYdr66lOmzvgkbeFJL3wkKeM8lP8GYGw/s1600-h/DSC_1597.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO4PSvGlZ-kiZqEpG-cTc_XUd0woApwaxAK2ekCIINa6LwX3Cr_TSWWJ5SE6MlWsbOFABSSljaAkRkeq34BnDF2d2M9SoAS6ThOoo-UX7etTXYdr66lOmzvgkbeFJL3wkKeM8lP8GYGw/s400/DSC_1597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057525226564898" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLkaySPrcb_Imk7EBznB4iihRNfvmSqKAUq0I-Vd6sXhxMJc_VsSTSeSIFicnjFLwkP5JC23kQC1jr0rJqE3umt8E3tD2rs0de0nV6yWyG-8Yk9SslD68d9QA3921b4cQkz3hRJGJLTg/s1600-h/DSC_1600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLkaySPrcb_Imk7EBznB4iihRNfvmSqKAUq0I-Vd6sXhxMJc_VsSTSeSIFicnjFLwkP5JC23kQC1jr0rJqE3umt8E3tD2rs0de0nV6yWyG-8Yk9SslD68d9QA3921b4cQkz3hRJGJLTg/s400/DSC_1600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057514240163458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">She really had it out for Buckley</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AicvNP_XtEyUlH-hbk_r5OmP-O5fDm9FFaXko6TbemrqrqTmC9GSOYRrW1qOQRxN9wydWc4VHa851NckgoKqRYLv61I8wagFjOu9HCZ1lMuruizNDYkrQMNM-TqeVcUkZHafjweFI1A/s1600-h/DSC_1603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AicvNP_XtEyUlH-hbk_r5OmP-O5fDm9FFaXko6TbemrqrqTmC9GSOYRrW1qOQRxN9wydWc4VHa851NckgoKqRYLv61I8wagFjOu9HCZ1lMuruizNDYkrQMNM-TqeVcUkZHafjweFI1A/s400/DSC_1603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385056664195514802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Play play play</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipceuiKEeuRH8AWsneNXry6prQyxD0CYItBHMz0TVILF00boUki8xlVn_jTVz9YZADDhKpB3dRaAuDk45eFXiWkb9Ty6gB9AWHiEoI_msmN3T4M0okh_aBn_aY0bem7JyYU55-ZPwsKeM/s1600-h/DSC_1604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipceuiKEeuRH8AWsneNXry6prQyxD0CYItBHMz0TVILF00boUki8xlVn_jTVz9YZADDhKpB3dRaAuDk45eFXiWkb9Ty6gB9AWHiEoI_msmN3T4M0okh_aBn_aY0bem7JyYU55-ZPwsKeM/s400/DSC_1604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385056650596833186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Up7xQSGQzbYEeUdy3Ts3NIoRvBk0Rij6yOvOIb4smUVXqykOC4dQVCc_KwgsIAfDncgAg1zlyXD3n1wOnWIbacN437vJlON75buF-gIQDOwE12mMtCPqMvnOaN06mlOFn6uwSIHpyGo/s1600-h/DSC_1606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Up7xQSGQzbYEeUdy3Ts3NIoRvBk0Rij6yOvOIb4smUVXqykOC4dQVCc_KwgsIAfDncgAg1zlyXD3n1wOnWIbacN437vJlON75buF-gIQDOwE12mMtCPqMvnOaN06mlOFn6uwSIHpyGo/s400/DSC_1606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385056637747937058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rar!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqQdhWnbPKOZixeR-fOoK6yGIAK5qthfIUxAodw_5sI0K2V_tWi1Yh-zGFbvUpgVOikhEZUJNXQtaTJ2dq7n-nimdDhNSe3wdxL5o6U4x86vRp1HlBFWN_WvgE3XGV53wgcgX60bX0CQ/s1600-h/DSC_1608-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqQdhWnbPKOZixeR-fOoK6yGIAK5qthfIUxAodw_5sI0K2V_tWi1Yh-zGFbvUpgVOikhEZUJNXQtaTJ2dq7n-nimdDhNSe3wdxL5o6U4x86vRp1HlBFWN_WvgE3XGV53wgcgX60bX0CQ/s400/DSC_1608-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385056628908968322" border="0" /></a>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-83345143306028936502009-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:002009-09-23T08:21:49.705-07:00A Grandparental VisitThe Grandparents Horvath (that's Paul's Mom's parents) made their first trip to Portland ever to visit us over the weekend. We had approximately 24 hours to show them our home... what to do?? It's hard to fit it all into a day - or even into a year, as we've learned - but we did our best.<br /><br />They arrived Friday evening, and while I was still at work Paul took them on a long walk through the Pearl District and then into Nob Hill and NW 21st and 23rd. I met up with them for a ridiculous dinner at <a href="http://www.paleysplace.net/">Paley's Place</a>. They wanted a true Pacific Northwest dining experience and Paley's is definitely the spot. We had a perfect dinner... poached halibut, NY strip, mushrooms sauteed in duck fat, smoked brisket, dungeness crab and corn risotto... I was so tired and starving from work though, that I failed to take any photos of our dinner! G'ma and G'pa took some, so I will post those once they send to us.<br /><br />After visiting me at VQ for a (obviously) delicious brunch, Paul took them out of the city to see the Columbia River Gorge and the many waterfalls along the historic highway that winds through the gorge. First was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latourell_Falls">Latourell Falls</a>, a 249 drop straight down off a basalt cliff. All photography credits for the gorge/waterfall shots go to Paul!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMZ63_46xRP12dp434-M7QhM7B8OfXZwWXSHe4cIAtHnAoJuJttGxBq2Le_CsQS6LiOgVXUIGKWvcCKugVj7ju1pBKoHFQt384mrnznhHoZ0rkM2HJoOC1I4pwZtobyh1OhE64l5MXkA/s1600-h/DSC_1298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMZ63_46xRP12dp434-M7QhM7B8OfXZwWXSHe4cIAtHnAoJuJttGxBq2Le_CsQS6LiOgVXUIGKWvcCKugVj7ju1pBKoHFQt384mrnznhHoZ0rkM2HJoOC1I4pwZtobyh1OhE64l5MXkA/s400/DSC_1298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384164104543604130" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Latourell Falls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw9tiEs0m5xqcCcWK8Mnf2flC3_avvCcmxHCtKPZKDeBeY6F4dYG3A4l0LDTY_XZQsCJvyuKB06MgCKu6PqU09FOKfTidrJKsPBIfQ7TRvn3hyCZL4OgKJGfSK6x13iT261TFYKclfgc/s1600-h/DSC_1331.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw9tiEs0m5xqcCcWK8Mnf2flC3_avvCcmxHCtKPZKDeBeY6F4dYG3A4l0LDTY_XZQsCJvyuKB06MgCKu6PqU09FOKfTidrJKsPBIfQ7TRvn3hyCZL4OgKJGfSK6x13iT261TFYKclfgc/s400/DSC_1331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384029207870448690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bob and Esther (aka Grandpa and Grandma)</span><br /></div><br />Next stop was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahkeena_Falls">Wahkeena Falls</a>, another falls right along the historic highway.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nTI96p1_UfoqL-KpJ9PfOxPYpolCysMAZelUiJLW82PSPXwhM8klxHbkSBimUoFgCupjELjVyy2KsYIhpJRrHJa1YdDr4W6y2UYFCz-viGw4nf9Zx6YdYYJb1wUiZW4Ntp1yu978VJU/s1600-h/DSC_1350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nTI96p1_UfoqL-KpJ9PfOxPYpolCysMAZelUiJLW82PSPXwhM8klxHbkSBimUoFgCupjELjVyy2KsYIhpJRrHJa1YdDr4W6y2UYFCz-viGw4nf9Zx6YdYYJb1wUiZW4Ntp1yu978VJU/s400/DSC_1350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384028394295735282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wahkeena Falls</span><br /></div><br />Wahkeena is a little less about the sheer plunge of the water, and a little more about the cascading flow down the fall and winding down the creek.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSttpkLKzLUHP8_sVqynFyGNNvaBj_gHa14nCLiM6BIMSHmJGyZ_br_2ELg3Yt0Bw7En1SOUFSW3BQ1uDHgkx5T5cLZzMaDHulmusMqznc9TF2VWaV1ICSf_lHecYQ8YfpAtAvTMinE8/s1600-h/DSC_1315.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSttpkLKzLUHP8_sVqynFyGNNvaBj_gHa14nCLiM6BIMSHmJGyZ_br_2ELg3Yt0Bw7En1SOUFSW3BQ1uDHgkx5T5cLZzMaDHulmusMqznc9TF2VWaV1ICSf_lHecYQ8YfpAtAvTMinE8/s400/DSC_1315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384029197019786018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ah, tranquility</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqfcY5yuy_Eu7aDPTYTxAfpvIx2kpYXDSUvJ6P53TZU1TQFtqW7s8W9DbEDHVa-5Wt-prX4FeDJ9LEHl-yKIIYPLpOUqE6VrSvW5OCpgLXkSbrjXxHf6LWQr2rO4drYXBBQpRl_Wk23Y/s1600-h/DSC_1320.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqfcY5yuy_Eu7aDPTYTxAfpvIx2kpYXDSUvJ6P53TZU1TQFtqW7s8W9DbEDHVa-5Wt-prX4FeDJ9LEHl-yKIIYPLpOUqE6VrSvW5OCpgLXkSbrjXxHf6LWQr2rO4drYXBBQpRl_Wk23Y/s400/DSC_1320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384029182504828994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cheese!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRo4hx6Cy1fqK_9GcdRY9bb8OPrzin2hRtS8PSUCC7LbuMzEmuKnpWlvtFcZ5svaaLOCBvz5eC8z7tVRxHJQ87NSobzSWHwM1G96nP09Wsua_P_k5xGomO97j_O5kO4-RRSZmb-U56J4/s1600-h/DSC_1335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRo4hx6Cy1fqK_9GcdRY9bb8OPrzin2hRtS8PSUCC7LbuMzEmuKnpWlvtFcZ5svaaLOCBvz5eC8z7tVRxHJQ87NSobzSWHwM1G96nP09Wsua_P_k5xGomO97j_O5kO4-RRSZmb-U56J4/s400/DSC_1335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384028408876434098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Troopers</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuUbqvbRSwc_0fNxJjcZPb0SsDrL5nNemQFdkCwkJChjpVR571AzbcaQ_-gD4x46Y8jL_SITvDe46yrP5GYz-Q5J5jt_axfrMJrsabt0MtMNWHJLK1khfzQEQZh3xvU3yHwGUcX7Bg4g/s1600-h/DSC_1351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuUbqvbRSwc_0fNxJjcZPb0SsDrL5nNemQFdkCwkJChjpVR571AzbcaQ_-gD4x46Y8jL_SITvDe46yrP5GYz-Q5J5jt_axfrMJrsabt0MtMNWHJLK1khfzQEQZh3xvU3yHwGUcX7Bg4g/s400/DSC_1351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384028385149651906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wahkeena Falls<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_XN7T0GZr5_ouCKJ7ZDgkfIZHM1mqy7uBqT7_U0nHO-tvHYzxKhtJJDpPLdY7nJ5aV6iJU8vRoFgdDYWStiZyeyZD5qiRF6-xjKyqUXbjrwEF0bm-NH5IrOo4WmAlrIsG9o5TWdHnEc/s1600-h/DSC_1363.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_XN7T0GZr5_ouCKJ7ZDgkfIZHM1mqy7uBqT7_U0nHO-tvHYzxKhtJJDpPLdY7nJ5aV6iJU8vRoFgdDYWStiZyeyZD5qiRF6-xjKyqUXbjrwEF0bm-NH5IrOo4WmAlrIsG9o5TWdHnEc/s400/DSC_1363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384028374376628818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Grandma and Grandpa at Wahkeena</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcoLwSrPjlE0jwJzSRkue5iw1btzThXlPA9O6HscruNiuec2T4OyocGgjviPWrS1atDFXFK4L7DsG2Wt9S6k_IlT5AHC_zr6fLkIrNdfz4bD3VRI6CC5TVL1CqnkttQorm2PjfudYRUs/s1600-h/DSC_1366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcoLwSrPjlE0jwJzSRkue5iw1btzThXlPA9O6HscruNiuec2T4OyocGgjviPWrS1atDFXFK4L7DsG2Wt9S6k_IlT5AHC_zr6fLkIrNdfz4bD3VRI6CC5TVL1CqnkttQorm2PjfudYRUs/s400/DSC_1366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384027543284787618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3NYjSe9X9xc1IQRBEGyqR__p5UChogIL-2u6Nbm5vxqr34eCAwpFfYPIhMLmauXjk_LqnkUL17awMjiLf9uUZRkRhPRpJqVAbrTgolou5h89WIoTsHBRwehBDqP8UYbhZz0qx6KFRgw/s1600-h/DSC_1370.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3NYjSe9X9xc1IQRBEGyqR__p5UChogIL-2u6Nbm5vxqr34eCAwpFfYPIhMLmauXjk_LqnkUL17awMjiLf9uUZRkRhPRpJqVAbrTgolou5h89WIoTsHBRwehBDqP8UYbhZz0qx6KFRgw/s400/DSC_1370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384027534868874914" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, they had to visit the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multnomah_Falls">Multnomah Falls</a>, the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country at 620 feet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjx0VhSqSwTutlYu54XKlzuYHf0gx9i64mo2bU0O_iUZ-u1ONU09xAX5MNdCdvPNN6N1zIU2-k7KjYAvViW6rxNyrOJMnuQBh54nihHGHPXaSb10H87OdMHwJNveLFSWpxvZU7hjSJBA/s1600-h/DSC_1415.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjx0VhSqSwTutlYu54XKlzuYHf0gx9i64mo2bU0O_iUZ-u1ONU09xAX5MNdCdvPNN6N1zIU2-k7KjYAvViW6rxNyrOJMnuQBh54nihHGHPXaSb10H87OdMHwJNveLFSWpxvZU7hjSJBA/s400/DSC_1415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384027512276594962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Multnomah Falls</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKaZLtVhsjHnCH1qPf_lHjBu9IP7Fd6nS4TqkPdNVBdRDVjC9ec8o03eVrxj1zBz4HqTwgeeb1AUZ62FJ1GYb-71e11_sCj7WtWMzrSFRkRTgHptPgq_jDPVvwWP2CGxAO-Igj4vHHw8/s1600-h/DSC_1401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKaZLtVhsjHnCH1qPf_lHjBu9IP7Fd6nS4TqkPdNVBdRDVjC9ec8o03eVrxj1zBz4HqTwgeeb1AUZ62FJ1GYb-71e11_sCj7WtWMzrSFRkRTgHptPgq_jDPVvwWP2CGxAO-Igj4vHHw8/s400/DSC_1401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384027524031810002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtvZhCQl60eI8VKavqaMWWFQ7-gnz_TOm2BvLjeRVGZdOn8h1seKtlUIWnWOe0x2snPdZ_ZEpeTSLgb8juHEpK6lij-nPhYtcatILV3ZMJKm6BBlEmU-4V-rWpBNAxg-aZF-3Lf3ku9s/s1600-h/DSC_1416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtvZhCQl60eI8VKavqaMWWFQ7-gnz_TOm2BvLjeRVGZdOn8h1seKtlUIWnWOe0x2snPdZ_ZEpeTSLgb8juHEpK6lij-nPhYtcatILV3ZMJKm6BBlEmU-4V-rWpBNAxg-aZF-3Lf3ku9s/s400/DSC_1416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026888835584018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAHzcY8e6YO3ah0fD5if_ITLLRl0mqAlXu5BI_1w-J3m3c6Ht3WpvptGJRGXiDQCLaLTRuxH1nD9vdmtnTJlP_ZWZFS7CcR7X6k0TN92Z85Dl7OxT4JA4LXFG3jPmhFBM7ZSmYzOV9a0/s1600-h/DSC_1437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAHzcY8e6YO3ah0fD5if_ITLLRl0mqAlXu5BI_1w-J3m3c6Ht3WpvptGJRGXiDQCLaLTRuxH1nD9vdmtnTJlP_ZWZFS7CcR7X6k0TN92Z85Dl7OxT4JA4LXFG3jPmhFBM7ZSmYzOV9a0/s400/DSC_1437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026872530200178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Upper Multnomah</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsLK453JvjYZ3p0fWjf5vBhKb-bZBMyDaruiJBbXc6abqx8HNXxxJEPD2Aasv0ctJTOsXgaYcdbl7HzWSXCCdom36dhPDCr1r-En31cgSBjri0MjNaABy6_Ufh9KhjH77ZLjSjyjW8Cs/s1600-h/DSC_1440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsLK453JvjYZ3p0fWjf5vBhKb-bZBMyDaruiJBbXc6abqx8HNXxxJEPD2Aasv0ctJTOsXgaYcdbl7HzWSXCCdom36dhPDCr1r-En31cgSBjri0MjNaABy6_Ufh9KhjH77ZLjSjyjW8Cs/s400/DSC_1440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026863445879618" border="0" /></a><br />We wound down their day in Portland with happy hour at <a href="http://www.departureportland.com/">Departure</a>, a restaurant and bar on the top floor of the Nines hotel downtown (we went there with my parents back in April).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jw0S-T-LOReIm0SCTSIN9irUQ1epe8dkOgS4XvH8-tz2wLxIG8MpwnlsVgJy91uxjqxcY4dSMwOiM-9IJ1wfVwdaYxk0zzkhSJwgbK1V68kRXd6gXK79JstQeHCjS_kwiW4Y5MjKutE/s1600-h/DSC_1453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jw0S-T-LOReIm0SCTSIN9irUQ1epe8dkOgS4XvH8-tz2wLxIG8MpwnlsVgJy91uxjqxcY4dSMwOiM-9IJ1wfVwdaYxk0zzkhSJwgbK1V68kRXd6gXK79JstQeHCjS_kwiW4Y5MjKutE/s400/DSC_1453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026857069061890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cheers!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo76Fgl3JtFtZGamAIk9ruQtUTSZO8xoELMItBP7Cd2cCXFe9DUHz5Da_2wluqSUjHzxTSbalaGgeuYgNAvTmISBN8Y5y055un5Z602UWlqSRwStInVer0QMDQZiLDdfb4jOGuEBBWo4/s1600-h/DSC_1462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo76Fgl3JtFtZGamAIk9ruQtUTSZO8xoELMItBP7Cd2cCXFe9DUHz5Da_2wluqSUjHzxTSbalaGgeuYgNAvTmISBN8Y5y055un5Z602UWlqSRwStInVer0QMDQZiLDdfb4jOGuEBBWo4/s400/DSC_1462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026142651558674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Having a good time</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCmDwdPW6GYdQ9d_wR5XZ1zsYWebUcfGbx7u0UhxgMQm9aRZHzTwsD0sD7hjxhTEojgzUoDy5qInkmsrK-UMm_u6WohibUW7xRqXaJjo62vURQS6v8D42Ixl2kKoEWSDAhGR2PBUXnu0/s1600-h/DSC_1472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCmDwdPW6GYdQ9d_wR5XZ1zsYWebUcfGbx7u0UhxgMQm9aRZHzTwsD0sD7hjxhTEojgzUoDy5qInkmsrK-UMm_u6WohibUW7xRqXaJjo62vURQS6v8D42Ixl2kKoEWSDAhGR2PBUXnu0/s400/DSC_1472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026137209204546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Paul, Grandma and Grandpa on the rooftop patio</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZCdBQ7gHTliP6Az5d_cgNBSepO5D7Z8GDp-Tw45oGqrAej-P0pPGpA1ZgTHuVEYzZGU74iBrMI9HkkAwRUzqPQbmysU79Spt2Ek3fhoi6HFr1m4Hfp5LcK50jdbTESFjDPC7PIxa-bM/s1600-h/DSC_1477.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZCdBQ7gHTliP6Az5d_cgNBSepO5D7Z8GDp-Tw45oGqrAej-P0pPGpA1ZgTHuVEYzZGU74iBrMI9HkkAwRUzqPQbmysU79Spt2Ek3fhoi6HFr1m4Hfp5LcK50jdbTESFjDPC7PIxa-bM/s400/DSC_1477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026126761175314" border="0" /></a><br />After a few good cocktails (and meeting a former professional ballerina, and a Maui businessman, and possibly a few broken ribs - just your typical Portland evening) it was time to call it a night for the grandparents, since they had a 6am flight the next morning. We loaded them onto the MAX and off they went!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TC2TBFk0yv72nVl-0gZpLdmg3ALxB86ZAIAk8jejtbYohnRN6LIfLH0WdAH3c3v0xTfhiwH49XaZ0OzIs16MXYojhz1TNyCq8dWxpmSr_-5VttpqUCBl_iMY-MgDJxkwBN9ZJu5KC4I/s1600-h/DSC_1480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TC2TBFk0yv72nVl-0gZpLdmg3ALxB86ZAIAk8jejtbYohnRN6LIfLH0WdAH3c3v0xTfhiwH49XaZ0OzIs16MXYojhz1TNyCq8dWxpmSr_-5VttpqUCBl_iMY-MgDJxkwBN9ZJu5KC4I/s400/DSC_1480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384026117327264530" border="0" /></a><br />It was really nice to have them in Portland, even though it was just for a whirlwind 24 hours. I <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> they had a lot of fun (there may have even been an "I could live here" comment in there somewhere!). Okay, who's next?!<br /><br />Just for fun, on Sunday we went on a long walk through our neighborhood to find interesting things to photograph. There wasn't a ton, but here are some of the shots!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jmdpk8Yx5QZAJlJgTfK5xfg3JZPRVkZKr7bJt3wvkjULVbedfevCugWxWLmfi6rVrHKlHfD8mHFbTsK-xtViU5vUIOC_3sC-8_RwGR6O4rSRPkZpmLOkn9_mwwg-pPmYDqGtjZ_ihe4/s1600-h/DSC_1537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jmdpk8Yx5QZAJlJgTfK5xfg3JZPRVkZKr7bJt3wvkjULVbedfevCugWxWLmfi6rVrHKlHfD8mHFbTsK-xtViU5vUIOC_3sC-8_RwGR6O4rSRPkZpmLOkn9_mwwg-pPmYDqGtjZ_ihe4/s400/DSC_1537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384025647596663202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtikPs_LWIk7mhyphenhypheneEpxBZAEf8I8EHvkF9tZ3WQyRQ7lvA9tBM8_8JtAfp44ezRI35Dm9aVaQvaAVZFcrEDxxR_vmiiZqS-Nhw9FfO5EPSdy5M7Zq1y38wlpBcDCyN6dlvEUYqAhhWkFw/s1600-h/DSC_1566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtikPs_LWIk7mhyphenhypheneEpxBZAEf8I8EHvkF9tZ3WQyRQ7lvA9tBM8_8JtAfp44ezRI35Dm9aVaQvaAVZFcrEDxxR_vmiiZqS-Nhw9FfO5EPSdy5M7Zq1y38wlpBcDCyN6dlvEUYqAhhWkFw/s400/DSC_1566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384025631373326274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cfw5q8Dg_B39xyHvCe33BwSTBVJgA5hxDCA4jsyjq81yiduhxKg0Tom0f_q715Wwjy2eb8QRhJxVS4ovOmexKT5noNcoqf-JiLbM8OOsM7-vjCUVf4gZ02fmRl4RVBVMOO-Pfpfxm6A/s1600-h/DSC_1571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cfw5q8Dg_B39xyHvCe33BwSTBVJgA5hxDCA4jsyjq81yiduhxKg0Tom0f_q715Wwjy2eb8QRhJxVS4ovOmexKT5noNcoqf-JiLbM8OOsM7-vjCUVf4gZ02fmRl4RVBVMOO-Pfpfxm6A/s400/DSC_1571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384025623777152610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-8DEtqilkyhrISlZsGBylnOih73ryohEwaZ0n6jcl-t3sTGa0ERlv4fr6rmM6awTrEZlD8-E7OUAuucVA_EuxWXvVELVGDS1BEAkNwE3nhsw-E73nhR-820QNNOleYznhY-sLsPOa-E/s1600-h/DSC_1575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-8DEtqilkyhrISlZsGBylnOih73ryohEwaZ0n6jcl-t3sTGa0ERlv4fr6rmM6awTrEZlD8-E7OUAuucVA_EuxWXvVELVGDS1BEAkNwE3nhsw-E73nhR-820QNNOleYznhY-sLsPOa-E/s400/DSC_1575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384024831859660626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I can't tell if this says anything... hopefully it's nothing offensive!<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0jfng03C5Bccx43jY3v_l1uyaC6gaZNP96xMtwFDDk6DONH7FENL0NdW6zBCX3VXhASiOjCA-foaHCqSyU_gRiKplHe-tgFEWB2QsgF9XE3FieIEeZnZL7dmSVusAk4je6GLpHFYN7E/s1600-h/DSC_1583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0jfng03C5Bccx43jY3v_l1uyaC6gaZNP96xMtwFDDk6DONH7FENL0NdW6zBCX3VXhASiOjCA-foaHCqSyU_gRiKplHe-tgFEWB2QsgF9XE3FieIEeZnZL7dmSVusAk4je6GLpHFYN7E/s400/DSC_1583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384024821271014306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-pA6_8iIY8axtv_MxuGUQikXqgDdmAcV6r72nUmsKGpl5rGKTtiiPK2HzyEZ-KyW5HBfvBSyWywcb6ZemfkKxIw_R-j0pen-NkldtW4VRDv0kLDQdlDyajG4VRmu1PSiLPSXEqp-BQA/s1600-h/DSC_1589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-pA6_8iIY8axtv_MxuGUQikXqgDdmAcV6r72nUmsKGpl5rGKTtiiPK2HzyEZ-KyW5HBfvBSyWywcb6ZemfkKxIw_R-j0pen-NkldtW4VRDv0kLDQdlDyajG4VRmu1PSiLPSXEqp-BQA/s400/DSC_1589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384024809167956930" border="0" /></a><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-14308434999831040262009-09-16T08:30:00.000-07:002009-09-16T09:14:52.259-07:00Sunset, Moulton, and Lucia FallsOur original plan on Monday was to head to Silver Star Mountain in SW Washington for a hike - our first real hike in quite some time. However, our efforts were thwarted when the road leading up the mountain got progressively rockier and ruttier... too much for the little Honda Civic Hybrid Zipcar we were in to handle. Boo! Instead, we checked out some of the gorgeous waterfalls along the way on the Lewis River.<br /><br />First stop was <a href="http://lewisriver.com/eastfork/sunset/">Sunset Falls</a>. The falls are a little thinner than usual this time of year, but there was still plenty to look at.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KpENXfvDuunTvPgg823Inh09OrKwAtRb69GAC1Apfn6aETTq8saXugLZgC3Gum9nTXNmt8pVykVI6Hvw6-tIw3vkuFDVg4G8BH1m4JQaMPRyy5TEXSTtDmXuEfcQ9DKQPrpa2GYEa5A/s1600-h/DSC_0785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KpENXfvDuunTvPgg823Inh09OrKwAtRb69GAC1Apfn6aETTq8saXugLZgC3Gum9nTXNmt8pVykVI6Hvw6-tIw3vkuFDVg4G8BH1m4JQaMPRyy5TEXSTtDmXuEfcQ9DKQPrpa2GYEa5A/s400/DSC_0785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874819287904290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYv8_K9lnWso_YIJN_R2_lYFQu1UG99RPdksO35DxHhCQym2St9wNRbx3DT-bokiIwEfq-Nsr_D2YmRLbd4uyL-OGhe8pw8Z-48jR94C8tRkv1Zd55NOUgLinOm8KF_lkka_lytTTnjE/s1600-h/DSC_0797.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYv8_K9lnWso_YIJN_R2_lYFQu1UG99RPdksO35DxHhCQym2St9wNRbx3DT-bokiIwEfq-Nsr_D2YmRLbd4uyL-OGhe8pw8Z-48jR94C8tRkv1Zd55NOUgLinOm8KF_lkka_lytTTnjE/s400/DSC_0797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874812181402354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJUSY_9O3SOROWGLUcPUJpxCpi0nlxAw5M0I4z_7KZ74dC9YsuSPch2LZ5XdSnckd2JX4NI7Tf2pXUk18mB_Xn8WUighwKqsjfsJNW1w5X-7A7awzZcs7Z5Svx-KPphy7NKUaqp5WBWM/s1600-h/DSC_0805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJUSY_9O3SOROWGLUcPUJpxCpi0nlxAw5M0I4z_7KZ74dC9YsuSPch2LZ5XdSnckd2JX4NI7Tf2pXUk18mB_Xn8WUighwKqsjfsJNW1w5X-7A7awzZcs7Z5Svx-KPphy7NKUaqp5WBWM/s400/DSC_0805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874484972563282" border="0" /></a><br />Up above, just behind the falls, was a giant swimming hole. It was about .5 seconds before Buckley was in. He <span style="font-style: italic;">loves</span> to swim!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sw7Xq61zd_zJCvgVE_yPlKhtZNMzP40HkLLvkvyhLpXUoTqDy7ssoQ66y05EuURDCxFZPgICup89n0ve8iT3wgM3GXW1_Yv8Ln2SYgkWK5VwTFxl6j1xp47e4fJei02EtSAdTQoENz4/s1600-h/DSC_0819.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sw7Xq61zd_zJCvgVE_yPlKhtZNMzP40HkLLvkvyhLpXUoTqDy7ssoQ66y05EuURDCxFZPgICup89n0ve8iT3wgM3GXW1_Yv8Ln2SYgkWK5VwTFxl6j1xp47e4fJei02EtSAdTQoENz4/s400/DSC_0819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874474526476850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The water was amazingly clear</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSQOHvDTj93z2OsUdBRXOsUpgtHdN1vpDxi1ZOWo0Ik9shR0Lqtw8usrCsSF1WXNhrRz7vkgWN66IrSkPh2d3FcpNewpfqi7TmUHcQewIe0VKFCfzCfYCnmb-vXtBYUEbuHfjBJAkEmk/s1600-h/DSC_0868.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSQOHvDTj93z2OsUdBRXOsUpgtHdN1vpDxi1ZOWo0Ik9shR0Lqtw8usrCsSF1WXNhrRz7vkgWN66IrSkPh2d3FcpNewpfqi7TmUHcQewIe0VKFCfzCfYCnmb-vXtBYUEbuHfjBJAkEmk/s400/DSC_0868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874139908444402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Endless games of fetch</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlxXTUIRWkEgYu7Cme1gnZ0c4eO5jcpxKiDa4YsSyGzan1ndZYuWw0MYD0EarT322Mf40ktJ3W36uRBVyMEYqAev45wR-2sJu0aZcNRmJqYRUCjer_rPl3l5MoFdijGWhpZi8KJTN0HU/s1600-h/DSC_0908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlxXTUIRWkEgYu7Cme1gnZ0c4eO5jcpxKiDa4YsSyGzan1ndZYuWw0MYD0EarT322Mf40ktJ3W36uRBVyMEYqAev45wR-2sJu0aZcNRmJqYRUCjer_rPl3l5MoFdijGWhpZi8KJTN0HU/s400/DSC_0908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874128453751394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocks I'm standing on are a good five feet above where Buckley is...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lkl3c70wOq7Q15ai2qyxggO0bGRvSGC0YNc7bi_S3ObhJlwNxU1Vc2JOcOT-hibrli5ID21BQqB16XjEh2nse2YwXXOndab5FPF753h2lvfIvgnaVztUIbhi3kuN1Pkxkx3b8FDpUqI/s1600-h/DSC_0909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lkl3c70wOq7Q15ai2qyxggO0bGRvSGC0YNc7bi_S3ObhJlwNxU1Vc2JOcOT-hibrli5ID21BQqB16XjEh2nse2YwXXOndab5FPF753h2lvfIvgnaVztUIbhi3kuN1Pkxkx3b8FDpUqI/s400/DSC_0909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381874120372841602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">...and in a single bound, he's up!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4qhDMRhHIYUZxbWbSbd6vKQQjooIXI4XbZ9Xsga01xh3WLsDBme5zgzOnRL05rHNYrz-zrY_yyDjMxLkU-9KJt3MrRQ6txhSdTev63ZYJD7-TawUhbP-z6N3DlTpiHahJtewWBzM2oU/s1600-h/DSC_0969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4qhDMRhHIYUZxbWbSbd6vKQQjooIXI4XbZ9Xsga01xh3WLsDBme5zgzOnRL05rHNYrz-zrY_yyDjMxLkU-9KJt3MrRQ6txhSdTev63ZYJD7-TawUhbP-z6N3DlTpiHahJtewWBzM2oU/s400/DSC_0969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872794289375714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Posing pretty</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cU4q_OaKj7Bj_Ue1QO5HoWkoTKsOEuk9cTWxnc1PS4ILEdg1EGQCtRvqNs1fZGE2751vGH9xJjJvb2M9zErkT_3_18_Gwx_B9YrfFBQEJ_GD4GOx1V3FqBcSGfGnDXBAHxioXwymiSE/s1600-h/DSC_0978.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cU4q_OaKj7Bj_Ue1QO5HoWkoTKsOEuk9cTWxnc1PS4ILEdg1EGQCtRvqNs1fZGE2751vGH9xJjJvb2M9zErkT_3_18_Gwx_B9YrfFBQEJ_GD4GOx1V3FqBcSGfGnDXBAHxioXwymiSE/s400/DSC_0978.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872785755180242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuKNxjm9I1I_KGtWHH0sd1sVmyKRyW1f-M9hWq8Tmx8kk_xhd5N5cqPl3NoL6Q_r7cTx-DR8d6_5J6Vlk3qTWcW-S5qeK6kI4M9aDGB4qQhOJvzD_wxIM5294FID8WrwLy1J1sAmXi6c/s1600-h/DSC_0994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuKNxjm9I1I_KGtWHH0sd1sVmyKRyW1f-M9hWq8Tmx8kk_xhd5N5cqPl3NoL6Q_r7cTx-DR8d6_5J6Vlk3qTWcW-S5qeK6kI4M9aDGB4qQhOJvzD_wxIM5294FID8WrwLy1J1sAmXi6c/s400/DSC_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872771119084178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"Daddy! Please throw the stick! Please? Pleeeaaase!!"</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8-LhprlwvbxutqD4xYo2xVEJ3dkxzwoVEQhEEXJIAUdDGsfHs2B8IXHPy6dXD7LNLsdCczSatT5hwOqmY1GKJM0WReSz8EZGgl52m35Q0CJvwJivyhO2D8Dtz566i68rVnJtmsCXALs/s1600-h/DSC_1002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8-LhprlwvbxutqD4xYo2xVEJ3dkxzwoVEQhEEXJIAUdDGsfHs2B8IXHPy6dXD7LNLsdCczSatT5hwOqmY1GKJM0WReSz8EZGgl52m35Q0CJvwJivyhO2D8Dtz566i68rVnJtmsCXALs/s400/DSC_1002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381853420370022290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7QU6Nhw9LTefh_t8B4SYiojPEQSLffC_oxap-jlfCz3gnNi_dhkklSj1g1dNrBug3y6YQdbRlAfCd72qWRzRKkIb7ivI1AG283Xhz4E232iu8K9GtdLTVFfvCDDPYgO2pN3j34d6gB0/s1600-h/DSC_0961.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7QU6Nhw9LTefh_t8B4SYiojPEQSLffC_oxap-jlfCz3gnNi_dhkklSj1g1dNrBug3y6YQdbRlAfCd72qWRzRKkIb7ivI1AG283Xhz4E232iu8K9GtdLTVFfvCDDPYgO2pN3j34d6gB0/s400/DSC_0961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381853407504760082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Shake!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HC4n4J4hbFNBnxXgpSoQc3MokHJb0OGq5nkn9p6Bb7lv8_Jj-jdx_qmdgimzIq3aG9J13QuGS99lg9b-WQU-yXSQMN441idXZgZ7rcW4BKxZEnYg-mVM3ZmWMsySiMmEkGUin4gNqOA/s1600-h/DSC_1022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HC4n4J4hbFNBnxXgpSoQc3MokHJb0OGq5nkn9p6Bb7lv8_Jj-jdx_qmdgimzIq3aG9J13QuGS99lg9b-WQU-yXSQMN441idXZgZ7rcW4BKxZEnYg-mVM3ZmWMsySiMmEkGUin4gNqOA/s400/DSC_1022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381853394877163698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sunset Falls</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU_Rl1vVwwBm4qwyw35dr2ptyTWbSq6isLxJ02idQ_l2CJmmZe62OpCGZ00x6viriFZEWnFGQZqS3ShJ7qIhQijHLm9-nTYj1yJxGdEKWauLomVWyCpKZL1z2E-aotMu22Liy8Stb1cI/s1600-h/DSC_1033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU_Rl1vVwwBm4qwyw35dr2ptyTWbSq6isLxJ02idQ_l2CJmmZe62OpCGZ00x6viriFZEWnFGQZqS3ShJ7qIhQijHLm9-nTYj1yJxGdEKWauLomVWyCpKZL1z2E-aotMu22Liy8Stb1cI/s400/DSC_1033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381850177976603538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDINkGXNPjcbJ6m-J7YEkGa7Riw4yFSFqySo-9EnZk0BE1jk5XQXOVyEnw5w6TgcsqGbCuVElMmk7s1DaUZNEdvLQnN30FpieebiYZ5-x65J5sLQKRH8tVCg0vpX-Q98ZfRnLduEs-30o/s1600-h/DSC_1068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDINkGXNPjcbJ6m-J7YEkGa7Riw4yFSFqySo-9EnZk0BE1jk5XQXOVyEnw5w6TgcsqGbCuVElMmk7s1DaUZNEdvLQnN30FpieebiYZ5-x65J5sLQKRH8tVCg0vpX-Q98ZfRnLduEs-30o/s400/DSC_1068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381850165105784978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking downriver</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6ifN6pRiL2y9UPc-M5AmepT9o8WJ9tpN834IKGE2gq0Sl46KA2KW8Ve_U99SIxy40M4o6drQxNF73k3kQ2Ml4z-wnOd5n52s3fmAsxcSpSyfsiC5r-KqaRJ4AAjDysz1RAkFNujFACk/s1600-h/DSC_1078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6ifN6pRiL2y9UPc-M5AmepT9o8WJ9tpN834IKGE2gq0Sl46KA2KW8Ve_U99SIxy40M4o6drQxNF73k3kQ2Ml4z-wnOd5n52s3fmAsxcSpSyfsiC5r-KqaRJ4AAjDysz1RAkFNujFACk/s400/DSC_1078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381850156363852626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Waiting for lunch...</span><br /></div><br />After Sunset we headed to <a href="http://www.clark.wa.gov/parks-trails/moultonfalls.html">Moulton Falls</a>, just a short drive away. This park is home to two waterfalls, ancient Indian meeting grounds, and volcanic rock formations. The water level was a little low here as well. We plan to head back in the spring, when all the snow melt is on it's way down.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjYPXUHJYDC8hDM6pklQDC8D_9WyQ5JBauBkDybcI1b_YfKRDvtSESqqGariWC8pFFrKb1LFz8xsxtv4-h0esHJtln3pD4j0BeNEJAMzmkq_HxoZM6AABMC9e_iOuoXjG8ISEFv4TWRU/s1600-h/DSC_1098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjYPXUHJYDC8hDM6pklQDC8D_9WyQ5JBauBkDybcI1b_YfKRDvtSESqqGariWC8pFFrKb1LFz8xsxtv4-h0esHJtln3pD4j0BeNEJAMzmkq_HxoZM6AABMC9e_iOuoXjG8ISEFv4TWRU/s400/DSC_1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381849534184539010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Just before the falls, the water is eerily still</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPAu33JMkDjAQjMet_cljKaMyP0wivo_2JPDU9D0mzTbCZi_GDQXxbkM_3vVlELBdib5prnz79V0XbE9XyyTzN5htdSriRkZodPOyHXXPmBXk4r6hpz1RSy4Rfx-NTOLKNuJbwDvod7M/s1600-h/DSC_1113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPAu33JMkDjAQjMet_cljKaMyP0wivo_2JPDU9D0mzTbCZi_GDQXxbkM_3vVlELBdib5prnz79V0XbE9XyyTzN5htdSriRkZodPOyHXXPmBXk4r6hpz1RSy4Rfx-NTOLKNuJbwDvod7M/s400/DSC_1113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381849520940700914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Water rushes through the volcanic rock formations</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_GasSchBYHGEDVRobEjr-Z4QFTkGSGYLTDFeWQz2y9PLFhnAI3YpH6k44Q1o6h3MMc2EATVHW816VzQJ_Z2tTVnIeO1OICXO5GQbRqiPGeM3GxF4wrewIgT2RYWPn_uDg38gQ1fzivU/s1600-h/DSC_1127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_GasSchBYHGEDVRobEjr-Z4QFTkGSGYLTDFeWQz2y9PLFhnAI3YpH6k44Q1o6h3MMc2EATVHW816VzQJ_Z2tTVnIeO1OICXO5GQbRqiPGeM3GxF4wrewIgT2RYWPn_uDg38gQ1fzivU/s400/DSC_1127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381849515027948642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">There was plenty for Paul and Buckley to climb on</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk-vGdG0F7QaU0nVF8fNJ6nzpvUgBkj2eRU-jqHacwkHtya-fM6I6Nb0DA1a0A8H8FHz7gJ5YcPT-OFB_cEg2_61JZEnbAvizajQdEA9FBjbmx8mG8sdLNKlX1TPlvSgDdcipZULFU1s/s1600-h/DSC_1148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk-vGdG0F7QaU0nVF8fNJ6nzpvUgBkj2eRU-jqHacwkHtya-fM6I6Nb0DA1a0A8H8FHz7gJ5YcPT-OFB_cEg2_61JZEnbAvizajQdEA9FBjbmx8mG8sdLNKlX1TPlvSgDdcipZULFU1s/s400/DSC_1148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381848568043148418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Smooth volcanic rock</span><br /></div><br />Our last stop was <a href="http://www.clark.wa.gov/parks-trails/luciafalls.html">Lucia Falls</a> park, just about two miles from Moulton Falls. The rocks and water were beautiful here. Much to Buckley's chagrin, there is no swimming or water activity allowed here, as it is a sensitive spawning area for salmon. In the spring when the salmon run, you can see them all leaping up these falls to head upstream - another reason to check these falls out again in the spring. I didn't catch it on camera, but we did see one salmon trying to leap up the rocks!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MVquJW4GF2-rHUchSpfPlEUDxZfpb2bjZHTNlZ8HM2WD6IGQl0XMWjDm_0D-PFcWIuG4DsQt0xiesQ0DszKTT3CBIr7tzRzuDz2lBIvpoNjTOvnOHJwKDCQ0D1mgcc7Iq_lGhwhqGbU/s1600-h/DSC_1161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MVquJW4GF2-rHUchSpfPlEUDxZfpb2bjZHTNlZ8HM2WD6IGQl0XMWjDm_0D-PFcWIuG4DsQt0xiesQ0DszKTT3CBIr7tzRzuDz2lBIvpoNjTOvnOHJwKDCQ0D1mgcc7Iq_lGhwhqGbU/s400/DSC_1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381848557608870258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lucia Falls</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRFsVn2KDc8CUuu0YMfKmPGgKgbXtGJpBPQ_M6puCEyUnxc5zu20Xh8MUl2kbB0096-UOr_UKmnhHmpq5URm3CfQT-ke97uNG5WEBaK-zbaJFwbQ-LKNMroEdPgbTvqpQs0aI1o3BS1A/s1600-h/DSC_1184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRFsVn2KDc8CUuu0YMfKmPGgKgbXtGJpBPQ_M6puCEyUnxc5zu20Xh8MUl2kbB0096-UOr_UKmnhHmpq5URm3CfQT-ke97uNG5WEBaK-zbaJFwbQ-LKNMroEdPgbTvqpQs0aI1o3BS1A/s400/DSC_1184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381848543022506930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sk1mRv79aNABhsu6XrpP8kCziELtanJAnpozFy-8JHGEFOyJkGFp6136bzcxWktE32xKb9wCIvQcpO7bjFUyMiSoXXnZ8FU-rooI6U3N-QCm-5yHrpjBpDcHXGb4c7gvtcgoMLpyRGw/s1600-h/DSC_1188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sk1mRv79aNABhsu6XrpP8kCziELtanJAnpozFy-8JHGEFOyJkGFp6136bzcxWktE32xKb9wCIvQcpO7bjFUyMiSoXXnZ8FU-rooI6U3N-QCm-5yHrpjBpDcHXGb4c7gvtcgoMLpyRGw/s400/DSC_1188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847771324187170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking downstream</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQHOWAJTIgJasJYgje33ySF5xIa0lpWcl68RLMGdVxdxYCl-dqtLxLQcE4HtlEcBf1RbXXhOVCTg1_RdNbzQOgZ3JaFKRteynVd-JVJlU9CYhkJGhz4UY9glWiH6K45fAWQhfXXHAkGA/s1600-h/DSC_1210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQHOWAJTIgJasJYgje33ySF5xIa0lpWcl68RLMGdVxdxYCl-dqtLxLQcE4HtlEcBf1RbXXhOVCTg1_RdNbzQOgZ3JaFKRteynVd-JVJlU9CYhkJGhz4UY9glWiH6K45fAWQhfXXHAkGA/s400/DSC_1210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847763213197138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lots more rocks for climbing - Buckley's second favorite thing after swimming</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi7BmGA141tpvc3LBPGx3BOiBDaCI1JAe7R9THOfqRBxdBOGouOIC9LMf7hTkGOETaKALWa82Gg3oMNvYkVnWy8JCa1zSZSCJ3HNVDN48a0TuwpjLBjytkOc8NCss4GTB2lTXFpaFLvo/s1600-h/DSC_1219.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi7BmGA141tpvc3LBPGx3BOiBDaCI1JAe7R9THOfqRBxdBOGouOIC9LMf7hTkGOETaKALWa82Gg3oMNvYkVnWy8JCa1zSZSCJ3HNVDN48a0TuwpjLBjytkOc8NCss4GTB2lTXFpaFLvo/s400/DSC_1219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847750878981410" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPq2fKsUP1Tdiza8kfh0a-79-0M4OumDJqHTRUfs8RF6QnPfpkTjWnnih_Yauz1c0F1TDZlpoTF5SMMQ7w46Zh5TcF8mEHANaYjz9_DqbyccviS3h-xdvyEEEpJFP_rLA5d1vT85HZes/s1600-h/DSC_1225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPq2fKsUP1Tdiza8kfh0a-79-0M4OumDJqHTRUfs8RF6QnPfpkTjWnnih_Yauz1c0F1TDZlpoTF5SMMQ7w46Zh5TcF8mEHANaYjz9_DqbyccviS3h-xdvyEEEpJFP_rLA5d1vT85HZes/s400/DSC_1225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847068805972370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking back upstream - you can see on the rocks how the water level changes</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9laBPWW8R-IDWGSIijHjh4euImtEILiaazzb_Wlgr_5yP0dTDaK3Vyhe3QGJxqAnjNq8lo5wR4AH8scOc6P_9jSKgzkolbOKmwoQ0h749AOu21Z5ji1Wm3xyL8HYSId6fiwgCu2XBl3o/s1600-h/DSC_1252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9laBPWW8R-IDWGSIijHjh4euImtEILiaazzb_Wlgr_5yP0dTDaK3Vyhe3QGJxqAnjNq8lo5wR4AH8scOc6P_9jSKgzkolbOKmwoQ0h749AOu21Z5ji1Wm3xyL8HYSId6fiwgCu2XBl3o/s400/DSC_1252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847057129452738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lucia Falls</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcViPD7Ho7JkTmRSVBtZVCfjjPvm1AqJr2gml4ToRWaolzQWpmThzrzYOz8muoqkVxer5a2qDm20pA8V7vzH9Ks5zF6I-pi1MzkmaSx0DDE6u2JsXQrzeoE15evtJ4z-BexICF3hVDuwA/s1600-h/DSC_1259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcViPD7Ho7JkTmRSVBtZVCfjjPvm1AqJr2gml4ToRWaolzQWpmThzrzYOz8muoqkVxer5a2qDm20pA8V7vzH9Ks5zF6I-pi1MzkmaSx0DDE6u2JsXQrzeoE15evtJ4z-BexICF3hVDuwA/s400/DSC_1259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381847042721180034" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the day, I had taken almost 500 pictures. What?! It's very easy with this camera to just keep shooting, in the hopes that one shot out of a series will come out well. Gonna need a faster computer to keep up...<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-68968220334445350602009-09-15T20:30:00.000-07:002009-09-15T21:03:51.150-07:00Old Town Block PartyJust a few blocks east of the Pearl District is our next-door-historic-neighborhood, <a href="http://oldtownchinatown.org/">Old Town/Chinatown</a>. While it's only 6 blocks away from us, it's a part of town we don't seem to spend much time in. So, we decided to make a night of it.<br /><br />It's an older neighborhood (obviously), a little rundown in places but starting to reemerge with newer hipster hangouts and restaurants. For over 60 years, Old Town was also the home of the iconic Hung Far Low sign, hanging outside the now defunct Hung Far Low restaurant (get your giggles out here).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9rUl_yy1WHwFzRcF4MnTSOioP8uqNEFAOR9DH1fTXQ8JUyONGIwna-mfcVHpNupQ9hKNWLOcuOGDGSc70Ow2YdM8DkFsH2eD5Ef2iK14EUiazed7apWFCFKCB2t8Xq-NVkdmGuvXhqU/s1600-h/pic_oldTownSign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9rUl_yy1WHwFzRcF4MnTSOioP8uqNEFAOR9DH1fTXQ8JUyONGIwna-mfcVHpNupQ9hKNWLOcuOGDGSc70Ow2YdM8DkFsH2eD5Ef2iK14EUiazed7apWFCFKCB2t8Xq-NVkdmGuvXhqU/s400/pic_oldTownSign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381896326199344306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Since I never got a photo of the sign, this pic is borrowed from www.oldtownblockparty.com, who borrowed from Portland Ground. And yes, it used to say "cocktails."</span><br /></div><br />Recently, local business owners opened a new restaurant called <a href="http://www.pingpdx.com/">Ping</a> in the old Hung Far Low space. While doing some necessary roof repairs, they discovered that the sign supports were rusted through in several spots... so much so that the cherished icon needed to be removed. The horror!! It will take an estimated $25K-40K to repair and replace the sign, so the neighborhood got to work on raising that money by selling "Re-erect Hung Far Low" t-shirts, and by hosting <a href="http://www.oldtownblockparty.com/">one rockin' block party</a> this past Saturday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZjyFmDNx9EF4GJOfPwUnhuNPr4edp3UdcNStGdCH7W-5VN520NHmMx6vBVra99j4D-4r6ZoPSHMUj026v5Q0wX1SNyTG-dHOf92yjgQkUZCh_heY4MGzJSKvyklH6uW7nwc05L2Etxs/s1600-h/DSC_0759.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZjyFmDNx9EF4GJOfPwUnhuNPr4edp3UdcNStGdCH7W-5VN520NHmMx6vBVra99j4D-4r6ZoPSHMUj026v5Q0wX1SNyTG-dHOf92yjgQkUZCh_heY4MGzJSKvyklH6uW7nwc05L2Etxs/s400/DSC_0759.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381894917505197330" border="0" /></a><br />Beer, food, and performances by several artists including Portland (well, half-Portland) band <a href="http://www.teamyacht.com/">YACHT</a> drew us to the free, all-ages event. We headed over there early, so while we waited for the bands to start we headed across the street to <a href="http://www.davisstreettavern.com/">Davis Street Tavern</a> for happy hour. I'll go ahead and say it, I had one of the best burgers I've had in all of Portland here (second to Slow Bar). Their Strip Loin Burger is topped with Tillamook cheddar, tomato jam, and a slab of <span style="font-style: italic;">braised pork belly</span>. For serious.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNSaw21ENaRsCg3xh5ypSQiLwu2UH2HiOkqkv18RUJ_N1mTK4z91rVYqJkRmwrwQkaTZ1N0bXwJlC1I_rV0V7M41O3eO9fAGDNT-xuqDCytDJQA4bu3zCkV0W25aJAzSCD1W2w2O2uGA/s1600-h/DSC_0461.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNSaw21ENaRsCg3xh5ypSQiLwu2UH2HiOkqkv18RUJ_N1mTK4z91rVYqJkRmwrwQkaTZ1N0bXwJlC1I_rV0V7M41O3eO9fAGDNT-xuqDCytDJQA4bu3zCkV0W25aJAzSCD1W2w2O2uGA/s400/DSC_0461.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381845422682467858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tastes every bit as good as it looks, especially for $6 on the happy hour menu</span><br /></div><br />After polishing off every morsel of that burger, we headed around the corner to kill a little more time at <a href="http://www.groundkontrol.com/">Ground Kontrol</a>, an old-school arcade packed with classic video games and pinball machines... but NOT packed with kids, as it's 21+ at night. Even better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5Fpd3RLCTbtosy7HbqLZgxg-iTYkYqpsFCsMq-LB3_58NY_5q2ADjwa00ITx2zeqVNegdz0wo4BqSEK7UkM750fKauDiEv_5USmX_Q2YaTiKojLCEuNuL95eFRjB0uLg7QBpsc_WK7Q/s1600-h/DSC_0472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5Fpd3RLCTbtosy7HbqLZgxg-iTYkYqpsFCsMq-LB3_58NY_5q2ADjwa00ITx2zeqVNegdz0wo4BqSEK7UkM750fKauDiEv_5USmX_Q2YaTiKojLCEuNuL95eFRjB0uLg7QBpsc_WK7Q/s400/DSC_0472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381845409111086114" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuZrHyuxPrq-6Z12WKkLL_tS3-d8kCG7Ft1U97jcyaCI4RyDiOTV1bZV45O7MtvssgAg2zvUf7_tix3lVnTp51EmkGqZeFrswyoCPKkeVshJjGsu7Kq-XOOzQc5ZWgQRmR8qxqkuISEc/s1600-h/DSC_0498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuZrHyuxPrq-6Z12WKkLL_tS3-d8kCG7Ft1U97jcyaCI4RyDiOTV1bZV45O7MtvssgAg2zvUf7_tix3lVnTp51EmkGqZeFrswyoCPKkeVshJjGsu7Kq-XOOzQc5ZWgQRmR8qxqkuISEc/s400/DSC_0498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381844994472891954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">All the pinball you can handle</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgqwEs42uTz-sqlCe59iWLoVggdQpy-s4K9WKDSmU2JFC_GzZE5gOaFuILN_8OV2p2praQbGDRTtUkyoejHqB_5435aCkC1npQznVX9h1q4_bJNXFzRM70r6tZaGjQ2GlMenG1S5dUw/s1600-h/DSC_0501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgqwEs42uTz-sqlCe59iWLoVggdQpy-s4K9WKDSmU2JFC_GzZE5gOaFuILN_8OV2p2praQbGDRTtUkyoejHqB_5435aCkC1npQznVX9h1q4_bJNXFzRM70r6tZaGjQ2GlMenG1S5dUw/s400/DSC_0501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381844984430550386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Pacman, you name it... it's here.</span><br /></div><br />After several dismal games of pinball (how do I still suck so bad??), it was time to head back to the party. We caught the end of May Ling's set... I can't say it's music that I'm super into, but they did bring in a local dance troupe that specializes in... chinese dragon dancing? I'm not sure what it's called, but it was pretty cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA-jVduLssk2aByn8-rOYFeUCH0yGvMb57dwQPlFASEsdeCL2EpCiFqbg1vtg-eaZ-9XOrETx-qtR4Cl1ESx7lQ4tiT6-LqP9T6sdcDg5axZLMTEicWFWFFs-fiydrhAqLL5TeI9IlxY/s1600-h/DSC_0582.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA-jVduLssk2aByn8-rOYFeUCH0yGvMb57dwQPlFASEsdeCL2EpCiFqbg1vtg-eaZ-9XOrETx-qtR4Cl1ESx7lQ4tiT6-LqP9T6sdcDg5axZLMTEicWFWFFs-fiydrhAqLL5TeI9IlxY/s400/DSC_0582.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381844728267069650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The dragons make their way through the crowd</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE_og8H0XDAuQVp4xlO_prfOM1uy0zOT81zJ7YifP6FwTs1BfNxZcur06d9Sh-1WSJDicICvrDs4AsQchYxVdfaj_7BXO7kdWhfYac9jhVI-p8rheiVQD5CccZNLBeXNycCeu1zWhY7I/s1600-h/DSC_0587.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE_og8H0XDAuQVp4xlO_prfOM1uy0zOT81zJ7YifP6FwTs1BfNxZcur06d9Sh-1WSJDicICvrDs4AsQchYxVdfaj_7BXO7kdWhfYac9jhVI-p8rheiVQD5CccZNLBeXNycCeu1zWhY7I/s400/DSC_0587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381844721289906034" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwMPdhKJStZyD43QfSfqSRQJmOI5feymZuDU0SL3UsHRRc2rOBr-pRU4epk88O4YbqJHtRlYGKM5LfqZkgQ72GFxQpSSHvf-6URl6PCRd5IVNlqY4W5qfQD5o7aYj1T8MlZ9WmmGXMwc/s1600-h/DSC_0610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwMPdhKJStZyD43QfSfqSRQJmOI5feymZuDU0SL3UsHRRc2rOBr-pRU4epk88O4YbqJHtRlYGKM5LfqZkgQ72GFxQpSSHvf-6URl6PCRd5IVNlqY4W5qfQD5o7aYj1T8MlZ9WmmGXMwc/s400/DSC_0610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381844311385405330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I think it's watching me</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYdheXEOgWvDs6r83BVzWyQ7onsJ2uJfxIKYRnNs6qQkUwIGFCdb8rj-csJjNvp4AOf-IAXuBvyhL5aIV1LFDdovKyO8eyrRh_W0ei2vPzXYlaLmtDoEq2fD6x2waaas-CF02XPjniHc/s1600-h/DSC_0621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYdheXEOgWvDs6r83BVzWyQ7onsJ2uJfxIKYRnNs6qQkUwIGFCdb8rj-csJjNvp4AOf-IAXuBvyhL5aIV1LFDdovKyO8eyrRh_W0ei2vPzXYlaLmtDoEq2fD6x2waaas-CF02XPjniHc/s400/DSC_0621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381843937143902850" border="0" /></a><br />YACHT came on around 9pm. They put on a great show, the crowd was buzzing, and it was a great time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oGqIj9iz1NPV_cWrtXeGKkLu6ZFNbWeQ90Sp0cWEsK9WB9ib2O2DvpD53wedb3EOxD_bMPHSgD04gDcG550pPQ3N_DehfiG2hQ_mNqUqbDwwR0irDuwL1h9tRkE7q8V2ZwWIg_tPrA8/s1600-h/DSC_0624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oGqIj9iz1NPV_cWrtXeGKkLu6ZFNbWeQ90Sp0cWEsK9WB9ib2O2DvpD53wedb3EOxD_bMPHSgD04gDcG550pPQ3N_DehfiG2hQ_mNqUqbDwwR0irDuwL1h9tRkE7q8V2ZwWIg_tPrA8/s400/DSC_0624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381842795338576690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Clinging to the fence... at a free, all-ages event? Come on in, folks!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclrLZfknkep8dfKrNzmLzSb3bAH77U45DZGneBdcS7YlvYcqbDBwpw794GcxZjs9TdK4t46wF7AqG7aDZU9tT6Ii2MYAMR-QKQj_46hZayjrkFftROhS-rFNA8Ul3q_Nay-3-WeEnb0g/s1600-h/DSC_0672.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclrLZfknkep8dfKrNzmLzSb3bAH77U45DZGneBdcS7YlvYcqbDBwpw794GcxZjs9TdK4t46wF7AqG7aDZU9tT6Ii2MYAMR-QKQj_46hZayjrkFftROhS-rFNA8Ul3q_Nay-3-WeEnb0g/s400/DSC_0672.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381842788348023394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">YACHT</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQuHtq4nTmGXJRLvKW3poLRA7kcfdSzTNa2duF_OquPrktLT0oQMVna8RLdKlKrQx5tcfaYVycfHSeXrHTNHeIX31mi6WcNOE7BOsw1G_8t9LMNB0zO_u6qkeYMRq0ywjAWzvmdIn7Lg/s1600-h/DSC_0688.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQuHtq4nTmGXJRLvKW3poLRA7kcfdSzTNa2duF_OquPrktLT0oQMVna8RLdKlKrQx5tcfaYVycfHSeXrHTNHeIX31mi6WcNOE7BOsw1G_8t9LMNB0zO_u6qkeYMRq0ywjAWzvmdIn7Lg/s400/DSC_0688.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381842781882645026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Lrg3TKACxlTMc99vObI5RupIS1bRJ9SOW8DIGvhfaLV-Zpl9I2Muaxp99aJQgKwH6M_bFL03Xek2cu9OFSSuk728o4xmAY1_lrg7GuyyS8jcri9iqECT8B53Vlm8NPc8dg8Nh7aa0w/s1600-h/DSC_0745.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Lrg3TKACxlTMc99vObI5RupIS1bRJ9SOW8DIGvhfaLV-Zpl9I2Muaxp99aJQgKwH6M_bFL03Xek2cu9OFSSuk728o4xmAY1_lrg7GuyyS8jcri9iqECT8B53Vlm8NPc8dg8Nh7aa0w/s400/DSC_0745.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381841337291302482" border="0" /></a> I never ceased to be amazed at the things that happen right in our own neighborhood. A fun, cheap night just a few blocks away. Love it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnl3sWXXBUS0ZOQvgtIi2Uq4wf2ObRhdmG0oJFX0Rc1X2n2l0_WIlLHtOmK6M6hz9mdYHPgwNiev5KCMzuJW-1caiDiVJE7xAfCBX2eak2Vd0MYV5KiPw23ioHzCNSKwl5uOIa-N0PN4/s1600-h/DSC_0760.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnl3sWXXBUS0ZOQvgtIi2Uq4wf2ObRhdmG0oJFX0Rc1X2n2l0_WIlLHtOmK6M6hz9mdYHPgwNiev5KCMzuJW-1caiDiVJE7xAfCBX2eak2Vd0MYV5KiPw23ioHzCNSKwl5uOIa-N0PN4/s400/DSC_0760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381841328790496818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cardboard versions of the sign adorned the fence</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMxnk6oN31qCI1p5x2b2JitqvbNK7CH-HdboKDdBK_LlT354llL4-bJybjS8TmZbU9gUnGZ-gnlOTnDPTv2jOJDekLdUlARQ_5Kz9SqmkkBpInECKMlmKfV20rPL3yzSTZtWxMreS77U/s1600-h/DSC_0773.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMxnk6oN31qCI1p5x2b2JitqvbNK7CH-HdboKDdBK_LlT354llL4-bJybjS8TmZbU9gUnGZ-gnlOTnDPTv2jOJDekLdUlARQ_5Kz9SqmkkBpInECKMlmKfV20rPL3yzSTZtWxMreS77U/s400/DSC_0773.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381841317114585810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This was just cool... one of the Chinatown lamp posts in front of Big Pink</span><br /></div><br />Portland was also celebrating the opening of the MAX Green line that day. Joining the Blue, Red, and Yellow lines, the Green line is another route on our light rail system that spans from PSU to Clackamas Town Center. This heavily-anticipated line has been a long time coming. The rails were actually down already by the time we moved here last year, and it was in planning long before that. The line just happens to run alongside where the block party was, so here's a shot of one of the inaugural trains. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMdVtX2brRfUiC70FSodH4hX5mj96orF0MJUtYapR4D0zlB2-z8nVLzG_QSMuMX9qMSFXe5ttghL6QFxI8ZhHerfm_Cv55pAz7o4ljzBrs6mGvEGBlqOmXVZXwP83MGTshEg63uqiDos/s1600-h/DSC_0779.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMdVtX2brRfUiC70FSodH4hX5mj96orF0MJUtYapR4D0zlB2-z8nVLzG_QSMuMX9qMSFXe5ttghL6QFxI8ZhHerfm_Cv55pAz7o4ljzBrs6mGvEGBlqOmXVZXwP83MGTshEg63uqiDos/s400/DSC_0779.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381841304525971138" border="0" /></a><br />Here's to a hustling, bustling city where things are actually <span style="font-style: italic;">happening</span>! WHOO!<br /><br />Love from Portland,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-1090703184137388782009-09-15T16:15:00.000-07:002009-09-15T19:54:31.303-07:00We are BACK!After over a full month of undocumented life, I am proud to introduce the newest member of our family, Nikon D3000!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjkcV6rYeBaBLzsJfWeGeZcxEyimwl7oAggIsF_hfiBITKHYFJeO9HO_22ldtzmzrNpywyMAIFR50DyINbQAK5gWBt-7uGJOSsYLqPYp6IuDtQEU2k2MTlgCHz3xk1GGTEBBI9f5FAvw/s1600-h/nikon-d3000-digital-slr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjkcV6rYeBaBLzsJfWeGeZcxEyimwl7oAggIsF_hfiBITKHYFJeO9HO_22ldtzmzrNpywyMAIFR50DyINbQAK5gWBt-7uGJOSsYLqPYp6IuDtQEU2k2MTlgCHz3xk1GGTEBBI9f5FAvw/s400/nikon-d3000-digital-slr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381876091382954210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hallelujah<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I was pretty certain that the death of my Sony was a sign that I needed to upgrade. After much research I decided on the Nikon D3000, a 10MP DSLR with lots of bells and whistles. It will be some time before I actually learn how to use the bells and whistles of course, but it's been a lot of fun to play around with the settings to see what comes out. In one week of ownership, I have already logged over 1,200 shots. I think I have an addiction.<br /><br />Since I have tons of pictures, I plan on doing three new blog posts tonight to break them up. Here are some of the first few test shots taken around town, just trying to learn the ropes!<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQsRF_LrnifR6fIGbTzNPMBF9O_-lab2ZWkH3QnYIUBy2Pc6bgdRUDY0TRn-70MxURUxdFDDcItuBlnqAk5h5xNfsE7x3V7NvN2vX4KfutS3jI_Am8OypNsaJrgcXgE7cqnXXYJA6voc/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQsRF_LrnifR6fIGbTzNPMBF9O_-lab2ZWkH3QnYIUBy2Pc6bgdRUDY0TRn-70MxURUxdFDDcItuBlnqAk5h5xNfsE7x3V7NvN2vX4KfutS3jI_Am8OypNsaJrgcXgE7cqnXXYJA6voc/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381840581150498642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The first shot taken... of course it's of Buckley!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKJ_nR1AYEbr8Ng0-LV3kCq5Xx141phbkvWBZ-Ke-DR2EWuNcgUKVOhAMKFx2y3r6CwXksvqCeYdfFjrvaSHi4bJXR86O4zD1H8N1B64wb4Ls7Kq-NS22K9yX9FXXDbaHcDeJrNhAG6k/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKJ_nR1AYEbr8Ng0-LV3kCq5Xx141phbkvWBZ-Ke-DR2EWuNcgUKVOhAMKFx2y3r6CwXksvqCeYdfFjrvaSHi4bJXR86O4zD1H8N1B64wb4Ls7Kq-NS22K9yX9FXXDbaHcDeJrNhAG6k/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381840481842455090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Current crochet project</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNcPpO9gcwof2nZl2GFZwYNhgXGNFRKM6rhBgPic_z5eAHauhxNhPRevia7iq4-WCsaaF55r2Hfo4qTDQmcZfBKpVa7DQcLwxSIgVBX_zcnzQF_aoEAyFH75So93hyB9LJJ64AAaaeWs/s1600-h/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNcPpO9gcwof2nZl2GFZwYNhgXGNFRKM6rhBgPic_z5eAHauhxNhPRevia7iq4-WCsaaF55r2Hfo4qTDQmcZfBKpVa7DQcLwxSIgVBX_zcnzQF_aoEAyFH75So93hyB9LJJ64AAaaeWs/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381840473292698962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Could he be any cuter??</span><br /></div><br />We headed out for a walk in Forest Park for our first "photo shoot." :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2_Oh07WLS-TvlaxN_7WKHYjoCZ0oX-Q5IUscjWWjvWiTWgaFUSibzNNzpWadE0M0O9JPvcT0XCdjc4PNjUOZCLE_br1zd6d2YxzFvJxHGG1597Lpkf50s3K1NO3vd1JwVArFsLFejWI/s1600-h/DSC_0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2_Oh07WLS-TvlaxN_7WKHYjoCZ0oX-Q5IUscjWWjvWiTWgaFUSibzNNzpWadE0M0O9JPvcT0XCdjc4PNjUOZCLE_br1zd6d2YxzFvJxHGG1597Lpkf50s3K1NO3vd1JwVArFsLFejWI/s400/DSC_0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381840466828757074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNXfsD8c9xFbcK8aGkLg4Vx3MMaa70n1ZXc6OEOnx3I6a0U5R-wHoN7ZT6E6Ig2kLa3JrHwseRzlN5C1KcH0Qa6ugar_nSYyXQ1MDE1VMM-StsMc0IwP_Psy0nUZZpDf92k0YH_wT0GI/s1600-h/DSC_73.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNXfsD8c9xFbcK8aGkLg4Vx3MMaa70n1ZXc6OEOnx3I6a0U5R-wHoN7ZT6E6Ig2kLa3JrHwseRzlN5C1KcH0Qa6ugar_nSYyXQ1MDE1VMM-StsMc0IwP_Psy0nUZZpDf92k0YH_wT0GI/s400/DSC_73.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381840454556451826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXoIa3PzAZCmh-HJJWeqbe_1h5Ptp36dCM9vm9t7qH802jFiPisGRxiF8DB9j-9rRlolRJ7lkrMXxE5au11jOeO5vif0nJ8bbw2E0ujVDZLZWsSKCGfFLksR0_WiLYHvFOzhVLvrhOE/s1600-h/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXoIa3PzAZCmh-HJJWeqbe_1h5Ptp36dCM9vm9t7qH802jFiPisGRxiF8DB9j-9rRlolRJ7lkrMXxE5au11jOeO5vif0nJ8bbw2E0ujVDZLZWsSKCGfFLksR0_WiLYHvFOzhVLvrhOE/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839856338423762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwAH6S1bY-tdUR0FCIToExBmFLpJg8lmol7JECkdiSwzab-LeDW3Wf422yICM7tYjEMQqBPlycthLxn1hyt79oYgFt5zqv8p26NsdPZAB1CDms5V2maNfvaJ_dCFvBgztg4kKFsJ0iWs/s1600-h/CSC_0193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwAH6S1bY-tdUR0FCIToExBmFLpJg8lmol7JECkdiSwzab-LeDW3Wf422yICM7tYjEMQqBPlycthLxn1hyt79oYgFt5zqv8p26NsdPZAB1CDms5V2maNfvaJ_dCFvBgztg4kKFsJ0iWs/s400/CSC_0193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839846275056626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVR5iF3OX7TELRfnknLUenYXOyaoUix9AJbxxdhlXa6uV5XYOW-mkTyGdw-AvoyAbrwChq0xws00FiQXwkZTGFn09c5GJe7Bsoh1P0aiweCFEHHhoDTdPNe8JMTpIpnEiM-2FgPCEMOQ/s1600-h/DSC_0141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVR5iF3OX7TELRfnknLUenYXOyaoUix9AJbxxdhlXa6uV5XYOW-mkTyGdw-AvoyAbrwChq0xws00FiQXwkZTGFn09c5GJe7Bsoh1P0aiweCFEHHhoDTdPNe8JMTpIpnEiM-2FgPCEMOQ/s400/DSC_0141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839839145811730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-Kdlu5MpiFKQdhTDRqE73bUjzgb_r1IlpE_cha5tgLlGtqt3uETiZCyt0gIYNM-42bJfJDfLpcdw5tEbzFP5lxWv62QwYJw5qyH6yR7PfokTA_ulE5eW1iAEFOqroT2fwu0jGJoJ58w/s1600-h/DSC_0168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-Kdlu5MpiFKQdhTDRqE73bUjzgb_r1IlpE_cha5tgLlGtqt3uETiZCyt0gIYNM-42bJfJDfLpcdw5tEbzFP5lxWv62QwYJw5qyH6yR7PfokTA_ulE5eW1iAEFOqroT2fwu0jGJoJ58w/s400/DSC_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839824283741746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4zYft7EGVlGUQCiUCvqUTXuY_p7I0HoIPOG5A9PKLjzUF6NHMX_Q8MSc0Bm3eztfqrbFu_8gDJxGgW9W3JehGSo3x_N9UqzVTunU8jO5HFZUhzD7MRCegdDhVqxUG85nxScxBGQb30/s1600-h/DSC_0188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4zYft7EGVlGUQCiUCvqUTXuY_p7I0HoIPOG5A9PKLjzUF6NHMX_Q8MSc0Bm3eztfqrbFu_8gDJxGgW9W3JehGSo3x_N9UqzVTunU8jO5HFZUhzD7MRCegdDhVqxUG85nxScxBGQb30/s400/DSC_0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839212903193634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Slightly edited, but cool nonetheless :)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5R27e6-2WtDlwggs3TNr0_HOIUFMZSo_-JhTTwGjKriZLHnrs_y3TphliQdzmjBnEZ5Yu75g6loTAdeaCBN0bhV6KaW7EkJfp_zDiC7m2nh3q-ekml-5MG62ZREryO5zmFovMgazo9c/s1600-h/DSC_0235.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5R27e6-2WtDlwggs3TNr0_HOIUFMZSo_-JhTTwGjKriZLHnrs_y3TphliQdzmjBnEZ5Yu75g6loTAdeaCBN0bhV6KaW7EkJfp_zDiC7m2nh3q-ekml-5MG62ZREryO5zmFovMgazo9c/s400/DSC_0235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839174395476546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A night shot of the view from our balcony</span><br /></div><br />I also took some pictures of the good old VQ for good measure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNklxuinYBot7PBUxPWs4uDdOZSjgnOjS3nxqyhoUTRmAcn5yGef3o_KEaL6HKv7PykwPrsvRlP4PWm4lp9A3EZCz7dUua5Ew4AuMnUQrEI6VD5WGwlAHPpusg3qYknF4pmcAXtJGC-I/s1600-h/vqpatio1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNklxuinYBot7PBUxPWs4uDdOZSjgnOjS3nxqyhoUTRmAcn5yGef3o_KEaL6HKv7PykwPrsvRlP4PWm4lp9A3EZCz7dUua5Ew4AuMnUQrEI6VD5WGwlAHPpusg3qYknF4pmcAXtJGC-I/s400/vqpatio1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381837002707758354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">VQ patio</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmUv9XZCgWaby5S5FJlJRY6agRfUuoD2_8JSjfuSOrv0IVNyjXft2JSGOThkukUG1BWRaKKBtQ88qzfF31F9YwL00fi9E7zZZ3VnYILLiVY_c-3idOE4gQUSkqx9nQYyNt_eUf3mGuQk/s1600-h/DSC_0198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmUv9XZCgWaby5S5FJlJRY6agRfUuoD2_8JSjfuSOrv0IVNyjXft2JSGOThkukUG1BWRaKKBtQ88qzfF31F9YwL00fi9E7zZZ3VnYILLiVY_c-3idOE4gQUSkqx9nQYyNt_eUf3mGuQk/s400/DSC_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839198183457906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Some of our hanging begonias<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0upwG4uE5YIEskJp5vwRB5ietpwGuUZWfXGMR0x-OtQD-w5YMIaidKpXBghqYfyXah1QCMH1bCQos1pO3CpxElLN6Rp9jGYGpQ-ON57ZFfWjfduSoie32DLc5nwmlGkWbdAFsmUis8eM/s1600-h/DSC_0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0upwG4uE5YIEskJp5vwRB5ietpwGuUZWfXGMR0x-OtQD-w5YMIaidKpXBghqYfyXah1QCMH1bCQos1pO3CpxElLN6Rp9jGYGpQ-ON57ZFfWjfduSoie32DLc5nwmlGkWbdAFsmUis8eM/s400/DSC_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381839190902026194" border="0" /></a><br />We took our bikes out to the east bank of the river to get some good skyline shots, but first stopped off at this amazing pod of food carts at SE 12th & Hawthorne. This is one of the only late-night food cart pods, as most are just open for lunch. Belgian frites (with endless dipping sauce options), shrimp and catfish po' boys, sweet and savory crepes, fried pies... there is no shortage of deliciousness here. We opted for some frites and then some crepes, which were amazing. This is a really fun spot, lots of good energy and neighborliness (did I just make that word up?). I kind of wish we lived closer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_N1kPxMl6ZhauN49HJ-agbVsVhHONaMMm62SQwjze6fNKTMphX6HBJcFplWUZ78zxN0fp6oWAvIaW4jANA5hc9j22r03oWWQAs_tlWlzQI9QEiOb4NiD4H5qS3t6im_sxtZwxn8s8qI/s1600-h/foodcarts2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_N1kPxMl6ZhauN49HJ-agbVsVhHONaMMm62SQwjze6fNKTMphX6HBJcFplWUZ78zxN0fp6oWAvIaW4jANA5hc9j22r03oWWQAs_tlWlzQI9QEiOb4NiD4H5qS3t6im_sxtZwxn8s8qI/s400/foodcarts2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381837035363420338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cart life</span><br /></div><br />I had previously failed to take any decent skyline shots with my old camera, since I didn't have the ability to leave the shutter open for any length of time. These were taken with the shutter open for 25 seconds, allowing much more light to get in. Unfortunately, it was a really windy night and I couldn't keep the camera from moving a little bit, so they came out kind of blurry. I'm sure I'll be able to take more in the future though. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ib-vYt9oOmc8EnjPjEtGmVNq-RHpYuAhCdcOilg6ncv2xOSG0lRVxSyVM8Uawz92SQye1aRweuWjHrB2HVQoRKPcSqtaM5FLfmUu20NhDqe687xhyphenhyphenQ45i05fcUYcESKHGTvR4H9UzxQ/s1600-h/hawthorne1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ib-vYt9oOmc8EnjPjEtGmVNq-RHpYuAhCdcOilg6ncv2xOSG0lRVxSyVM8Uawz92SQye1aRweuWjHrB2HVQoRKPcSqtaM5FLfmUu20NhDqe687xhyphenhyphenQ45i05fcUYcESKHGTvR4H9UzxQ/s400/hawthorne1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381837023995071618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bright lights, big city<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXWf86z-gM6PyKcyseIhEqoiQ9X9U85EEjfMQvJHZZpMs4ADOidaXXy2wl2Yl8X7OZwTUtDhWWvj-fKMYFJQ6ykFQem9MYpciLOpb7H9b073i_3KpG-L7AmeYA6uesY8lYZddGRrndCc/s1600-h/hawthorne3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXWf86z-gM6PyKcyseIhEqoiQ9X9U85EEjfMQvJHZZpMs4ADOidaXXy2wl2Yl8X7OZwTUtDhWWvj-fKMYFJQ6ykFQem9MYpciLOpb7H9b073i_3KpG-L7AmeYA6uesY8lYZddGRrndCc/s400/hawthorne3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381837017087257042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Hawthorne Bridge heading into downtown</span><br /></div><br />Needless to say, I've been having a ball running around and taking pictures of everything, anything. I hope you like looking at pictures... more to come!<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-739183423341769272009-08-16T15:31:00.001-07:002009-08-16T15:39:22.545-07:00Happy Oregoniversary!!!It's officially been one year since we hauled our junk into Portland! Hard to believe that this was one year ago:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGjB13aFO2n6LoIeDpy3yPbz_PWo4i2WyCHMRlYOYYJZh-dTwIlVfSZkgiG9nS946n_PHt1W_BFamDNFHdMwwZhZ9MP9xeBzN4aPd7HhKnzX_AUl5-HkHju_bfRY7Z44cytvXgGB1YDc/s1600-h/DSC01906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGjB13aFO2n6LoIeDpy3yPbz_PWo4i2WyCHMRlYOYYJZh-dTwIlVfSZkgiG9nS946n_PHt1W_BFamDNFHdMwwZhZ9MP9xeBzN4aPd7HhKnzX_AUl5-HkHju_bfRY7Z44cytvXgGB1YDc/s400/DSC01906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370693123614812194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Moving day: August 16, 2008</span><br /></div><br />I'd like to say that our apartment is much cleaner now, but... ya know. :)<br /><br />It's been one pretty dope year. The city, the food, the drink, the people, the hikes, the bikes... I can't believe we crammed it all into 365 days. Every day I think about how lucky we are to live here, and that we get to do the stuff we love whenever we want. I big puffy pink heart Portland!<br /><br />Here's to many more years!!<br /><br />Love,<br />Jenny<br /><br />p.s. Does anyone think I need to change the name of this blog??<br /></div>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-29784891397122239222009-08-12T18:36:00.000-07:002009-08-12T22:22:04.080-07:00Camping at Lost LakeFor the last three years, it's been kind of a tradition to take my Dad camping every summer (since camping is not <span style="font-style: italic;">reeeeally</span> my Mom's thing). Moving across the country is no reason to break tradition! So, my Dad flew out this weekend for his fourth annual (and might I say, best annual) camping trip.<br /><br />In the last year, my parents have visited Portland three times. By some stroke of misfortune, every time they are here the weather seems to turn cloudy and cool. Unfortunately, in those conditions you usually cannot see Mt. Hood from Portland, which led my dad to the theory that Mt. Hood is some conspiracy thought up by the Portland tourism agencies. :) Since he didn't believe in Mt. Hood, we decided to take him camping <span style="font-style: italic;">on</span> the mountain to prove its existence!<br /><br />We spent two nights at <a href="http://lostlakeresort.org/default.php">Lost Lake</a>, a secluded lake about 3,000 feet up on Mt. Hood. Oh my gah... this place is beautiful. The sites are all pretty secluded, with plenty of forest between you and your neighbors. Even some gigantic fallen trees for good measure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBJpY4RGxparDmAPM3-Vw_ojJ4t9Ylxvftl_cqH4o7i_Qqp8zCv8GRmmaXx7Yx2BDcBBrBoDWE5ZDDXDItrJ9z_txNogxmzZ4Libz0qk4VzYWSK03fbzKMZ8nYGHw6rN6sZb6LN97KTc/s1600-h/P1040759.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBJpY4RGxparDmAPM3-Vw_ojJ4t9Ylxvftl_cqH4o7i_Qqp8zCv8GRmmaXx7Yx2BDcBBrBoDWE5ZDDXDItrJ9z_txNogxmzZ4Libz0qk4VzYWSK03fbzKMZ8nYGHw6rN6sZb6LN97KTc/s400/P1040759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369262296758692050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our site</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SbPqhoo8G51PlTA850jeWNCbu8cUkJRueITUBbSfJikkzh5aYJ5yCEH52T3HTlYgAqUkcq9l8mcm8-7mzmKDkl-Ljo9zHwkbr6YgzhGA8zoCYCUSSQSoiRCZlsFZt4Up_q3uvwnIQWI/s1600-h/P1040755.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SbPqhoo8G51PlTA850jeWNCbu8cUkJRueITUBbSfJikkzh5aYJ5yCEH52T3HTlYgAqUkcq9l8mcm8-7mzmKDkl-Ljo9zHwkbr6YgzhGA8zoCYCUSSQSoiRCZlsFZt4Up_q3uvwnIQWI/s400/P1040755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369262283174706898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This tree had to have been <span style="font-style: italic;">old</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOMUNHakc506KRn-O6JTduD9V22oDLam4xRZ_CxdM40WM-_vT1XzHxydCrXGfj_QFDUMczhmRpmB61JB1PhUg5AHSmC99YswjQzcrkPH3b2qjvRtGxbZxF_j5s17fcfAL2h4a-PuWWf4/s1600-h/P1040756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOMUNHakc506KRn-O6JTduD9V22oDLam4xRZ_CxdM40WM-_vT1XzHxydCrXGfj_QFDUMczhmRpmB61JB1PhUg5AHSmC99YswjQzcrkPH3b2qjvRtGxbZxF_j5s17fcfAL2h4a-PuWWf4/s400/P1040756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369262274330491858" border="0" /></a><br />And... what's this??... a clear view of Mt. Hood!!!! I think we had Dad convinced at this point. This is the veiw from Lost Lake. There's Mt. Hood, just hangin' out in the background. Our campsite was set just a little ways back from the water.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc19etGOa9x_fUEd6ecchu1iSWBqbH2qipVw-n8E8i-02YdXh_uzOJCcX3W9ooTb06J-aiSdx_8Wr6P0cjfHHyBZfjLYLNULrs0yTrz85QuNU8ISyxv2Qr7pWRL3l_wJ_zW5jZzfWu_SQ/s1600-h/P1040760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc19etGOa9x_fUEd6ecchu1iSWBqbH2qipVw-n8E8i-02YdXh_uzOJCcX3W9ooTb06J-aiSdx_8Wr6P0cjfHHyBZfjLYLNULrs0yTrz85QuNU8ISyxv2Qr7pWRL3l_wJ_zW5jZzfWu_SQ/s400/P1040760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261986663289378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is not a backdrop</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W3w1nMtGGivcDswN2N1mCx0fioUXYZ9pgehaD2nm6_YLvXYiSgIBWxKa53ueQhW4L9rBkRa7i83CEfIQQhnPO3uMr7emT7-L7GCuntGv_40MjeuauNLpxrROnusE4VHMdSTaX9mwP1o/s1600-h/P1040771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W3w1nMtGGivcDswN2N1mCx0fioUXYZ9pgehaD2nm6_YLvXYiSgIBWxKa53ueQhW4L9rBkRa7i83CEfIQQhnPO3uMr7emT7-L7GCuntGv_40MjeuauNLpxrROnusE4VHMdSTaX9mwP1o/s400/P1040771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261980496558690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">You can rent row and paddle boats on the lake (although we didn't have time)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nIvX0K_uKXasRFrIWIz9jVZEcvS7OIYH0nPzkPR7BH72AUPUND-bagzadcdUz3HzeZ6POmQUs9v_x28nb7yRUWBvTtPCKo926Gg4HhVB37n2PtAJW6uWNEiq8r0lUlAFnD9Z0YFiy4A/s1600-h/P1040786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nIvX0K_uKXasRFrIWIz9jVZEcvS7OIYH0nPzkPR7BH72AUPUND-bagzadcdUz3HzeZ6POmQUs9v_x28nb7yRUWBvTtPCKo926Gg4HhVB37n2PtAJW6uWNEiq8r0lUlAFnD9Z0YFiy4A/s400/P1040786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261963958304498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking straight up while sitting at the campfire<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR7hydHISrO5rWql4sea_5VVR7444iitlIeoHxYywEhNjvVQdZYC2Kejjs1Brj2gALhmNuf0c8SStLFJ8WaKIgJ9PdpGJrKv_deBBxARrU4r0m94kx09dqsb9EJYjTBcu_3ns-yotCSQ/s1600-h/P1040789_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR7hydHISrO5rWql4sea_5VVR7444iitlIeoHxYywEhNjvVQdZYC2Kejjs1Brj2gALhmNuf0c8SStLFJ8WaKIgJ9PdpGJrKv_deBBxARrU4r0m94kx09dqsb9EJYjTBcu_3ns-yotCSQ/s400/P1040789_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261952919035522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The upturned roots of that big fallen tree</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKB8MhVTeKizk3OXKahqAYQoC8TMKjmWbiqkPUvQ_WKF6sqFZuxCkfhURA-n-ZoqsUBjldt6odGbkQepi-54hM-4ZcMudWGRUpGxc8YUzqEBXivR7-5nHCy0IUIt4r-s4UtkC5FcNQWo/s1600-h/P1040791_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKB8MhVTeKizk3OXKahqAYQoC8TMKjmWbiqkPUvQ_WKF6sqFZuxCkfhURA-n-ZoqsUBjldt6odGbkQepi-54hM-4ZcMudWGRUpGxc8YUzqEBXivR7-5nHCy0IUIt4r-s4UtkC5FcNQWo/s400/P1040791_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261504671866594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our trusty Zipcar that carried us safely to and fro</span><br /></div><br />On Monday we drove to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood to head out on the Pacific Crest Trail to Zigzag Canyon. Our hike was almost eight miles, with a total 1,500 foot elevation gain. Now, for a born and raised Metro-Detroiter with not much hiking experience, much less hiking at an altitude of 6,000 feet, Dad did awesome. I'm not sure I would have even made it through this one at the beginning of this summer!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTtbAq4xBoIkL4j_QGhhV9wKhVUuWcF-DFKcUCtCazKWtTJ2LP0B3PQu58M51CsjR37lRHW5tJRbt9SCAwoC6gsViUnlE7cXpG63RZNil3KXoOKDyeuY_F21VITT703h9HmAF5ID5zCc/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTtbAq4xBoIkL4j_QGhhV9wKhVUuWcF-DFKcUCtCazKWtTJ2LP0B3PQu58M51CsjR37lRHW5tJRbt9SCAwoC6gsViUnlE7cXpG63RZNil3KXoOKDyeuY_F21VITT703h9HmAF5ID5zCc/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369296787439242226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Full map and data <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=tqtiphcenayhvyqp">here</a></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHiTdqD_Uu2A3eHWlXPwZAzc_qFFkr4-v1hPHj2bUkl6wbaIOIFIGtuVvfmgD3nOn73QxMWCPpEtD6mZBXVfMK7k6zTqgXsRzNlvJp4K7scnfitS_G3bLNY4h2R9Rr65m4UDk04f-H5s/s1600-h/P1040797_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHiTdqD_Uu2A3eHWlXPwZAzc_qFFkr4-v1hPHj2bUkl6wbaIOIFIGtuVvfmgD3nOn73QxMWCPpEtD6mZBXVfMK7k6zTqgXsRzNlvJp4K7scnfitS_G3bLNY4h2R9Rr65m4UDk04f-H5s/s400/P1040797_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261499024768722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Jefferson from Timberline Lodge</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisY5BQyrC955TPFtouFfWJowIZ1cdRb_l0a2FxbVF8u2o65d2a7TIx5yA53n285_G-lXRKaj1SW2X0j1spUZOsxFrwxAHR1hvBiZbB7pwSV_pcQz7viT3fYxx08Nv3fqdOprHR35J10lk/s1600-h/P1040800_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisY5BQyrC955TPFtouFfWJowIZ1cdRb_l0a2FxbVF8u2o65d2a7TIx5yA53n285_G-lXRKaj1SW2X0j1spUZOsxFrwxAHR1hvBiZbB7pwSV_pcQz7viT3fYxx08Nv3fqdOprHR35J10lk/s400/P1040800_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261486445380146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Timberline Lodge (recognize it from <a href="http://www.stripedwall.com/gallery.php?image=/movies/Shining/the_shining0375.jpg&mode=fullsize">The Shining</a>?)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSsVR1zIhSD54eEshb4IOmd-4AqgpKwYZM_HTRpjtWS5qfay81QwAZkWaCwnpvgrhUmRs7t5ZSbMB33wP2ubFF6qOY-HFnXLZ67NFyRNFXJvVGvjL8eAmvT96u5OtA2xch-JsfKpMJsY/s1600-h/P1040802_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSsVR1zIhSD54eEshb4IOmd-4AqgpKwYZM_HTRpjtWS5qfay81QwAZkWaCwnpvgrhUmRs7t5ZSbMB33wP2ubFF6qOY-HFnXLZ67NFyRNFXJvVGvjL8eAmvT96u5OtA2xch-JsfKpMJsY/s400/P1040802_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369261477304601890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Heading out on the Pacific Crest Trail</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLOyoRwEFrZ3DhgG4mQt0w8i9nRwSyNMuAPLfMVqyJvO8kfBLK2OxQfOk_vaHnLqKGtyaqY6eQ6Qr1bavx7ywlvxPKKmyIigGiiLVG1ExermCtJtvUqWoCIukZU2XVSrDRq1zudW9nR8/s1600-h/P1040805_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLOyoRwEFrZ3DhgG4mQt0w8i9nRwSyNMuAPLfMVqyJvO8kfBLK2OxQfOk_vaHnLqKGtyaqY6eQ6Qr1bavx7ywlvxPKKmyIigGiiLVG1ExermCtJtvUqWoCIukZU2XVSrDRq1zudW9nR8/s400/P1040805_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369260893379307378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Little Zigzag Canyon with Mt. Hood summit in the background</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzB8yw8c9-1aA9TbBhV67dSRdSQPv7zGIl4zx14jxuv2RBc9BqTE1-TFfP2XlOZtNlRfm-oGnLpZbIK-8x12HFoz-SUWgDVDcHUaxP4VU6NiEMi9tFp04fFXKBeHnhn1UVRwaRbxCl4U/s1600-h/P1040806_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzB8yw8c9-1aA9TbBhV67dSRdSQPv7zGIl4zx14jxuv2RBc9BqTE1-TFfP2XlOZtNlRfm-oGnLpZbIK-8x12HFoz-SUWgDVDcHUaxP4VU6NiEMi9tFp04fFXKBeHnhn1UVRwaRbxCl4U/s400/P1040806_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369260875128218802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Traversing into the Little Zigzag Canyon, only to climb back out</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT4ybtiTf-KtXL4TWk58Bt3myY-2S9SNm-0hGK8BO9ZDCvkPFs91IlgqMUyLAlgdyAMA-4v12D2J3jVyjb91kdJRShF0_5ckHjkQCTh81CRQNwJaPa33k7uYx0LqHzGVXf1WzeVHDul8/s1600-h/P1040807_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT4ybtiTf-KtXL4TWk58Bt3myY-2S9SNm-0hGK8BO9ZDCvkPFs91IlgqMUyLAlgdyAMA-4v12D2J3jVyjb91kdJRShF0_5ckHjkQCTh81CRQNwJaPa33k7uYx0LqHzGVXf1WzeVHDul8/s400/P1040807_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369260866575015426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Officially entering Mt. Hood Wilderness</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsw8cILItiw8IrdhvJo2TlK_lcehk9EfmD0NYge0nQ7ZC3lFM5WKw909v97auQBWwcDuMPK8vskeQIowk3bryTNQ4kMmko2jJEiVkixj2l7Gz_qandNEzNWgcoWKP7NZosx3J3Y1v1Ss/s1600-h/P1040810_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsw8cILItiw8IrdhvJo2TlK_lcehk9EfmD0NYge0nQ7ZC3lFM5WKw909v97auQBWwcDuMPK8vskeQIowk3bryTNQ4kMmko2jJEiVkixj2l7Gz_qandNEzNWgcoWKP7NZosx3J3Y1v1Ss/s400/P1040810_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369260270073379122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv5IyOlWFtf31kopfoG-JfNKx-YyzTrDbWk57GuR06uFY1LfHLCzEhgmCqOjT-f4TaXrE_qqkWf8kjcuuvd8P6KIcqDSe5T01MHXW6CB887wCALMCctrKIU1MoF1kgbcnDlkrcmOUGP4/s1600-h/P1040817.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv5IyOlWFtf31kopfoG-JfNKx-YyzTrDbWk57GuR06uFY1LfHLCzEhgmCqOjT-f4TaXrE_qqkWf8kjcuuvd8P6KIcqDSe5T01MHXW6CB887wCALMCctrKIU1MoF1kgbcnDlkrcmOUGP4/s400/P1040817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369260249558087474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Traversing down into the Zigzag Canyon, a train of horses and mules passed us to deliver equipment to a work crew on the mountain</span><br /></div><br />We made it down to Zigzag Canyon, a 700-foot deep gouge into Mt. Hood carved by the Zigzag River. Traversing down into the canyon was easy enough, but that also meant we had to climb the whole way back up on our return. We hung out at the river for a while to re-energize. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB0VKd7MRbRqPtCO60DL_ZiksV4j4saC7zOMkGHiTDfnUdYRvIYExZ4HKEq2_ri2cgIrfFMVyYxssNPL0S4-m7BgZk6m4EyKThDt48D5ls_WKFKL9yId2pf8FTzXUdarqppMoCGQ7t0I/s1600-h/P1040826.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB0VKd7MRbRqPtCO60DL_ZiksV4j4saC7zOMkGHiTDfnUdYRvIYExZ4HKEq2_ri2cgIrfFMVyYxssNPL0S4-m7BgZk6m4EyKThDt48D5ls_WKFKL9yId2pf8FTzXUdarqppMoCGQ7t0I/s400/P1040826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259636503237186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Is that a look of accomplishment or what? I guess he wasn't thinking about the climb back up yet...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmoyTTSoYVisa9XY36m7h1fC-5sBZSuWXWlm7Ej54SQTYhqqoWNoG5qKs6NAm-XyJC4OnwjssZkUnMxhPKHC6VGSGJCulYkbzccl_FFPFzntvGKpdpDildcu96r5KZumkw2PJD0bp1_M/s1600-h/P1040824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmoyTTSoYVisa9XY36m7h1fC-5sBZSuWXWlm7Ej54SQTYhqqoWNoG5qKs6NAm-XyJC4OnwjssZkUnMxhPKHC6VGSGJCulYkbzccl_FFPFzntvGKpdpDildcu96r5KZumkw2PJD0bp1_M/s400/P1040824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259647316255666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A little friend on the river</span><br /></div><br />Here's a short video of the rushing river:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdbeuAV46GLzfcXJt6aFCuDXN3AZw0ENdPq-Hq0ThFcK7ye1RShT9oByBF2ntIOoxaqvH9jxbQJ1M92DAUFA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeMFaBbGVN5RNtB1r3DGP_yU2XqD0W2GFPrysflLYV2AeZ4wYdi0Y-lswtny8gy2LmredhqXgMU91LaXkttxeSQQwHIUzL7nOX8OzpcNLAV5DB48iwWEqJXro94ojJIyS4Jf5oCdMK5U/s1600-h/P1040835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeMFaBbGVN5RNtB1r3DGP_yU2XqD0W2GFPrysflLYV2AeZ4wYdi0Y-lswtny8gy2LmredhqXgMU91LaXkttxeSQQwHIUzL7nOX8OzpcNLAV5DB48iwWEqJXro94ojJIyS4Jf5oCdMK5U/s400/P1040835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259629282722706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our album cover</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtsR8xNGAcUuQpxXNjXTKO2dWyeksq3EX0BBduQDI6EvjbaJVKLhId3212pyG3QKAVQkE2ISMmGBU5cigiEOe2xFqf1iFsYsPoNEFE1916HeSHX-jZAflfhARKvymyvYvqp5Pn4rYNoM/s1600-h/P1040837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtsR8xNGAcUuQpxXNjXTKO2dWyeksq3EX0BBduQDI6EvjbaJVKLhId3212pyG3QKAVQkE2ISMmGBU5cigiEOe2xFqf1iFsYsPoNEFE1916HeSHX-jZAflfhARKvymyvYvqp5Pn4rYNoM/s400/P1040837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259621074716370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">On the hike back, the summit started to cloud over. Would be scary to be up there when that happens!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7I-D2kS4uhHWeI45f8-LDBE2Gt7mScQ5a2nkxrNyaFZX9Q7bYrb6QG_3eOgLUiIYrsQZ7wHkfrfwAoUWT-dFmOyeJdbrx_IeJQVtPFNHReuHeFYWmE-42P2lSB9nMtM-WCB7HnowFcI/s1600-h/P1040839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7I-D2kS4uhHWeI45f8-LDBE2Gt7mScQ5a2nkxrNyaFZX9Q7bYrb6QG_3eOgLUiIYrsQZ7wHkfrfwAoUWT-dFmOyeJdbrx_IeJQVtPFNHReuHeFYWmE-42P2lSB9nMtM-WCB7HnowFcI/s400/P1040839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259087137031938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Crossing back over the (currently dry) Little Zigzag River</span><br /></div><br />When we returned to camp, we took in the sunset at the lake. Not a bad way to cap off an evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENNKJm87MuEXGv8PO1ydWhuGxeGRGrTwrKmDfWDKGWIeHHBlzCNf2PQCXAcZvlxRwoIFaUWg9Jf1F1CEZKEo22V-4lPOOLJKRNPNYdhyphenhyphenB0OUIMyLXhKTiFJydOuQoP5WFcbqEfhexwU/s1600-h/P1040861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENNKJm87MuEXGv8PO1ydWhuGxeGRGrTwrKmDfWDKGWIeHHBlzCNf2PQCXAcZvlxRwoIFaUWg9Jf1F1CEZKEo22V-4lPOOLJKRNPNYdhyphenhyphenB0OUIMyLXhKTiFJydOuQoP5WFcbqEfhexwU/s400/P1040861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259079339948594" border="0" /></a><br />Buckley even got a chance to go swimming! This was pretty much his first time really swimming in open water. He has splashed around in some streams a couple times, but this was really truly swimming. Not a big surprise, he picked it right up!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1cFdspBbAJJMmY7FBRoQGdTd7jp7XBxf5nIc1WLo7YmQzIBHSgReju7Cyc5WEGmRLetnaEijGl5tVCZxZKJVssyN_j_7_0ue-c33fA82vxstTR5ONvd1_5cGu6LVV40LF3rMK1tW3qY/s1600-h/P1040921.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyH5yeb9wGKbESYuzYojKqO0bPpb-_DIfL7ETtPwx6OIPqBNU1Oq55SgVt0KXZw3kgs5wmIQibyhXuXFdn7tw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /></div><br />After a chilly night sleeping on hard ground, it doesn't get much better than Paul's traditional camp breakfast. Fried eggs, bacon, potato hash and french press coffee... something about eating these simple breakfast components at the camp table as the sun comes up makes it taste so good. Paul has made breakfast for us every morning of every camping trip for four years... can't tell you how much we appreciate that. Thank you Paul!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY01tpuuf08HwR6EDHRVP1Xr6ycChD3MdDEKtkgRcFf6SWlFsJfIUC5kQ_G9E3Lx7B_nNRgPZGDVEg_kvz07BXXuPbIfkJvihWbeas_HYyYYpnOgpjEdrPKWmd9bXBWybf-fH-fydfm_w/s1600-h/P1040891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY01tpuuf08HwR6EDHRVP1Xr6ycChD3MdDEKtkgRcFf6SWlFsJfIUC5kQ_G9E3Lx7B_nNRgPZGDVEg_kvz07BXXuPbIfkJvihWbeas_HYyYYpnOgpjEdrPKWmd9bXBWybf-fH-fydfm_w/s400/P1040891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369259073166817138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Doing his thing</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1eW8V5mvzaI1V1GLnUgkzYKuNa9ysNeGQ8bChIVMq85fkPe9TM78HmEwqnqCcELkumcecBM9JxNATlHKnjClwhjwbG_Zjy_TJgv7NweKnmYi3koend0U4nLgwEQ1OOIEWUTq-HxZSE8/s1600-h/P1040887.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1eW8V5mvzaI1V1GLnUgkzYKuNa9ysNeGQ8bChIVMq85fkPe9TM78HmEwqnqCcELkumcecBM9JxNATlHKnjClwhjwbG_Zjy_TJgv7NweKnmYi3koend0U4nLgwEQ1OOIEWUTq-HxZSE8/s400/P1040887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369258397423948514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mmm... eggs cooked in bacon grease</span><br /></div><br />As if we hadn't put Dad through enough, on Tuesday we went on one more relatively short hike through Eagle Creek, in the Columbia River Gorge. This one was a 4.2 mile hike with 400 feet of elevation gain (also at a much lower altitude). After all the tough hikes we've been doing this summer, it was kind of nice to do a short, relatively flat one that allowed us to just take in the beauty!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eVQc0EB3I9rPVbUWwQ5jC19c6Esf-ZxVEvlyIkPhP_Xl29kVPeyPLNh3eiyd-PGm-WZg-eY53lGw-m0eNBIe0eHQXjhkLWa8RB6NQT8NEgBtLwzvtfqIakcOG2PbStTDSA_qs62kNC4/s1600-h/P1040902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eVQc0EB3I9rPVbUWwQ5jC19c6Esf-ZxVEvlyIkPhP_Xl29kVPeyPLNh3eiyd-PGm-WZg-eY53lGw-m0eNBIe0eHQXjhkLWa8RB6NQT8NEgBtLwzvtfqIakcOG2PbStTDSA_qs62kNC4/s400/P1040902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369258381949989554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These narrow ledges were blasted out of the cliff face, and have cable handrails alongside... just in case</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdUAXrBiyMzqNoATGv_ZO7LrSSN4LrAStXNLHC7Z67cE3Y1vga-u9SFL7FqM8ElZeJe-0BMRrGBIE2Q3tz1Cpbcjjg7IhCGqt3xuwMCrNCVR5gfgFaR__DIcCnwI15OzhuQWJXggqOpA/s1600-h/P1040903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdUAXrBiyMzqNoATGv_ZO7LrSSN4LrAStXNLHC7Z67cE3Y1vga-u9SFL7FqM8ElZeJe-0BMRrGBIE2Q3tz1Cpbcjjg7IhCGqt3xuwMCrNCVR5gfgFaR__DIcCnwI15OzhuQWJXggqOpA/s400/P1040903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369258371155328210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Metlako Falls visible after just 1.5 miles in</span><br /></div><br />The destination for this hike was Punchbowl Falls, a 30-foot falls that plunges into a gorgeous swimming hole with a huge bedrock bank to hang out on. This was our first time here, and I'm already dying to go back.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJbj19gQVM_LRXa0Mh1TzutiuGgk7wNVhfcnbCUOd11HGFgjPLL9bHURXfuDOT2Ft83HnUXDgTIGckBPhjbLX6k5Vjy1wpLVswqN7oNPQQGP-KHD2BwoY3cKBg3R39ixcLRasdZdPqyM/s1600-h/P1040905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJbj19gQVM_LRXa0Mh1TzutiuGgk7wNVhfcnbCUOd11HGFgjPLL9bHURXfuDOT2Ft83HnUXDgTIGckBPhjbLX6k5Vjy1wpLVswqN7oNPQQGP-KHD2BwoY3cKBg3R39ixcLRasdZdPqyM/s400/P1040905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369258364571880274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocky bank leading up to the falls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPAW1IRUpv17sJeRFNubA26_LlGqr83MH0IlvmjMDtBA1SRGGR_VNRPUe1nPAB8L064Sk3w9DDxaD5xKRbLEYG3SPbozKelHHzkq-ZGqyVhSP0oPftHSCixmwXeWAs3Ofl517oCE8uKw/s1600-h/P1040909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPAW1IRUpv17sJeRFNubA26_LlGqr83MH0IlvmjMDtBA1SRGGR_VNRPUe1nPAB8L064Sk3w9DDxaD5xKRbLEYG3SPbozKelHHzkq-ZGqyVhSP0oPftHSCixmwXeWAs3Ofl517oCE8uKw/s400/P1040909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369257467071414194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Punchbowl Falls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAvsQEuRcz3j1sB6755bpUfL0jxv6mtVyBx_UwFP7e5YZKH4R-S8CIYLcTkKdfB4uXIO2rvqXyB2vLPzlTZri-ZqosNLu_GdmxXnl49X4A7ZA77c6BYOJrdVP8Kvre4nOs4S-kwA-Sug/s1600-h/P1040906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAvsQEuRcz3j1sB6755bpUfL0jxv6mtVyBx_UwFP7e5YZKH4R-S8CIYLcTkKdfB4uXIO2rvqXyB2vLPzlTZri-ZqosNLu_GdmxXnl49X4A7ZA77c6BYOJrdVP8Kvre4nOs4S-kwA-Sug/s400/P1040906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369257459015992882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocky surface under the water... the water is really this clear</span><br /></div><br />This was the perfect place for Buckley to go swimming, but Paul ended up going in with him! A little chilly, but I guess he got used to it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JAmjIn0GEj3m7pl7KYzZb2HTfjX9oH8DIX8dykAYZTmmfLqNfmLb9veisQWTJUJVJMizk1PwmaHQDDndl1q3rMu7Txz4U37udMzeQ3B8sBef5FifpILi7lYL_ssta-TecVqG-aaEGoo/s1600-h/P1040910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JAmjIn0GEj3m7pl7KYzZb2HTfjX9oH8DIX8dykAYZTmmfLqNfmLb9veisQWTJUJVJMizk1PwmaHQDDndl1q3rMu7Txz4U37udMzeQ3B8sBef5FifpILi7lYL_ssta-TecVqG-aaEGoo/s400/P1040910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369257450992491106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Frolicking at the falls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqPj69ohYAXWsDtdQFF-ae9_PpWcPyDRA_9rxuDaMVibOR8vhDbPix3cWPzdgX6hO7vvf7OycN4mmg-Z8_hna7qGSIavq_LnTjOyNMVVJc0FXrhXiagRz0DDM8_XLCBdk-YFN5z6X7cY/s1600-h/P1040911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqPj69ohYAXWsDtdQFF-ae9_PpWcPyDRA_9rxuDaMVibOR8vhDbPix3cWPzdgX6hO7vvf7OycN4mmg-Z8_hna7qGSIavq_LnTjOyNMVVJc0FXrhXiagRz0DDM8_XLCBdk-YFN5z6X7cY/s400/P1040911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369257444901790450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A true water dog</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaEiEPGMfUXFUH5ubZPIPnW9ALI6WRD2eakoXAo5yfctQNpSTNipikaYA3jbR14ayKpTTH81aO2qcjIkf-K9ZCBSAfg0ql0cc6Ak01Vv519Ln_YBo_gIi8aJzgtW1S34H0OoxFsEf99Q/s1600-h/P1040913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaEiEPGMfUXFUH5ubZPIPnW9ALI6WRD2eakoXAo5yfctQNpSTNipikaYA3jbR14ayKpTTH81aO2qcjIkf-K9ZCBSAfg0ql0cc6Ak01Vv519Ln_YBo_gIi8aJzgtW1S34H0OoxFsEf99Q/s400/P1040913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369256767992964738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley trying to jump up onto this free-floating log, which rolled every time he tried to climb onto it (hilarious)</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI2CrwSeqSRhIyfUIMb_4b6PZmBFnkBdn41L5b0GoxexhMKE-69IXKKuAwpBzElkKNvNQlxnVAMP2EC5Cz7AqTphNkHojod-nypi2YablYxzAY4W_qWPfGQTfMAZ9SWWbmKKEZJJAumM/s1600-h/P1040916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI2CrwSeqSRhIyfUIMb_4b6PZmBFnkBdn41L5b0GoxexhMKE-69IXKKuAwpBzElkKNvNQlxnVAMP2EC5Cz7AqTphNkHojod-nypi2YablYxzAY4W_qWPfGQTfMAZ9SWWbmKKEZJJAumM/s400/P1040916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369256762123754738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicraS_ujSOtmhxqwPv9BkfkhgDtMJaKYI9kPEQpECAuZ7ZUdYvxlNMGCubGkOo2WHYgL7tDqBHE5az26o5N5IT-Fmz6AYPEOrJ5YHICepzZ48iwJIOBAxNAg-Cmh2r6PnzTzqDenu9kK4/s1600-h/P1040918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicraS_ujSOtmhxqwPv9BkfkhgDtMJaKYI9kPEQpECAuZ7ZUdYvxlNMGCubGkOo2WHYgL7tDqBHE5az26o5N5IT-Fmz6AYPEOrJ5YHICepzZ48iwJIOBAxNAg-Cmh2r6PnzTzqDenu9kK4/s400/P1040918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369256745132045634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We saw someone else taking this picture and thought it would be cute... now I'm not so sure</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1cFdspBbAJJMmY7FBRoQGdTd7jp7XBxf5nIc1WLo7YmQzIBHSgReju7Cyc5WEGmRLetnaEijGl5tVCZxZKJVssyN_j_7_0ue-c33fA82vxstTR5ONvd1_5cGu6LVV40LF3rMK1tW3qY/s1600-h/P1040921.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1cFdspBbAJJMmY7FBRoQGdTd7jp7XBxf5nIc1WLo7YmQzIBHSgReju7Cyc5WEGmRLetnaEijGl5tVCZxZKJVssyN_j_7_0ue-c33fA82vxstTR5ONvd1_5cGu6LVV40LF3rMK1tW3qY/s400/P1040921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369256735513635826" border="0" /></a><br />One more little video, this time of Buckley playing fetch at the falls:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGP-tKe0byyjdw1-cddOoG7IdbcFM8SNIjfmfhy4d-9DoTeMjy0id-2izGfKIrypTCt75NomKyuHl3D7ckxA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And with that, another successful camping trip down! I have to say, Oregon camping blows Michigan camping out of the water (no offense, Michigan!). I do believe there will be a lot more of this in the future. Thanks for coming out Dad, we had a great time!<br /><br />Love,<br />Jenny<br /></div></div>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-5538890870051125172009-08-03T10:38:00.000-07:002009-08-03T22:23:31.575-07:00Summiting South SisterThis was the big one folks... the day we had been preparing for all summer. On Saturday we successfully summited South Sister with the Portland area MSU Alumni group. What an awesome experience.<br /><br />We drove out to central Oregon with our pals Eric and Kelly. The drive should have been about 4 hours, but about halfway in we got stopped in traffic by a forest fire that had actually reached the road. We were about two miles back from the fire, and were told that it would be about an hour until traffic was let through! We happened to be just about in the middle of nowhere, so it would have taken even longer to backtrack and take another route. So, we waited. Definitely a new experience to be held up by a forest fire. Once we got going, we could definitely see where the forest and road were completely charred.<br /><br />We finally made it to the base camp on Friday evening. The whole group (13 in total) was able to stay in the same house together, about 45 minutes from the trailhead. We had a spaghetti dinner that night and hit the hay early. In order to get going at a reasonable time, we had to get up at 4:00am. I can't remember the last time I saw 4am. We left the house at 5:00am, to reach the trailhead by 5:45am.<br /><br />Here is our GPS route, taken from our handheld:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYrm0AgxwsaSJHcuGE6kcX9mFv2NbGCtf3Qw7pMZsMK7p3_4IJhFcHUm_BikU35Q86VxCM1YAGWM6bSEhSrvVjH-VNWg63FQY3CEq2NEy90bJ8YYNNYOrrCeWqtGm51laqJE20La4EEQ/s1600-h/gps1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYrm0AgxwsaSJHcuGE6kcX9mFv2NbGCtf3Qw7pMZsMK7p3_4IJhFcHUm_BikU35Q86VxCM1YAGWM6bSEhSrvVjH-VNWg63FQY3CEq2NEy90bJ8YYNNYOrrCeWqtGm51laqJE20La4EEQ/s400/gps1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803071054180722" border="0" /></a><br />The full map with data can be found <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ztcgmdoiwjweoqyc">here</a>. I also thought it was pretty sweet to look at in satellite view:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCLGdVjmVfi_jlieGUizK8h7Rqx6XuE9f1tGfy6zvV5Yv5WvNU7jqcm5X7MoU6klw2Nt6ffwlFIFoCNl6f1Zyvn_gScMkSHOz7MF04Yhv-OgZR9fK8NszCX1twhprqNUe7GAOcuYfpiI/s1600-h/gps2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCLGdVjmVfi_jlieGUizK8h7Rqx6XuE9f1tGfy6zvV5Yv5WvNU7jqcm5X7MoU6klw2Nt6ffwlFIFoCNl6f1Zyvn_gScMkSHOz7MF04Yhv-OgZR9fK8NszCX1twhprqNUe7GAOcuYfpiI/s400/gps2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803065012652722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vrgqMgXJ4yB7hQubozSp5xj1rOuGvGH0bmdJHZgIe7Qr9J4x_qX0L45J9ugxftxYMdNIMuM3iG0ds4-Hhh1UY6todXLOSRQoDzmDHTD4Kv-xAMzm0cTxClR6MyaFfqRScpLeA7etjbQ/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vrgqMgXJ4yB7hQubozSp5xj1rOuGvGH0bmdJHZgIe7Qr9J4x_qX0L45J9ugxftxYMdNIMuM3iG0ds4-Hhh1UY6todXLOSRQoDzmDHTD4Kv-xAMzm0cTxClR6MyaFfqRScpLeA7etjbQ/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803060967520242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">At the trailhead, 6:00am.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKcsczRxvijyQlitwjv112Uy6vwHmQNUHcnvz-2fALCjGEHpMtKpJbLXampWjzaRIBa45l19_fKjBJxSMxr1UYzokSq6FnYI7r1bkEwwZm5zLUsZmv8bB1wJLwBLyp76Zrb_baGEiQvc/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKcsczRxvijyQlitwjv112Uy6vwHmQNUHcnvz-2fALCjGEHpMtKpJbLXampWjzaRIBa45l19_fKjBJxSMxr1UYzokSq6FnYI7r1bkEwwZm5zLUsZmv8bB1wJLwBLyp76Zrb_baGEiQvc/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365802848859866018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">At the base, about a mile above sea level already.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tt7mnELG8coUqDksJvXLhdXevEMXDMg87GWxQk0L31rEeglAwOQfHivvBR7do170sPrReLXzmkSVePFJi8Qh2iazEFZvP_fIRVvK6kNTZx1A2alDrqPWHydmS6RUwqy-wpKvn7p6-ak/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tt7mnELG8coUqDksJvXLhdXevEMXDMg87GWxQk0L31rEeglAwOQfHivvBR7do170sPrReLXzmkSVePFJi8Qh2iazEFZvP_fIRVvK6kNTZx1A2alDrqPWHydmS6RUwqy-wpKvn7p6-ak/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365802843748774098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our climbing group</span><br /></div><br />There were sort of three phases to the climb. The first couple miles were ascending through the woods, thick with mosquitos. After that, we spent a couple miles hiking across the part known as "the golf course," a really flat and open trail with not much elevation gain. The last couple of miles were brutal, climbing in earnest up to the summit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8HmI8Jm67gP4vgTEMpHene40CfblV042QIynR9BSBbNwd8HUZ4lLZJU8X_xggNDjyKc22n14-gIoE2atBHjWWIpu2Mu-m760LLSkL0iJajL0tu1dCP2AZ3ULt0xTQdvvgC8HKh57Kac/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8HmI8Jm67gP4vgTEMpHene40CfblV042QIynR9BSBbNwd8HUZ4lLZJU8X_xggNDjyKc22n14-gIoE2atBHjWWIpu2Mu-m760LLSkL0iJajL0tu1dCP2AZ3ULt0xTQdvvgC8HKh57Kac/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365802836538708706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hitting the trail</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoIMBporGSKS5cVNdpGGS1Ysor7k3xN5K6SFd2zOHd4UX_wistgZGNLqJshs66s8bDnxi1zA4b5BApxgBYPxjCuwDO3VQ1PGwji7kdnm86s5qx3EK9wPzcfV6KMdM1HuzeMCVSJHOs94/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoIMBporGSKS5cVNdpGGS1Ysor7k3xN5K6SFd2zOHd4UX_wistgZGNLqJshs66s8bDnxi1zA4b5BApxgBYPxjCuwDO3VQ1PGwji7kdnm86s5qx3EK9wPzcfV6KMdM1HuzeMCVSJHOs94/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365802830166290786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">South Sister summit - a clear view of where we're heading, right after completing the first phase</span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_IbqFTzOjtj34rPXH2m-41skdkqrEMmenS3zcplAcQ-0c451-H6SFn_NW37eKxgM-NYs9NWmec1ok9VuQKsuFesSM86_Lz8DY_rN154JkRPQDtXRpMsIi4dYm86r4bOriS5O9XxjFrs/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_IbqFTzOjtj34rPXH2m-41skdkqrEMmenS3zcplAcQ-0c451-H6SFn_NW37eKxgM-NYs9NWmec1ok9VuQKsuFesSM86_Lz8DY_rN154JkRPQDtXRpMsIi4dYm86r4bOriS5O9XxjFrs/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365801612216670546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting ready to head on after our first break.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxt-lX2dF1nNkyE7KrUz-nYQcD172Czy-2_7CHp3AKoEHx51XD48FQpasKpHcENiLIDyazUwBFuciE8Q7ZLGHXAkhdXjRbJXlLH-hnvkwuX0Jk5E4HlN1PzHq46mGSc0xTJw1vdVg5gLc/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxt-lX2dF1nNkyE7KrUz-nYQcD172Czy-2_7CHp3AKoEHx51XD48FQpasKpHcENiLIDyazUwBFuciE8Q7ZLGHXAkhdXjRbJXlLH-hnvkwuX0Jk5E4HlN1PzHq46mGSc0xTJw1vdVg5gLc/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365801610405834962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxbvINK2f1AVNhJ10s-ndO19llkuwbjjh7gWXp7dnYOeltt33xH5dpFtE3t_KV3P6BSQXdqqquoKvHQNMlswBU09pPL5QflVIx91g0bhsTFtK4sugwm2ZW_XDQtINTWxadl-mDZeB0AA/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxbvINK2f1AVNhJ10s-ndO19llkuwbjjh7gWXp7dnYOeltt33xH5dpFtE3t_KV3P6BSQXdqqquoKvHQNMlswBU09pPL5QflVIx91g0bhsTFtK4sugwm2ZW_XDQtINTWxadl-mDZeB0AA/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365801606421775922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The sun coming up over Broken Top mountain. Not a bad way to start the morning, huh?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HLKnkex9oyB63GWrR6W2tXw62vxk2pNX3CKpIRMfBU2h48UbRHdcOSuAfLLuY8n4d9hHkHf4WfFSlJU95K97CSjngpee2QKc54vusjtyLYR1cQeQ0h6jLZiL6RKWe_NHOy3Sxj7wJ74/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HLKnkex9oyB63GWrR6W2tXw62vxk2pNX3CKpIRMfBU2h48UbRHdcOSuAfLLuY8n4d9hHkHf4WfFSlJU95K97CSjngpee2QKc54vusjtyLYR1cQeQ0h6jLZiL6RKWe_NHOy3Sxj7wJ74/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365801596348069298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Broken Top</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLSVtqFtavig8qTb-ipcS8d2637fi7rLGWaM9gCQT5mDUXpub5T2gbxpD2UfNDzemcBPgqQ84VcU0mwetnJhZf6C_LxD5VGKpNTfZbnmFT2WMPTDM02WvCnfp1IJ8zjSmJkDRr4lC-oI/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLSVtqFtavig8qTb-ipcS8d2637fi7rLGWaM9gCQT5mDUXpub5T2gbxpD2UfNDzemcBPgqQ84VcU0mwetnJhZf6C_LxD5VGKpNTfZbnmFT2WMPTDM02WvCnfp1IJ8zjSmJkDRr4lC-oI/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800849418060818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking out over the "golf course" toward the summit</span><br /></div><br />The next two photos were meant to stitch together to form a panoramic shot, but I did something wrong and they don't quite match up. This is Broken Top mountain and Morain Lake.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGQEXqp5XQW1CG8qexniJS3af__RM4v1sMf0XKVnWGjl8g-PJCP2-8fLRZGVL5XiZd09GwGFpjwhf40nSZC72AL22kYy9yQjz6rX9Aq_4bI2jw9LLJIa77tmyaAK7vgv1bENlkO-O4MQ/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGQEXqp5XQW1CG8qexniJS3af__RM4v1sMf0XKVnWGjl8g-PJCP2-8fLRZGVL5XiZd09GwGFpjwhf40nSZC72AL22kYy9yQjz6rX9Aq_4bI2jw9LLJIa77tmyaAK7vgv1bENlkO-O4MQ/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800846610729090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Imagine this photo side by side with the one below...</span><br /></div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU4e6MdAJwoDACKw9voPYMWVCDOqA8sUobLbWpt2PQqJh4KlLbnaZvSEqaddsUHw9kgeaEIeBTcflxb-6RHSYWAKP0CfaIac5VF-cmA-G6HT9N5tHgQ-PnJiX2X0f4fblpn83F6Qa3T8/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU4e6MdAJwoDACKw9voPYMWVCDOqA8sUobLbWpt2PQqJh4KlLbnaZvSEqaddsUHw9kgeaEIeBTcflxb-6RHSYWAKP0CfaIac5VF-cmA-G6HT9N5tHgQ-PnJiX2X0f4fblpn83F6Qa3T8/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800835461121266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WFc_J0VX887b7cfnBk9T3Z8q18x0mJC7h2FuMh5wjIhBC5Qs1DuqAOcL5OuPm2XqnveuVSxcWmL3BNq_XUTk1ee_Q0K2egwzSIycXU-S0F5vVbmSi2x1PET6OUzv1EMHVpeJtJMco-c/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WFc_J0VX887b7cfnBk9T3Z8q18x0mJC7h2FuMh5wjIhBC5Qs1DuqAOcL5OuPm2XqnveuVSxcWmL3BNq_XUTk1ee_Q0K2egwzSIycXU-S0F5vVbmSi2x1PET6OUzv1EMHVpeJtJMco-c/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800830160352562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pushing forward.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m3_79zXPyOoLlboOsfCNn571PKXtEcUy0xwwpqv2wc_ds0C1xpScEUelsi0Lcv_2oeMz7k2M6QGWfjyxsA_EzqgQXP4jqH6W9n43bE5AMhUEn_yuKJi3ONDNVj2hnvqyFFakf1puEok/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m3_79zXPyOoLlboOsfCNn571PKXtEcUy0xwwpqv2wc_ds0C1xpScEUelsi0Lcv_2oeMz7k2M6QGWfjyxsA_EzqgQXP4jqH6W9n43bE5AMhUEn_yuKJi3ONDNVj2hnvqyFFakf1puEok/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800222729454754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Yet another picture of some Red Paintbrush. This trail had the most vibrant rosey-red paintbrush I've seen yet.</span><br /></div><br />Once past the golf course, we started climbing in earnest. The terrain became much more rocky and sandy at this point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9McYoSGBW0-9-ScVfzHGeEDKraXsh8c9hjh3-mZSP3YdnHYPEe6znoW1h7b7VS15zrnmcMcYN9UUQjTzHJNOwz2AZqwWwZ11zd5WpXQMJyH_LKt3QzE2TJQcu4M5JKCpBSHVButfwduE/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9McYoSGBW0-9-ScVfzHGeEDKraXsh8c9hjh3-mZSP3YdnHYPEe6znoW1h7b7VS15zrnmcMcYN9UUQjTzHJNOwz2AZqwWwZ11zd5WpXQMJyH_LKt3QzE2TJQcu4M5JKCpBSHVButfwduE/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800219332392658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting steep now. About to cross the first snow field.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkp85PwnxzvrBY_MaeIQsZisrRhEO1gVcCvm1Sg32tcqQ-ukvpB3FCdEhs-kdh1w4ZuAsNJGdy7w5vl1jerLw9Aa9wss8DEIk_BbF8T6Nur5b3p4ONZvtcXCNlC-ZXjOXZfLrsDEvQE/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkp85PwnxzvrBY_MaeIQsZisrRhEO1gVcCvm1Sg32tcqQ-ukvpB3FCdEhs-kdh1w4ZuAsNJGdy7w5vl1jerLw9Aa9wss8DEIk_BbF8T6Nur5b3p4ONZvtcXCNlC-ZXjOXZfLrsDEvQE/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800215188979010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking back at Mt. Bachelor.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoehyphenhyphenmXQV2I8krztGHUWLNKAejVZhIeMJrKsM4yYSZvCpiOgOxYr3amL5vgdfQMEehU_N1iq8k9g5aqNJL6L_7IxJdzLzDEs4Ui-0_duWbRjn4Is3XRZ5SG37Ad67LMMLJRNcrEkTCY4/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoehyphenhyphenmXQV2I8krztGHUWLNKAejVZhIeMJrKsM4yYSZvCpiOgOxYr3amL5vgdfQMEehU_N1iq8k9g5aqNJL6L_7IxJdzLzDEs4Ui-0_duWbRjn4Is3XRZ5SG37Ad67LMMLJRNcrEkTCY4/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365800208444790498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lewis Glacier with a little lake underneath.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQEBI4zVBy389LNXaf_e6oLeW5O8XJTQtYUJVL7TUK9GWlqGuvQmMhL8y4TGOiH_tVb4n9pBeljdgXhR7km_xfg1hB6kZpoxD4deQ8n0GcKnatZefQMDFkdCw_Og_adAP_CM1GjvUSbc/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+28.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQEBI4zVBy389LNXaf_e6oLeW5O8XJTQtYUJVL7TUK9GWlqGuvQmMhL8y4TGOiH_tVb4n9pBeljdgXhR7km_xfg1hB6kZpoxD4deQ8n0GcKnatZefQMDFkdCw_Og_adAP_CM1GjvUSbc/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365799308481846386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking back, you can almost make out the entire trail.</span><br /></div><br />For the last mile and a half or so, the terrain turned to soft red volcanic soil... almost like traversing the surface of Mars. This terrain was extremely soft, so with each step we would slide back about a half step. This phase was also extremely steep, so from this point on it was very.... slow... going.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaDYG2A5Az0r7XS_f-7_xG4prwcQNssn1TzqR9oQg7N5ZEZ3ep3Trd0DVl_3DPGEqOX051BTrO1e_j2G6VmKHPswtw7OSLlj_hzjAGuVv2xBEi88MqQXk02ndRVNP2IoqKc0ju2x9xAU/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaDYG2A5Az0r7XS_f-7_xG4prwcQNssn1TzqR9oQg7N5ZEZ3ep3Trd0DVl_3DPGEqOX051BTrO1e_j2G6VmKHPswtw7OSLlj_hzjAGuVv2xBEi88MqQXk02ndRVNP2IoqKc0ju2x9xAU/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365799302537814594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIBU4YO-3AJnnJ281QvvUSP_F2cZhpbjMRylnW__Y_XyLlJVXL5VVmJxDCzkWo_9NJwF662ejPvd6whZiC5j4a45Qi2IC_DKccXWOvS-_3UfP1qvVhVAs9quYh2yApBVk8IZaCG4aJ0I/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIBU4YO-3AJnnJ281QvvUSP_F2cZhpbjMRylnW__Y_XyLlJVXL5VVmJxDCzkWo_9NJwF662ejPvd6whZiC5j4a45Qi2IC_DKccXWOvS-_3UfP1qvVhVAs9quYh2yApBVk8IZaCG4aJ0I/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365799295774528418" border="0" /></a><br />This is the point where the altitude really started to get to me. It was very difficult to take deep breaths, so I had to stop about every 5th step to catch my breath. I felt extremely heavy, and like I was barely moving with each step. Several times I looked up at the summit and wondered how in the hell my I was going to push myself there. It took a very long time, and every ounce of physical and mental strength in my body, but I made it.<br /><br />Once at the top, we then had to traverse the Rim Trail which takes us around the rim of the summit up to the true summit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrabI7TAqKv1o8c6s2WDjVmZDgL_-254eNhCAM_PgciwI8fRa8XZMBzlNNkFXR8OLFtc1Sh_HjlhcJiPW_1-ucq8MFqt2wrao0vMff6DKK6XDVOGapBLK8fXBXCUBiSsFRgYnAhQPRNU/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrabI7TAqKv1o8c6s2WDjVmZDgL_-254eNhCAM_PgciwI8fRa8XZMBzlNNkFXR8OLFtc1Sh_HjlhcJiPW_1-ucq8MFqt2wrao0vMff6DKK6XDVOGapBLK8fXBXCUBiSsFRgYnAhQPRNU/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365799292512877538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Broken Top from the Rim Trail</span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGteKLG1SNjoyyyen1fmkyq3E3jWg3wPf7mFDE4rdIMqW7wrHYcYQaO3MJr2imvaIssXEw5EN4v5QmqmUyLZ_Hug2XCWvNW-Mi92Ysh2BrZuubgYISp13PNWbJDZj2kWBka-fwwsmTz6w/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGteKLG1SNjoyyyen1fmkyq3E3jWg3wPf7mFDE4rdIMqW7wrHYcYQaO3MJr2imvaIssXEw5EN4v5QmqmUyLZ_Hug2XCWvNW-Mi92Ysh2BrZuubgYISp13PNWbJDZj2kWBka-fwwsmTz6w/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365798544143577234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The final ascent on the Rim Trail up to the craggy summit.</span><br /></div><br />We made it! The views from the summit were surreal. At 10,358 feet, you can even see the curvature of the earth. Pretty wild.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA0C-R23iwtx7EueP1-Gv6jtDccdKM0xgUjZLWRYIZn24PKcKA0igmIl9lrTNv0v7efMWhZt3GXN4_pNGmtY4mHwjimtulzABRxMZMKdyv4MJmlWvZgaCJdvt_LlwY-t5ESYHupW6Uts/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+34.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA0C-R23iwtx7EueP1-Gv6jtDccdKM0xgUjZLWRYIZn24PKcKA0igmIl9lrTNv0v7efMWhZt3GXN4_pNGmtY4mHwjimtulzABRxMZMKdyv4MJmlWvZgaCJdvt_LlwY-t5ESYHupW6Uts/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365798534834881650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Middle and North Sister from the summit.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyX92FJl31kY7Kb4JbqNG9lONIRCug9jejjVU5wLO2Hsq_9KyUfDIvQzyxBoghweo0M7yn1UxbDO707y8HJrwds7DkrC4_Tk3yw8qRtfK0Gxva0eDDfKGlsVi_QNPo21mw8tN_o3DwkE/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+35.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyX92FJl31kY7Kb4JbqNG9lONIRCug9jejjVU5wLO2Hsq_9KyUfDIvQzyxBoghweo0M7yn1UxbDO707y8HJrwds7DkrC4_Tk3yw8qRtfK0Gxva0eDDfKGlsVi_QNPo21mw8tN_o3DwkE/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365798531928537890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Views for miles.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUxHTw9pskYXGUAXmJYNevZ7yKoBkfBDhJays9O9_hI_oXGpqPJB6e879VeqcWdGV6FN9vnVgtcZXArvKyTXNwx0ES03dxpRy4XMEno1aTAzN8vwDKK1zUv4dF5nbCzJnMjtMbjrxHLc/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+37.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUxHTw9pskYXGUAXmJYNevZ7yKoBkfBDhJays9O9_hI_oXGpqPJB6e879VeqcWdGV6FN9vnVgtcZXArvKyTXNwx0ES03dxpRy4XMEno1aTAzN8vwDKK1zUv4dF5nbCzJnMjtMbjrxHLc/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365798523555585570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Smiling through the hurt. :)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_yOBCOk1Ewks5weFzYaVdR4zzas7j7qS5V6dC755BMKFR2p64PWwnIpZC3DEWPuiwGZPWIIBemYsCNHauaAqXeCRFIcBkjKY2pynicClFkywQ1STE0Us15sfIt0QLcxOl-3sjkoaFVo/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+40.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_yOBCOk1Ewks5weFzYaVdR4zzas7j7qS5V6dC755BMKFR2p64PWwnIpZC3DEWPuiwGZPWIIBemYsCNHauaAqXeCRFIcBkjKY2pynicClFkywQ1STE0Us15sfIt0QLcxOl-3sjkoaFVo/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797856293802626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our climbing party taking a well-deserved lunch break at the summit.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F7doOmdfzMMPxBsLhXchMmGbQfW3jYcYZ0MBLFJBIuO8KKCzYaY8F6iRb6S38ESUTAnSx9yasQh24n1ie1hhmFrSgqKycvCrCwrCPS1If-1TybtzyJNcSomzMnw3Q_tqSkGbWGvDuSg/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+41.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F7doOmdfzMMPxBsLhXchMmGbQfW3jYcYZ0MBLFJBIuO8KKCzYaY8F6iRb6S38ESUTAnSx9yasQh24n1ie1hhmFrSgqKycvCrCwrCPS1If-1TybtzyJNcSomzMnw3Q_tqSkGbWGvDuSg/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797850462425106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kelly and Eric.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nfJnazOYEndVLwfg4fVn7SbHPuyxuVPTUUCRgC600pkt5lEhvC5lgKU1V09UkGx3Ao12574SG99uFtjpDzg_gS8BMwGK_lLetLj3l3lRvhWKUulRGHWbsqopgN6dy3IQ7IaV7SjXYek/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nfJnazOYEndVLwfg4fVn7SbHPuyxuVPTUUCRgC600pkt5lEhvC5lgKU1V09UkGx3Ao12574SG99uFtjpDzg_gS8BMwGK_lLetLj3l3lRvhWKUulRGHWbsqopgN6dy3IQ7IaV7SjXYek/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797847172122994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Broken Top from the summit.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHFIGnVT2-F1mqq8WrJYgmVVM-cYaRYGdZCPACaBDPxHlt3f06Yc8e6pTIiYzR6BNM8HK-M5_wPTSHfD0ajO6YAS4t_epwwTlFdf4ChzA92xH0-WR_lYCY7p4rgWyuZ6MqKZ0kiHV2iA/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+45.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHFIGnVT2-F1mqq8WrJYgmVVM-cYaRYGdZCPACaBDPxHlt3f06Yc8e6pTIiYzR6BNM8HK-M5_wPTSHfD0ajO6YAS4t_epwwTlFdf4ChzA92xH0-WR_lYCY7p4rgWyuZ6MqKZ0kiHV2iA/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797841763019474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">It wouldn't be complete without my summit pose would it?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVluUsfm2nuP7ty5FoDZkG6mGpovc4D-nDTzFqe5CZgIHVv3xpJT1gPJ-sc0Jp7k98rUM1VqT-qrIYksjAOb7O7k4Szz9A765vPtM8xriMSBTMP6HDAdxQXrZ4vDRC1H-6uw-LnxAo9A/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVluUsfm2nuP7ty5FoDZkG6mGpovc4D-nDTzFqe5CZgIHVv3xpJT1gPJ-sc0Jp7k98rUM1VqT-qrIYksjAOb7O7k4Szz9A765vPtM8xriMSBTMP6HDAdxQXrZ4vDRC1H-6uw-LnxAo9A/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796920531912706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Standing on top of the world.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SdDyXkhm3wz-Jtx4O_DdAwKqhwRxlcFagzbigMlCxs1ARgNj4g8ebuur0fHhewWZXmeh4jmSSWnwjqZTdSYerPXeft3B4fS8evOHSEISURmQvVD4jZTJtyBIUhVBMBJQIqd_WQQR20I/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SdDyXkhm3wz-Jtx4O_DdAwKqhwRxlcFagzbigMlCxs1ARgNj4g8ebuur0fHhewWZXmeh4jmSSWnwjqZTdSYerPXeft3B4fS8evOHSEISURmQvVD4jZTJtyBIUhVBMBJQIqd_WQQR20I/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796913612304530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Rim Trail around the top.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWxys2eb4KbopNJEjbVFjW8i8oGmFTI954ptskEKvmlCgvnP9WIoI-HtUrz42vvO9HecmaCi4Rw2ndoLrxmLxU67aZRObQSOrsHX-1mP0qZJE8MsrqOyv7TZzlLl_TeOYeeIvG5OWYxc/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWxys2eb4KbopNJEjbVFjW8i8oGmFTI954ptskEKvmlCgvnP9WIoI-HtUrz42vvO9HecmaCi4Rw2ndoLrxmLxU67aZRObQSOrsHX-1mP0qZJE8MsrqOyv7TZzlLl_TeOYeeIvG5OWYxc/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796909673711554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking back at Mt. Bachelor.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifIiiH2JsmoSVgc4eqK61As_OqyfPjIJnzuuWtC5XmrpJd-5yC4g5ahj69f0WmEN15UcJFZfvays03kXajOeMCkRZMxKDAb6LMfaWDWZMbsr_6ItbtqnD9fbt6woSP81wCGiiYryG0aw/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+50.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifIiiH2JsmoSVgc4eqK61As_OqyfPjIJnzuuWtC5XmrpJd-5yC4g5ahj69f0WmEN15UcJFZfvays03kXajOeMCkRZMxKDAb6LMfaWDWZMbsr_6ItbtqnD9fbt6woSP81wCGiiYryG0aw/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+50.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796906882981506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The climbing party.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY62JXGwT35DBvbFguZ7JAXRKMbljChruRnmWs-eqMxl2dOb4lvZiVax9kwmgdEYAFILfr3MFbW0obPuXvHXKd9Wi44BwDNqGDsGqgKwcvbL8b4GiL0oC1tl4DSYtFyHwmdnCMSZ4rZ4/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+53.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY62JXGwT35DBvbFguZ7JAXRKMbljChruRnmWs-eqMxl2dOb4lvZiVax9kwmgdEYAFILfr3MFbW0obPuXvHXKd9Wi44BwDNqGDsGqgKwcvbL8b4GiL0oC1tl4DSYtFyHwmdnCMSZ4rZ4/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796076659463058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">1-2-3 GO STATE!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj00rke7vBhFvA5GRgbr5zwObA5kSIQKqnmuSG6eMDzXZOq8o8aM9KEsaQQygSKFv7jcgjgeJnISxg6xPcuMgpokj3ZtgiMkYihNNV0apyyYpw08SbirrlLnKO74gnLXcYAvWELVqOTpQ/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+54.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj00rke7vBhFvA5GRgbr5zwObA5kSIQKqnmuSG6eMDzXZOq8o8aM9KEsaQQygSKFv7jcgjgeJnISxg6xPcuMgpokj3ZtgiMkYihNNV0apyyYpw08SbirrlLnKO74gnLXcYAvWELVqOTpQ/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796071573720642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Teardrop Pool, Oregon's highest lake.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkPIp3fZui-ZRMlc3tBhODwzYZ9AM0kAtbY-E_fYipk0u9X5g87YOU52xA5-AE3iPlZlvaEsMPucKvYPXOdyrztJtt5xTebxIRPBvl9A_N1quNcBFBm9sp1d6YEjMdNDwMeeCo36u8wQ/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+56.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkPIp3fZui-ZRMlc3tBhODwzYZ9AM0kAtbY-E_fYipk0u9X5g87YOU52xA5-AE3iPlZlvaEsMPucKvYPXOdyrztJtt5xTebxIRPBvl9A_N1quNcBFBm9sp1d6YEjMdNDwMeeCo36u8wQ/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+56.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796069537537938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The first few steps from the summit, back down the mountain.</span><br /><br /></div>The descent was also fairly brutal, but we made it in no time. The ultra soft terrain actually proved to make the descent a little easier, at least on the joints. You could just dig your heels in hard, and slide down a foot or two with each step. Not gonna lie though, the steeper areas were tough. It was hard to take one confident step.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3314r25x7Jn4xQXgw1GCnga5w9kcxsriJxs5yzcTqbDwfSyIfTz4yQDE7p2MEx9hg0O3NryNVYUmm3M0NTsFoRrLJ6QYCwlkHMOI7ixdhD-JpPfL8ZMunGalqd3kTxAUNGRtj2xcGNM/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3314r25x7Jn4xQXgw1GCnga5w9kcxsriJxs5yzcTqbDwfSyIfTz4yQDE7p2MEx9hg0O3NryNVYUmm3M0NTsFoRrLJ6QYCwlkHMOI7ixdhD-JpPfL8ZMunGalqd3kTxAUNGRtj2xcGNM/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796062287607202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Heading back down through the red.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIpd36-q9ehR2rQbNuzeZhsCZUTx9pGmkRDAq3HGBiDfdokELHTl0IKiI56twUbxXMYkRoXqPLvOpHYP2pAKjhbQ-xDU0EHVBdOim6pnGopouKIe4AZ_slLyHl_f0-YrsmishtNVL_XY/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+58.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIpd36-q9ehR2rQbNuzeZhsCZUTx9pGmkRDAq3HGBiDfdokELHTl0IKiI56twUbxXMYkRoXqPLvOpHYP2pAKjhbQ-xDU0EHVBdOim6pnGopouKIe4AZ_slLyHl_f0-YrsmishtNVL_XY/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+58.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795136467189170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The lake below Lewis Glacier. The color of the water is real, no editing here.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2v6FsDWRs1r9_MesQr21MCQEPAwpXclBJ8bvzFawGos-Y09QCI_8RwrG3BOdRTDCc19HDB6FldwC1-euzofKZN1O8wYmKQGNMhepvdP3Gbhs9nhcrPplHg_pP9-16CaixgU4P7PWgeY/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+59.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2v6FsDWRs1r9_MesQr21MCQEPAwpXclBJ8bvzFawGos-Y09QCI_8RwrG3BOdRTDCc19HDB6FldwC1-euzofKZN1O8wYmKQGNMhepvdP3Gbhs9nhcrPplHg_pP9-16CaixgU4P7PWgeY/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795130864261794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The further along we got, the more I remembered we were in high desert. The sun was beating down now, at about 90 degrees.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nrkb3v1FW0lvpFrX_q2Ou6qm4qOUy5k5ahH6o8-jdLk3S81O19F-DYD3xKNix92TFzBh3QeBtzWK_2I9_-TqOBlqoe1QGRehN_JxKq0sPp8xtddt1w-OfMhNNhF-5TkMg-LCnzidcVs/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+61.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nrkb3v1FW0lvpFrX_q2Ou6qm4qOUy5k5ahH6o8-jdLk3S81O19F-DYD3xKNix92TFzBh3QeBtzWK_2I9_-TqOBlqoe1QGRehN_JxKq0sPp8xtddt1w-OfMhNNhF-5TkMg-LCnzidcVs/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795127823168546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Broken Top in a different light.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqGXcz_gnPSzAPl6V8BzX6Q7LvGfyQ3Sygax_AT9uFc-21gzIvsVFWs7aaJLS1lPCR2r0gyKG1FMTXXPbZ4ZqswXD9TQ5bY4k9paw8oJNMu8vaVXOgnFSwCLH6OAjT-2KNZucYwm8kGM/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+62.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqGXcz_gnPSzAPl6V8BzX6Q7LvGfyQ3Sygax_AT9uFc-21gzIvsVFWs7aaJLS1lPCR2r0gyKG1FMTXXPbZ4ZqswXD9TQ5bY4k9paw8oJNMu8vaVXOgnFSwCLH6OAjT-2KNZucYwm8kGM/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+62.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795122269236114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Bachelor.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFQhUKiaRSDscqjW8VDbnJK_TGmzhyphenhyphenS81s1e_tyehX1YrmBmmVK09bqrHgoPbVomR_C_7jSASqPnGMPZ7ozIjC4J0sEH6Ct5Eg_MQF3slQoa8bIiVZ8jl7B8Tq4SrIkJVzGVGZMyiBu8/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFQhUKiaRSDscqjW8VDbnJK_TGmzhyphenhyphenS81s1e_tyehX1YrmBmmVK09bqrHgoPbVomR_C_7jSASqPnGMPZ7ozIjC4J0sEH6Ct5Eg_MQF3slQoa8bIiVZ8jl7B8Tq4SrIkJVzGVGZMyiBu8/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+63.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365794228037366850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The trail marker back near the beginning, with the summit in the background.</span><br /></div><br />As you can imagine would be the case with Spartans, as soon as everyone made it down we got to celebrating!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKeRL6MPbjDP21Isx-GRO7uu4bkmy708hm3OUQviCp-Zvn2RvA12AA-_0CakDYZU2rbex01DiSJnGPkHkZzTmtSV31o9-ipVqbtIS0iRT9YbwbzFMzn_Gu0DAvBpz3QZTKj4Z_viYRS0/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+64.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKeRL6MPbjDP21Isx-GRO7uu4bkmy708hm3OUQviCp-Zvn2RvA12AA-_0CakDYZU2rbex01DiSJnGPkHkZzTmtSV31o9-ipVqbtIS0iRT9YbwbzFMzn_Gu0DAvBpz3QZTKj4Z_viYRS0/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+64.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365794220792507970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our reward.</span><br /></div><br />The group organizer also had Nike MSU t-shirts made up for us to commemorate the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdt4EgCoen05g0RsDY4GePV5XralhSkKpBaRH0kohncEVhj-WvCUvEMp4XKwzCQU2-T3cwid-sZaqO519xPhu1wJVB97Y-JocL8ois6JppTKHnGNp2qoyCTC5Hix_jPJv7eW6Dsw_1sA/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+65.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdt4EgCoen05g0RsDY4GePV5XralhSkKpBaRH0kohncEVhj-WvCUvEMp4XKwzCQU2-T3cwid-sZaqO519xPhu1wJVB97Y-JocL8ois6JppTKHnGNp2qoyCTC5Hix_jPJv7eW6Dsw_1sA/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+65.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365794213228865586" border="0" /></a><br />After a well-deserved night of eating and drinking, we all crashed pretty hard. We packed up and headed out Sunday morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg0znhXRlmlGRNCpcjg3m5SXEvIAdf-kAvaSwkqJxWnkFrgsN5hpwVQbthztr2lnzUE_8tBZH2jKxoNseJH7iGotneOq1weCHZjmTGYIj8bzZiJnhsmNpACpC7Dp6jivb5sblmOGQ0cI/s1600-h/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+69.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg0znhXRlmlGRNCpcjg3m5SXEvIAdf-kAvaSwkqJxWnkFrgsN5hpwVQbthztr2lnzUE_8tBZH2jKxoNseJH7iGotneOq1weCHZjmTGYIj8bzZiJnhsmNpACpC7Dp6jivb5sblmOGQ0cI/s400/South+Sister+8-1-09+-+69.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365794210055856834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The group at base camp Sunday morning, getting ready to leave.</span><br /></div><br />I can honestly say this was the most physically and mentally demanding thing I've done, probably in my life. Even though we've been doing progressively more difficult hikes all summer to prepare, this was harder than I thought it would be. BUT, we all made it, and it was so worth it! I think we'll back off on the really tough hikes for a while, but there are plenty of slightly easier and still beautiful hikes out there. My Dad is coming out camping/hiking next weekend, so we'll be hitting the trail again in no time!<br /><br />Love,<br />Jenny<br /><br />p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! xoxo :)Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-90143473088318535342009-08-03T09:21:00.000-07:002009-08-03T11:31:01.648-07:00Whirlwind Trip to MichiganAnd the blog is back! We've done a decent amount of traveling over the last week or two, so I'm finally sitting down to blog about it. With any luck, I'll have two posts coming your way today.<br /><br />Last weekend, Paul and I took a last-minute, very short trip back to the mitten to visit friends and family. It's kind of a blur, but we had a great time! My Dad was kind enough to let me borrow his camera for the last couple weeks, due to the untimely death of mine. Thanks Dad!<br /><br />We took the redeye into town, and shortly after touching down, the whirlwind began. We stopped by my cousin Katelyn's graduation party first. I can't believe she's graduating high school... I used to dress her up in my old ballet costumes when she was only a year old!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BnoTu95sL099iCMNN_QHilmXf9_JqpWs2KKlgu5n08oZ48Hav5mQkrRGfMSbGPJMhPjemyyoUW9R1TczOf39aFcvlCAD8djsj-dMy5msqtTpB_e97IZee4IIUWKIHASDfODkn8aNzA8/s1600-h/P1040577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BnoTu95sL099iCMNN_QHilmXf9_JqpWs2KKlgu5n08oZ48Hav5mQkrRGfMSbGPJMhPjemyyoUW9R1TczOf39aFcvlCAD8djsj-dMy5msqtTpB_e97IZee4IIUWKIHASDfODkn8aNzA8/s400/P1040577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365793292486423538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrata25Il141aNG1t5MwMIAhqpFpj9I3VSF6J5GBI54g-aKdnKy1Oij9Jmv2FM0mnZqHg7ivguD8pN_RSvSWOwuHwG6D-Zg6mEVskykFD5CfTxqfnghyphenhyphenJwyiACowVY8byf8Jv1PMzAq_I/s1600-h/P1040579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrata25Il141aNG1t5MwMIAhqpFpj9I3VSF6J5GBI54g-aKdnKy1Oij9Jmv2FM0mnZqHg7ivguD8pN_RSvSWOwuHwG6D-Zg6mEVskykFD5CfTxqfnghyphenhyphenJwyiACowVY8byf8Jv1PMzAq_I/s400/P1040579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365793290763477026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Me and Katelyn</span><br /></div><br />We then headed to Detroit for the Tigers vs. White Sox game. Paul's mom and sister (Joyce and Lauren) met up with us there as well. The Tigers ended up winning in the 10th inning, by the way. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-o1TgcZCVyX1KSRzTSGlw-sX9kUybY1G7U9xfWXw6L-0d7c_Av_u2PhtZV1V7NQpT1Q1DKgCnMmdmxfa74vSzWHF-ZvQlq0vEhgrn5PU9o19TbK6y8NPhxfrUxys4hrqozzuduo-U_0/s1600-h/P1040582.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-o1TgcZCVyX1KSRzTSGlw-sX9kUybY1G7U9xfWXw6L-0d7c_Av_u2PhtZV1V7NQpT1Q1DKgCnMmdmxfa74vSzWHF-ZvQlq0vEhgrn5PU9o19TbK6y8NPhxfrUxys4hrqozzuduo-U_0/s400/P1040582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365793283625794050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lauren, Paul, me, Mom and Joyce at Comerica Park</span><br /></div><br />After the game we headed to Santino's for some drinks and food.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEoZb7mChMWDqFx3X3VscpxsLGNOIbEtdgv-jZRz6hf-rq1aOZ7JKKD_N3TsZXNF7hLwR5aP10op2L8rIGSsmv9o1_sfu-mHMdPOytZrzoxzdH3SVAqTrcF5oQObCso6oHOznqSnzepQ/s1600-h/P1040585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEoZb7mChMWDqFx3X3VscpxsLGNOIbEtdgv-jZRz6hf-rq1aOZ7JKKD_N3TsZXNF7hLwR5aP10op2L8rIGSsmv9o1_sfu-mHMdPOytZrzoxzdH3SVAqTrcF5oQObCso6oHOznqSnzepQ/s400/P1040585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365793276181186258" border="0" /></a><br />Sunday brunch at Kruse and Muir was in order after several drinks the night before!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lT4onWfZa3kSpjKJGpwTe0jk-8hcTZ9CHnjm6Tnsf2KDFm3BySgYnX1WRu6IwEhP-maqKmdtzljKktzBQvyzSHSG0rpd1o3IFZdXf3NFCWLWr8pkZcw56O4pHjdN9vQdDr3hlcRqk7s/s1600-h/P1040586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lT4onWfZa3kSpjKJGpwTe0jk-8hcTZ9CHnjm6Tnsf2KDFm3BySgYnX1WRu6IwEhP-maqKmdtzljKktzBQvyzSHSG0rpd1o3IFZdXf3NFCWLWr8pkZcw56O4pHjdN9vQdDr3hlcRqk7s/s400/P1040586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365792695850852866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">In front of Kruse and Muir</span><br /></div><br />On Sunday, my cousins were kind enough to throw a little BBQ at Steve and Mandy's house so we could all hang out. I had been looking forward to this forever... I really missed my cousins!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGpyhAYEAnSaYCHHax2TTuwFV7qSKA35oN3VajmLgn6PXbNVjOjV-L8HnJQSbzUQt95UyAyxgkPnrQfjeG16zO08UOTw52Z01YMwWaKt00jAkT5TCcmsJmD3CHgXnPuklbYIqOwaHKYM/s1600-h/P1040588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGpyhAYEAnSaYCHHax2TTuwFV7qSKA35oN3VajmLgn6PXbNVjOjV-L8HnJQSbzUQt95UyAyxgkPnrQfjeG16zO08UOTw52Z01YMwWaKt00jAkT5TCcmsJmD3CHgXnPuklbYIqOwaHKYM/s400/P1040588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365792693982189394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A warm welcome</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUji5UI7Glx8EQuY2bLWIBEdWsK-1ldG7JfJCEv2P71RpsiEGu4SkhtuPx2fxS_wcHeODx8M8Npu4haDzSnJcCipj09klONMP4EpwOB4hGH9mVNQt17oX-CXIE6V-SlCe2AGLu5bWpQo/s1600-h/P1040598.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUji5UI7Glx8EQuY2bLWIBEdWsK-1ldG7JfJCEv2P71RpsiEGu4SkhtuPx2fxS_wcHeODx8M8Npu4haDzSnJcCipj09klONMP4EpwOB4hGH9mVNQt17oX-CXIE6V-SlCe2AGLu5bWpQo/s400/P1040598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365792687253677602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The candy that would make its way into the pinata... yes, the pinata. What's a party without one?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnkZ4018ZA7HcAayJF0t_sgOb9NBGiCYOJDoZqmlWs44t3j4wpKRJsNaFGPMZ7eJ2DIBCe7bd9UDV5Aw9b4vgaF2oxnEy6vSsWZpDL4pb_1V1i7t-SbUB6VMjsIN64qWg2F7I6DJ2uKY/s1600-h/P1040599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnkZ4018ZA7HcAayJF0t_sgOb9NBGiCYOJDoZqmlWs44t3j4wpKRJsNaFGPMZ7eJ2DIBCe7bd9UDV5Aw9b4vgaF2oxnEy6vSsWZpDL4pb_1V1i7t-SbUB6VMjsIN64qWg2F7I6DJ2uKY/s400/P1040599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365792685343883618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hanging out in the backyard</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuf4846BjScFJ6Dsk856-X0ZI4VMr851FCkU6rdBmy4pl-oU-cYOHhz-BM6m2wym90BrqEb0r-dbuBLpGMhdCpvQaF0nToCmxQal2-gvGjH-KErxhvLPgccwVj3uJockENGyt8sJsmdE/s1600-h/P1040601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuf4846BjScFJ6Dsk856-X0ZI4VMr851FCkU6rdBmy4pl-oU-cYOHhz-BM6m2wym90BrqEb0r-dbuBLpGMhdCpvQaF0nToCmxQal2-gvGjH-KErxhvLPgccwVj3uJockENGyt8sJsmdE/s400/P1040601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791890118136050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Steve working the grill</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRtlUsiHsTWt4qkEcrodcYVNFd-iFc2pQQMx7dlqTcQ6ofrlnG8GakkDThieVOV0r-QesCp0HbYykqz6M9w8gU35716GNqlfHteZo60OZUzAgqenPg7wuXMIizfl_6GlCJ1blND7y76M/s1600-h/P1040612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRtlUsiHsTWt4qkEcrodcYVNFd-iFc2pQQMx7dlqTcQ6ofrlnG8GakkDThieVOV0r-QesCp0HbYykqz6M9w8gU35716GNqlfHteZo60OZUzAgqenPg7wuXMIizfl_6GlCJ1blND7y76M/s400/P1040612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791887979483442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mandy and N icole putting dinner together</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSk6te7W5mMTHUL6cQEl6LAIwah5yQa5BB0WFl1rRaUCaxuDGHTiKQ1r17YaTT2hA9aQD4CuKC3C3AMUHGWvS96_dNfUtWQjudUt_mMayHc0TbPJoP-0pyLVEBMfFm2bmGj3P7OpWJuE/s1600-h/P1040616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSk6te7W5mMTHUL6cQEl6LAIwah5yQa5BB0WFl1rRaUCaxuDGHTiKQ1r17YaTT2hA9aQD4CuKC3C3AMUHGWvS96_dNfUtWQjudUt_mMayHc0TbPJoP-0pyLVEBMfFm2bmGj3P7OpWJuE/s400/P1040616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791881074530194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our family BBQ staples... pasta salad, cheesy potatoes, and oriental coleslaw. Mmm.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF_ubFfe7Q3jsSZv_2GhX1XYXl9rpuIWbjpkev21a-pJOKBKUEqvNYIek6LQVhvQHC95z77AC1G9N21E5eXzqnXHiIHHiZBb_up8wOmkcazqbow4_crW46FEuFIdlPPkWNIp3mmmh6Eg/s1600-h/P1040621.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF_ubFfe7Q3jsSZv_2GhX1XYXl9rpuIWbjpkev21a-pJOKBKUEqvNYIek6LQVhvQHC95z77AC1G9N21E5eXzqnXHiIHHiZBb_up8wOmkcazqbow4_crW46FEuFIdlPPkWNIp3mmmh6Eg/s400/P1040621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791875344729970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This pinata looks frightened... I think it knows what's coming.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtglRV4O_Z57ls4H7h1CFSLUdtRunA2fcV4UGgXKaEAkUbJ8hjDBOMuS-7TBZ37fRwjQaTuNPZzzUzGGD85rcuLtjkKRIB5Y-jMvWdZ8JGk8efkdPKb_qrLEH3yGrqmDQeQ7kwuClLOM/s1600-h/P1040622.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtglRV4O_Z57ls4H7h1CFSLUdtRunA2fcV4UGgXKaEAkUbJ8hjDBOMuS-7TBZ37fRwjQaTuNPZzzUzGGD85rcuLtjkKRIB5Y-jMvWdZ8JGk8efkdPKb_qrLEH3yGrqmDQeQ7kwuClLOM/s400/P1040622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791004342371874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bernie dog!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PIM72hLL4uML8HjHneTVM8UqVtyhMHlQqt7_YPprDJoYsQjLbPCLfII5Y5ZXICdZHVbDsMMW3nLcphyGavD47_l71vaZxhgwaNcKjbDshUzmn0GTHCSrKRWN8KfIllha4K2vvu1_1f8/s1600-h/P1040623.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PIM72hLL4uML8HjHneTVM8UqVtyhMHlQqt7_YPprDJoYsQjLbPCLfII5Y5ZXICdZHVbDsMMW3nLcphyGavD47_l71vaZxhgwaNcKjbDshUzmn0GTHCSrKRWN8KfIllha4K2vvu1_1f8/s400/P1040623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365791001194029618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQw_IxjC49jDkYUYdPvefzq_QPhBXAHrlSVzXtn_eyxqVnmi7JGZj7WXWaEXzi38nxi221jzn6ECOIRHtBSaN3Kyo11OdPrkpiwBGhcdxGZBLREke289Vjf5la0LGUy6P7-3QNXZWH0/s1600-h/P1040639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQw_IxjC49jDkYUYdPvefzq_QPhBXAHrlSVzXtn_eyxqVnmi7JGZj7WXWaEXzi38nxi221jzn6ECOIRHtBSaN3Kyo11OdPrkpiwBGhcdxGZBLREke289Vjf5la0LGUy6P7-3QNXZWH0/s400/P1040639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365790136417132146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Backyard baseball</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwwXD71u-LpN3snzXguuY34zIAHX6m1k9mj8mqdW2p_kvkhs61XBEuaqQCyRKxR4z9vR9rY79Oc_BhtBge8z8Y6sSOVHmwIHzXsHASF8eUAoAtL8tB9N2mH15AxNgSnuRayhuPTqqmfQ/s1600-h/P1040641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwwXD71u-LpN3snzXguuY34zIAHX6m1k9mj8mqdW2p_kvkhs61XBEuaqQCyRKxR4z9vR9rY79Oc_BhtBge8z8Y6sSOVHmwIHzXsHASF8eUAoAtL8tB9N2mH15AxNgSnuRayhuPTqqmfQ/s400/P1040641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365789416373235538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The girls... Kristy, me, Mandy, Nicole and Taylor</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF2nDsUcqOBJu_HTucohbTbtnk3Pi1vnN-SlsBalAqdBqCTBTSwSVNr8fq_AyhB3vaU4kr-Q5UYrf3Hb9OE4y687zcyMLtWUZDq4IpsmF89h0od5m769G-HkCAOMxt0YN6_CaIF5At1c/s1600-h/P1040645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF2nDsUcqOBJu_HTucohbTbtnk3Pi1vnN-SlsBalAqdBqCTBTSwSVNr8fq_AyhB3vaU4kr-Q5UYrf3Hb9OE4y687zcyMLtWUZDq4IpsmF89h0od5m769G-HkCAOMxt0YN6_CaIF5At1c/s400/P1040645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365789411404754754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The cousins! Taylor, me, Kristy, Nicole, Steve and Robbie</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz-ERSG8WYKF5I8xxPo-QE_8KI2_m1uCcTa0l9ajziNyPS8Ttwr67Ji2vPv_ME7xAKSn7575lg92JlyAHg9KCnfwB-u11nIM6EHw00JXBED98HNs2arUiuB47FX0f9wDGGNtl0Gy5OEw/s1600-h/P1040647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz-ERSG8WYKF5I8xxPo-QE_8KI2_m1uCcTa0l9ajziNyPS8Ttwr67Ji2vPv_ME7xAKSn7575lg92JlyAHg9KCnfwB-u11nIM6EHw00JXBED98HNs2arUiuB47FX0f9wDGGNtl0Gy5OEw/s400/P1040647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365789405842620274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8U-atU_BAlVqTL_o1hqkAlzhQf0MlJCoBfJL2WVq1NjfiT3BCvMHwXLN8zot5IiGwEOaZpzT34Vb8kIRhelMzwEA9-AzbREP8mDhWmqO7DQ-82uEq0Jvj2C00PXTr9nsE_srCcSyCTM/s1600-h/P1040649_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8U-atU_BAlVqTL_o1hqkAlzhQf0MlJCoBfJL2WVq1NjfiT3BCvMHwXLN8zot5IiGwEOaZpzT34Vb8kIRhelMzwEA9-AzbREP8mDhWmqO7DQ-82uEq0Jvj2C00PXTr9nsE_srCcSyCTM/s400/P1040649_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365789398299100978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Love this one! Robbie, Nicole, Me, Steve, Kristy and Taylor</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaUxr8QTCt2hRRGvFHTP1KCpUXwnmo-cf2tzlzGRZ2gXEm6GXVJ6YGBIaPJ65egR3QoOCbDtASReDDiZnwd9tSjHtenP7MvxkP7iGLRCcYoQMH26h-41-4Za9FGyOPb5i-5hZiDb2_Rs/s1600-h/P1040651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaUxr8QTCt2hRRGvFHTP1KCpUXwnmo-cf2tzlzGRZ2gXEm6GXVJ6YGBIaPJ65egR3QoOCbDtASReDDiZnwd9tSjHtenP7MvxkP7iGLRCcYoQMH26h-41-4Za9FGyOPb5i-5hZiDb2_Rs/s400/P1040651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788889676919922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQZ-tGF6Qk9fo9ugULUPdTt24b_d6Glqn0f4MopDcXoFqoe3cSEZrjaS5axPDyVoIA1spArJOHbqJuFvJpbYwYkANrQ5sn0hCKGg7JMqp6vIOCxdR6qwE0gVQ6AhyNBPY8ZS2l9_wGVQ/s1600-h/P1040653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQZ-tGF6Qk9fo9ugULUPdTt24b_d6Glqn0f4MopDcXoFqoe3cSEZrjaS5axPDyVoIA1spArJOHbqJuFvJpbYwYkANrQ5sn0hCKGg7JMqp6vIOCxdR6qwE0gVQ6AhyNBPY8ZS2l9_wGVQ/s400/P1040653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788882615429810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9T5zHu01y1D-B87FWnoIb9Xz_39MqqDQU3n2G9afImy-B2glcmQeQIogvUBSWmZ6tWMrdl26s8mo-_tzRwJt9Tny1bZlD7u1SxPljPJIi8OoDVBo8LP9G9BB7JskZH3vvvVpT52bAz8/s1600-h/P1040654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9T5zHu01y1D-B87FWnoIb9Xz_39MqqDQU3n2G9afImy-B2glcmQeQIogvUBSWmZ6tWMrdl26s8mo-_tzRwJt9Tny1bZlD7u1SxPljPJIi8OoDVBo8LP9G9BB7JskZH3vvvVpT52bAz8/s400/P1040654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788877824673650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Winding down with some Grand Theft Auto</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnHHtQlbcG1x95m_W5mPmaCjlxZuqpdeAvcucvmEYZVkAkeTQrTEmsjD7p4mkxEfqQGAnI9NZJL5HKXJLgiMuoEMQ1LXLOieazf2ciQlRvBda4L_Cl49mN8cQTqVSmG5ustd4o5tDTeE/s1600-h/P1040658.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnHHtQlbcG1x95m_W5mPmaCjlxZuqpdeAvcucvmEYZVkAkeTQrTEmsjD7p4mkxEfqQGAnI9NZJL5HKXJLgiMuoEMQ1LXLOieazf2ciQlRvBda4L_Cl49mN8cQTqVSmG5ustd4o5tDTeE/s400/P1040658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788875940865954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Can you tell I was missing Buckley? I coulnd't stop taking pictures of Bernie. </span><br /></div><br />We headed out to Lansing on Monday to meet up with old friends and coworkers, visit campus, and of course have a Crunchy burger. I know this is totally unlike me, but I didn't get any photos. :( I think I was having too much fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTKPyB8fsT7PPxaVtvRMr98fm1OPI4N8N15gN6rgmZA92e8weFFCXC0KBqJR234xHA1cNzbPh_LhdIc0n8ZaOD6jI_TiYtBF47pUmoH8QZf6N-gD5YUXURKjecZ2BH3-CeYw7u2DR7fI/s1600-h/P1040661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTKPyB8fsT7PPxaVtvRMr98fm1OPI4N8N15gN6rgmZA92e8weFFCXC0KBqJR234xHA1cNzbPh_LhdIc0n8ZaOD6jI_TiYtBF47pUmoH8QZf6N-gD5YUXURKjecZ2BH3-CeYw7u2DR7fI/s400/P1040661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788301413775474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My dad did get this one shot before we headed out</span><br /></div><br />To conclude our trip, we met up with BFF Stacie and her husband Scott for lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bI2pDmTFWL2Gxre9X3cN_nhxtfqTXeCI8Oy3oitgdNcq-aLERboehp91R4_i87asKiFBy-w0dLfr2mzGNvZlqVm1S1VvNVWczADaRr_WhMFkv8CEu0I6cOG5SWz6mQhFv1_o-cp_Yuw/s1600-h/P1040663.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bI2pDmTFWL2Gxre9X3cN_nhxtfqTXeCI8Oy3oitgdNcq-aLERboehp91R4_i87asKiFBy-w0dLfr2mzGNvZlqVm1S1VvNVWczADaRr_WhMFkv8CEu0I6cOG5SWz6mQhFv1_o-cp_Yuw/s400/P1040663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788294764762194" border="0" /></a><br />And what would a reunion with Stacie be without a shot in front of Taco Bell? This is Stacie's church. Believe it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgT9ON3nIQMkN2ld90O6rvaAWe5LcOVjV9PG1tQRCIkBQZW8XXvfYWwdYGiPmmB3gSLQdxhR6W71wY-a7VwAO-f7XRKd04zcGdHJ3qFgeJMIiAJK8O45SO70lHNF5rgMQ9_6vAQtSPFU/s1600-h/P1040664.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgT9ON3nIQMkN2ld90O6rvaAWe5LcOVjV9PG1tQRCIkBQZW8XXvfYWwdYGiPmmB3gSLQdxhR6W71wY-a7VwAO-f7XRKd04zcGdHJ3qFgeJMIiAJK8O45SO70lHNF5rgMQ9_6vAQtSPFU/s400/P1040664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788292000108162" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, we had to have one Bell's Oberon while in Michigan. We did so at Tin Fish with my parents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtqdJ3iyHTZrPl3Pe5UF96CTxfRoXooAklrIXaSj84IBYByEEHxxF6jIytihfw-lmkM311W2PlMnnZM9LKLTf2ia9gV63VPqantFlGaA1g0qii8AY4ZDvQyEPIhbnIast7C0ASxOKp94/s1600-h/P1040665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtqdJ3iyHTZrPl3Pe5UF96CTxfRoXooAklrIXaSj84IBYByEEHxxF6jIytihfw-lmkM311W2PlMnnZM9LKLTf2ia9gV63VPqantFlGaA1g0qii8AY4ZDvQyEPIhbnIast7C0ASxOKp94/s400/P1040665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365788280730750770" border="0" /></a><br />We headed back to Portland that night. It was great to see everyone, even though it was such a short trip. Now we need to work on getting everyone out here!! :)<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-31206724532773060302009-07-19T22:39:00.000-07:002009-07-19T22:51:20.630-07:00R.I.P. DSC-N2A sad day for Jenny Mayo.<br /><br />My beloved camera, Sony DSC-N2, has taken itself from this life far too early. Tragic. I feel as though my right arm has been taken from me. I'm sure it had its own reasons that I will never understand.<br /><br />Oh the things you will miss, dear DSC-N2... a climb up South Sister mountain, a trip home to Michigan, and many hikes and bikes in between and long after. Now the memories will only exist in my head. Sadly, Blogger does not yet have a way for me to upload from brain to blog.<br /><br />I'm afraid that at least for some time, this is certain to affect the quality of this blog. Writing without pictures??? Um... yeah, I'll have to work on that.<br /><br />Please keep me in your thoughts during this difficult time.<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-62028975621481000922009-07-08T10:11:00.000-07:002009-07-09T16:10:17.131-07:00Defying Mt. Defiance<div align="left">"The mother of all day hikes in the Columbia River Gorge."</div><div><br />I think that sums it up for the hike we tackled on Tuesday (and those aren't even my words, read all about it <a href="http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Defiance-Starvation_Loop_Hike">here</a>). Paul and I, along with our new pal Ania, conquered the monster that is Mt. Defiance.<br /><br />This hike took us up the Defiance trail, and then back down on the Starvation Ridge trail. It is named for an incident that occurred in 1884 when a passenger train got stuck there due to heavy snow and drifts. There was little food aboard, so passengers were paid $3 per day to dig the train out of the snow while waiting for skiers from Mt. Hood to bring food. Sounds fun eh? The trail is a 12.1 mile loop that climbs to the summit at 4,960 feet; although with all the little ups and downs in between, we climbed a total of around 5,700 hundred feet - over a vertical mile! This is roughly the same distance and elevation gain as South Sister (which we are climbing on August 1), but South Sister will be at twice the altitude. From what we hear, if we can do Defiance, we can do South Sister. So I guess we're ready!</div><div> </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvYo6VJlUpGiK4N8ILm7KaOhE3s5QojFobPCF3bVFGF_4H2FYwitiG4YCQt3cHY6zwnvqvXDMazJqwc-r6rsrBlKOubihl6uxu2k4db0RH3k5HjzU2ltBZ_sHBxiX91EjhJT82t9Mbec/s1600-h/track.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356517437443369474" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 232px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvYo6VJlUpGiK4N8ILm7KaOhE3s5QojFobPCF3bVFGF_4H2FYwitiG4YCQt3cHY6zwnvqvXDMazJqwc-r6rsrBlKOubihl6uxu2k4db0RH3k5HjzU2ltBZ_sHBxiX91EjhJT82t9Mbec/s400/track.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our trail via our GPS (full map with data </span><a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=pkomtibluivnekgf"><span style="font-size:78%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">)</span></div><br /><div> </div>The trail starts out nice and easy with plenty of pretty waterfalls in the first quarter mile or so.<br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleXD2z2X94_lkL3qyY2qlSFsqBv9CmcjLcT9C9KUqrRDpH_uJCNpSS_raZW4_mFiM_xpddRQZkJP1sj2yBGv2C5W_gXobamyz1AW2YpL2vnAZ29r999bcl4rAwUPwTkQ-0dw7O9uizek/s1600-h/DSC03431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356147219127791954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleXD2z2X94_lkL3qyY2qlSFsqBv9CmcjLcT9C9KUqrRDpH_uJCNpSS_raZW4_mFiM_xpddRQZkJP1sj2yBGv2C5W_gXobamyz1AW2YpL2vnAZ29r999bcl4rAwUPwTkQ-0dw7O9uizek/s400/DSC03431.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cabin Creek Falls</span> </p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR6_modPJ-ltrqQKYqstmcqfxHuYXy6pxbGIVMx0JC27CHmFwVyd8FoI-nfHjMAfZO48oof_j6hV1JKbqafdnmC54fCo4dWTSkLaqX5YYhV-5SWy62Kv9wh2m4qszLApEYOQlHpk1ma4/s1600-h/DSC03434.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356147204834152786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR6_modPJ-ltrqQKYqstmcqfxHuYXy6pxbGIVMx0JC27CHmFwVyd8FoI-nfHjMAfZO48oof_j6hV1JKbqafdnmC54fCo4dWTSkLaqX5YYhV-5SWy62Kv9wh2m4qszLApEYOQlHpk1ma4/s400/DSC03434.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Warren Falls, behind a giant boulder that fell from the cliffs long ago</span> </p>The trail begins in earnest shortly afterward.<br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDuNW1r8k7-fs30h65xPu8F_KD0PVbd8ddD0_RpRs-pdq8n_-N-s7Pl6DOrLcZdGKIgHPZQ6vvjr-orNdhwkDuyxQ6s80v5VFkkWVSDUE9E3eSqOyfOCSBoRkZt_eaoAji3-PxBlZ7wk/s1600-h/DSC03436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356147197144155218" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDuNW1r8k7-fs30h65xPu8F_KD0PVbd8ddD0_RpRs-pdq8n_-N-s7Pl6DOrLcZdGKIgHPZQ6vvjr-orNdhwkDuyxQ6s80v5VFkkWVSDUE9E3eSqOyfOCSBoRkZt_eaoAji3-PxBlZ7wk/s400/DSC03436.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN49rPL2crRZx7ombVwPFl9HRrXLlJ6_h1ynuDdP68CZnOrBGyTrP7sHBHB9H6va-uwdbEDMh2jt09ZxzM2AB_wFKG0_KNa5b9HY6c2NfXSiLDGJ34nPfQp438nyn5jG_4W0-4NvVjBNc/s1600-h/DSC03437.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356146909885834098" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN49rPL2crRZx7ombVwPFl9HRrXLlJ6_h1ynuDdP68CZnOrBGyTrP7sHBHB9H6va-uwdbEDMh2jt09ZxzM2AB_wFKG0_KNa5b9HY6c2NfXSiLDGJ34nPfQp438nyn5jG_4W0-4NvVjBNc/s400/DSC03437.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hole-in-the-wall Falls</span> </p>Right off the bat the trail launches you up, up, up, gaining about 3,000 feet in elevation over three miles. This might not seem like much, but trust me, it is.<br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixzQhz7mqDYMdN2WrYm789j2npnGHQuqPfrdUgxCHsz3IW64ewKMh5J002qXcC67GfvQ_3ahbAZ-vo7ZSwkZlvJEWM0JiddVln3G4GTh0zP5L4NHv_uQcbSYo_-v12413LsuD8rYdQ2w/s1600-h/DSC03440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356146898759561794" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixzQhz7mqDYMdN2WrYm789j2npnGHQuqPfrdUgxCHsz3IW64ewKMh5J002qXcC67GfvQ_3ahbAZ-vo7ZSwkZlvJEWM0JiddVln3G4GTh0zP5L4NHv_uQcbSYo_-v12413LsuD8rYdQ2w/s400/DSC03440.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Water break! One of many.</span> </p>Relentless switchbacks pushed us up further and further. At each hairpin turn I secretly wished that... surprise!... we'd all of a sudden be at the summit. But it just... kept... going...<br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztgaDrmaiqiD7ePkZL31AZ9ccbgAI3wOz8ytWglzaOSWSAT3HBuBjzoiV4LZ4IbkZWTSsMknx_Jk6YI3pHadsB9aArYThavFU7PQkyguBEu75HGWp5ir85hvhrTfLzW_4otPQ03OHHNo/s1600-h/DSC03441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356146890113549794" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztgaDrmaiqiD7ePkZL31AZ9ccbgAI3wOz8ytWglzaOSWSAT3HBuBjzoiV4LZ4IbkZWTSsMknx_Jk6YI3pHadsB9aArYThavFU7PQkyguBEu75HGWp5ir85hvhrTfLzW_4otPQ03OHHNo/s400/DSC03441.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7kgab1DBA4pyWwTybEguoP3Z1TwIjCtcz12MpDUgSV-2sCxKMTqZjvPdJKMLrTB8w9WeEZULTIdnQ3uuHifQDqmgKlVfsGOnIEOUOVGqUmGQySfPJEw3e1ZIYl4oJDHCIhON_9UJm8/s1600-h/DSC03442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356145618461358546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7kgab1DBA4pyWwTybEguoP3Z1TwIjCtcz12MpDUgSV-2sCxKMTqZjvPdJKMLrTB8w9WeEZULTIdnQ3uuHifQDqmgKlVfsGOnIEOUOVGqUmGQySfPJEw3e1ZIYl4oJDHCIhON_9UJm8/s400/DSC03442.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This was actually a lot steeper than the photo captured. It's true!</span></p>At about 3,000 feet or so the trail opened up for the first time and really showed us how far up we had already climbed. Holy crap we were high up.<br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQRlxD3gorC5Y57FCnEpVAQWkrQqMOnIeRj2YZPgGnKCMhCoa8veBRge47BR1QCE_K4xenRU7pKiTWF0lBrrjZjGNIsulmK4YOfxtCuXbqlLQr2-ZTrxfIB1Cjb6u_DL1836FpCI9fIA/s1600-h/DSC03443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356145609826515442" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQRlxD3gorC5Y57FCnEpVAQWkrQqMOnIeRj2YZPgGnKCMhCoa8veBRge47BR1QCE_K4xenRU7pKiTWF0lBrrjZjGNIsulmK4YOfxtCuXbqlLQr2-ZTrxfIB1Cjb6u_DL1836FpCI9fIA/s400/DSC03443.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p>I think this must have been around 4,000 feet or so, but in the blink of an eye the vegetation and landscape changed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dramatically</span> - much more alpine.<br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipZMm6nl1NK89qKheW17oSdlm5e2ximtb42dHTs4ejBtU7UDCFNQmVz3svqygVmtJmGgoJEgGbqEu3qTx1ibHBP8VQui96qbT7udXXn_dm6nRmzqI8s78EiTrdOIUWi7oJuEmT793qaM/s1600-h/DSC03445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356145598920576962" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipZMm6nl1NK89qKheW17oSdlm5e2ximtb42dHTs4ejBtU7UDCFNQmVz3svqygVmtJmGgoJEgGbqEu3qTx1ibHBP8VQui96qbT7udXXn_dm6nRmzqI8s78EiTrdOIUWi7oJuEmT793qaM/s400/DSC03445.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">From dense vegetation to rocky alpine</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SlR-3oQ4ABziIlkaZEhpimiuJlz9K-VGmtzhZSBmC1BV9SzK2aktNxzqcXCrwh4CruXs7fL9yKo_l0J5ygR8ZT92NDQBNL2Xa9LdNVkcw7NUvWYaSq8MID3Us7uY-8449wcqaeAEx_M/s1600-h/DSC03446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356144832438056866" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SlR-3oQ4ABziIlkaZEhpimiuJlz9K-VGmtzhZSBmC1BV9SzK2aktNxzqcXCrwh4CruXs7fL9yKo_l0J5ygR8ZT92NDQBNL2Xa9LdNVkcw7NUvWYaSq8MID3Us7uY-8449wcqaeAEx_M/s400/DSC03446.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo op! Thank goodness Ania takes as many photos as I do.</span> </p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkeB9zMia2SeiVw-RUw1zCM6xFG9_SQLhcxNqUervmgyeObORSWcxPaw5X7t9y7OX7wzMU19XOJzHXIfpIbF0rh3ml7YxV2RBVSY2lIeRV3NWHyU-apBsL5WsQJfSbfFNWSCni-5VJgs/s1600-h/DSC03447.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356144828684500130" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkeB9zMia2SeiVw-RUw1zCM6xFG9_SQLhcxNqUervmgyeObORSWcxPaw5X7t9y7OX7wzMU19XOJzHXIfpIbF0rh3ml7YxV2RBVSY2lIeRV3NWHyU-apBsL5WsQJfSbfFNWSCni-5VJgs/s400/DSC03447.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The gorge looking west</span> </p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabh7v8C9LqmhXp6lFmz9ieQiHzUN7xOLnmvBBMi_4itBFfhQ-5nYXiqBhXgMaUUSecsQKqpIfBlGQw7W6ARG2Kupp24Pp7wy5VIl0zO64bzxEwoYtPPa4Sw8LOfjLLsl-OT7f3pqxn8/s1600-h/DSC03450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356144804509913842" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabh7v8C9LqmhXp6lFmz9ieQiHzUN7xOLnmvBBMi_4itBFfhQ-5nYXiqBhXgMaUUSecsQKqpIfBlGQw7W6ARG2Kupp24Pp7wy5VIl0zO64bzxEwoYtPPa4Sw8LOfjLLsl-OT7f3pqxn8/s400/DSC03450.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">A wonderland of rocks and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">beargrass</span> flowers</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXBegbhAWK5j2wdad_NpEn1kdwsU6S2O0gOYAb1jlCg8C7WKSPavBW1uNxmPXD17vgpTl7l2MYhyvoXj088pVpIrDSey6AZzL1TYVIEVOZP8lTJFbikV1d3FUUegREvShtnYztQ0eWPs/s1600-h/DSC03452.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143738726373298" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXBegbhAWK5j2wdad_NpEn1kdwsU6S2O0gOYAb1jlCg8C7WKSPavBW1uNxmPXD17vgpTl7l2MYhyvoXj088pVpIrDSey6AZzL1TYVIEVOZP8lTJFbikV1d3FUUegREvShtnYztQ0eWPs/s400/DSC03452.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The adorable Ania. Almost to the summit and still smiling... a good sign! </span></p><div style="text-align: left;">When we got to the summit, I was kind of surprised to see several radio/cell towers, and a few fenced-in little buildings (I'm guessing just maintenance buildings or something) with "Danger! High Voltage" signs all over. BUT, once you walk past that, the view is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">breathtaking</span>. I didn't take any photos of the towers, because well, they aren't pretty.<br /></div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eM27UGtVv9mzehPdKgVxPS91pYJ7YTrcrKyiKWu5VvFU1-o0RlKmjBXgczO-hypMco5M2x05atOgkstTQWme_JIU9Oj4Kf8jaPQ6Iu-6jgpJEQ3z2oazH2HXhFjDZFgEJ7jX7EgBdWg/s1600-h/DSC03455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143731900564994" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eM27UGtVv9mzehPdKgVxPS91pYJ7YTrcrKyiKWu5VvFU1-o0RlKmjBXgczO-hypMco5M2x05atOgkstTQWme_JIU9Oj4Kf8jaPQ6Iu-6jgpJEQ3z2oazH2HXhFjDZFgEJ7jX7EgBdWg/s400/DSC03455.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mighty man the summit</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Once we found a good spot to hang out at the summit, we unloaded our packs and feasted on sandwiches, bars, trail mix, bananas... and CAKE. To thank us for bringing her on the hike, Ania was kind enough to bring a homemade treat - yogurt cake with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">strawberries</span>. Uh, yum. Never had yogurt cake before, but it was delicious, and the perfect summit treat.<br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi7OmJlxUbrN7o6IUqpgtHZDitXvx84nUb9iXFMir28V0COWk2wsKtBfHdYGmkBPGIywSwlURKtobWYoZLL2oowG8Uy41_vkLGYeS11FtTaEj5IYIipipVeJ0dMo2dZ6cDpDUcFiflaI/s1600-h/DSC03456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143723889154290" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi7OmJlxUbrN7o6IUqpgtHZDitXvx84nUb9iXFMir28V0COWk2wsKtBfHdYGmkBPGIywSwlURKtobWYoZLL2oowG8Uy41_vkLGYeS11FtTaEj5IYIipipVeJ0dMo2dZ6cDpDUcFiflaI/s400/DSC03456.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Cake! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NOM</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">NOM</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">NOM</span>!</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">And now the obligatory series of summit shots...<br /></div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tt3SvfoLVl6zG1ljGgs4bbLOekaXXxLIFdLqlWqDlfst91VdorwDSjMT5LE8CocK3PSur6OeOcS81k07-Vfu2gHQLGPHYEfrJxIP9IpsyRi_3F8Jq6DFjy8I8IXT3hmHi0Oe1YmAp3A/s1600-h/DSC03457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143713244332786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tt3SvfoLVl6zG1ljGgs4bbLOekaXXxLIFdLqlWqDlfst91VdorwDSjMT5LE8CocK3PSur6OeOcS81k07-Vfu2gHQLGPHYEfrJxIP9IpsyRi_3F8Jq6DFjy8I8IXT3hmHi0Oe1YmAp3A/s400/DSC03457.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Astounding view of Mt. Hood</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKks5DmujUraMII39x6t2YvDDp4NtsaK5WQuryx3K97hOqDQv5CUqGeIMBSmlz6vV0KChm6K-6j6mlRlqInuRi8-GpoGeTC37Vu-lniE2iLL7o9qX5-_0CE9LblL8-NR5xO7SZ4g1z_4/s1600-h/DSC03460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143144872372098" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKks5DmujUraMII39x6t2YvDDp4NtsaK5WQuryx3K97hOqDQv5CUqGeIMBSmlz6vV0KChm6K-6j6mlRlqInuRi8-GpoGeTC37Vu-lniE2iLL7o9qX5-_0CE9LblL8-NR5xO7SZ4g1z_4/s400/DSC03460.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dirty boots</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNJ_mjvy2eVYNEFVDLVwTRlK70MWeemHpSiuwJCsHsk4TN5UwTF2TM_TTj7mNqFvUgL0qVdDJgAJuwrq936RQtyLjde5b48c_4DLXgUVJUy3J7xKfnZNl2XvFMJMs9iQAuvT_UFewZ3s/s1600-h/DSC03461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143132842757586" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNJ_mjvy2eVYNEFVDLVwTRlK70MWeemHpSiuwJCsHsk4TN5UwTF2TM_TTj7mNqFvUgL0qVdDJgAJuwrq936RQtyLjde5b48c_4DLXgUVJUy3J7xKfnZNl2XvFMJMs9iQAuvT_UFewZ3s/s400/DSC03461.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The perfect boulder for a break</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWBi7Y6brde1uW-hHAjYCXyyxo-6hiBbhEw6s9BUPP35Fqkj4fZy7swyOSRwTnydRkL2e7T9JrkcYSgReA1K4QjgNrAegaolZs5sRsk8aMvE49PczcGsD-YDEnCT4fvmWhhDeiWbmtmQ/s1600-h/DSC03462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143130071772722" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWBi7Y6brde1uW-hHAjYCXyyxo-6hiBbhEw6s9BUPP35Fqkj4fZy7swyOSRwTnydRkL2e7T9JrkcYSgReA1K4QjgNrAegaolZs5sRsk8aMvE49PczcGsD-YDEnCT4fvmWhhDeiWbmtmQ/s400/DSC03462.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Hood</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nhsgCV2iuRHcThPld3tbb_c1QmLW8TE3RYL_a4NtuQplDIHBV6TQ8wfFWKKGxEis0IhqUjHuwqBz7OwjsZmxieZioAUMOUz7MmyMI6QCcdH4mRJSotNUISC1H8ZpAgd1EoMCPOmaS7g/s1600-h/DSC03468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356143120585107314" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nhsgCV2iuRHcThPld3tbb_c1QmLW8TE3RYL_a4NtuQplDIHBV6TQ8wfFWKKGxEis0IhqUjHuwqBz7OwjsZmxieZioAUMOUz7MmyMI6QCcdH4mRJSotNUISC1H8ZpAgd1EoMCPOmaS7g/s400/DSC03468.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">More wildflowers... I think these are the Showy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Penstemon</span> again. These were swarming with bees, and I braved the bees just to take this photo. For you. Enjoy it.</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13b64xPDSUneMCje4fcHhQVKSQu68ZbpXlHcGGXqlPqmxBp2Exw0Ncdi3BSdm6ixUnxR4sGOd4SL_LPoaL_BVGbG6sgSDmuhWh_nWKLA-JPvLhZad68xu9icP3zHisZ5iYxDxqB8pwxo/s1600-h/DSC03463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142600808825442" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13b64xPDSUneMCje4fcHhQVKSQu68ZbpXlHcGGXqlPqmxBp2Exw0Ncdi3BSdm6ixUnxR4sGOd4SL_LPoaL_BVGbG6sgSDmuhWh_nWKLA-JPvLhZad68xu9icP3zHisZ5iYxDxqB8pwxo/s400/DSC03463.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw7O3iOmxqrEbUrWe7EjvYqQ-kuA8-Sss5XJ3CaOdE-gEnhEIifqC8RKAPS_OswuNbyLYuYY9yRDCQg2PLO64fmsEEqPr7giVeWQ7IBKaKLUM64yU5LK7ZOWzS-BCYMABvYRghLUf_aw/s1600-h/DSC03464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142589401069586" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw7O3iOmxqrEbUrWe7EjvYqQ-kuA8-Sss5XJ3CaOdE-gEnhEIifqC8RKAPS_OswuNbyLYuYY9yRDCQg2PLO64fmsEEqPr7giVeWQ7IBKaKLUM64yU5LK7ZOWzS-BCYMABvYRghLUf_aw/s400/DSC03464.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking east... you can see Hood River down in the gorge</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-pSiW3PYdrpkMOD_rE8vGLfMxECnAMEfa-_5jL4UANX0LR5FwgWnPszPa3OOQIFM4dUwV1mZYK450InCGX4TEOdr5dZlyTj4r7GShrXSyFRW9VHPmmFIdkbIdsNG9CcYVKnWyK9QaRU/s1600-h/DSC03466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142579398234482" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-pSiW3PYdrpkMOD_rE8vGLfMxECnAMEfa-_5jL4UANX0LR5FwgWnPszPa3OOQIFM4dUwV1mZYK450InCGX4TEOdr5dZlyTj4r7GShrXSyFRW9VHPmmFIdkbIdsNG9CcYVKnWyK9QaRU/s400/DSC03466.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I am in love with this photo</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbIAtK7YUuCZDwQMh0p0z_kihUsVkIeg3qZ-IlJ3KVH5H_Qvk_kT3wsl8VmtEG0oe2LZ5v7t8KY8bDBj3WH6LFaCc2IGD-XMviXHulpoeDrhqVGGOtO1SEPv7BT8TEteZ_w00o6SH4w4/s1600-h/DSC03470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142570557494450" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbIAtK7YUuCZDwQMh0p0z_kihUsVkIeg3qZ-IlJ3KVH5H_Qvk_kT3wsl8VmtEG0oe2LZ5v7t8KY8bDBj3WH6LFaCc2IGD-XMviXHulpoeDrhqVGGOtO1SEPv7BT8TEteZ_w00o6SH4w4/s400/DSC03470.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOWO8aPkeevMq-ELhr1c48QkIlI0MPQeHiWFQLBHEy5yoOYkUsUBFbvB87NZLp7fhVU3KlW4IMMwfxwLPQQkfqAmsMYPaKa_kGLH1bFQggM-Bu6eoCMofi0u8AX84TrbrUyonF10HaY0/s1600-h/DSC03472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142144796513042" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOWO8aPkeevMq-ELhr1c48QkIlI0MPQeHiWFQLBHEy5yoOYkUsUBFbvB87NZLp7fhVU3KlW4IMMwfxwLPQQkfqAmsMYPaKa_kGLH1bFQggM-Bu6eoCMofi0u8AX84TrbrUyonF10HaY0/s400/DSC03472.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">You know it... you love it... it's Jenny in front of a Cascade range mountain</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBA0hamVxqG6g_qSQdOAqfwrJnDojeg_Q9sV7rAFDEwYNdbQdH8qBU9fLf8QznRyPijzF-719WDUEbYKRL6ufBdkvv0k3beeIfJ3It8IqyEFMAfExkifXoCJygJ1puZeFLKzJr710yDw/s1600-h/DSC03473.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142137575764034" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBA0hamVxqG6g_qSQdOAqfwrJnDojeg_Q9sV7rAFDEwYNdbQdH8qBU9fLf8QznRyPijzF-719WDUEbYKRL6ufBdkvv0k3beeIfJ3It8IqyEFMAfExkifXoCJygJ1puZeFLKzJr710yDw/s400/DSC03473.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The girls</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here we are attempting to set our camera's self timers and jump back onto that boulder for a group shot...</span><br /></span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHlrFCpmhobWEFm25QYxJJTHFIq72XW2qx1qMWwMPSsB0JcPCuq1rXU3MsV-8iTNPpa44c9WqKc_5qAx-RkAOx7vqwdEcg17Hm23pXKUrequakYNkxEATGYWfnQdctDxtw_pjx6QsIyA/s1600-h/DSC03474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142128533495618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHlrFCpmhobWEFm25QYxJJTHFIq72XW2qx1qMWwMPSsB0JcPCuq1rXU3MsV-8iTNPpa44c9WqKc_5qAx-RkAOx7vqwdEcg17Hm23pXKUrequakYNkxEATGYWfnQdctDxtw_pjx6QsIyA/s400/DSC03474.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Didn't quite make it on this one</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpBUxP6hHSNzoSPTc27h3ZvsvLBNCUmINo9pssfLmCWdt1d6d-6kEiv_KDgBnc48IOBUrGbcLIpHUqrYBcwPVTsxTIWGyb9pvdu_nexDsBAIBuC0xKWYG-q0XagF7N0dhKZI70JA-xA4/s1600-h/DSC03476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356142122177722146" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpBUxP6hHSNzoSPTc27h3ZvsvLBNCUmINo9pssfLmCWdt1d6d-6kEiv_KDgBnc48IOBUrGbcLIpHUqrYBcwPVTsxTIWGyb9pvdu_nexDsBAIBuC0xKWYG-q0XagF7N0dhKZI70JA-xA4/s400/DSC03476.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Made it! But no Mt. Hood in the background. Oh well.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After a solid hour hanging out at the summit (believe me, I could have spent all day just staring), we began our descent. For a while there it was <span style="font-style: italic;">rocky</span>. But that part was fun. :)</span><br /></span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMhsobtJjDX6A829PRzCkf9yQUw_vXVrjx25Yi7p6XVeCb__pfe0I-Y-2T81ko67pGTTg0TfuCwMO21vBCSRebbhhqpvh7QWOIqstyv46Srq7U8SVf1qKX1CliNxGSoOx7s-9e9fABBc/s1600-h/DSC03479.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356141678417169458" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMhsobtJjDX6A829PRzCkf9yQUw_vXVrjx25Yi7p6XVeCb__pfe0I-Y-2T81ko67pGTTg0TfuCwMO21vBCSRebbhhqpvh7QWOIqstyv46Srq7U8SVf1qKX1CliNxGSoOx7s-9e9fABBc/s400/DSC03479.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Coming down the mountain</span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRqahu4CUtkuy4VQMo9M6ArO66wxd3Rs276FIrfcG5de21dqnWgziHmQSNbWJ6h5y0M9-E6Rj2a4KfWCbi-KA310kmS2DrydzFpp4qrSKxTUgdmUpgG1Q-3zvg-LiqFJV91VIqk24Bt8/s1600-h/DSC03478.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356141685741701330" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRqahu4CUtkuy4VQMo9M6ArO66wxd3Rs276FIrfcG5de21dqnWgziHmQSNbWJ6h5y0M9-E6Rj2a4KfWCbi-KA310kmS2DrydzFpp4qrSKxTUgdmUpgG1Q-3zvg-LiqFJV91VIqk24Bt8/s400/DSC03478.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A little Red Indian Paintbrush for ya</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">On the trail back, we passed right by Warren Lake, a gorgeous little lake set into the gorge. We stopped just to admire, but you can also camp next to the lake if you are backpacking, and even swim in it if you like.</span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97HQKB1eqSyb4aiTsiIMhBejq0-62x9x2XEPprxTn_Fmx0znDAjwKtg9TlEwe9YMk9qTMkeIYSTQVSBkxsPG5cHsy4JYa5Q6ZqcQ-7dMWwDvh-Z4QK7bZSJBFfYzoE5eMfvfqwBEm05Y/s1600-h/DSC03482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356141670072793650" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97HQKB1eqSyb4aiTsiIMhBejq0-62x9x2XEPprxTn_Fmx0znDAjwKtg9TlEwe9YMk9qTMkeIYSTQVSBkxsPG5cHsy4JYa5Q6ZqcQ-7dMWwDvh-Z4QK7bZSJBFfYzoE5eMfvfqwBEm05Y/s400/DSC03482.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Warren Lake</span><br /></div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcKbXnWeKHKEtdESH0tkLdOpBJ-39XeFn2sAA0SV2PmWcwnzuysn5Km5MUrB8Wup1plLGebYK49obVpDPN6eKgAb_j3IZM7S_2BWsjIy24ED2y28i25t4ywSbEVWPS8VudNK5yst1f24/s1600-h/DSC03483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356141662030584226" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcKbXnWeKHKEtdESH0tkLdOpBJ-39XeFn2sAA0SV2PmWcwnzuysn5Km5MUrB8Wup1plLGebYK49obVpDPN6eKgAb_j3IZM7S_2BWsjIy24ED2y28i25t4ywSbEVWPS8VudNK5yst1f24/s400/DSC03483.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">It appears to be this shallow most of the way across</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm not sure how far down we had gone at this point (not very far I can assure you), but we caught a glimpse of the summit from which we came. </span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yJ_z6Kvw6d1YXnVKT37w-eP18xdAp4J2BIw7nLUsxPL9WJ-5E6jRHoHHNUdEogDyUQqwPm-oF3ej-TYm9n3Lp2CeicZnkftlrlv-xD3fekyPvXhxjX6FfVbC9l_BbZSPZ80eiMZTaKc/s1600-h/DSC03484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356138504088538882" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yJ_z6Kvw6d1YXnVKT37w-eP18xdAp4J2BIw7nLUsxPL9WJ-5E6jRHoHHNUdEogDyUQqwPm-oF3ej-TYm9n3Lp2CeicZnkftlrlv-xD3fekyPvXhxjX6FfVbC9l_BbZSPZ80eiMZTaKc/s400/DSC03484.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking back at the summit</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">While we have seen our fair share of bugs and slugs on the trails, we actually saw some real wildlife this time! We were trudging along when all of a sudden, a deer jumped onto the path in front of us! Not the most exciting animal of them all, but it was still beautiful. I barely got my camera out in time before she scampered off, but you can see her toward the center of this photo, just to the left of the trail.</span><br /></span></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF_PAZALCfFHZSrvUxsBBES89qubjLIt2LMzY1szV7tpfXMNeK7ccDkBxJmtKQiq_QnQ01m2Nr8QRRG4I1SuhFyUsFGP2Yubbhff0fwnCYGLFNcR_tb5Ej-s_Fr5ie0SgIiRV_5kYEx4/s1600-h/DSC03485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356138495296237250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF_PAZALCfFHZSrvUxsBBES89qubjLIt2LMzY1szV7tpfXMNeK7ccDkBxJmtKQiq_QnQ01m2Nr8QRRG4I1SuhFyUsFGP2Yubbhff0fwnCYGLFNcR_tb5Ej-s_Fr5ie0SgIiRV_5kYEx4/s400/DSC03485.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Another gorgeous view from the trail, still very rocky at this point.</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA4r1J2Mk4nAEvM1ZQMbnIa9jKRiO2pWoQBjWsn8TLwcaTK368o5qbEKnX-VNp-cn3H0Gc9svxhZiXHwTYk0ZyEZxespu8OBZNgf-cC16wPmF_KUzAQNuyF5LKc2Bx_ycw_r1hC5QfEk/s1600-h/DSC03489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356138491096020866" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA4r1J2Mk4nAEvM1ZQMbnIa9jKRiO2pWoQBjWsn8TLwcaTK368o5qbEKnX-VNp-cn3H0Gc9svxhZiXHwTYk0ZyEZxespu8OBZNgf-cC16wPmF_KUzAQNuyF5LKc2Bx_ycw_r1hC5QfEk/s400/DSC03489.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Adams</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We finally made it back to a point where we could see the highway... always a welcome sight at the end of a long hike. At this point, there was roughly .6 miles left on the trail but more than 600 feet to descend. Needless to say, it got <span style="font-style: italic;">steep</span>. Of course the hardest part of the trail had to come at the very end!</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0yYkG5aalm6Ysx0QAICFF0fKKt13ArDQ2vd_rukcGzYMG-o9Gp1xqkQ0o_a8NxfftsSqG5aBoYYPDh8elj9cgQI5uxLMppES-8OvBBXGeeAUUhRJUX29SYa4zp7z1R2B0APm3aaa2b0/s1600-h/DSC03490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356138488072461474" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0yYkG5aalm6Ysx0QAICFF0fKKt13ArDQ2vd_rukcGzYMG-o9Gp1xqkQ0o_a8NxfftsSqG5aBoYYPDh8elj9cgQI5uxLMppES-8OvBBXGeeAUUhRJUX29SYa4zp7z1R2B0APm3aaa2b0/s400/DSC03490.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">We all made it back to the car, in one piece, and in decent shape! I feel much better about South Sister now, knowing that I can go the distance. For the record, it is now Thursday and my knees, quads and joints are still not very happy with me. :) </p><p style="text-align: left;">In other news... the Mayos are coming to Michigan! It looks like we'll be visiting July 25th-28th (sans Buckley, sadly). Who wants a piece of us?? :)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: left;">Jenny<br /></p>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-81202152905134656692009-07-01T07:34:00.000-07:002009-07-01T09:44:16.466-07:00Wheels when we want them!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO4t2fSNTjyr2GdIQ1J1k4cYeHtMDdrrzY5o3KQgXFI6HmikW4XLZPdgiVS15V80LdohEpexptiT3Tj1KM966dew3kT6z5eE49AF4go7ROl1rJoAPRYQkTE-tTH4yblYheL4zGqoy31Y/s1600-h/DSC03364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO4t2fSNTjyr2GdIQ1J1k4cYeHtMDdrrzY5o3KQgXFI6HmikW4XLZPdgiVS15V80LdohEpexptiT3Tj1KM966dew3kT6z5eE49AF4go7ROl1rJoAPRYQkTE-tTH4yblYheL4zGqoy31Y/s400/DSC03364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505741987340674" border="0" /></a>Yesterday we decided to take a break from hiking and biking, and took a nice drive out to wine country to pick up some wine we had on order at Archery Summit (the new Rose... mmm...). How did we take a drive without owning a car, you ask? Zipcar! Brilliant!<br /><br />Last week we joined <a href="http://www.zipcar.com/">Zipcar</a>, a car-sharing program that is making its way into lots of big cities. In a nutshell, here's how it works: You pay an annual fee (usually $50, but we got it for $25 for being members of the <a href="http://www.bta4bikes.org/">Bicycle Transportation Alliance</a>), and receive a Zipcard. There are tons of Zipcars parked all over the city, from hybrids to pickups to vans.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbPIfLqheqwWjVErm-7Szl513OyGv6MAEWAF6yPgdFJzkhlUdMidOXSO_a6Div1p47zESzSkhNQqO107fb3epFOGxxpp1npPxm95lz5uMcixebLx10_euoOokK38y9YtwaxxagTYbKcc/s1600-h/DSC03369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbPIfLqheqwWjVErm-7Szl513OyGv6MAEWAF6yPgdFJzkhlUdMidOXSO_a6Div1p47zESzSkhNQqO107fb3epFOGxxpp1npPxm95lz5uMcixebLx10_euoOokK38y9YtwaxxagTYbKcc/s400/DSC03369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505440455738450" border="0" /></a><br />When you need a car, you can either call, text, or go online to make your reservation for any of the available cars, at an hourly rate (the rate varies depending on the car). You then walk up to your car in its designated parking spot, hold your card up to a card reader on the windshield, and bam! The doors unlock. The keys are already inside, so you're ready to drive.<br /><br />Your annual fee plus hourly rate includes just about everything - the car, insurance, and GAS. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0qjxL_r2XExHtiLlLsQVQXw4O5k3ofyi0KclLPmay0VWROKV9QOQArUA74lZD7ijYkUxvh2pwNPe4Fo05Z_-VnuI6ibLQHqpIF9mtF4V197cEB9pJJbiybdhhyphenhyphenQWiWsrKCKDn75mIHA/s1600-h/DSC03366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0qjxL_r2XExHtiLlLsQVQXw4O5k3ofyi0KclLPmay0VWROKV9QOQArUA74lZD7ijYkUxvh2pwNPe4Fo05Z_-VnuI6ibLQHqpIF9mtF4V197cEB9pJJbiybdhhyphenhyphenQWiWsrKCKDn75mIHA/s400/DSC03366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505341010104354" border="0" /></a>Each car comes ready with a gas card already inside that can be used as a credit card at any gas pump. The only rule is you must return the zipcar with at least a quarter tank of gas. When you consider the cost of renting a car for a day, plus the cost of gas to get wherever you're going, Zipcar is a cheaper option most of the time!<br /><br />On Sunday we opted to take a hybrid out to do some hiking, since the hourly rate is lower on the hybrids. But since yesterday was such a gorgeous day, we decided to take out one of the Mini Cooper convertibles to take advantage of the sunshine. The Mini was SO MUCH FUN to drive! Especially with the top down. I want one.<br /><br />Here's a little video of how it all works. :)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCEJOPMDqulQQsTj8r1WPW0KhLM2patwMonDbqjOYwE33w9ytxXtzXy3XOeLf2APT2MJyjqxjNQAX3F2HxXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />We had a lovely drive out to Argyle, Archery Summit and Erath tasting rooms. Not a bad way to waste an afternoon!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhUODilXE3w3rsp8-mEoe3zeIJm1wkgXPVsOMGWTNIieOZlnhQyxAxR12WVpt7NhKeJ92l6aWO-6OT-Q_H4CPG3XAhhJ5BDH4b6PlHLAu8zNcrXJipRE82I5r4d1h6JitSWBeoLbhjqM/s1600-h/DSC03428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhUODilXE3w3rsp8-mEoe3zeIJm1wkgXPVsOMGWTNIieOZlnhQyxAxR12WVpt7NhKeJ92l6aWO-6OT-Q_H4CPG3XAhhJ5BDH4b6PlHLAu8zNcrXJipRE82I5r4d1h6JitSWBeoLbhjqM/s400/DSC03428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505112920867842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Woooohooo! </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtnMH0ICFuJLn7rTQVvfZVUItErtq-4bOceJS9h9VMcRpr3Sc3Y-dS3m2ToQmwcGjDA1n9yWjkXo-ON2zEPu8SO8cnWFTAyA4NllIk9IWgGnC2fEj0EGibsKYrQBShgwPeJp4sj56Apc/s1600-h/DSC03430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtnMH0ICFuJLn7rTQVvfZVUItErtq-4bOceJS9h9VMcRpr3Sc3Y-dS3m2ToQmwcGjDA1n9yWjkXo-ON2zEPu8SO8cnWFTAyA4NllIk9IWgGnC2fEj0EGibsKYrQBShgwPeJp4sj56Apc/s400/DSC03430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505103481189522" border="0" /></a></div>Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-67542763557998277622009-06-29T18:44:00.000-07:002009-06-29T18:57:06.974-07:00Indian Point LoopAnother amazing hike! This never gets old. :)<br /><br />Yesterday we headed to the gorge to hike the <a href="http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Indian_Point_Loop_Hike">Indian Point Loop</a> trail, about an 8 mile hike with 2,800 feet in elevation gain. The trail meandered through the forest out to Indian Point, and then back along another trail through Herman Creek. This was another butt-kicker!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr4Rm6fhZV3qqWN3NampEKeIRWobeycjlEmuu-BxIlFnAvkL_JdWP5_WaYQbtmg_d5V-8T1Rn4cbSr25l_mrCbp6r6TxAwrjOoD-nGCnTp1uKNFyrh_ize4zdu17-NBaSs5KKja4Y0l0/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr4Rm6fhZV3qqWN3NampEKeIRWobeycjlEmuu-BxIlFnAvkL_JdWP5_WaYQbtmg_d5V-8T1Rn4cbSr25l_mrCbp6r6TxAwrjOoD-nGCnTp1uKNFyrh_ize4zdu17-NBaSs5KKja4Y0l0/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801409771394546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Full map and details <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hvxddnqzmsceqiqq">here</a></span><br /></div><br />The majority of the trail is through forest, but when it did open up the views were stunning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvLlSdzIboQQCHbmzVw2NSCbIJtswkCwo-cxpyJAQw2yRJWIdeWnb6-JaiY_w-vWTrRNLWZ9lf6-H25koOkrK2MRTo5KPkczItQliBaEbQSD8rLRByULQDQKWOhKd1n_SnwAbAN2Crjk/s1600-h/DSC03371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvLlSdzIboQQCHbmzVw2NSCbIJtswkCwo-cxpyJAQw2yRJWIdeWnb6-JaiY_w-vWTrRNLWZ9lf6-H25koOkrK2MRTo5KPkczItQliBaEbQSD8rLRByULQDQKWOhKd1n_SnwAbAN2Crjk/s400/DSC03371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800664676818082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Across Herman Creek</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfhlvDJFREEG8tZ_wB7_tDTNZUtzv-jh5GChDaW7RZwTBevrSDdUX-DVpn1KBRbc6ihPq3jsb9Xk12Bgep9UncNmQWTTDUEwXNYjIDG8ZSQF0TNQXvW5Vi6WgmAKsYJ32G8wznbltHGQ/s1600-h/DSC03373.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfhlvDJFREEG8tZ_wB7_tDTNZUtzv-jh5GChDaW7RZwTBevrSDdUX-DVpn1KBRbc6ihPq3jsb9Xk12Bgep9UncNmQWTTDUEwXNYjIDG8ZSQF0TNQXvW5Vi6WgmAKsYJ32G8wznbltHGQ/s400/DSC03373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800658186383810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The trail started out nice and wide and flat, but not for long</span><br /></div><br />We seemed to kind of be at the tail end of the wildflower season on this particular trail (no meadows?? <span style="font-style: italic;">*sigh*</span>... I think I may have gotten spoiled), but there were still some really pretty ones in bloom.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo5XFSZFe3QiyBcw1vJ4rgyPLzuUUYbE3x3WKNzcNyyDfSl69rqa5qFlXasXgKrIS6HyxLItTNMkwDoP9i-jsYEskg-stmI43lLc8oM98o1mxSVK0oqAOJ6rq2MownoDf9gCBU411VZ4/s1600-h/DSC03375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo5XFSZFe3QiyBcw1vJ4rgyPLzuUUYbE3x3WKNzcNyyDfSl69rqa5qFlXasXgKrIS6HyxLItTNMkwDoP9i-jsYEskg-stmI43lLc8oM98o1mxSVK0oqAOJ6rq2MownoDf9gCBU411VZ4/s400/DSC03375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800364682113362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Columbia Lily, or "Tiger Lily"</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoyl6PxcO3c7m9NmpS_IJn0sdUTxKXEzWZXAOUsH9gkHptTegbtMymhRQIhBZoAw_CH7v48diu36W3oaqD3xsmBU8uT_Lz9Qzv2NMgGTaVS_fmQ9wmfiLj4wYy3zS0VS9MKEThJl3C-8/s1600-h/DSC03421.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoyl6PxcO3c7m9NmpS_IJn0sdUTxKXEzWZXAOUsH9gkHptTegbtMymhRQIhBZoAw_CH7v48diu36W3oaqD3xsmBU8uT_Lz9Qzv2NMgGTaVS_fmQ9wmfiLj4wYy3zS0VS9MKEThJl3C-8/s400/DSC03421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352792947574112114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Indian Paintbrush</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQSAeKLtj3K9SbdaWC2EdYGvw89FhvjCuBsrSePGtrbt2XilNbm5NT0KjnK4EmR9eZm0x_Gmb9F6NZ7UQseVm1Au_gsEAjciPzLkOvZnwaKWWsPzARaB2ZC5k8qmbnBP9DraAkdqLRKY/s1600-h/DSC03424.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQSAeKLtj3K9SbdaWC2EdYGvw89FhvjCuBsrSePGtrbt2XilNbm5NT0KjnK4EmR9eZm0x_Gmb9F6NZ7UQseVm1Au_gsEAjciPzLkOvZnwaKWWsPzARaB2ZC5k8qmbnBP9DraAkdqLRKY/s400/DSC03424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352792945297381234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pretty sure this is Showy Penstemon, but I'm not positive. Anyone know?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r0vKM98h4XxMibanalTL1rKPAdXTQ9gqhd_rMM_tY14ly5I9_8nRrYpdYTo9FzBzz_BgZ3Eyu-dI507KkoiZRUUM9RmBREVNLI7iOtmfUbr6Rvnw0N5w7dIIDOO3NGI_0HHkoWtTZJ4/s1600-h/DSC03376.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r0vKM98h4XxMibanalTL1rKPAdXTQ9gqhd_rMM_tY14ly5I9_8nRrYpdYTo9FzBzz_BgZ3Eyu-dI507KkoiZRUUM9RmBREVNLI7iOtmfUbr6Rvnw0N5w7dIIDOO3NGI_0HHkoWtTZJ4/s400/DSC03376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800362836938418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We came across a gnarly spider web</span><br /></div><br />One thing you have too look out for on the trails is SLUGS. They are gigantic and completely disgusting. Stepping on one is like stepping on a banana peel - very slippery. Paul stepped on one once and almost bit it. :) They also leave a sick trail of slime. This is the only one we saw on this hike but it was a monster. Blech.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fODhyphenhyphenOKGeoH6lGtV2fPwudV2OdTrmU7u_mKrWvKrC7vQ9FqSFJ9OP6HJBamZIdoj4ognXxkk9ITmK2xj6IeSNn_JSqCthdVlt-u7RmQyTOu6g9ncxvm3fEEg6SPlnxgEIcCAF4jsg28/s1600-h/DSC03378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fODhyphenhyphenOKGeoH6lGtV2fPwudV2OdTrmU7u_mKrWvKrC7vQ9FqSFJ9OP6HJBamZIdoj4ognXxkk9ITmK2xj6IeSNn_JSqCthdVlt-u7RmQyTOu6g9ncxvm3fEEg6SPlnxgEIcCAF4jsg28/s400/DSC03378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800356467333506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Next to my foot for size comparison</span><br /></div><br />It was another sunny day which, once again, made everything radiate green.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXucmkBkpnfhZ6F38Y8of_g1JoZ9NnESRDGUsTeU-BThaGcgH_v9SWmKv9I3ZqrKJf6XpXMZBNgTIAi7ViwuVNoqcexXnbP7QKkFOUGpoPNMAYjdS1owmjtdG4xFlMIlX9E0217dNdFg/s1600-h/DSC03381.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXucmkBkpnfhZ6F38Y8of_g1JoZ9NnESRDGUsTeU-BThaGcgH_v9SWmKv9I3ZqrKJf6XpXMZBNgTIAi7ViwuVNoqcexXnbP7QKkFOUGpoPNMAYjdS1owmjtdG4xFlMIlX9E0217dNdFg/s400/DSC03381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799728829875202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wading chest-deep through a sea of green</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOPKJE3DRVM0lewK2OvufH7bDjy5dYW8S9QLB9GOXEtJvubbs1Mvnip4avwc_U7s_naToipf0qc9yHXJIJZjL3vSOPsNQZuE-3DFdYqotHwAltep4e6kyEQ31s3uD-ztWP2HHvr0MuMA/s1600-h/DSC03382.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOPKJE3DRVM0lewK2OvufH7bDjy5dYW8S9QLB9GOXEtJvubbs1Mvnip4avwc_U7s_naToipf0qc9yHXJIJZjL3vSOPsNQZuE-3DFdYqotHwAltep4e6kyEQ31s3uD-ztWP2HHvr0MuMA/s400/DSC03382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799723368135602" border="0" /></a><br />Off of his leash again, Buckley decided to blaze his own trail straight through a patch of wildflowers and spider webs... and the evidence is all over his face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jYT5PVpaBZzzwzwlgUloDFx6oRQeIJLqmVndbbxxQyN_2RUzRX3SxO8a1AUZ5l-nGGn3m38vpLhTqk9WEB0ZJJMWx7xVUv3t513wxhEZyAnZ8-EnIzupPtJLyuu5I3fyMSUfgN3-xF8/s1600-h/DSC03383.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jYT5PVpaBZzzwzwlgUloDFx6oRQeIJLqmVndbbxxQyN_2RUzRX3SxO8a1AUZ5l-nGGn3m38vpLhTqk9WEB0ZJJMWx7xVUv3t513wxhEZyAnZ8-EnIzupPtJLyuu5I3fyMSUfgN3-xF8/s400/DSC03383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799711254021394" border="0" /></a><br />I'm bummed this picture didn't really turn out. You can see Mt. St. Helens right through the center of this opening, but I guess it was too bright or something. Just try to imagine it, k?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1J2irVBm87G_hl7kN2KLItt2rTtALY0bhE7ndyX48k43QBl-aM9ACAnLpOrVUMsjRCtGc-ul91mrWwOJT0CQl5V_eECouwdT0A_ISVbym0cY5FHA9RECYvPpsSijj1qGYHfzRmtN2WI/s1600-h/DSC03385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1J2irVBm87G_hl7kN2KLItt2rTtALY0bhE7ndyX48k43QBl-aM9ACAnLpOrVUMsjRCtGc-ul91mrWwOJT0CQl5V_eECouwdT0A_ISVbym0cY5FHA9RECYvPpsSijj1qGYHfzRmtN2WI/s400/DSC03385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799221836683586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nature makes the best picture frames... how perfect is this view?</span><br /></div><br />Indian Point is at the end of a narrow, <span style="font-style: italic;">steep</span> unmarked path that spurs off the main trail. It was kind of tough to traverse going down since it was so steep, but the payoff was worth it. Indian Point is a narrow rocky ridge that juts out into the gorge, with dramatic dropoffs on either side. The Portland Hikers Field Guide website says "Beware that this trail gets dangerous as it goes along with a narrow trail, steep drop-offs on both sides, no railings, and no warning signs. If you fell it would almost certainly be fatal." Kind of yikes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPwY_3d8XifnnbNgh1eRQRRIGYat_rG8fZ2n0iENOQ_D12pLmhttUw5xPZdEwBkvHQ0OSfbglv8WwLSMGH_lfxtiRSWdi8tdD7hZqTfgAmUDTNL85JoxBR0vfgYnMeacPiazlP56GS8Q/s1600-h/DSC03387.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPwY_3d8XifnnbNgh1eRQRRIGYat_rG8fZ2n0iENOQ_D12pLmhttUw5xPZdEwBkvHQ0OSfbglv8WwLSMGH_lfxtiRSWdi8tdD7hZqTfgAmUDTNL85JoxBR0vfgYnMeacPiazlP56GS8Q/s400/DSC03387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799216781294274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The point is too exposed and rocky to climb, so that's about as far as one should go</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjcTI1JiQ7Oe8QAL6GKHePo-tJoNCy0V24_w4PIuCVpzqn5LRqU4xki8fX8v7HR6L6alN205n1-wHT9EX4Rm3lj3x3arD8uENyT-TxU_j5ykxjVXYZPpCeZ1x4l6M5TjwQJ4ex1dinX4/s1600-h/DSC03389.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjcTI1JiQ7Oe8QAL6GKHePo-tJoNCy0V24_w4PIuCVpzqn5LRqU4xki8fX8v7HR6L6alN205n1-wHT9EX4Rm3lj3x3arD8uENyT-TxU_j5ykxjVXYZPpCeZ1x4l6M5TjwQJ4ex1dinX4/s400/DSC03389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352799212256923298" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUxzsUcZSXQYiPmRlXaEzz5dDKaXE-WGym-YEBsgvA9ws3TOULerDkAy0MLTJq7ose1gGG392KkWD-kQjJO2Il5c6ofM8c_H38Upq8H7pTMW9gc8g2DoC5myX1q3auOiKUSjOQgeWTmo/s1600-h/DSC03415.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUxzsUcZSXQYiPmRlXaEzz5dDKaXE-WGym-YEBsgvA9ws3TOULerDkAy0MLTJq7ose1gGG392KkWD-kQjJO2Il5c6ofM8c_H38Upq8H7pTMW9gc8g2DoC5myX1q3auOiKUSjOQgeWTmo/s400/DSC03415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797147013339234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Whoop!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxBW-sew52WPTjAqlHgOyo606PvL-a-aFAotqgiiSCfPyT2RHiu3DABG3QwMlCxBHc4D7cPOMWVgmcjVC-UNHXasQM-F8EjGEo9NhWSyKekhj5Ya4iqOp-RMUzfxGXVaTTKpP6FJmrlQ/s1600-h/DSC03416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxBW-sew52WPTjAqlHgOyo606PvL-a-aFAotqgiiSCfPyT2RHiu3DABG3QwMlCxBHc4D7cPOMWVgmcjVC-UNHXasQM-F8EjGEo9NhWSyKekhj5Ya4iqOp-RMUzfxGXVaTTKpP6FJmrlQ/s400/DSC03416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797783254935586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I know this is freaking my mom out right now</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTMwtIw1XWfWVtPvCxAvweRxRB9DM4bll_tHIp9F7tmiyD5EnE1yRVDA1vcVzBxoL61fUCyo4_dIUHdfZkrd_t2EFVMTF2RmULnh1QtDPMnwwEnb6R6ibhf_4jV5pgGuxIElhltTE7Og/s1600-h/DSC03396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTMwtIw1XWfWVtPvCxAvweRxRB9DM4bll_tHIp9F7tmiyD5EnE1yRVDA1vcVzBxoL61fUCyo4_dIUHdfZkrd_t2EFVMTF2RmULnh1QtDPMnwwEnb6R6ibhf_4jV5pgGuxIElhltTE7Og/s400/DSC03396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797136711631586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My adventure boys</span><br /></div><br />The views of the gorge from the point were amazing. Have I ever mentioned how the Columbia Gorge was created before? At the end of the last ice age, a sudden ice dam break on the Clark Fork River in Montana sent a wall of water down the river (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missoula_Floods">Missoula Floods</a>) which cut the steep walls of the gorge along the way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs2R3wOZ8d3PHnPJct7fCekZ1Uwyw_ThqSZVJGuv2qiUvQ9ENVfJxpLXtm_d2ZcyVF3v_tOe0Q9pu_qg1rh_gIgcfDPSfLQE-yh7MlrnKakckI1FgbvQxkqc6aNssemkGEglYTNj0MY0/s1600-h/DSC03397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs2R3wOZ8d3PHnPJct7fCekZ1Uwyw_ThqSZVJGuv2qiUvQ9ENVfJxpLXtm_d2ZcyVF3v_tOe0Q9pu_qg1rh_gIgcfDPSfLQE-yh7MlrnKakckI1FgbvQxkqc6aNssemkGEglYTNj0MY0/s400/DSC03397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796465874388018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The gorge looking east. The second peak back on the left is Dog Mountain, which <a href="http://movingtopdx.blogspot.com/2009/06/dog-mountain.html">we hiked</a> last month.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ab9dVoxboadeTV4vvMZ6wZzqeIzMxagIsfhJcWrr-oxvw8akFPs5ZWrDuNjDC-q2Bf1hmm4skIvxAYpZgIpzfnUYCIQkNDT0qPytqt7SjnH24DFQwVk1pbTQZ9U_-rlIrhde8gsGR8/s1600-h/DSC03398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ab9dVoxboadeTV4vvMZ6wZzqeIzMxagIsfhJcWrr-oxvw8akFPs5ZWrDuNjDC-q2Bf1hmm4skIvxAYpZgIpzfnUYCIQkNDT0qPytqt7SjnH24DFQwVk1pbTQZ9U_-rlIrhde8gsGR8/s400/DSC03398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796458129029474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking across the gorge at Mt. Adams</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqU4DMw3SO-JD3Gs2luw7la5LWmkz_h9e84EJVOZrIUuw2KuDN2U5aYrBhDjBV0XCXDcaY7Vr7axJZTGvsr7gdiyr1mOPg0udCipBs9zEkTL8punbdloYEagrT_VjrvhcfFHo-OWb2lE/s1600-h/DSC03399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqU4DMw3SO-JD3Gs2luw7la5LWmkz_h9e84EJVOZrIUuw2KuDN2U5aYrBhDjBV0XCXDcaY7Vr7axJZTGvsr7gdiyr1mOPg0udCipBs9zEkTL8punbdloYEagrT_VjrvhcfFHo-OWb2lE/s400/DSC03399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796454048171522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocky trail back</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv3MCFni4ylfT7pqxaFszJ2ajIrCJ-265WOBZtcwwHZXr8fs8rZ33l5JjAAI4T0F2FSRicI5RYd-C05qInEsx0Qkfa4sfnOjWJVENu6KBQVM-VIJA_2ltHrq7dJhrdB02Q2lsAyrWIA8/s1600-h/DSC03403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv3MCFni4ylfT7pqxaFszJ2ajIrCJ-265WOBZtcwwHZXr8fs8rZ33l5JjAAI4T0F2FSRicI5RYd-C05qInEsx0Qkfa4sfnOjWJVENu6KBQVM-VIJA_2ltHrq7dJhrdB02Q2lsAyrWIA8/s400/DSC03403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352795908241738226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdXgFSwuDrrxUtMdZhGKhg8cee9EUqZkMdlyQNoBu4mJLKbqe3NHeGsPe042gewJ41ghSyOIXUN4jLmkVXf4TVZlSBo03zV-BmbrznQYufu1zJQVUY_RUNYFSKIpOz3mc8Gdu0IiQqsw/s1600-h/DSC03406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdXgFSwuDrrxUtMdZhGKhg8cee9EUqZkMdlyQNoBu4mJLKbqe3NHeGsPe042gewJ41ghSyOIXUN4jLmkVXf4TVZlSBo03zV-BmbrznQYufu1zJQVUY_RUNYFSKIpOz3mc8Gdu0IiQqsw/s400/DSC03406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352795899899749730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A loooong way down</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_MVT8Av_854JhyphenhyphenBCmMjwqNGsTzohfUza7uGVHpdSxWeOfGvDUWeDhXdFyUcJB_sA5Xjm3Tvzt4lc3L52yAqFkHYHKrNbmq4E8tDILtk0r845c9g4O1rbtoZazYx3koPsAlZNa3Pmm38/s1600-h/DSC03408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_MVT8Av_854JhyphenhyphenBCmMjwqNGsTzohfUza7uGVHpdSxWeOfGvDUWeDhXdFyUcJB_sA5Xjm3Tvzt4lc3L52yAqFkHYHKrNbmq4E8tDILtk0r845c9g4O1rbtoZazYx3koPsAlZNa3Pmm38/s400/DSC03408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352795316037822722" border="0" /></a><br />The trail back was a little more open, along a ridge above Herman Creek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmLR-ZIycsCI6oZqqdhQBUFJ7EGm2HQ_ZWu0zFyyn_x1t0WzNqovOsnT4bv7d0ylkBSs0vv9oDzke8NsGXPBhr1FeLjOaW7xXbGRaekPhyphenhyphen2ioIAcGuaZAxNV5FhJhxDWrxBc9nLjGUSg/s1600-h/DSC03418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmLR-ZIycsCI6oZqqdhQBUFJ7EGm2HQ_ZWu0zFyyn_x1t0WzNqovOsnT4bv7d0ylkBSs0vv9oDzke8NsGXPBhr1FeLjOaW7xXbGRaekPhyphenhyphen2ioIAcGuaZAxNV5FhJhxDWrxBc9nLjGUSg/s400/DSC03418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352795301913301922" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO_ScAvJu2q70c6PDbbFrd12gERcXcqsnymcP5V4bdy3ehGAzNrLjvg3CJeOgPE3qnMhwJ_GF0K_2ELT76fdfTmwMD112oCsbcFYgdr30ODbZcw93LXHpkBJAvZugPq5qf7HuNDW3W1U/s1600-h/DSC03419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO_ScAvJu2q70c6PDbbFrd12gERcXcqsnymcP5V4bdy3ehGAzNrLjvg3CJeOgPE3qnMhwJ_GF0K_2ELT76fdfTmwMD112oCsbcFYgdr30ODbZcw93LXHpkBJAvZugPq5qf7HuNDW3W1U/s400/DSC03419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352792951440340882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Herman Creek meandering into the distance</span><br /></div><br />After we got back from the hike, I actually had to go straight to work for an 8 hour shift on my feet. I am hurting today! But, how awesome is it that I can do all this stuff before work??<br /><br />We would love to take some of you on some hikes. Who wants to come visit?? We have a pullout couch that can be mighty comfy... luxury accommodations right here... come on!<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-46359668544113252612009-06-27T08:04:00.000-07:002009-06-27T08:04:25.909-07:00Double WhammyHelloooo! It's been a fairly uneventful week for the Mayos in Portland. Oh, except that we are now officially an old married couple. Sunday the 21st marked one year for us! I managed to get the day off of work, and we had a great day together. It was almost like being on our honeymoon again - a full day of eating, drinking, and shopping. :) Although, I guess that's how I spend most of my days anyway...<br /><br />We did get a couple excursions in this week as well, albeit not terribly exciting ones. The most exciting part was when Hollywood showed up at our front door! Well, really just a TNT drama series... and really just on our street. But still cool! The show "Leverage" decided to shoot this season in Portland, so they've been all over the place. They took over our block yesterday to do some shooting at Henry's Tavern and on the street. I snapped a couple photos just for fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieI4U28emC_dayMgpuMqnoBUPIIM3u677XzMgyZR54wBHTdrq8pgT1oD8sQQUoWtnch4dxL6Uxg634elBcTNyFDPg9AXrjNW6F9-OBjrHpBVc125xctqQKrijTpRHp9C8oDlrxVhEdPk8/s1600-h/DSC03334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieI4U28emC_dayMgpuMqnoBUPIIM3u677XzMgyZR54wBHTdrq8pgT1oD8sQQUoWtnch4dxL6Uxg634elBcTNyFDPg9AXrjNW6F9-OBjrHpBVc125xctqQKrijTpRHp9C8oDlrxVhEdPk8/s400/DSC03334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351666670450301330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Setting up outside Henry's</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JumSfJP_yVudqE64frw582QyrVCczxOq7X9vVRj-v8FT_JeM658Mzluegwjd_kqxD7sB9sazQVRDkj-6d-ToUsAB1-44UzgiRM_csMR1RzJXItS3u3G7xsMPPmd6r7lllBZNWPzK1k0/s1600-h/DSC03335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JumSfJP_yVudqE64frw582QyrVCczxOq7X9vVRj-v8FT_JeM658Mzluegwjd_kqxD7sB9sazQVRDkj-6d-ToUsAB1-44UzgiRM_csMR1RzJXItS3u3G7xsMPPmd6r7lllBZNWPzK1k0/s400/DSC03335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351666385001937970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Their mobile workshop was parked right in front of our building</span><br /></div><br />Please, allow your excitement to die down before trying to read about our bike ride...<br /><br />We tackled another kind of big one on Thursday, a total 41.2 mile ride. This was a route from a book called "Rubber to the Road" that has tons of Portland area rides. Once again here is our route taken from our GPS (full map and date <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=bzogyijohcitnpvb">here</a>):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmdZGK4QHmb65DndHXgEvdbjMgn0Bquqv6jJLYLA4C7WUzmKP9gLNPLmtKa0d71p4Vm5AlCPDDWtfvHlTCbpbcjmymL5psayoU6cmZY8-LFa8fBV0CwvDNq2Qub2ItckCX0UHfhQJFQg/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmdZGK4QHmb65DndHXgEvdbjMgn0Bquqv6jJLYLA4C7WUzmKP9gLNPLmtKa0d71p4Vm5AlCPDDWtfvHlTCbpbcjmymL5psayoU6cmZY8-LFa8fBV0CwvDNq2Qub2ItckCX0UHfhQJFQg/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351666379591954642" border="0" /></a><br />This ride is titled "Flat Flat Flat," due to the relatively flat terrain along the way, but there was actually a good deal of climbing involved. Not so much steep, short climbs, but more like loooong stretches of a gradual incline... that can really make the muscles burn! Over the course of the route we ended up doing a total of 1,000 feet climbing, not bad!<br /><br />We made our way from Mt. Tabor out to the Columbia River, which is the dividing line between Oregon and Washington. Most of the ride was through neighborhoods and pretty heavy industrial zones, but once we made our way to the water it was much nicer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22JJaeDmbeLaTzE337D6OnL20tdhGRn94mD5qz5WrYPDKxOb5g2NI6ST9wbVhzdb-o7_0mKcIlaPjysWoDx8Oxr5k0gQVnK-skmar7DTqGR22L_0gWRsHUvIB_MsR_Sj11ueMup7moME/s1600-h/DSC03336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22JJaeDmbeLaTzE337D6OnL20tdhGRn94mD5qz5WrYPDKxOb5g2NI6ST9wbVhzdb-o7_0mKcIlaPjysWoDx8Oxr5k0gQVnK-skmar7DTqGR22L_0gWRsHUvIB_MsR_Sj11ueMup7moME/s400/DSC03336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351666365709623202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"The Peninsula" houseboat community</span><br /></div><br />We followed the river up to Kelly Point Park, located at the point where the Columbia and Willamette Rivers meet. We didn't have too much time to enjoy the park since I had to work in the afternoon, but I definitely wouldn't mind coming back here. It was very peaceful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpPCqaxhMxKkykru3VC203Jo3W6IdSM5hS-ibHbu-TTBDUH9jC1Q12t0rGyOAiMGrDQ9Jn5m5jVSCKZGMcVJBi-dQ-c9QNjWpi2jSmJ3GgOELLCQGorOZ3BV7423QokBfDqrT3xbUyHQ/s1600-h/DSC03340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpPCqaxhMxKkykru3VC203Jo3W6IdSM5hS-ibHbu-TTBDUH9jC1Q12t0rGyOAiMGrDQ9Jn5m5jVSCKZGMcVJBi-dQ-c9QNjWpi2jSmJ3GgOELLCQGorOZ3BV7423QokBfDqrT3xbUyHQ/s400/DSC03340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665951556245618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplfxguhTQ84Lt441wRRgxDSA9FfG0lYMr9vCh6RVZw5pY7bUengyh8TI-6jnxWWIiOvakZD2xFFrjMHvoxjcnimUnBZ3r_6bAopAYMEYMThDsBBBJWIvujy07YthG4i0W4nA208TTD-o/s1600-h/DSC03342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplfxguhTQ84Lt441wRRgxDSA9FfG0lYMr9vCh6RVZw5pY7bUengyh8TI-6jnxWWIiOvakZD2xFFrjMHvoxjcnimUnBZ3r_6bAopAYMEYMThDsBBBJWIvujy07YthG4i0W4nA208TTD-o/s400/DSC03342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665942793204994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The beach at Kelly Point Park</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkwM3xeACDxuK0dn_ai8iSwj5R7MsvKNu_11AXX5QgBnMc-pfsGtASIDu5qaEqeenItDhI1bbwRMsQXrEd5Ex1D5t5LCk8rbnS46PlO6oQQ28W9U30bKf19mzOJE4zev6NGYQx57vpPk/s1600-h/DSC03339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkwM3xeACDxuK0dn_ai8iSwj5R7MsvKNu_11AXX5QgBnMc-pfsGtASIDu5qaEqeenItDhI1bbwRMsQXrEd5Ex1D5t5LCk8rbnS46PlO6oQQ28W9U30bKf19mzOJE4zev6NGYQx57vpPk/s400/DSC03339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665938004739634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Great place for a snack break</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwxNgvplW-c1tn8Lti52gYzbG_vKfzgsd4GxncpiW5jIfvb2zQa1XQaJJ_lEPBsuNyPywhRwXwnCbWOHug9ydoMA7AYbZVE1dJpvbmEGr9Becwd7sGgB-jdt5lHFHK6V8tpZkDhDKJWI/s1600-h/DSC03344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwxNgvplW-c1tn8Lti52gYzbG_vKfzgsd4GxncpiW5jIfvb2zQa1XQaJJ_lEPBsuNyPywhRwXwnCbWOHug9ydoMA7AYbZVE1dJpvbmEGr9Becwd7sGgB-jdt5lHFHK6V8tpZkDhDKJWI/s400/DSC03344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665196756859826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The park trails were great, especially after the uber-industrial ride out there</span><br /></div><br />Traditionally, our rides are thwarted at some point by Paul getting a flat tire... but not today, thanks to Paul's new Michelin Krylion Carbon tires! Booya!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLikuwBsyiHbmZM8L_iH0Kzm2VZNfRnRSY7JFrMY_HIpuALgp_mBiGIWXUdwIZv0MUI3G41uQMcMjyanGZJ9xUuNy4BFnd0BO0DsDB2q9XlyWg_Sj5_hgLuGfqEgOKXpS_-Z7wAeKdbM/s1600-h/DSC03346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLikuwBsyiHbmZM8L_iH0Kzm2VZNfRnRSY7JFrMY_HIpuALgp_mBiGIWXUdwIZv0MUI3G41uQMcMjyanGZJ9xUuNy4BFnd0BO0DsDB2q9XlyWg_Sj5_hgLuGfqEgOKXpS_-Z7wAeKdbM/s400/DSC03346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665188344026290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No flats here</span><br /></div><br />We pumped our way home super fast so that I could get to work on time (I didn't), but I wanted to stop and get a quick shot of this view of the river, downtown, and all the bridges in between.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikhM4mDsrQNc40rAmOYz6fk3PzjSKUDwDTy7symdfsZMzLW3qymK3MYnTHg_VdmhSPl7SIF_-j502irPyPPWeiEVjj3j7PGCWaMcKBKGDxD0s8y1eyPFMj9zpESAcLqq7HLdj9Y7MjSE/s1600-h/DSC03347.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikhM4mDsrQNc40rAmOYz6fk3PzjSKUDwDTy7symdfsZMzLW3qymK3MYnTHg_VdmhSPl7SIF_-j502irPyPPWeiEVjj3j7PGCWaMcKBKGDxD0s8y1eyPFMj9zpESAcLqq7HLdj9Y7MjSE/s400/DSC03347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351665184643327890" border="0" /></a><br />All in all a pretty nice ride, not so much for scenery but great for fitness.<br /><br />On Tuesday, we did another little neighborhood hike with Buckley. 12 miles, not too shabby! Here is our route, with the full map <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qfojvjyfmmzqfskb">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrk1jfMUVZSI_V7G0xt3ZKyGz5X3rqCbNtejvymXGXe47QD6gtqToWM9_vF4p5X1FlokFNEf72A2Lwjsrv1DR7wf9Doe9yn0pGdVEZqFOYotJKRSFzTrsaMxy1gpriC6Xv-j8xTeyfDhM/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrk1jfMUVZSI_V7G0xt3ZKyGz5X3rqCbNtejvymXGXe47QD6gtqToWM9_vF4p5X1FlokFNEf72A2Lwjsrv1DR7wf9Doe9yn0pGdVEZqFOYotJKRSFzTrsaMxy1gpriC6Xv-j8xTeyfDhM/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351298973827872770" border="0" /></a><br />We started out heading to the rose garden, to see if things were more in bloom. We may have caught it a few days too late this time. There were tons of roses in bloom, but most of them were already wilting. It still makes for nice colorful scenery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPux7qKZCWXYkt29s_-8Ty22IRONZCJOqVWl7imnvKpIq5K7SMoPgjBKzbYjX8Zcfd1nL4E2VvMsNAigTTPwbwFuEh82t4IWsNCy6yUI-da4Co0gsJ3eTLqZAdAuePA7Y0_wbOi5p4ng/s1600-h/DSC03306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPux7qKZCWXYkt29s_-8Ty22IRONZCJOqVWl7imnvKpIq5K7SMoPgjBKzbYjX8Zcfd1nL4E2VvMsNAigTTPwbwFuEh82t4IWsNCy6yUI-da4Co0gsJ3eTLqZAdAuePA7Y0_wbOi5p4ng/s400/DSC03306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351118327899158002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5LwTyzzPdGjCb7LkkzEiYbb5VZ5ysEgTeZqFwppiY8ZENAzAPQuJ3sU4mvy-aibfFvYXmwbMPWAo96wQ2qDHIpgCVumq42SJl3H2i40N9cYwSA-ad-vkWmoHDeir2oLJrjKk3-Ub0XQ/s1600-h/DSC03309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5LwTyzzPdGjCb7LkkzEiYbb5VZ5ysEgTeZqFwppiY8ZENAzAPQuJ3sU4mvy-aibfFvYXmwbMPWAo96wQ2qDHIpgCVumq42SJl3H2i40N9cYwSA-ad-vkWmoHDeir2oLJrjKk3-Ub0XQ/s400/DSC03309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351118321358366802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5llFalvsDUDilIFS9iZNYaAXMkaUPAneqFDt0aE0KCzDUSm_G9V3nnWrczPvrPPN7cQ_3bfYTNP6kRUtIp83icF2nU4VU1tAYC8avK3qyagJJpM5vhv1UsnVfAQiRgCR-r5D7Lzmm-jo/s1600-h/DSC03310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5llFalvsDUDilIFS9iZNYaAXMkaUPAneqFDt0aE0KCzDUSm_G9V3nnWrczPvrPPN7cQ_3bfYTNP6kRUtIp83icF2nU4VU1tAYC8avK3qyagJJpM5vhv1UsnVfAQiRgCR-r5D7Lzmm-jo/s400/DSC03310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351118314668901042" border="0" /></a><br />We continued on some trails to take us to the top of Council Crest (which we rode our bikes to a few weeks ago), the highest point in Portland at around 1,100 feet. It was a beautiful sunny day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOGXEMxNSHXRMbxGA-ODqgDm69wCUf6uB-8ganLpDtJGKAFt4AB_hmoZK1XKf5_z0enUtX8UPNkYFV3c8-qxA7NNDryP6p_xe8K9NheYTLlrQOlxkcX39M0_uIvb9DVfnNu3MjyS35c/s1600-h/DSC03312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOGXEMxNSHXRMbxGA-ODqgDm69wCUf6uB-8ganLpDtJGKAFt4AB_hmoZK1XKf5_z0enUtX8UPNkYFV3c8-qxA7NNDryP6p_xe8K9NheYTLlrQOlxkcX39M0_uIvb9DVfnNu3MjyS35c/s400/DSC03312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117897361435682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sunny days make the greens look even greener</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmqAX2ldx0MoWhh9nB131TC82NVBo8U6jC_kdaVKYzaXhzonwJ29OPv214uSN09xqhDUNmI8R6HYC1rJlYkdQ9Jz5ZJlicvTwUgDx7Mih3Ize08TQxcaqop2kWoFuqbKR2M3AEFSnuIo/s1600-h/DSC03315.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmqAX2ldx0MoWhh9nB131TC82NVBo8U6jC_kdaVKYzaXhzonwJ29OPv214uSN09xqhDUNmI8R6HYC1rJlYkdQ9Jz5ZJlicvTwUgDx7Mih3Ize08TQxcaqop2kWoFuqbKR2M3AEFSnuIo/s400/DSC03315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117890063780658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Perfect spot for a break</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDPrBd_dfN8U8ijVNrBrWjaSJjOUE16Bxpgs2phXb9E9OkL5ZvC03LV3zvnIeuZcVuH5j9z5A5WfolWnyyvqzbyO02TuMc9mJf8tYf9FKKXXjB4Hfn4p2rw_wn5IJECSyP21aH0ZuWWM/s1600-h/DSC03316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDPrBd_dfN8U8ijVNrBrWjaSJjOUE16Bxpgs2phXb9E9OkL5ZvC03LV3zvnIeuZcVuH5j9z5A5WfolWnyyvqzbyO02TuMc9mJf8tYf9FKKXXjB4Hfn4p2rw_wn5IJECSyP21aH0ZuWWM/s400/DSC03316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117885485766850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. St. Helens through the trees</span><br /></div><br />We also came across the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, which I didn't even know was there. It's a beautiful expansive park with lots of trees and fountains, dedicated in 1987. A very peaceful spot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mqOwCAoQqRuEn-CyaUqsNrPmrEPHdY6SbAecGwYx4m2oyzhMhpujtGLtqEUJIXwVsiujtjT2QiCDUCgJTiA_io3de5a_LRQo5egChpR354AoPUqSoNakBoFg-oSJtJoN4ypkKgiIn4/s1600-h/DSC03317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mqOwCAoQqRuEn-CyaUqsNrPmrEPHdY6SbAecGwYx4m2oyzhMhpujtGLtqEUJIXwVsiujtjT2QiCDUCgJTiA_io3de5a_LRQo5egChpR354AoPUqSoNakBoFg-oSJtJoN4ypkKgiIn4/s400/DSC03317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117561360266802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hTdsxm11RgXgzBw4Oaz0i7dBPtP9cKesPp_WH_yTflHHAFtgaZyohCJlfVGiswYCVwXqRt9AP2BGfOGob6yPYPfbD9ivpJKpnRK21JTgxe3G6AfvHTb1wIa462w8IlboguTXMRapAeo/s1600-h/DSC03320.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hTdsxm11RgXgzBw4Oaz0i7dBPtP9cKesPp_WH_yTflHHAFtgaZyohCJlfVGiswYCVwXqRt9AP2BGfOGob6yPYPfbD9ivpJKpnRK21JTgxe3G6AfvHTb1wIa462w8IlboguTXMRapAeo/s400/DSC03320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117552084389778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley mama</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR8dOt0cMJ6qomd15FQoXgSuEO4lZgERoa-oBsQEwHp6Zgmgeu-xQdafkMrjCzDj-JoYEJVooT80ohkxsAeHDnCSwI0B92nLLJCjLaY2c7JRwvKrVjnPmlbtjFrz_itavll4-tdKA420/s1600-h/DSC03322.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR8dOt0cMJ6qomd15FQoXgSuEO4lZgERoa-oBsQEwHp6Zgmgeu-xQdafkMrjCzDj-JoYEJVooT80ohkxsAeHDnCSwI0B92nLLJCjLaY2c7JRwvKrVjnPmlbtjFrz_itavll4-tdKA420/s400/DSC03322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117528703734098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A cool kind of tree-tunnel</span><br /></div><br />At the top of Council Crest, we hung out at the doggie off-leash area for a while, which is nice and huge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiOPr4Hp6kPsOKr0_GzrEXUSIQnlQjLhZV07JjxRGL8U0-bLVmk4gtjT-5NrE8XMGJXSWYobf0yL2AC3qcPmJU9TcG7bDFwlSls56fVna_iPVGusgn76qFNpT06LLNW4BfuMf_JvW-4g/s1600-h/DSC03323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiOPr4Hp6kPsOKr0_GzrEXUSIQnlQjLhZV07JjxRGL8U0-bLVmk4gtjT-5NrE8XMGJXSWYobf0yL2AC3qcPmJU9TcG7bDFwlSls56fVna_iPVGusgn76qFNpT06LLNW4BfuMf_JvW-4g/s400/DSC03323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117077215353074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The dog park with our friend Mt. Hood in the background</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3s9FCqg7JdTuzv6j8Q7Oc20_4cmMHV7Xh2r2UhWhSiT2zKKjoxXl_i1kut9kIFrDt3Djs1Q0zIgTlhkXxPxc21qwnkSJXvpBEeE5SI3tXzAUkab0Gz1m6fj0fjxe6vH5hE4x_kJoynY/s1600-h/DSC03327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3s9FCqg7JdTuzv6j8Q7Oc20_4cmMHV7Xh2r2UhWhSiT2zKKjoxXl_i1kut9kIFrDt3Djs1Q0zIgTlhkXxPxc21qwnkSJXvpBEeE5SI3tXzAUkab0Gz1m6fj0fjxe6vH5hE4x_kJoynY/s400/DSC03327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351117062958196210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Hood</span><br /></div><br />On the trail headed back, we came across lots of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonberry">salmonberry</a> shrubs growing wild. Paul was pretty sure they were safe to eat, but just to be sure, he consulted his handy dandy <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780679446798-3">field guide</a> that I gave him for our anniversary. It is a comprehensive guide to wildlife, plants, wildflowers, trees, etc. in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeQzQP6FfeYblMMMI2yD7H7T3czb2lo2NUn69A0GsCOggYjZDFAhpmtIFdzBv04CY5S3evj5dEWW3_Z3mljOLWK2a6u4n4Mv4hZPr2zkZTIvpba5PesGW3QIH6a5i5kkBPZXt-SxRB6k/s1600-h/DSC03328.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeQzQP6FfeYblMMMI2yD7H7T3czb2lo2NUn69A0GsCOggYjZDFAhpmtIFdzBv04CY5S3evj5dEWW3_Z3mljOLWK2a6u4n4Mv4hZPr2zkZTIvpba5PesGW3QIH6a5i5kkBPZXt-SxRB6k/s400/DSC03328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351116712418337106" border="0" /></a>Turned out they were safe to eat off the vine, so I went first. The one I got was not fantastic. Not bad, but extremely tart and probably not quite ripe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXYl_zqXDmg_t1-DFqE5DgGYvlyQr_F_OS4qJvA4qUj6UkEv-JuvqyOmvAfQqmRf8rFuoVSWyJz9pnwOQmdZpmvymCryDgvTzaZAFJwXOVSR78WScQGO6GT8wZU9Jj-6I7nAcT7JkPMw/s1600-h/DSC03329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXYl_zqXDmg_t1-DFqE5DgGYvlyQr_F_OS4qJvA4qUj6UkEv-JuvqyOmvAfQqmRf8rFuoVSWyJz9pnwOQmdZpmvymCryDgvTzaZAFJwXOVSR78WScQGO6GT8wZU9Jj-6I7nAcT7JkPMw/s400/DSC03329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351116707584129970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This one met its fate in my belly</span><br /></div><br />Overall a very nice neighborhood hike. No scary caves or 360 degree mountain views, but not bad for something so close to home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzs1QoaiaHqyZussJTB_rgu3_cndzVHpNPxd53jyGpK-rWaqIyZwBsqIOvPat4Nnuyq3RWl36_raY4kV-UVnAz0yDjDFpqAfx7f5qysGkzz5a0Tl0zOQIXixFy95TLXXKSrEqFGdetLw/s1600-h/DSC03330.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzs1QoaiaHqyZussJTB_rgu3_cndzVHpNPxd53jyGpK-rWaqIyZwBsqIOvPat4Nnuyq3RWl36_raY4kV-UVnAz0yDjDFpqAfx7f5qysGkzz5a0Tl0zOQIXixFy95TLXXKSrEqFGdetLw/s400/DSC03330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351116701761920690" border="0" /></a><br />We joined <a href="http://www.zipcar.com/">Zipcar</a> yesterday (I'll do another post about that) so we will be heading out to do some more dramatic hikes this week. Can't wait!<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-40902614010679288852009-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:002009-06-17T18:22:25.079-07:00Mount Mitchell and the Ape CavesAs you may already know from yesterday's "live blog" (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hehe</span>), we hit the road yesterday to do some hiking in the Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Helens</span> National Volcanic Monument area. <a href="http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Mount_Mitchell_Hike">Mount Mitchell</a> was our first stop, a 5 mile out-and-back trail gaining 2,050 feet in elevation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PXuD7BlpH1q0eOtC30jKdhN4JknqvNZk68fI-UoYmiWqoK4-JF7pNVIjqFGwQgCdiXZA01njLMO-WnnqJWeLlhg7xz_q3kpXcEb5I5cxH6uIZKGk4LHbvkXzyULX6-QQKhMI2Do2JKU/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PXuD7BlpH1q0eOtC30jKdhN4JknqvNZk68fI-UoYmiWqoK4-JF7pNVIjqFGwQgCdiXZA01njLMO-WnnqJWeLlhg7xz_q3kpXcEb5I5cxH6uIZKGk4LHbvkXzyULX6-QQKhMI2Do2JKU/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348471721426002770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZXE-v97a8awgsgvHs5R1fWyluCt2pdsr2s-BoybC19oO811M-lZi3ejYY4opoTPTw32oneCfQhtjo4EUaaRSTA4PJuuIGvzpyalkwkvcV_GNcBRY5OeOD59sEb_9BfU68A6Z4r8GurU/s1600-h/DSC03234.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZXE-v97a8awgsgvHs5R1fWyluCt2pdsr2s-BoybC19oO811M-lZi3ejYY4opoTPTw32oneCfQhtjo4EUaaRSTA4PJuuIGvzpyalkwkvcV_GNcBRY5OeOD59sEb_9BfU68A6Z4r8GurU/s400/DSC03234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324662316057346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley is ready to go!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrUmjwOfXf3T-IledIY5t_-JYZxK3dGbc0EVIAAXv_0dgVGXPEw0tD1iVzVyYZXEVelrAMWllx2jsIPcXLYdH75XximbBxDXga7JyTOgcpE0bboH-INWP1bxsGHwc_rh1mjepgTL8vVs/s1600-h/DSC03237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrUmjwOfXf3T-IledIY5t_-JYZxK3dGbc0EVIAAXv_0dgVGXPEw0tD1iVzVyYZXEVelrAMWllx2jsIPcXLYdH75XximbBxDXga7JyTOgcpE0bboH-INWP1bxsGHwc_rh1mjepgTL8vVs/s400/DSC03237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324562739693170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our super awesome rental PT Cruiser at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">trailhead</span></span><br /></div><br />This was a really nice hike; most of the <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>hard work was in the first mile or so, making for a very pleasant rest of the way up. This was also Buckley's first totally off-leash hike. I can't even describe how nice it was to not have to worry about hanging on to him the whole time! He did great! Of course, he had to be in the lead the whole time, but he was always careful to not get out of sight and to wait for us if he got too far ahead. It was also nice to be pretty much the only ones on the mountain.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaw2APRKwWkbPZL2jk6LGPejtI6q9X7U4BFdXttddTApkTq99ICgdh3-FQn9AStnDrbwQryfhCBlyy9DQuGGx3Og5443_bh4S-Gf4Wk22zJW5C-Uh3DfVW82Zv4QqfWFd1pudLbUVnCE/s1600-h/DSC03238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaw2APRKwWkbPZL2jk6LGPejtI6q9X7U4BFdXttddTApkTq99ICgdh3-FQn9AStnDrbwQryfhCBlyy9DQuGGx3Og5443_bh4S-Gf4Wk22zJW5C-Uh3DfVW82Zv4QqfWFd1pudLbUVnCE/s400/DSC03238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324554783303586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">So proud of our big boy!</span><br /></div><br />After what seemed like endless steep switchbacks, we caught our first glimpse of Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Helens</span> through the trees.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2onp7naWk6pybS2vPeS3ynu6pnjnqu-q-IT1I1KE4LT2YpLXOopLKgow9xlHL1iKJJCdmc0cjraOpFMoTLf81wskenu5c1puJiF1qJTxkZXbSxmT1uVLS5iyJYCBl7nXlMI0drYFq8pA/s1600-h/DSC03240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2onp7naWk6pybS2vPeS3ynu6pnjnqu-q-IT1I1KE4LT2YpLXOopLKgow9xlHL1iKJJCdmc0cjraOpFMoTLf81wskenu5c1puJiF1qJTxkZXbSxmT1uVLS5iyJYCBl7nXlMI0drYFq8pA/s400/DSC03240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324545731688418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Helens</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCm7ouSiT_ytaccWfO1L4Nt9_KQ82K87AIdBPzuLrjerYBC32woSWPql9c3zO8i8RiQjNd1YeK93dAmu65UsjrWqmHoDjg-mdUQCx5qFXhq2ah9UIIEPAxFymoVaU_Zv1dtw0SfsiWMM/s1600-h/DSC03243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCm7ouSiT_ytaccWfO1L4Nt9_KQ82K87AIdBPzuLrjerYBC32woSWPql9c3zO8i8RiQjNd1YeK93dAmu65UsjrWqmHoDjg-mdUQCx5qFXhq2ah9UIIEPAxFymoVaU_Zv1dtw0SfsiWMM/s400/DSC03243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324197992602514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The view from the trail once it opened up</span><br /></div><br />After a while the trail started to open up a bit, offering some great views, and even more meadows of wildflowers. Man I love these wildflower meadows! The most prevalent on this trail is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Xerophyllum</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tenax</span>; better known as Bear Grass flowers. These flowers are very important to the fire ecology of the area. They are one of the few plants that can survive fires that would otherwise clear out an area, and is often the first plant to spring back up after a fire. They look like giant Q-tips, and they are everywhere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNdNvj0WOPeM0yv52ckwDhfyvY1JpCjdr1TWpyCksmwA1kPooK2bpdguRdzZDz6E_3gbAvulARWypeVq2TskiRXvP4buZdsC8PGnmw6bsehCnHmYErGEmfGPJmGwKUm966hahazdILEU/s1600-h/DSC03245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNdNvj0WOPeM0yv52ckwDhfyvY1JpCjdr1TWpyCksmwA1kPooK2bpdguRdzZDz6E_3gbAvulARWypeVq2TskiRXvP4buZdsC8PGnmw6bsehCnHmYErGEmfGPJmGwKUm966hahazdILEU/s400/DSC03245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324192860646146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bear Grass</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi6n3QLZMerKBbbjrXa4zW3A41dkcFbwRwGSLH4hbXUErdReEEgDdBsKKx-4h9krf5nQAm1dbbKnLtkVpp5mDxejbqTRORrdLXAOKmLseuGdDf8GQk5qRbRMnUoYtTe2FyAiqc04WUck/s1600-h/DSC03247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi6n3QLZMerKBbbjrXa4zW3A41dkcFbwRwGSLH4hbXUErdReEEgDdBsKKx-4h9krf5nQAm1dbbKnLtkVpp5mDxejbqTRORrdLXAOKmLseuGdDf8GQk5qRbRMnUoYtTe2FyAiqc04WUck/s400/DSC03247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348324186293588386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocky summit in the background - that's where we're headed!</span><br /></div><br />We made it to the summit in no time! There is a bit of scrambling up some rocks to get all the way up, but you are then treated to a <span style="font-style: italic;">gorgeous </span>360 degree view.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5DIs_UGKJa5WUQ14aYq90QvQ2T3_ZrDQJ3-XqHWVQpdIiVMUJi6LGTFzcRjT5o3QdL8H8rWr1gvltX1Kz7EwQoYkN5lfnd6jwPRUtvRiA2Fp8tX_SptaCTNORiX8s8N5ETSW1UnccZY/s1600-h/DSC03249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5DIs_UGKJa5WUQ14aYq90QvQ2T3_ZrDQJ3-XqHWVQpdIiVMUJi6LGTFzcRjT5o3QdL8H8rWr1gvltX1Kz7EwQoYkN5lfnd6jwPRUtvRiA2Fp8tX_SptaCTNORiX8s8N5ETSW1UnccZY/s400/DSC03249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323750344698738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Helens</span> from the summit</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE9S9f1vBXhL2FnK-mFUlBxSX3yMhjJIopdnjeK0OpRYJxHEtcV3KjdY2RezkxhFkm-zMcc0sELMwvQ-vxOxTNgcOWtyrdedFnhcaQqvbh3kyccj3YWN1DIdVEEWtwMlRY907XJNjh-k/s1600-h/DSC03251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE9S9f1vBXhL2FnK-mFUlBxSX3yMhjJIopdnjeK0OpRYJxHEtcV3KjdY2RezkxhFkm-zMcc0sELMwvQ-vxOxTNgcOWtyrdedFnhcaQqvbh3kyccj3YWN1DIdVEEWtwMlRY907XJNjh-k/s400/DSC03251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323748412113266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Helens</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZf4T4hqZy-9aYO1qFm-FNau_m9cVD4zwEWNLljbXJOlBd21CMlLnOGCd-XwSjV0J0LuQfkxpYjUxBDofxMwXbiU62zK1YjRDTneMxrh3ny7wCyLpLQm50-29XnDzEguUNxYnei_QT1Q/s1600-h/DSC03252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZf4T4hqZy-9aYO1qFm-FNau_m9cVD4zwEWNLljbXJOlBd21CMlLnOGCd-XwSjV0J0LuQfkxpYjUxBDofxMwXbiU62zK1YjRDTneMxrh3ny7wCyLpLQm50-29XnDzEguUNxYnei_QT1Q/s400/DSC03252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323740191458658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">There's Mt. Hood!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs3nIxq01wQPSIF2dZc51J7H3xMK8eczKu8xSLh87wS9wFgB8mjrsXYUIGUrc_igOcMqjq0XJLrMCTizhVLyTaXWDQXkkGtTJMPaP3hhhcc-cbQM3wfJc2hbG_I6uMnQMksBSPDtt1J4/s1600-h/DSC03253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs3nIxq01wQPSIF2dZc51J7H3xMK8eczKu8xSLh87wS9wFgB8mjrsXYUIGUrc_igOcMqjq0XJLrMCTizhVLyTaXWDQXkkGtTJMPaP3hhhcc-cbQM3wfJc2hbG_I6uMnQMksBSPDtt1J4/s400/DSC03253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323467767630546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. Adams. I love all the hills and layers of green/blue in the foreground.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XTcBEzbEsacC7OoC8pS2DxjTlBFaXAIPrcR1WBJpLYUVFBOLkktCW2f7xQqAEaKlL4wbP3wpuzOk_TmsHzCECDfU-lKSxUO8diqUGzJoa3a9MVdNcBoarK78CaDa1Z-XvVV_bhfJJMQ/s1600-h/DSC03257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XTcBEzbEsacC7OoC8pS2DxjTlBFaXAIPrcR1WBJpLYUVFBOLkktCW2f7xQqAEaKlL4wbP3wpuzOk_TmsHzCECDfU-lKSxUO8diqUGzJoa3a9MVdNcBoarK78CaDa1Z-XvVV_bhfJJMQ/s400/DSC03257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323464645970418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking down the side of Mount Mitchell</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lt1dCCeT8CzVkbrY8ygJFTjtZehfks0CEDHQawQwn_d-7MljSXAnWSpvhq7Yt0I5oxBx4m9_8NgZHGdW7NvjK8cfuXTAxqKABvZhKKdRiyS3mlWulVZ6keLkquTb1LSGZLR6E3gC79Y/s1600-h/DSC03263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lt1dCCeT8CzVkbrY8ygJFTjtZehfks0CEDHQawQwn_d-7MljSXAnWSpvhq7Yt0I5oxBx4m9_8NgZHGdW7NvjK8cfuXTAxqKABvZhKKdRiyS3mlWulVZ6keLkquTb1LSGZLR6E3gC79Y/s400/DSC03263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323454854244386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Helens</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjVZvdpL_RoyMjrP4lGLw7C0sgIht8frvzcaXJAKE8sBBf1-2XVuMBxnginLyp9zRvqyhzaTj8xzwTo0mneyAOMC7gqMotL2by2vDrM8_87gAXY4dNWEwnPuzzNo3en85kLiNnq8ZeM/s1600-h/DSC03265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjVZvdpL_RoyMjrP4lGLw7C0sgIht8frvzcaXJAKE8sBBf1-2XVuMBxnginLyp9zRvqyhzaTj8xzwTo0mneyAOMC7gqMotL2by2vDrM8_87gAXY4dNWEwnPuzzNo3en85kLiNnq8ZeM/s400/DSC03265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323108212909202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley negotiating the summit</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OjeJdnwkOA5oy8nt8pS9BqEjwQs-sEyOYQKgZUIR3d9063q0QWnJ6ZaOMWtwltIM0yig2-r_o6Ce4WJBEgSDjOARNM3MdB-g_82eYmoBas4GFFxPkXz-VWn570dY1bVf9qSEF1VoJVg/s1600-h/DSC03266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OjeJdnwkOA5oy8nt8pS9BqEjwQs-sEyOYQKgZUIR3d9063q0QWnJ6ZaOMWtwltIM0yig2-r_o6Ce4WJBEgSDjOARNM3MdB-g_82eYmoBas4GFFxPkXz-VWn570dY1bVf9qSEF1VoJVg/s400/DSC03266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323103694521602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu5Ghb90oDqCY-6Ek7-R9k9lGCXkRohcvK9ACAE5lTsdQpORhGo7_rBMoMVuTptIllyJQp6AMCuG6UExROEJeUwGTvCD6dSd6N31ZT4b9PExu6lV2sb5tXJWn9Xdcs3x7W0aXF5o4TB8/s1600-h/DSC03267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu5Ghb90oDqCY-6Ek7-R9k9lGCXkRohcvK9ACAE5lTsdQpORhGo7_rBMoMVuTptIllyJQp6AMCuG6UExROEJeUwGTvCD6dSd6N31ZT4b9PExu6lV2sb5tXJWn9Xdcs3x7W0aXF5o4TB8/s400/DSC03267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323097478958322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">He's got the mountains in his blood</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyAAQoUqBsQn0MSIPDuPRaFuevSd-ftEOKllEK-ykSwK7iiInBQ4phPQ7snANKoCR4cdVxcTyOkwr1e3pIvTETpnjagDAq9KXLGuGsf_EZKu-TRVVUDFlXalrTLQNqapxhPlATUyAe1U/s1600-h/DSC03271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyAAQoUqBsQn0MSIPDuPRaFuevSd-ftEOKllEK-ykSwK7iiInBQ4phPQ7snANKoCR4cdVxcTyOkwr1e3pIvTETpnjagDAq9KXLGuGsf_EZKu-TRVVUDFlXalrTLQNqapxhPlATUyAe1U/s400/DSC03271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322783737565698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Obligatory "Jenny in front of (insert Cascade range mountain here)" shot</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK2oyS8sSCW4V9BR7w9qrgCUzW_jt_6rI6eSUV8RtQs7_LTGu1HDvlGuCd0px5xgiSqbMIlB4D0hUXe9qc0klN4miurkQPxnZP4sQ6ZDlYVMmv9zsXFmxIt4mQx54m2VH4aR7ZwAMcQU/s1600-h/DSC03272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK2oyS8sSCW4V9BR7w9qrgCUzW_jt_6rI6eSUV8RtQs7_LTGu1HDvlGuCd0px5xgiSqbMIlB4D0hUXe9qc0klN4miurkQPxnZP4sQ6ZDlYVMmv9zsXFmxIt4mQx54m2VH4aR7ZwAMcQU/s400/DSC03272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322776757049682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9uYmZEvPbltSahC74zyFa2RO0MAyynsTX2MV2u7YhtZhLSodIkrKa295XlY3YjDrBkSeE9rkCTLrtERy_na3QWJ-lN1ihhD4NedHW0d5nFqt0B66xy3Z1F_rs1NqM-wMfr1q5ZHnQCc/s1600-h/DSC03277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9uYmZEvPbltSahC74zyFa2RO0MAyynsTX2MV2u7YhtZhLSodIkrKa295XlY3YjDrBkSeE9rkCTLrtERy_na3QWJ-lN1ihhD4NedHW0d5nFqt0B66xy3Z1F_rs1NqM-wMfr1q5ZHnQCc/s400/DSC03277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322772239375922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Plenty of Bear Grass, even at the summit</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2jq3XUv16iRWkmJnCAw647GWsLYqKtZo5vhCSe0E1vS37PzcD3MpVVmsYGKtcfzf3TwwRMScTOzRE9cl0F7zYdHUbDd-MGTe575-PtvqBax8WEoBO1EwDDgpS2akSyvMsMsPLExoGSk/s1600-h/DSC03278.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2jq3XUv16iRWkmJnCAw647GWsLYqKtZo5vhCSe0E1vS37PzcD3MpVVmsYGKtcfzf3TwwRMScTOzRE9cl0F7zYdHUbDd-MGTe575-PtvqBax8WEoBO1EwDDgpS2akSyvMsMsPLExoGSk/s400/DSC03278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322457791463010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">It was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">loooong</span> way down</span><br /></div><br />The summit is comprised of very large rocks, but with lots of flat surfaces that make it easy to sit down and have lunch to take it all in. Again, it was <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>nice to be the only ones there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOaZsV_tVA4rjpvxKerfSCHp3JNpobjmoqPq8TdpcN7bo0jt7F8xfJgRBV3lk1D3V3gOS9YpczZM8RW5LDVOzjglfA4MCSePxO9yhieQP56fVVIFrN3JkoaH_lR-IUHno1q87OBltGDE/s1600-h/DSC03279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOaZsV_tVA4rjpvxKerfSCHp3JNpobjmoqPq8TdpcN7bo0jt7F8xfJgRBV3lk1D3V3gOS9YpczZM8RW5LDVOzjglfA4MCSePxO9yhieQP56fVVIFrN3JkoaH_lR-IUHno1q87OBltGDE/s400/DSC03279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322455037228466" border="0" /></a><br />And while I know it won't truly capture how awesome the view was, I took a little 360 video from the summit. It starts on Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Helens</span>, then you see Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, then back to St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Helens</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe-XFGaE0i78hl7mdCecv-9rGWu8mOXXFQpW6Ph95yxUcqMUxCKSdq7EcE8DhiFMTl8PxN_tsTTBJN8S0Ewnk-vPLlmuHFSxcEOxC66_JEnAmwkac1Jl8Y5vyEFSmb3wfzmjCTlBi2kM/s1600-h/DSC03304.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaRuefyGdyJSFgDLN-DH7nwYVG1MY7Stf2zIRu23EIqqDKWZlx86D20BiXmGvKW4cqr8x0FcUt4IqpJU35rw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /></div><br />I could have stayed at the summit all day. Alas, we needed to hit the trail back down.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkCNFWPQv79fKwbTHmEXRq6iOFZ77jeB73jzwEqYn3YZwI9IEqIFc4I2fjCfhiDr76w2f_6Lubf_dg0HrlL0TCg_I796T5CSNoYW0zOgcdkHSTroz19LEnvzQeWQK8DWSIHORRLroQpY/s1600-h/DSC03280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkCNFWPQv79fKwbTHmEXRq6iOFZ77jeB73jzwEqYn3YZwI9IEqIFc4I2fjCfhiDr76w2f_6Lubf_dg0HrlL0TCg_I796T5CSNoYW0zOgcdkHSTroz19LEnvzQeWQK8DWSIHORRLroQpY/s400/DSC03280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322445276994418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Buckley is always ready to pack it up and move forward</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jdtzCpmxDSHai_-PZFvQ0xCRp0ZGiviEGqDuEug6Q6yiA0hbKaqa5RfQjYUIPEmOIpihkwL7R8K9Pw9nI9ld0f4B2DTM9NzmkMn6TB91G8voXEuHHKFEXrwQDCUglQhjCFNe343X5qQ/s1600-h/DSC03281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jdtzCpmxDSHai_-PZFvQ0xCRp0ZGiviEGqDuEug6Q6yiA0hbKaqa5RfQjYUIPEmOIpihkwL7R8K9Pw9nI9ld0f4B2DTM9NzmkMn6TB91G8voXEuHHKFEXrwQDCUglQhjCFNe343X5qQ/s400/DSC03281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321798249163346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QcTYrPkSEKS0DnyIBaEy1KB9R0LU0Gsr0cHVHRNkDDtruY6k9y0czwKmnXa_qQSMvKTZT8_OKKPBk27xLLjVTArm-DgCGmXmfjHShHp65ZtJPT9lV1Nb2HzKXGPtS2cnFUU00XbHWI4/s1600-h/DSC03285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QcTYrPkSEKS0DnyIBaEy1KB9R0LU0Gsr0cHVHRNkDDtruY6k9y0czwKmnXa_qQSMvKTZT8_OKKPBk27xLLjVTArm-DgCGmXmfjHShHp65ZtJPT9lV1Nb2HzKXGPtS2cnFUU00XbHWI4/s400/DSC03285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321792932033538" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-UY1XNhqyu6cMPEeOiyqhIxypgz44MmYxDm8CrPKb_OA5Sneh13Pt5c_KOccpU2SL_QkCJ_9CrgE_eRlA66LQiNCawFf_GpX3h2_NciRJIrxOQevRc57zah2qq16b0QcXFbO7nU0dHk/s1600-h/DSC03291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-UY1XNhqyu6cMPEeOiyqhIxypgz44MmYxDm8CrPKb_OA5Sneh13Pt5c_KOccpU2SL_QkCJ_9CrgE_eRlA66LQiNCawFf_GpX3h2_NciRJIrxOQevRc57zah2qq16b0QcXFbO7nU0dHk/s400/DSC03291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321783889906418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">More Bear Grass meadows</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkji4-JVfXOnO-PARcU7UJAmK3W3HXFbmXj5_xbahoUxw-LWiQKGP6qD60sYUBUY0DvFwQ5MOZgCv-MiZlaoEoHMGVMv-i2Zkv7pIVZLTlFBVLUT72ugymPosbwdIIK4cfq-s7BZnDR2E/s1600-h/DSC03292.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkji4-JVfXOnO-PARcU7UJAmK3W3HXFbmXj5_xbahoUxw-LWiQKGP6qD60sYUBUY0DvFwQ5MOZgCv-MiZlaoEoHMGVMv-i2Zkv7pIVZLTlFBVLUT72ugymPosbwdIIK4cfq-s7BZnDR2E/s400/DSC03292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321350780373906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Never runs out of energy - he ran almost the whole way down</span><br /></div><br />We're back at the spot where we got our first trail glimpse of St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Helens</span>, this time with no clouds!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9A6UOdfPyYe-T13lNmrrFoljeVsCVmqSb_T1seEAyi8dG_hU86Eonn1WrZ_-UN7n4TaGe3-nnEJbDgYJ_mstacfyv8zFLo4kEfkbg8rNMOsdi2zeEiTTwYUjYMRnyqQMwG36MdpXPiM/s1600-h/DSC03295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9A6UOdfPyYe-T13lNmrrFoljeVsCVmqSb_T1seEAyi8dG_hU86Eonn1WrZ_-UN7n4TaGe3-nnEJbDgYJ_mstacfyv8zFLo4kEfkbg8rNMOsdi2zeEiTTwYUjYMRnyqQMwG36MdpXPiM/s400/DSC03295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321343767127090" border="0" /></a><br />It really was a great hike that I would recommend to anyone. While we were in the area, we decided to also hit Ape Cave, a lava tube located just south of Mt. St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Helens</span>. At over 13,000 feet long, this is the longest continuous lava tube in the western hemisphere, formed by a lava flow about 2,000 years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRBw3ZHTShGFEynBoIfCXfTPb8vynjkCCvm-rRv2ct81qbuRHIYs7EQcACrBGIuEumH0_kA2xA2pDBhPKw8byms5OqtWtGi96xEXAVYk_Z2S-mmcc80mZArhMD3PWIBDXAS9y5QRt7jA/s1600-h/DSC03296.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRBw3ZHTShGFEynBoIfCXfTPb8vynjkCCvm-rRv2ct81qbuRHIYs7EQcACrBGIuEumH0_kA2xA2pDBhPKw8byms5OqtWtGi96xEXAVYk_Z2S-mmcc80mZArhMD3PWIBDXAS9y5QRt7jA/s400/DSC03296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321338586642786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The entrance to the cave</span><br /></div><br />Now, we knew we would need flashlights for this hike - after all, it's a cave. But, I think part of me was expecting it to be a kind of fluffy, touristy cave with lanterns along the way or something. Not so much. We are talking complete darkness. Not one single scrap of light getting in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbci04IrnF_aDun0LSU3c4_npqRBUTINf0Lv20bdFpBljeuFFe8LmKqPqTBIAaCRqZiaOEO77QlpqlWdYETppggfGTbasJtjVfWVHbXGiWQnlPWQD4lRnilEe4psB6bDgGhJdvpGZh08/s1600-h/DSC03298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbci04IrnF_aDun0LSU3c4_npqRBUTINf0Lv20bdFpBljeuFFe8LmKqPqTBIAaCRqZiaOEO77QlpqlWdYETppggfGTbasJtjVfWVHbXGiWQnlPWQD4lRnilEe4psB6bDgGhJdvpGZh08/s400/DSC03298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321006069515794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> The first steps into the abyss</span><br /></div><br />At this point, I literally said to Paul "nope, can't do this." The thought of venturing into complete inky black darkness was too much for me. It also didn't help that we were pretty much the only ones there - this time I actually <span style="font-style: italic;">wanted</span> to see some other humans. Somehow I was persuaded to at least walk 40' down the metal stairs into the deep, dark abyss.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW4etWSVsKqBLzboeDN_GgOmKT4dXw9YZNP2TS6Jsb8VZFKVYIjGVLyHIUG86PYjPq626QsG3APoqgVrCl-DU7si8bTInDXnxyTBzxtJ07fIiopsnt349CvI8OnUBCd2j5Ub-0B4le5c/s1600-h/DSC03300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW4etWSVsKqBLzboeDN_GgOmKT4dXw9YZNP2TS6Jsb8VZFKVYIjGVLyHIUG86PYjPq626QsG3APoqgVrCl-DU7si8bTInDXnxyTBzxtJ07fIiopsnt349CvI8OnUBCd2j5Ub-0B4le5c/s400/DSC03300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321002951894210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Coming down the stairs into the caves</span><br /></div><br />I have no idea how it happened, but I kept on walking. Complete darkness, complete silence, damp 42 degree air, us and our $3 flashlights which weren't kicking out much light. Something about not being able to see where I'm going or where I've been @#$%ing freaked me out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCpbi1W7nSfEBlkymxec5-isLGXlAisCeYcpTqcx5JpCk1Besqj3Hj2Q9fizPT0KHmSjw6LomtGW0I0IId9n1yFKDvSB8mhSo-K7oSRPne8DAoZi7BieJVOC_r38cTKrlmAo2uPKruso/s1600-h/DSC03301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCpbi1W7nSfEBlkymxec5-isLGXlAisCeYcpTqcx5JpCk1Besqj3Hj2Q9fizPT0KHmSjw6LomtGW0I0IId9n1yFKDvSB8mhSo-K7oSRPne8DAoZi7BieJVOC_r38cTKrlmAo2uPKruso/s400/DSC03301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348321000368145362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This shot was taken totally blind, and I'll be honest, I was afraid of what the flash might show me</span><br /></div><br />That said, I still managed to flash my light around enough to check things out. The cave really is beautiful, and surreal. Unlike anything I've ever seen. For much of the way, the ceiling arches up to 40' above you. Very cool.<br /><br />This section is called "the meatball." It's a ball of hardened lava that fell from the above cave ceiling at some point, and was carried along on top of the lava flow until it wedged itself in between the cave walls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P4_TZMHhd4J57A-E21gr_Mm2ZB9HaIstEKNeJiWorIg0mwtMb_IDC-oaHJJmGJkU-vtAwOgXSOb-9C5-F8o62IlueEUGFT2ZxgiHo2DyhZ_BjZad2lntHenK9pap4YaaYTzUb9ETI4Y/s1600-h/DSC03302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P4_TZMHhd4J57A-E21gr_Mm2ZB9HaIstEKNeJiWorIg0mwtMb_IDC-oaHJJmGJkU-vtAwOgXSOb-9C5-F8o62IlueEUGFT2ZxgiHo2DyhZ_BjZad2lntHenK9pap4YaaYTzUb9ETI4Y/s400/DSC03302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348320671299953202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ65cPv0k3PLbbNfRilFAc966oIKNGtqT7uvtTiPnU36Ka4rRwwVJ8HSjLiCTpEwLcnDMWBdk_2dwPrAAPcbjVPbiVQ-lujQY3gu0nSVUKPMpQlUCx5dgyafbryqNH3KmYEGQH8JD9L78/s1600-h/DSC03303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ65cPv0k3PLbbNfRilFAc966oIKNGtqT7uvtTiPnU36Ka4rRwwVJ8HSjLiCTpEwLcnDMWBdk_2dwPrAAPcbjVPbiVQ-lujQY3gu0nSVUKPMpQlUCx5dgyafbryqNH3KmYEGQH8JD9L78/s400/DSC03303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348320663455630546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe-XFGaE0i78hl7mdCecv-9rGWu8mOXXFQpW6Ph95yxUcqMUxCKSdq7EcE8DhiFMTl8PxN_tsTTBJN8S0Ewnk-vPLlmuHFSxcEOxC66_JEnAmwkac1Jl8Y5vyEFSmb3wfzmjCTlBi2kM/s1600-h/DSC03304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe-XFGaE0i78hl7mdCecv-9rGWu8mOXXFQpW6Ph95yxUcqMUxCKSdq7EcE8DhiFMTl8PxN_tsTTBJN8S0Ewnk-vPLlmuHFSxcEOxC66_JEnAmwkac1Jl8Y5vyEFSmb3wfzmjCTlBi2kM/s400/DSC03304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348320657529853490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Interesting little orb in front of Paul here... cave ghosts?</span><br /></div><br />We were on the easier lower cave trail, but there is also a more difficult upper cave trail you can take as well. We knew the lower cave trail was about .8 miles, and we were pretty sure there was an exit up to the surface at that point (since there is an exit at the end of the upper cave trail). We've been walking for what seems to me like miles, and gradually the cave is getting smaller, narrower, and shorter. Before I know it I am on my belly crawling through a tube barely wider than I... that goes straight to a dead end. WHAT?!? I am now convinced that we took a wrong turn and are in some part of the cave we are not supposed to be in, promptly wiggle my way back out of the tube, and proceed to have a mini freak out. It was mentally and emotionally exhausting for me to get to that point, and now we have to go BACK?!<br /><br />I sucked it up... because hey, we're almost a mile into the earth with no other way out, what else can I do... and we headed back. My heart felt like it was in a vice grip the entire way, and I was holding my flashlight so tightly my arm cramped. When we made it back to the surface and the light - sweet, sweet, daylight - we decided to check out the trail maps and discovered we were indeed on the correct trail, and the easier trail is just an out-and-back. Perhaps we should have checked that before heading under, to save me from almost having a panic attack. I immediately proclaimed that I would never set foot in a cave again, buuuut... now that I've had some time to process the experience, I think that I would do it again. But with a much brighter light.<br /><br />Love,<br />Jenny<br /><br />p.s. Everything you've just seen is within an hour drive from home. How cool is that?Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-38573354211476542912009-06-16T14:50:00.000-07:002009-06-16T20:45:11.306-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S0hSv9zJnD0uSG1LQ2gYMCreajTfDfVcHQAYLiGWwx032PP9h3vQvMegyQaSs3A8QZXTqqNjRnDtOrOrXtW2FlI-uPY9OVYNAAD9_za-bILDlHhXcD6Fc8rdFZbb2x-wDcPQu3PZUhw/s1600-h/0616091446-737183.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S0hSv9zJnD0uSG1LQ2gYMCreajTfDfVcHQAYLiGWwx032PP9h3vQvMegyQaSs3A8QZXTqqNjRnDtOrOrXtW2FlI-uPY9OVYNAAD9_za-bILDlHhXcD6Fc8rdFZbb2x-wDcPQu3PZUhw/s320/0616091446-737183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348046623907268050" border="0" /></a></p>Live blogging from the summit of Mount Mitchell! Having lunch with Mt. St. Helens in the background... aaaah. More pics to come.Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-53403587960505672752009-06-14T18:52:00.001-07:002009-06-14T21:21:43.960-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9er7IszZVnJ2GIbN6Xjz8SywZ9aFnpqt_pqtOvFaoGls72ftUH8-Uf0IC8w27PhU83eB-xNDeXnTts7vvFlO0e7XIXZRf49X051PHNNaDARtXLUq9PVSjVLMvkPZso0cUhNpuAbPqjE/s1600-h/0614091733-772411.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9er7IszZVnJ2GIbN6Xjz8SywZ9aFnpqt_pqtOvFaoGls72ftUH8-Uf0IC8w27PhU83eB-xNDeXnTts7vvFlO0e7XIXZRf49X051PHNNaDARtXLUq9PVSjVLMvkPZso0cUhNpuAbPqjE/s320/0614091733-772411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347366451150014850" border="0" /></a></p>Hi y'all, just testing my mobile blogging capabilities. Coming to you from my cell phone, at the VQ!Jenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934492170985053233.post-56551723364446564552009-06-12T08:37:00.000-07:002009-06-12T08:56:06.399-07:00Sauvie IslandHave we punished ourselves enough lately? Certainly not! An extra long bike ride is in order.<br /><br />On Tuesday Paul and I cycled to <a href="http://www.sauvieisland.org/">Sauvie Island</a> to check it out. Sauvie Island is a large island situated between the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and the Multnomah Channel, and is largely farmland and wildlife refuges. It is popular with cyclists for its open, flat terrain, but it is also chock full of farms (with lots of u-pick) that produce some of the most delicious fruits and veggies around.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The island is about 11 miles from home</span>... alright, 20 miles round trip, not too bad. What I didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> realize is how much more cycling there is on the island itself! With flat terrain and beautiful scenery, it goes by pretty quick. At the end of the day, we had cycled a total of <span style="font-weight: bold;">50</span> miles. FIFTY! I realize this is small potatoes for many a cyclist, but I was pretty damn proud of myself. That's a lot of miles to self-propel.<br /><br />We took the GPS along again, so you can view the interactive route map by <a href="http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hislpyleagjeynla">clicking here</a>. If you change the view from terrain to Google satellite, you can see all the farms on the island.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf2CGl-7OWgHE6BpnFxYpeh4oPADJSPzjM627m6daXZe9c9aC7fuHpC_qn6tiCzA-EYc5znK8IXY9LOCb8_UtqQzLgbKTFxQhvz6D90YuWsKX3KaQw7Kqp7R5RbmxhAhx_eAL3CxQ2co/s1600-h/sauvie.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf2CGl-7OWgHE6BpnFxYpeh4oPADJSPzjM627m6daXZe9c9aC7fuHpC_qn6tiCzA-EYc5znK8IXY9LOCb8_UtqQzLgbKTFxQhvz6D90YuWsKX3KaQw7Kqp7R5RbmxhAhx_eAL3CxQ2co/s400/sauvie.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345882698244206978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A snapshot of the entire route</span><br /></div><br />Getting to and from the island was a pretty easy ride, but you must have a penchant for industrial scenery and large trucks rumbling by. At least there is bike lane the whole way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ-Twr-BuAZLqCvJZIWDig0NNHofZrnJijwJdpgqZUHcwPq_fW-y-XTx-IIKbsKpssmgCHK6mSpOC0FomU1D4BJZZepyE70-8fO3fYi6uXMG7geM3pONjrWqCs-ELz0kdhU_gUR10_7A/s1600-h/DSC03182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ-Twr-BuAZLqCvJZIWDig0NNHofZrnJijwJdpgqZUHcwPq_fW-y-XTx-IIKbsKpssmgCHK6mSpOC0FomU1D4BJZZepyE70-8fO3fYi6uXMG7geM3pONjrWqCs-ELz0kdhU_gUR10_7A/s400/DSC03182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345882461469927106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Considering installing a semi-truck horn on my bike</span><br /></div><br />We passed by the St. Johns Bridge, home to Cathedral Park which we visited <a href="http://movingtopdx.blogspot.com/2008/09/coming-to-you-live-from-my-couch.html">back in September</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEroPXsl1eguE_zkszi9w3ZTDzxy8lc3cft3zkbAnHQlMJ3Z5Qe3vvg6D5X2k8-uHRDKbGsbgL3WCNu_u26RNDjJtwJ5_VkaIVtvVqD7uv-9WBgpV6AjW7_wTs-03x4ur3aZiRgeiRBQ/s1600-h/DSC03183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEroPXsl1eguE_zkszi9w3ZTDzxy8lc3cft3zkbAnHQlMJ3Z5Qe3vvg6D5X2k8-uHRDKbGsbgL3WCNu_u26RNDjJtwJ5_VkaIVtvVqD7uv-9WBgpV6AjW7_wTs-03x4ur3aZiRgeiRBQ/s400/DSC03183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345882451652702354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cathedral Park is underneath the bridge on the far side, named for the cathedral-like appearance the arches give</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAnN-ReZMVF2o8NcsOXfgh75eg_aFfLDLH2a-G0VgMI-P5fOhITwkSgpklkWz1ljAij3leQmrCrMv-4N3lVawAnb1MOhEP3LPAGO9-KExbHNhxTpXxkcb6HTEw1wkQ3Q5K1zc5DjvjMI/s1600-h/DSC03185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAnN-ReZMVF2o8NcsOXfgh75eg_aFfLDLH2a-G0VgMI-P5fOhITwkSgpklkWz1ljAij3leQmrCrMv-4N3lVawAnb1MOhEP3LPAGO9-KExbHNhxTpXxkcb6HTEw1wkQ3Q5K1zc5DjvjMI/s400/DSC03185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345882448794343010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cathedral Park</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmOQhR5CGQ2H53MxDfhj4WCv-2rkfHRGCeBbiWQhMcqlqpaIfc3ME0nXjG1K99mFikntFlYcQJP6iUwHyQVibp5AB2puERugFi8b4oP5N2N9EjrTcyYElR131H_DBgnUGVtiW8xsj3hc/s1600-h/DSC03186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmOQhR5CGQ2H53MxDfhj4WCv-2rkfHRGCeBbiWQhMcqlqpaIfc3ME0nXjG1K99mFikntFlYcQJP6iUwHyQVibp5AB2puERugFi8b4oP5N2N9EjrTcyYElR131H_DBgnUGVtiW8xsj3hc/s400/DSC03186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345882443141487986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Readjusting before moving forward</span></div><br />How happy I was to see this sign! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORXXSRkFYBW-0B-bOmeWlHauFxip0GZ4sNNNd2adQblAIbnFOTsIkc9e1In13H_IfvFonbaaHlqHJItTHmRBNXIIVgRprfPo2rztyZobcbMM__9jjd-fQNuQ2lZmekvDPm7cdhj0vXW8/s1600-h/DSC03187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORXXSRkFYBW-0B-bOmeWlHauFxip0GZ4sNNNd2adQblAIbnFOTsIkc9e1In13H_IfvFonbaaHlqHJItTHmRBNXIIVgRprfPo2rztyZobcbMM__9jjd-fQNuQ2lZmekvDPm7cdhj0vXW8/s400/DSC03187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881721568643858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS7__hFfVGBkH5IDxAlM71wyI3tWYB9ZiYVxKcdZFm6wxOjZde3YzxOC7Uzhlc0bpdvo29_6FrRkDUvrJQQEqz6l7rHeM2K-lEt010v4ccjNol5yg5HysILURBAyRLBXWx4Dmw1-fkVI/s1600-h/DSC03188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS7__hFfVGBkH5IDxAlM71wyI3tWYB9ZiYVxKcdZFm6wxOjZde3YzxOC7Uzhlc0bpdvo29_6FrRkDUvrJQQEqz6l7rHeM2K-lEt010v4ccjNol5yg5HysILURBAyRLBXWx4Dmw1-fkVI/s400/DSC03188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881712509843842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoyNJ3D1LXCiuchiwthNNj68sG3mMseCKYUmBZyjLckeqwWusTg5OCWSDkgki1WTGs9hf8AcsMlNsc7giOVljfjzNKkDoUY44_47uiIvzvepzoHGiT10o-FdkwLDl0raeA6vj4tkBkVE/s1600-h/DSC03189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoyNJ3D1LXCiuchiwthNNj68sG3mMseCKYUmBZyjLckeqwWusTg5OCWSDkgki1WTGs9hf8AcsMlNsc7giOVljfjzNKkDoUY44_47uiIvzvepzoHGiT10o-FdkwLDl0raeA6vj4tkBkVE/s400/DSC03189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881709395735698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The bridge to the island</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRQssi5pB7qsGUH-kOFFNBRk3Eu_TfQXNlFloTTUm1EY9YZPEvx4Ge0DELZAqyJr9nQ9JXg1CaMbaeOc8ebGeIFdkCMG6fMjiOv_K3-_VzPNp0G7NfP-1K3IPtqo479NLprhmq3r5TMs/s1600-h/DSC03190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRQssi5pB7qsGUH-kOFFNBRk3Eu_TfQXNlFloTTUm1EY9YZPEvx4Ge0DELZAqyJr9nQ9JXg1CaMbaeOc8ebGeIFdkCMG6fMjiOv_K3-_VzPNp0G7NfP-1K3IPtqo479NLprhmq3r5TMs/s400/DSC03190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881705417147842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6elcVp-JtXPklKqgEZxu6JMbEiw1i3L1Gghfx45Rno7zC3KiFrPczwWJNTtkRhSU9Bpf1YYZGNC3lmnsTGSS-bKPV_o8KznJfohr0FttvXq-x9oPcvEtiLce0oWKgqnPQDog0DxdG5cg/s1600-h/DSC03194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6elcVp-JtXPklKqgEZxu6JMbEiw1i3L1Gghfx45Rno7zC3KiFrPczwWJNTtkRhSU9Bpf1YYZGNC3lmnsTGSS-bKPV_o8KznJfohr0FttvXq-x9oPcvEtiLce0oWKgqnPQDog0DxdG5cg/s400/DSC03194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881076820130978" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXY73moOdRqMtaDKMYaof2aEtrpAZaCPuy7F5hQvS9RDKRoCS-Zi0pFfbu3HmXTyqzQjLFavxxyyY_L_IoOCswn6NIWMJkn6nSLrdUFqz0-bXlDhi6BiN-wsV8KyNWZJoWiTuZjNJhQg/s1600-h/DSC03196.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXY73moOdRqMtaDKMYaof2aEtrpAZaCPuy7F5hQvS9RDKRoCS-Zi0pFfbu3HmXTyqzQjLFavxxyyY_L_IoOCswn6NIWMJkn6nSLrdUFqz0-bXlDhi6BiN-wsV8KyNWZJoWiTuZjNJhQg/s400/DSC03196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881076489733218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bridges are neat</span><br /></div><br />We were on the island for, oh... 30 seconds... when Paul got a flat tire. Argh! We pulled over for what should have been a quick, simple fix. One faulty tube and two spent CO2 cartridges later, we were stuck in the same position without an air pump. After a little while another cyclist came by that had a frame-mounted pump that he let Paul use. Brilliant! That is definitely next on our list of things to buy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudTKmU6J-J2_o3EHh8bEKnmMiks9hQvUMaw0XrsD9Wcbl0fWZ52cR7p0B2fhVA8kPLV5nYiXXH4G3hRAxTcxXHU1_FCK2WCY7JOB-dnHlcF3D4oy63ODhk3TBowCV8VW3_eAHkTwwTV8/s1600-h/DSC03198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudTKmU6J-J2_o3EHh8bEKnmMiks9hQvUMaw0XrsD9Wcbl0fWZ52cR7p0B2fhVA8kPLV5nYiXXH4G3hRAxTcxXHU1_FCK2WCY7JOB-dnHlcF3D4oy63ODhk3TBowCV8VW3_eAHkTwwTV8/s400/DSC03198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881071517754498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">An unscheduled side-of-the-road layover</span><br /></div><br />Once we were on our way, it was miles and miles of flat, smooth open road. It was a gorgeous day and of course everything is in full bloom right now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpeMhQkIKfAXHcdDDpSzx-3KCF04Asw9OMtGNWUpOf3tL8zV3OcrOLxr6BmM6EmETDGqOnnEZfb8VQnf9tJJo9RYUtYCuwNiEQ998KK3F1VrmD9BwLPOy6pZElZ8hH-inCwNuyK2H8Mo/s1600-h/DSC03200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpeMhQkIKfAXHcdDDpSzx-3KCF04Asw9OMtGNWUpOf3tL8zV3OcrOLxr6BmM6EmETDGqOnnEZfb8VQnf9tJJo9RYUtYCuwNiEQ998KK3F1VrmD9BwLPOy6pZElZ8hH-inCwNuyK2H8Mo/s400/DSC03200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345881062048670210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aZXyTsjReuf8h6ZfsV7EiY6FbC-XZt9EAMNfN0aNFiqpP7ul49hkTtfR3rzkBRYmEYp7yPx_8JemkCJBhNMS-QKLc7zqrSaqBxGVGi2G1tyKtYP3A-ooWQROSnmHIrAxIhFkv52cMjc/s1600-h/DSC03202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aZXyTsjReuf8h6ZfsV7EiY6FbC-XZt9EAMNfN0aNFiqpP7ul49hkTtfR3rzkBRYmEYp7yPx_8JemkCJBhNMS-QKLc7zqrSaqBxGVGi2G1tyKtYP3A-ooWQROSnmHIrAxIhFkv52cMjc/s400/DSC03202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880626864733282" border="0" /></a><br />There are also several beaches on the island, including one clothing-optional beach (we did <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> visit that one, and have heard it's a total freak show). Instead we stopped for a break at Walton Beach, along the east edge of the island. Just across the river is Washington.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1NdKZD4YGU_Yx15giNn8ueUfyntPXPI1KzBujt2vspIATWxDfvSKACtXChyygDILoPB6rt35cK9Hqh0cfgLTpxW-SPVcaJy8Qv5CjyKXPr3ZlaEDZax1ixoaVJd4fwyeS3dXH_2JPEI/s1600-h/DSC03204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1NdKZD4YGU_Yx15giNn8ueUfyntPXPI1KzBujt2vspIATWxDfvSKACtXChyygDILoPB6rt35cK9Hqh0cfgLTpxW-SPVcaJy8Qv5CjyKXPr3ZlaEDZax1ixoaVJd4fwyeS3dXH_2JPEI/s400/DSC03204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880622418415266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Walton Beach</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOhp-LC0dDyo1p5RWxHa7SrM6zzugtZ7IgJC13U5gW13-ES2h3uFpvXP07543S90WSSc7tZVKjzhbHwllesooEyYKOymFer9UYizEFlv48wCKMNiz2q3d_vdEWDb-igKjHF53S_yWsF4/s1600-h/DSC03205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOhp-LC0dDyo1p5RWxHa7SrM6zzugtZ7IgJC13U5gW13-ES2h3uFpvXP07543S90WSSc7tZVKjzhbHwllesooEyYKOymFer9UYizEFlv48wCKMNiz2q3d_vdEWDb-igKjHF53S_yWsF4/s400/DSC03205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880621019159346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Walton Beach</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlC4VjTayyZnB0LowDdEYNHPczij2gS6LY0r69kcmKc3wAEiAHmi4FI0YKyLYF0ykfRPkao0fdJcbdIAxD0Gzm5iFUpUXuf8T5zdNILYMNQNU1z6jGqaFHZpGmDRhs4sspSo8w9YIB2Q/s1600-h/DSC03206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlC4VjTayyZnB0LowDdEYNHPczij2gS6LY0r69kcmKc3wAEiAHmi4FI0YKyLYF0ykfRPkao0fdJcbdIAxD0Gzm5iFUpUXuf8T5zdNILYMNQNU1z6jGqaFHZpGmDRhs4sspSo8w9YIB2Q/s400/DSC03206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880609027087522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStjYiTWuQFzprvWobtIV6YUwH9USiCPWguLCci1Vl3e1kUnnoh2ezmsQnBwjcB3bEwG_wvSaWHzOTlretm998NG240tnsmHjelKKT7xkIpptqjl-5eD7O7gdvewajC5LhZfpJluz4gE8/s1600-h/DSC03208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStjYiTWuQFzprvWobtIV6YUwH9USiCPWguLCci1Vl3e1kUnnoh2ezmsQnBwjcB3bEwG_wvSaWHzOTlretm998NG240tnsmHjelKKT7xkIpptqjl-5eD7O7gdvewajC5LhZfpJluz4gE8/s400/DSC03208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880146021322370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbHrBjNaAF6myf3T0JIaxV3yThw32Vni1rFKx-yM9u8ovcxNQpTtbmOzd7RKIHGk5SGurhStM263ts39SXRfU4U1kV4ztlq0R34Fp12pjq7olZMRDty0Ubr16HInQ5DRnbpOum7x_eFA/s1600-h/DSC03209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbHrBjNaAF6myf3T0JIaxV3yThw32Vni1rFKx-yM9u8ovcxNQpTtbmOzd7RKIHGk5SGurhStM263ts39SXRfU4U1kV4ztlq0R34Fp12pjq7olZMRDty0Ubr16HInQ5DRnbpOum7x_eFA/s400/DSC03209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880142242485522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Giving the bikes some time to rest</span><br /></div><br />38 miles in, after cruising quite a bit around the island, we stopped at Kruger's Farm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrP92ikiNb6eANdSSgxBFh-4kjL7gAE9roEd0tFM_0_7RXS_etd_-OjJcNSBM9sTOQWvfIpvTE5Z3BErPoFW-NXQo1D0rxAHegkE-ib8bTMCoVgVJctv3gH836gLXFob1bVjWmmrnSvs/s1600-h/DSC03212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrP92ikiNb6eANdSSgxBFh-4kjL7gAE9roEd0tFM_0_7RXS_etd_-OjJcNSBM9sTOQWvfIpvTE5Z3BErPoFW-NXQo1D0rxAHegkE-ib8bTMCoVgVJctv3gH836gLXFob1bVjWmmrnSvs/s400/DSC03212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880135011608850" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of the <span style="font-style: italic;">many</span> u-pick farms on the island, but since we already had such a long day we opted for some already-picked snacks. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EDZFmG5961rGf4OweE5jGQXL4Zv3Pzp1v87tn5Q23hKW78AeissktT6_8PakaEBWwr34YwhUk04gGDf-MguQ8sqkEDakMgu8QNXmaKlLkbWLKJydpVuo8BA1o-k_z2iYBwrKE5ZkA14/s1600-h/DSC03213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EDZFmG5961rGf4OweE5jGQXL4Zv3Pzp1v87tn5Q23hKW78AeissktT6_8PakaEBWwr34YwhUk04gGDf-MguQ8sqkEDakMgu8QNXmaKlLkbWLKJydpVuo8BA1o-k_z2iYBwrKE5ZkA14/s400/DSC03213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345880124114504162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Some of the sweetest, juiciest fruit I've ever had</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7c3TZh9I4a7S43BK_ZHIBvDu2iKjAaoDEFqe8Xu_J4ETp0t2BRo-jjGQ6VxwxjTelsO8w7Ta6zBVgNaDCManx8-Afbykh4lcot8iR4cwwz8xZyt4jLjVLWJRLS8uywrWjNp_dUKDdwM/s1600-h/DSC03217.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7c3TZh9I4a7S43BK_ZHIBvDu2iKjAaoDEFqe8Xu_J4ETp0t2BRo-jjGQ6VxwxjTelsO8w7Ta6zBVgNaDCManx8-Afbykh4lcot8iR4cwwz8xZyt4jLjVLWJRLS8uywrWjNp_dUKDdwM/s400/DSC03217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345879330926752722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kruger's Farm</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDlSC1r8LeKFaI0zHL3qosz_9nQhyk7qYQ814CdAEhHoWu7o6xIjL-L9cNInFqHP28mj8LQG0VM3QHsC5cFJ_IqjLGa2M2YH2miZ1XelH8Jb_Su2xcuBGqIW62usedYfi7CTVZCOC-SM/s1600-h/DSC03218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDlSC1r8LeKFaI0zHL3qosz_9nQhyk7qYQ814CdAEhHoWu7o6xIjL-L9cNInFqHP28mj8LQG0VM3QHsC5cFJ_IqjLGa2M2YH2miZ1XelH8Jb_Su2xcuBGqIW62usedYfi7CTVZCOC-SM/s400/DSC03218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345879327848718738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcyqGvz2pzcNZ9IY7CRnMET3ggxpChY3IusqQp4s9VE9vsX7R8G-1pGMPucE0rtuwZOZOlmzv-0FyWBQyLDya-f8kFkhHvGvbEE3IqjSEI3HubJgj4NZbpQ25ewAkzX-y47dgsM_9gXg/s1600-h/DSC03222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcyqGvz2pzcNZ9IY7CRnMET3ggxpChY3IusqQp4s9VE9vsX7R8G-1pGMPucE0rtuwZOZOlmzv-0FyWBQyLDya-f8kFkhHvGvbEE3IqjSEI3HubJgj4NZbpQ25ewAkzX-y47dgsM_9gXg/s400/DSC03222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345879317023546386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These soft, sweet strawberries were like little sugar bombs</span><br /></div><br />After Kruger's, it was time to head home. I'm not gonna lie, I was hurting by this point! True, most of our terrain was flat, so there wasn't much climbing, but there were also not very many downhill stretches to coast through... it was just miles and miles of steady pedaling. And honestly it hurt worse to stop (muscles start tightening up) so I had to zone in and just keep going.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC6-vbsogPrWNqtlpT_3Z_VKhRVi4bct2jIEQSqFBelLzmhJbWAWkeTNvrPnNzVeex_UbYQOWJGu_LXXxiPx3npm-9RIcKY8Pvof3RfJAl8fESyDVR8z8GlJJTXA-pvJm-8Gjk8vt7kg/s1600-h/DSC03223.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC6-vbsogPrWNqtlpT_3Z_VKhRVi4bct2jIEQSqFBelLzmhJbWAWkeTNvrPnNzVeex_UbYQOWJGu_LXXxiPx3npm-9RIcKY8Pvof3RfJAl8fESyDVR8z8GlJJTXA-pvJm-8Gjk8vt7kg/s400/DSC03223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345879313130637666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Back at the St. John's Bridge. You can just barely see downtown in the background... a very welcome sight for me at this point!</span><br /></div><br />At the end of the day, we made it (but I don't think Paul was hurting nearly as bad as I was). I never thought I could pedal 50 miles! Now that I know I can, I'm ready to do more. We'll be hitting some more bike rides soon for sure!<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921934778594681986noreply@blogger.com4