February 21, 2007

a moment of color


a moment of color, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

I saw more rainbows in my first year of living in Portland than in the rest of my life combined. I've never lived somewhere that was sunny and rainy all at once. Have you ever driven with sunglasses on while your windshield wipers are going? I have, many times. Yeah for sunbreaks!

This was a double rainbow but by the time I got to this view point on the east side of the park only one was still strong. Moments later the light was gone, the color drained away and it was just the gray rain of a Sunday evening.

downtown's rain will soon be mine

view from the upper reservoir at Mt Tabor Park. I could see the rain downtown heading east, towards me.

Portland, Oregon

little runner


little runner, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Gina running behind the waterfall, where the trail goes, on the Cape Horn hike. Just a moment before we actually were hot (in February) as the sun beat down on us on the rocky cliffs. The cool water felt fantastic but it really was a soaker.

backlit and misty


backlit and misty, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

photo by Gina. I'm descending the trail to go behind the waterfall on the Cape Horn trail. I love going behind the falls!

afternoon cliff


afternoon cliff, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Gina on one of the many amazing viewpoints along the Cape Horn trail in the Gorge.

Columbia River and Oregon on the other side

tree math


tree math, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

someone had counted and marked the rings on this cut tree along the Cape Horn Trail. 170 years. There were definitely bigger trees standing

gina and the big view


gina and the big view, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

hiking the Cape Horn trail on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. an amazing day to be on this fantastic trail

creek crossing


creek crossing, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

there were many small stream crossings on the Cape Horn trail. 7 mile loop with 1300 feet elevation gain. an amazing trail

phoca rock in its columbian sea

it's a river really but it sure is big. Phoca Rock was named by Lewis & Clark as they paddled down the Columbia River towards the nearby Pacific Ocean. Phoca is Greek for seal. Seals have been known to swim up the river (and gorge on salmon at the fish ladders at Bonneville Dam).

The rock is 100 feet high and 80 feet in diameter.

don't fall down


don't fall down, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

wow was this a steep trail! The Cape Horn trail in the Gorge has many, many great views of the Columbia River Gorge from sheer cliffs. Watch your step.

7 mile loop (we did a bonus mile too) with 1300 feet of elevation gain-all at the beginning. phew.

new view


new view, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

I'm so familiar with the Gorge but this was a new view to me. The Cape Horn trail on the Washington side of the Gorge is relatively new and is a beautiful hike...7 mile loop with 1300 feet of elevation gain (almost entirely at the very beginning). We got off trail (on a street nonetheless) and added an extra mile. A great day to be outside!

lunching


lunching, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

our lunchtime view along the Cape Horn trail in the Gorge today. So sunny and warm (60s!)...a spectacular February day. The forecast calls for cold fronts and 10 days of rain. I'm so glad we got out in the sunshine!

cape horn of the northwest

Gina and I did the Cape Horn hike on the Washington side of the Gorge today. It was a *gorgeous* day-sunny, in the 60's, calm winds. This is a relatively new trail and is a fantastic hike.

looking across the Columbia River to Oregon

cape horn of the northwest

Hello everyone!

I had a great weekend. Friday night I stayed in, happy to be home after many evenings out. I caught up on my netflix and read my book before going to bed early.

Saturday was beautiful. I woke up to blue skies and sun streaming in the living room windows. I left the house and smiled to see my dutch irises had begun blooming along with my crocuses. The primroses and narcissus have been blooming for some time but I’m excited for each new flower that opens up. Everything was soaking up the warm sun. I picked up Gina and we headed out to the Gorge for a hike on the Cape Horn Trail. This is a relatively new trail. The land was going to be developed when the Columbia Land Trust stepped in and began purchasing plots to conserve the area. The trail begins by launching you up a steep hill. Damn was it steep. There was 1300 feet of elevation gain on this hike and it was almost entirely all in the first mile. Phew! Once at the top we found ourselves on the sheer basalt cliffs overlooking the massive Columbia River. It was a gorgeous day out: sunny, warm (in the 60s!) and calm winds. The views both up and down the river were incredible. Straight across the river we could see waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge. The trail would meander through the woods then pop back out along another cliff viewpoint. We stopped at one of these and ate our lunches, basking in the sun, warm outside and so happy.

After lunch we continued on the trail. At one point there was a confusing juncture that was not addressed in the hiking book. We got off the trail (walking down country roads, not like we were genuinely lost in the wilderness). We quickly figured out our way and were back on track. We walked along the cliff edge a while longer and saw a waterfall plunging down the sheer walls to the Columbia River below. The railroad tracks vanished into the massive rock below us but no train came by at that moment. We walked across a huge old rock slide, the rocks now encased in moss. The sun was beating down on us and we actually said, “Wow, it’s hot!” Just then we turned the corner and found the trail leading us behind a waterfall. The water was very cold and refreshing and we dashed behind it and ran up the hill on the far side. The hike ended along Cape Horn Road, where we walked along the quiet street with the huge cliffs looming above us. It was a nice cool down after the long hike. The 7 mile loop became 8 with our little countryside detour. It really was a fantastic hike, one of the best I’ve done in the Gorge. I’m so glad this amazing place has been saved from cliffside homes and subdivisions.

We drove back to Portland and I showered before heading over to Gina’s house for dinner. Gina had bought fresh pasta which she cooked up with some sausage, steamed broccoli and alfredo sauce. We spent the evening playing cards and watching tv. I went home very tired from our long hike and slept very well.

Sunday was back to normal with rain and gray skies. In the morning I watched The Departed which was excellent. I watched a documentary about cocaine smuggling (wow) and read my book for a while. Later in the evening I drove Gina to her parents’ house to pick up Elaine’s car. I stopped at Mt Tabor to watch an approaching rainstorm then caught a beautiful rainbow on the other side of the park. Gina & I ate some leftovers and watched Oregon Field Guide and some other tv before calling it a night.
So that was my weekend. Please let me know how you are and what you’re up to! I hope all is well!

xoxoxo,
carolyn

February 13, 2007

old friends get older


old friends get older, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Amy (right) turned 30 and had a gathering at Crush in SE Portland to celebrate. Melissa (left) is one of her best friends and helped set the whole thing up. It started at 11 AM with brunch and went until the afternoon. Drinks, dancing, yummy food, great friends, good times.

sunday crush


sunday crush, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Elaine, Gina & Melissa at Crush in SE Portland for Amy's birthday celebration. I left the museum after my volunteer shift and got there as fast as I could, grateful for the amber beer and lovely company.

Neko!


Neko!, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

We hightailed it out of the concert hall after Merle Haggard was done playing, not interested in any encores he might do. While walking out of the building who do I see standing next to the Neko Case merch table except Neko herself. I lost the powers of speech and could only grin. She signed our tickets and Gina's Neko t-shirt then agreed to a photo with us. She warned me that she might smell bad (sweating under the stage lights) to which I stammered some response. I'll take the Neko stink (but I didn't smell anything).

Neko's show was phenomenal. I got goosebumps so many times I lost count. My eyes filled with tears during "I Wish I was the Moon". Her songs break my heart in the most perfect way. Her voice is so incredible whether she's belting it out or quietly holding that one crystalline note. She is absolutely amazing.

I left the show grinning and floating and glowing. Oh Neko ! How I love you!

all dressed up for Neko


all dressed up for Neko, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Elaine, Gina & I all dressed up for the Neko Case concert at the Schnitz. It was my first time ever there and we had great tickets (first row mezzanine) and the sound was fantastic. This was the third time Gina & I had seen Neko though the first time (at the Sasquatch Music Festival in the Gorge) she only played a few songs before biblical hail cut the show short. I own all her records and I absolutely love her.

photo by random guy who offered

neko & merle


neko & merle, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

The write-up from the Portland Mercury ..."Dream lineups like this don't come around every day (or every year, for that matter.) Tonight brilliant singer/songwriter Neko Case sears your heart in two with her devastatingly beautiful songs, after which the legendary country balladeer Merle Haggard stitches it back up with his legendary gruffness. Can I get a "best lineup of '07"?

The audience was the greatest mix of rural Oregon and urban Portland. I'd never seen so many cowboy hats in downtown Portland before.

tabla


tabla, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Elaine, Gina & I (all dressed up for our night out) went to Tabla for dinner where we're friends with the chef, Paul. We always get the clams and then order from the prix fixe menu. The food is sublime and we love sitting at the back bar that overlooks the kitchen so we can talk with our friend.

delicious!!!

I can see the future-there will be poppies

Saturday morning working in my garden, pulling out the dead stuff and planting seeds: phlox, columbine, poppies, foxglove and lupine. I collected these poppy seeds from Wampler's garden in Trout Lake last summer. I love the seed exchange. Monsanto can go to hell.

I look forward to summer flowers.

wonder boy


wonder boy, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Fooqua sings a Tenacious D song (Wonder Boy) at a birthday karaoke party at Sabala's

Neko Case is standing next to me!

Hello everyone!I had a really great weekend. Friday night I went over to Elaine & Gina’s for a fantastic dinner. Kyle, Diana and Fooqua (aka Matt) joined us. We had chicken thighs, mashed potatoes with real gravy, beets & steamed broccoli…mmmmmmm! After dinner the girls did some Dance Dance Revolution and Fooqua danced a few rounds with Gina too. It’s very entertaining to watch! From there we all headed down to Sabala’s, a club on the west side of Mt Tabor. Someone from Elaine & Gina’s bowling league was having a big karaoke birthday party. Some of the singers were good, most were awful. Fooqua did an awesome version of Wonder Boy, a Tenacious D song. Gina and I left around midnight. The bad singing was starting to give me a headache.

Saturday morning I did a bunch of work in my garden, pulling out the dead stuff and planting some seeds. I planted phlox, lupine and foxgloves. I also planted columbine & poppies from seeds I’d collected in Wampler’s garden last summer. All the bulbs are popping up like crazy and every week I pick some paperwhites which smell divine.

After all that work I read my book for a while then napped. In the evening I showered and started to get ready to go out. Elaine, Gina & I had tickets for Neko Case & Merle Haggard at the Schnitz. I absolutely love Neko Case! We were definitely going to see her rather than Merle. I met the girls at their house and we left to go for dinner. We had reservations for Tabla, a Mediterranean restaurant off Burnside. We’re friends with Paul, the chef, so we like to sit at the back bar overlooking the kitchen so we can chat with him. We shared an order of the steamed clams then ordered off the prix fixe menu. The food there is always sublime! We shared a yummy bottle of Spanish red wine and were so full by the time we left.

Our cabbie friend, Tim, gave us a ride downtown so we wouldn’t have to deal with parking and walking around in heels (we were all dressed up!). We arrived at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall just as Neko was starting her set. This was the first time I’d ever been here and Gina had gotten us some great tickets in the first row of the mezzanine. Neko has a voice like no other. She can belt it out with unbelievable power or she can hold one note quietly with perfection. I got goosebumps more times than I can count and almost cried when she sang “I Wish I Was the Moon”. I swooned. I sighed. I love Neko Case! Gina and I have seen her three times now though the first time (at the Sasquatch Music Festival in the Gorge) was cut short because of an insane hailstorm. Her songs are devastatingly beautiful and I was so thrilled to see her again.

Next up was Merle Haggard. Wow is he old! His 11 piece band seems to have mastered the art of not moving at all. It’s wasn’t the most exciting show. The songs all started to sound the same and he had a hilarious way of shouting into the microphone in the middle of a song, “The piano’s too loud!” Elaine wondered if he was just old or tanked. Gina said “Probably both.” When he stopped playing we clapped then hightailed it outta there, not interested in any possible encores.

As we were leaving the building who do we see standing next to the Neko Case merch table but Neko herself. My heart started racing and I lost the powers of speech. Gina got her to sign our tickets and her Neko t-shirt. She then agreed to a photo with us. She warned me that she might smell bad (sweating under the stage lights) but I just grinned and stammered some response. I couldn’t believe the woman with THAT voice that writes all THOSE songs was standing right next to me. We grinned and thanked her and left the building floating and laughing. I couldn’t believe our luck. Melissa was right, that polka dress she gave me is a lucky dress!

We walked a couple blocks to Dragonfish where we got drinks and gushed about Neko. Eventually our cabbie friend picked us up and dropped us at Elaine’s car by Table. We went back to Elaine & Gina’s house where we played some cards and drank some wine. It was a fantastic night. I can’t wait to see Neko sing again!

Sunday I went into the museum for my volunteer shift. There is less than a month left before the Egyptian exhibit ends so it’s getting really crazy around there. All exhibit tickets for that day were sold out before the museum even opened. My shift flew by with me handing out and explaining the audio guides. When I was done I headed back over to the east side of Portland to Crush. Amy was celebrating her 30th birthday there beginning with 11 am brunch going into the afternoon. I ordered food and a yummy dark beer and had a great time talking with friends, taking photos and watching the birthday girl dance it up.

After leaving Crush I went to Elaine & Gina’s house. We watched a movie, The Science of Sleep, which was uber bizarre. I like strange movies but this didn’t really gel for me. It was very, very odd. After that we watched some trashy television then heated up some leftovers for lunch. We watched Iron Chef (Battle Chocolate) before I headed home for the night.
So that was my weekend. Please let me know how you are and what you’re up to!

xoxoxo,
carolyn

February 08, 2007

daisy in the desert


daisy in the desert, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Daisy had to be put to sleep on Sunday. She was 12 years old. She belonged to my friend Dave and was the best dog ever (in my world). I hope everyone knows their own best dog ever.

She was a great snuggler, did a hilarious wiggle with her whole body when she was excited and always groaned with pleasure when I rubbed her ears. I will miss her very much.

This photo is from Capture the Flag at Fort Rock in the central Oregon desert.

watery air


watery air, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

a misty day in Portland (finally! what's with these cold, sunny days?)

I've never seen this fountain/spray/shooting water thing before at Mt Tabor Park. at the lower reservoir along SE 60th Ave.

the rain returns


the rain returns, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

it's been very cold, sunny and dry in Portland. Winter is usually cool, cloudy and rainy. Today saw a return to more normal weather.

Instead of going on my first ride of the new Portland Tram (with Jess who works at OHSU) and then kayaking on the Clackamas I bailed on both due to the weather. Instead Jess and I had coffee on Hawthorne. mochas on a rainy morning.

The Bagdad Theater is part of the McMenamin's empire. Movies are $3, seating is soft sofas with little tables for your beer and pizza.

look over there


look over there, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

three girls (me, elaine, gina) looking at the flip screen rather than the lens.

Camille's birthday gathering at the Rialto, downtown Portland.

photo by gina

birthday dive


birthday dive, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Beers and good times at the Rialto in downtown Portland to celebrate Camille's 31st birthday. Birthday girl is in the white shirt.

I insisted the ladies gather for a group photo (by Scott)

pool geometry


pool geometry, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

at the Rialto in downtown Portland, Jamie takes a shot.

I never play pool. I prefer darts

happy anniversary


happy anniversary, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Jess & Mike went on their first date ever one year ago. They'll be married this July in the Columbia River Gorge. After their date they met us at the Rialto to celebrate Camille's 31st birthday.

Portland, Oregon

birthday suits all around

Camille turned 31 so we went to some mineral hot springs, this time at the Bonneville Hot Springs resort on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. This place is not far from Carson, a different hot springs we went to just last week (I am lucky). They gave us grapes and cold water with lemon while we soaked in the silky, soft water. It didn't even smell like rotten eggs.

Now I'm really craving finding some undeveloped hot springs, a hot pool of water in the woods somewhere. That's a whole other experience. sigh

beginnings and endings

Hello everyone!

I had a great weekend! Friday was Camille’s birthday so we left early with Gina to head out to Bonneville Hot Springs Resort in the Gorge. This is a far fancier place than Carson, where Gina and I had gone the weekend before. Still it was only $30 for a 25 minute soak in the mineral hot springs and a 25 minute wrap. We checked in and were given robes and went to the locker room to put our stuff away. The three of us were in a room together with privacy screen between the tubs. There were beautiful big claw foot bath tubs. The bath attendant filled the tubs and put out little cups of grapes and glasses of cold water with lemon for each of us. We each climbed into our tubs and marveled at how silky soft the water was. They also must do something to the mineral water here because it has none of that sulphur/rotten egg smell. It was wonderfully relaxing. After the soak we went into a dimly lit room where we each were wrapped in blankets and relaxed for another twenty five minutes. We showered then made a beeline for the restaurant as we were all hungry. Lunch was very satisfying and we drove back to Portland feeling calm and happy. I spent the afternoon reading my book and watching Netflix.

In the evening I went over to Gina house and her, Scott & I went to Ichidai for sushi. The sushi was sublime as always. Scott enlightened us of the way of the sake bomb which we grudgingly participated in. Afterwards we drove downtown where Camille was having a gathering of friends to continue the birthday celebration. We parked and walked to the Rialto. Gina and Scott played pool and I spent the night yakking away with friends.

Saturday morning I ate breakfast, showered then went to meet Jess. We had plans to ride the new tram and then possibly go kayaking with her fiancé, Mike. After several unusually cold and sunny weeks, the rain had returned. I had wanted to ride the tram for the sole purpose of the amazing views of the city and the mountains. The tram was just opened and connects the south waterfront of the Willamette River to OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) at the top of the hill. Jess works at OHSU so I can ride the tram for free with her. With the cloudy, rainy weather we decided to scrap the tram and the kayaking. The idea of floating down the very cold Clackamas River while very cold rain fell on us was decidedly unpleasant. Instead we got coffee at Peet’s on Hawthorne where we sat and chatted for a long time. I dropped off Jess at Mike’s house before heading home myself. I spent the afternoon reading and watching Netflix.

In the evening Gina and I hung out playing cards and watching terrible movies (Legally Blonde & Overboard). Gina gave herself a headache by reading a slow cooker cookbook for hours, calling out delicious recipes and their ingredients. She decided to make a few for the Super Bowl the next day and to stop looking any further. She fell asleep during SNL and drove the few blocks home.

Sunday morning I got a call that I had been dreading. Dave had come back Saturday from Trout Lake because his dog Daisy had become lethargic and unresponsive. He took her to an animal hospital in Portland where they could barely detect her blood pressure. They put her on IVs but Dave said then that if she didn’t improve by the next day he was going to have her put to sleep. Gina called me Sunday morning to tell me that Daisy was gone. I cried in my bed. Daisy was the best dog ever (in my world. I hope you all have your own best dog ever in your world.). She was 12 years old and loved by many many people. I took a long hot shower then went over to Elaine & Gina’s. We prepared some snacks while Gina got her recipes going in the slow cookers. Riley, Elaine’s dog, was acting strangely for hours. He sat in the sunny front room and made weird little barks. I was convinced he was talking to Daisy who was making the rounds, saying goodbye to all her friends. Daisy and Riley had lived together for two years. When Elaine came home Riley was especially needy, until Elaine finally sat on the floor and let him cuddle with her. Dogs know.

It was a beautiful sunny day and significantly warmer than it’s been lately. The birds were all atwitter in the trees and I smiled at the thought of spring. We watched the Super Bowl. I was rooting for the Bears. They were my first team that I ever rooted for. When I was in the 4th grade and living outside of Chicago I watched all the games with my dad, my first full season of football ever. I even joined in his company’s football pool. Of course that was the year the Bears one the Super Bowl. Mom & Dad still have our old 45 of the Super Bowl Shuffle. It was sloppy game in the rain with lots of turnovers and even the commercials weren’t all that entertaining. Gina’s Turkey Mexicali followed coconut rice pudding was absolutely delicious. I was sent home with leftovers. I’m so lucky!

So that was my weekend. Please let me know how you are and what you’ve been up to.

xoxox,
carolyn