Travel

Idaho / Wyoming

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Good Morning!

From the Teton Valley of Idaho to Jackson Hole, Wyoming that is where I have been for the last few days. It is absolutely breathtaking. Literally, as we drive over some of these mountain ranges I have lovingly reminded Ashley Klump to breathe.

It’s unlike anything I have ever seen before. Mountains beyond mountains. It’s September and there is snow on the distant mountains. We drove through a pass yesterday and there was snow on the ground beside us.

We went to pick up Ashley’s sister, her husband, and little one (less than 2 years old), from an airport that lands in the Teton National Park.

When I walk outside all I hear is the wind blowing through the trees and my own breath most the time.

I saw a white buffalo, only from the car, driving by, not close enough to take a picture, not close enough to photograph or say hello/hi.

I’m still hoping to cross paths with a red fox. They’re out here. I’ve read it to be so. The elevations out here are unlike anything I have experienced to date.

Lots of deer. Lots!

The sun is out this morning for the first time since we arrived.

Ashley’s parents are genuine, straight forward, good hearted people. Felicity, her little niece of not even two years of age is adorable. We hit it off rather quickly. I like the little ones and the way they see the world. It’s easier for me to relate. It’s simple and unfiltered.

Ashley’s parents have built quite the getaway home up here in the middle of nowhere almost.

The nearest towns, itty bitty towns, are a good 30, 35 minute drive. Victor and Driggs.

I feel blessed to get out of the city. I love Oregon, but it’s nice to get out and explore.

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall and we plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, another first for myself.

Tuesday we plan to explore Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Wednesday it’s on the road back to Oregon again.

I am grateful and blessed for this experience.

-ABC

June 25, 2015 // White Salmon River

in

I went to white water rafting down the White Salmon River on Thursday. 

That's somewhere in South East Washington. Around Hood River but on the Washington side. 

Anyway there were many awe inspiring eye shots of Mt Hood. 

It was a clear day. Probably in the 90's.

White water rafting was lots of fun. Less scary than I expected. 

You get wet suits and all that essential stuff. 

We jumped a 6 foot waterfall. That's actually it in the picture to the right. 

I didn't fall off once. 

The water was 40 degrees. It was so blue and clear. A very well taken care of river. They say the water is run off from Mt Adams. 

That's glacier water. I love the Pacific Northwest. 

Viva Cascadia! 

Anyway i'm going to quit interwebbing and read this book or draw or something. 

be free fellow earthlings! 

-abc
 

 

Return To Indian Henry

in

The first picture is driving through the countryside on the way out to Mt Hood National Forest. 

The campsite is named Indian Henry.

The second picture is the in the Indian Henry campground. 

I spread some of my brother Dalton's ashes a year ago.

The last picture is the view from under the tree on top of the rock in the second picture.

Follow?

There's magic in those parts, friends. If you get the opportunity climb up to that tree. 

Feel the breeze sing and listen to the tree. 

I'll spare the ramblings for another entry, but go visit Indian Henry. 

The forest grounds are covered with great fallen trees and pillows of moss. 

I couldn't capture all the magic in photography. 

I went on a journey. 

The climates have shifted. 

I could keep rambling, but I end it with this:

Protect the Cascadian forest and rivers

at all cost.

mthood

in ,

Yesterday I went wandering with Paige and Sabrina and we happened upon a neighborhood park that I've yet to spend anytime at.

The view from said park is absolutely breathtaking. 

Portland, you are majestic.

Stay awesome.

Don't lose your magic. 

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Mt Hood National Forest

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I went to Mt Hood National Forest last weekend for my friends' Jackie and Eric's birthday.

I have wanted to dive into that region of Oregon as far back as 3 years before moving to Oregon.

The forest is absolutely divine. 

It's really easy to forget who you are, even more so where you are. 

Also it was only just over an hour drive from Portland. That's so close! 

It feels so healthy and alive out there.

The air is crisp.

The plants are 50 shades of green.

There are great fallen trees who give to baby ferns and moss a solid back to grow on.

I have never truly felt more at home until that moment. 

It was a magic I've only seen in my head that feels so wonderfully familiar again. 

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Triple Falls.

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>> Yesterday I went out to Triple Falls in the Columbia River Gorge with my friend Jackie Jones.

<< I've been really in my head lately. Unable to speak, not sure how to convey all I've felt. A silent darkness caught in my throat. 

>> The hike was a lot more intense than I had expected. Lots of steep uphill action. The kind that makes you focus on breathing. The good stuff. 

<< There is so much magic right outside our doorway, Portland.

>> I like this town a lot, but when you don't have a car it's easy to forget how close to wild you can be.

<< You can get keep as close as you want or you can disappear for weeks. 

>> Yesterday I went out to Triple Falls with my friend Jackie Jones.

<< I could sit here and type out all my fears or I can tell you there is magic in those hills.

>> I choose the latter and they really ain't that far away.

<< Take time to breathe, wander mountains, run down hills, splash in the water, smell the fresh air, breathe deep, breathe again and get lost in every happening. 

>> There's a magic in the forest that can't be forgotten. There's a reminder of a simpler time. Before the fox became man...

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Silver Falls Adventure

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Last Saturday I went out to Silver Falls with Jackie and Sabrina.

Holy magic there were so many waterfalls, waterwalls, and just pure awesomeness as far as my eyes could see.

There's nothing quite as mesmerizing as standing in the presence of such great nature.

The plants and moss just looked so alive. How could they not be?

I was only able to get two pictures that I felt did the adventure justice.

Sometimes you just gotta be, and not let the photography be secondary. Such is life a lot lately. 

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Yesterday

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  • Yesterday when I was going for a morning walk and found a "one way" street sign. It is obviously hanging on my wall now. Those are  a lot bigger than you might expect.
  • I trudged through many many leaves. It looks as though there may be only a few more weeks of leaf falling. Make sure you enjoy that, Portland. 
  • I also found many little gadgets and had many conversations with Cougan that will most definitely play into greater writing material. I just have to sort it all out in my head. 
  • The most adventurous part was going to Hood River with Cougan. Hood River is a small town nestled into the Columbia River Gorge;  looks like the kind of place I will train to in the dead of winter for a weekend and just let adventure happen. Not a lot there, but there's enough. It's in the gorge!!!
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These Days

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These days been going fast. These days are memories that will last.

Got back from Virginia just over a week ago. Been surrounded by all kinds of genuine people every since.

Taking all the necessary steps to get my book published this November.

Getting ready to go to start a new venture with my friend Josh Bermudez.

Went out with my friends Cougan Smith and Paige on Saturday night for drinks. They are just good company no matter what the occasion. Then drunkenly eating Roxy’s at 2am.

Roxy’s is one of just a few 24 hour diners in Portland, Oregon; a lot of personality in this place and good food, too.  A perfect place to kind of try and sober up.

Then Sunday I went to Cathedral Park in St Johns portion of Portland. It’s name is very fitting. The archways of the bridge are huge. From the bridge are good views of Mt Hood and Mt St Helens.

It’s well aged and there are lots of good nooks for escaping to read a book. I even saw not even big enough to walk with a Mohawk!

 And now… now I’m at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was here just over a week ago flying back from Virginia. This time I’m in transit to Orlando, Florida to see my friends and Portugal. The Man.

Oooooh I finally listened to the newest The Strokes album yesterday. More like listened to it 3 times! So good! That falsetto! What?!? More on that in a later blog; I have a plane to catch. 

I’ve got so many words running in my head to write. It  feels so good to be alive. I feel like I can’t write them fast enough. Just gotta take things one moment at a time.

Take Me There

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If there's a place beyond the city lights; where the car's hum can't be heard

No airplanes above, only the songs being sung by birds

I want to go there.

That's where I need to be. To see what life was like before humanity.

I don't hate man; sometimes there's just too much noise. 

I love rock n' roll but you don't know music until you've stood face to face with a giant waterfall. 

I just want to escape for a little while to know it can be done.

Just for a little while then I'll return. 

They say " you just want to die". Nothing is further from the truth.

It's this search for freedom that makes me feel alive.  

I need to feel scared; to know something greater still wanders out there. 

Beyond the concrete forest and the man made caves. 

I know I'm not the only one who wonders.

I just need to escape the machines.

To run with the wild if only for a while. 

If there's truly a place beyond the city lights; where the car's hum can't be heard that's where I want to go. 

Quit trying to stop me; this fox isn't dumb. 

Excursion

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We went in search of somewhere. We found somewhere else. We wandered into Smallville USA in Southern Washington. I don't recall the name of the town. The water was colder than I expected; but after a waddling around it felt decent.

The rocks were slippery and slimy, the little fish and tadpoles didn't fear a thing, and the kids were "hunting" out crawfish. There was the most gorgeous view of Mt Hood; but all I could muster was this mediocre photograph. 

All just a blink from Portland on this sunny, summer day.  

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Today (Well... Yesterday's) Adventurings

in
  1. Bought groceries. Way overdue. 
  2. Bought sheets for my bed finally. They are purple. I like purple. 
  3. Successfully got the interwebs turned on at my new apartment.  
  4. Read more on Thomas Jefferson. Damn he is awesome. 
  5. Received my new debit card in the mail! Now to acquire a new ID. 

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WENT TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE WITH JACKIE AND CAMERON!!!! We went up to Vista House. The view from up there was spectacular. Just amazing!

Then we continued driving the Columbia River Highway and ran into Latourell Falls. We frolicked around in the waters of this mighty giant for a while.

I love Oregon so much. Nothing compares to tracking through mud and rocks to stand/sit in the presence of something so majestic.

Nature is so amazing. And powerful, too. I really wanted to get closer to it but the wind and mist kept pushing me back. It feels so good to feel so small sometimes. I bet it was amazing to come across these places before concrete paved the way. 

After a few minor stops along the way we made our way to The Bridge Of The Gods that crosses over into Washington. I've wanted to cross that bridge since I started researching Oregon a few years ago.

After that we sat on the riverbank and had sandwiches and BERRIES I picked. It was a quick but very magical trip indeed. But alas the day has been long and tomorrow starts in about 4 hours so I must zone out to some Radiohead now. 

 

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Don't Tell Me What "I Won't"

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I woke up still feeling a little altered, loving this city, this region of the the world, wanting to climb mountains toward the sky, and wanting to make music that gives people the feels of Sigur Ros with a grunge rock twist.

And that's exactly what I will do. Magic happens in moments, but echoes for a long time.  

Too many words to type and my break is almost over. I still have to make Middle America's coffee. But not for much longer; I have places to go and things to see. No time to be restrained by time and money.  

"Freedom's just another term for nothing left to lose" -Janis Joplin

 

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