Cascadia
I went to my first hot springs yesterday about 3 hours from Portland.
The whole day was grey and drizzly but it doesn't matter so much when you're in a pool of warm water. Also I prefer the grey daze.
The rain made the trees and moss pop beautifully.
It was a much needed reconnect to the elements that keep me the most grounded.
Mushroom Village in Forest Park
i'm not certain what the future moments hold
thankful for the spring rains
before the summer's scold
looking across the Columbia River Gorge from the Washington side.
Beacon Rock
so many little yellows
mas mas moss rocks
for a moment the weather is mild
a fog settles over the west hills
mist fills the air
the grey haze
lingers behind the yellow leaves
and for a moment everything feels okay
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
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.
I'm going out to Indian Henry in Mt Hood National Forest this weekend.
I went camping out there for just under 24 hours last summer and felt as though I had only just begun to tap into all the magic that resides there.
So here's to finding magic in the forest and no phone reception.
Be free fellow earthlings!
-ABC
The rain has come back.
It's been far too long.
It keeps me happy.
It keeps me contemplative.
It keeps me sane.
Thank you Cascadia.
Thank you Rain.
Time to brush my teeth and lay beside my babay.
Goodnight Interwebs.
Sabrina and I went to Indian Beach last Friday. It was a very magical day with a very magical lady.
Saturday evening I had the pleasure of going to hang out at my friends Kristen and Andy's house. This is the view from their front patio. Look at those colors. Fall is coming!
I only wish I could have been able to capture the stars that lit up the sky that night. Enough to make you feel really tiny, really quick like. Magical stuff.
Thank you Kristen and Andy for sharing your castle with Sabrina and I for a few moments!
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.
It's that time again. The roses of Portland, Oregon are beginning to bloom again and they are every color you can imagine and more.
>> 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...
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.
Seattle was lots of fun. It's a huge city and I only covered a little bit of it. It's quite the spectacle to the eye. Lots of busy people. Lots of art.
Much larger than Portland with similar charm. Right on the edge of the ocean.
I met some new people and got to further connect with an old friend whom I am very grateful for.
Here's my abbreviated recap of the adventure in pictures.
Across the way is Downtown Seattle.
I met a giant troll...
...who later tried to eat me. Luckily Sabrina was there to save me.
There was art decorating everywhere. You just have to keep your eyes open.
And a wall covered in gum...
Sorry Coca Cola but you're about 20 years late. Beautiful sentiment but I don't care for what America has become or your corporate machine.
Wait... I think they are one in the same, but anyway... Viva la Cascadia!
