Return To Indian Henry

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.

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Mt Hood National Forest

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. 

Triple Falls.

>> 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...

Head Thought

Doomsday isn't coming; I fear she's been in free fall for several hundred years. You can sit around and sing her sorrows or live life as only an earthling can.

Get outside. 

Hike some mountains, swim the lakes, sit in the shadows of great trees and listen to the birds sing, drink some coffee.  

Live in a moment. Walk with the wind. Listen to your heart. Don't trip over dead men. 

Today

Today I went out to the Columbia River Gorge with my friend Jackie Jones.

We took the old highway and rode under the big trees and admired the falling leaves.

It felt good to just wander around the greater nature for a little while.

Yesterday / My Song Of The Day

Yesterday...

I don't know exactly all that happened ; there was a river and a trail, some beautiful trees, and a snail shell. I took pictures of the snail shell, but I seem to have lost my phone. If you try to call it you probably won't get me. The sunset was quite majestic. The hike was nice. The hills were taller than I expected. It was those yellow leaves.

 Fall! Fall is coming!!! I can smell it in the air right now. 

I'm at work now; I will find phone later.

None of that matters right now. Listen to mewithoutyou!

I miss making music. I need a keyboard, a tambourine, and a microphone. 

"If you're still looking for a blanket; Sweetie, I'm sorry, I'm no sort of fabric but if you need a tailor then take your torn shirt, and stumble up my stairs and mumble your pitiful prayers. And in your tangled night's sleep, our midnight needles go to work. Until all comfort and fear flows in one river, down on the shelf by the mirror where you see yourself whole and it makes you shiver..."

Presentation / Perception

I did a lot of walking today. Met up with Tim and we hiked the Lower / Upper Macleay parks all the way to Pittock Mansion; stopped a few times to just take it all in listen to some Sigur Ros and Deerhunter. 

Passed some awesome trees.

The last mile home after crossing the Broadway Bridge I decided to walk barefooted.

These new shoes aren't quite broke in just yet and it felt absolutely perfect outside.

It was a great decision. This weather is so perfect.  

The moisture is starting to build up; I can smell and feel it in the air. Autumn is just around the corner. Almost time for the rains.

But now it's time for beer, Radiohead, and some noodles and cheese.

Goodnight Interwebs. 

Take Me There

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. 

To Those Who Said It Can't Be Done

To those who said it can't be done; hold your tongue.  I'm a little crazy, but I ain't dumb. 

You underestimate the magic of instinct and a fox's power of scent.  

And I got the Zipcar back just in time and with one minute to spare and parallel parked flawlessly.   

Cascadia you are beautiful! I need to travel more of this vicious coast. So rugged and so powerful. I saw so many sites that due to my limited time with Zipcar I couldn't photograph them properly. This adventure was for the primal memory box.  

Wowzers it was beautiful. Grey clouds reaching down to touch the tops of giant trees on the rolling mountainsides tumbling towards the ocean. Aaaah! 

And the wallet still had ID and $20. Guess who's going to get a drink.

Goodnight Interwebs.

Faerie House

Amongst the adventuring of floating down rivers and camping over the weekend I found this little faerie house in the woods. The roof was caving in but Jackie Jones and I did some quick construction.

I specifically enjoy the walkway up to the house. We didn't see any faeries though. I think it was too early in the day.  

Hi Internet; My Weekend and Such

• I floated down a river for 7 hours
• I wrecked a raft at some point, got some cool adventure scratches, lost a shoe
• I floated some more and some more
• jumped from a big tree into the water below
• Camped out
• Slept by a campfire
• went hiking multiple times at Lower McCleay Park
• Started many art projects around my house; even completed a few
• Talked to many people, learned many a thoughts, letting them simmer

 I don't have any photos, but I'm living so hard and it feels so good. 

I am in love where I am and what I know. Stuff is happening.

Life is right; It don't always makes sense, but that's what makes it fun. 

Last Day And A Half... 2 Days?

Life is but a dream. So dream big. That's all I got. More soon. Not now.  

August Goals

1. Hike to the to top of Mt. Hood
2. Camp 2 nights and explore Crater Lake (Wizard Island) 

Today (Well... Yesterday's) Adventurings

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. 

Hug Point Adventure (Part 2)

With the exception of my pursuit of enlightenment versus insanity up the cliff side I took time to play with the sea urchins and waves of the ocean.

I know everyone says the Pacific Ocean is really cold, but I never felt more excited to splash around in water than yesterday. 

Yesterday's Adventure

Yesterday I went to Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. I have many pictures and even more feels that I cannot put into words at this moment.

Thank you, Danil for getting me out of bed. I really needed that adventure. 

I am currently trying to decide which pictures best describe the place without posting 20 pictures.  

I  met some really rad people and experienced genuine, rugged adventure. Alas it is far too beautiful outside to waste time in front of a computer so I will post more pictures later.

Today

Today I escaped the sprawl and it was good. Thank you Danil.  

To Be Continued...

Weekend Ambitions!

What am I doing this weekend you ask? 

• Reading! 

I have a lot of reading I've wanted to do this past week, but I've worked long days and get off work and my apartment is super warm and I end up ambitious-less.

No excuses: need to read more news articles, and some history and science stuff that has been begging for my reading.  

• Buying Honey! 

Local Honey! Why? Because my sinuses are super out of whack and that just seems like the right thing to do. And how cool does it sound to buy honey that was made in your own neighborhood? For real though... Awesome! (Bee Local)

• Hiking to Pittock Mansion!

It's been a while since I've been to the Northwest side of town and the view from the top of the hill is absolutely amazing.  

• Tackling The Beatles Discography!

Dudes and Dudettes! I think I'm finally ready. I've made some major progress in the last two years in catching up on the music I was sheltered from growing up. Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, and many many more but I'm not awake enough to recall them all at this moment. But.... The Beatles discography has seemed very intimidating. But as of about 20 minutes ago it's begun. Starting with the first album and going in chronological order. Let the magic begin.