Meacham Family Blog

Hug Point Falls.

2012-02-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Our final stop before heading home for the day, Hug Point Falls to watch the Sun go down.

Cape Falcon

2012-02-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

.... After hiking Neahkahnie Monutain we hiked the Cape Falcon Trail. A 5 mile round trip mostly in trees but with fantastic views at the end of the Cape.

End of the road

Cape Falcon.

Neahkahnie Mountain

2012-02-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

Sunday February 5th was one of those rare days on the Oregon Coast that was both Sunny, warm & most importantly not windy! In the morning we ticked Neahkahnie Mountain off the list of "to do coast hikes".

Oxbow Park

2012-01-29T18:17:00.001-08:00

Since we were promised only a couple of dry hours at the begining of the day we thought we would finally go and check out what's on our own doorsatep, Oxbow Park! We live about half a mile as the crow flies from the Equestrian Trail Head & the Back Door into Oxbow Park.

A Morning Rainbow

2012-01-29T18:13:00.001-08:00

A Morning Rainbow from the back garden.

January 29th 2012

Waterfalls in the Rain!

2012-01-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon we went for a quick drive up the west end of the Gorge to see how the Falls were flowing after all the rain. We had missed the big floods by a day or two though. We did get a nice view of the Cape Horn Falls on the Washington side.

Willamette Falls

2012-01-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

Willamette Falls at Oregon City after a week of heavy rain!

Snowmagedon!

2012-01-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

Sunday the 15th we had nice snow, today Wednesday the 18th we had bad snow! Started falling about 8pm Tuesday evening & by 10pm there was about 5" of heavy wet snow on the ground! Shortly after that the power went out! Luckily the power came back on about 4am so we didn't have to go rooting around in the garage to find the camp stove to make the morning coffee on! 2" of rain followed the snow then winds gusting to 30mph. A lovely day!

A quick dash up Angels Rest.

2012-01-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon we made a quick dash up Angels Rest. The weather was quite benign when we set off but it was snowing sideways by the time we reached the top!

Sunday Snow

2012-01-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning we woke up to about an inch of snow, just enough to make everything look nice! Here are some more Garden Pics.

The Palmer Light!

2012-01-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

At this time of year when the light is just right, you can see the light at the top of the Palmer Ski Lift (9000') shinning just over the ridge of the mountain. Further down the same silhouette line of the Mountain you can see 2 square blocks which are the ski lift buildings at the base of the Palmer lift. Google maps tells me it's 30 miles in a straight line between where I took the photo & the light!

Sunrise

2012-01-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

Sunrise from work, January 11th 2012

Anko Mochi

2012-01-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

Home made Anko Mochi for our new years day party..

We made the pulverized the mochi rice in the Kitchen Aid Mixer!

Uwajimaya Trip!

2011-12-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

The annual end of the year shopping trip to Uwajimaya for New Years Day Supplies!

Emergency Supplies

2011-12-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

So my emergency hiking supplies have arrived in time for the 2012 hiking year! While it's detractors will tell you it's just sugar it's ardent supporters will tell you it was used by both Edmund Hillary & Ernest Shakleton!

'We sat on the snow and looked at the country far below us … we nibbled Kendal Mint Cake.' A member of the successful Everest expedition wrote – 'It was easily the most popular item on our high altitude ration – our only criticism was that we did not have enough of it.'”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendal_Mint_Cake

Fifteen for Dinner!

2011-12-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

Fifteen for Dinner!

A Christmas Fryup!

2011-12-26T06:50:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Morning Fryup!

All Done!

2011-12-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

Chiyoko's Christmas Cake is finally done.. we can have Christmas now!

The Solstice Moon

2011-12-22T18:59:00.000-08:00

The Solstice Moon at about 6:45am on December 22nd.

Marzipan Time!

2011-12-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

The next stage of Chiyoko's Christmas Cake Masterpiece, brushing with Ghost Pepper Jelly (OK just kidding it's Apricot Jam really) before putting the Marzipan on..

Mince Pies - Batch No. II

2011-12-14T18:36:00.000-08:00

So December 14th & we are on to our second batch of Chiyoko's Mince Pies. For some strange reason she decided to make some mini mince pies! Who would want a mini mince pie I asked?

Thankfully she also made some that were the correct size...

Hmmmm, what about Mega Mince Pies I wonder??

Feedin' the Cake!!

2011-12-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

December 14th - Feeding the Cake, giving the Christmas cake it's last shot of brandy or two before the Icing!

More Lunar Eclipse pics!

2011-12-10T16:02:00.001-08:00

So everyone has been sharing their Lunar Eclipse pics today & I didn't want to be left out! It was a chilly morning to be out taking photos 25F at 5:00am. Things started off nice & clear but then the mist rolled & the moon slowly disappeared from view!

2011-12-10T07:16:00.001-08:00

Chiyoko manhandling our Christmas Tree :^)...

Mt. Defiance.

2011-12-05T18:20:00.001-08:00

Sunday December 4th we took advantage of the cold but clear & sunny weather & hiked up the 5000' of Mt. Defiance in the Gorge. Not something the weather allows you to do every December!

Mt St. Helens.

Yorkshire Pudding

2011-11-28T18:48:00.001-08:00

Chiyoko has been trying out her new Yorkshire Pudding tin :^)..

Pozole

2011-11-23T18:20:00.001-08:00

The Ladies made Pozole at work today!
11/22/11

Anwen's Homemade Birthday Cards.

2011-11-22T17:26:00.001-08:00

One of daughter Anwen's very cool home made Birthday cards!

A clear day on Larch Mountain!

2011-11-21T20:29:00.001-08:00

Sunday 11/20/11 was forecast to be the only dry Sunny day for a long time & so we made a late decision to do a long hike! We didn't leave Multnomah Falls until 10:15 & began the 7 mile hike up to Larch Mountain. We started seeing snow after 2 miles & by 3.5 miles the trail was completely snow covered. We had hoped to reach the top in 3 hours but the snow slowed our progress & it was 1:45pm by the time we reached Sherrard Point. The views were fantastic though & it was well worth the effort to get there! After lunch & some hot tea in the clear crisp 32F air we packed up & headed for home getting back to Multnomah at 4:30pm before it got dark & more importantly before the coffee shack closed :^)..

Christmas Cake Making..

2011-11-20T08:06:00.001-08:00

Chiyoko made our Christmas Cake Yesterday, now we just have to feed it Brandy for a few weeks!!

Portland's Japanese Garden

2011-11-17T18:43:00.001-08:00

Armistice Day 11/11/11 was also free admission day at the Portland Japanese Garden so we went along with friends Kazuko & Pascal.

Apple Pie

2011-11-17T18:40:00.001-08:00

Chiyoko's Apple Pie for tea :^)..

Anwen the Owl Whisperer!

2011-11-14T06:13:00.001-08:00

Anwen the Owl Whisperer!

Bow Fell, Esk Fell & Sca Fell Pike

2011-11-12T16:57:00.001-08:00

Friday October 29th Tim & I set off to climb Sca Fell Pike via Bow Fell & Esk Pike. We set off from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale at 8:45 and made our way up towards Bowfell by way of the Climbers Traverse & the Great Slab. We then went on to Esk Pike & finally Sca Fell Pike by way of Esk Hause. We came back by way of Angie Tarn, Rosset Gill & Mickledon Beck.

Climbers Traverse to Bow Fell

Sca Fell

Helvellyn

2011-11-12T08:19:00.001-08:00

October 26th Tim I set out to climb Helvellyn in Cumbria, at 3117' it's England's third tallest Peak. We also took in the Striding Edge scramble route. When we left Warton Lancs at 7:30am skies were clear but sadly that wasn't the case on the windswept slopes of Helvellyn!

Ingleton Falls Trail

2011-11-12T07:22:00.001-08:00

Tuesday week two we all went & hiked the Ingleton Falls Trail. This has the reputation of being one of the best waterfall trails in England. On the down side it's on provate land & it's not a public footpath with a right of way which means it's one of the very few places in the UK where you have to pay to walk :^(...

Arnside Knot

2011-11-12T07:02:00.001-08:00

An afternoon hike up Arnside Knot

Harlech Castle & Breakfast!!

2011-11-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

After Breakfast at the Ivy House B&B in Dolgellau we headed for Harlech Castle by way of Penmaenpool & Barmouth.

Harlech Castle.

Dolgellau

2011-11-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

After climbing Cadair Idris we spent some time walking around Dolgellau, it really hadn't changed that much in 40 years, but in a town were many of the building go back to the 1600s perhaps that should not be a surprise!

The old home

13 Ffordd y Felin

The Hermon Bungalow

2011-11-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

We moved from Liverpool to the Wilds of Wales in 1965 when I was 3. We first lived here, the Hermon Bungalow. Its a bit bigger now than it was back then, there is a extension on the back & a lovely conservatory on the front. When we lived there all cooking was done on an Aga Stove, Lighting was from calor gas lamps, there was no electricity & the water supply was a spring behind the house.

On top of the Cadair!

2011-11-07T17:42:00.000-08:00

Our second weekend in the UK we left Warton in the early morning hours & headed for Wales! Our first goal was to climb Cadair Idris. Thankfully the weather cooperated even though the winds were blowing at about 50mph!

Impromptu Family Reunion!

2011-11-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

An impromptu family reunion with Aunts & Uncles in the Lake District, from left to right:
Guy, Chiyoko, Albert, Irene, Colin, Joan, Mum, Brenda & Dad.
The rest of the Holliday snaps are here.

Coniston

2011-11-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

Thursday we headed off to Coniston with Mum & Dad for a look around the town and a hike aroud the foothills of Old Man. We returned by way of the Windermere Ferry.

The West Coast

2011-11-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday we made our way down the West Coast of Scotland to Stranraer & the gardens at Castle Kennedy before returning to Warton Lancs.

The Stair Inn

2011-10-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

The Stair Inn, Stair on the West Coast of Scotland were we spent Tuesday night.

Fried Mars Bars & Haggis!

2011-10-27T02:47:00.000-07:00

Deep Fried Mars Bar!

So we had to sample two local delicacies while in Scotland, Deep Fried Mars Bars & Deep Fried Haggis :^)...

Deep Fried Haggis

2011-10-27T02:35:00.000-07:00

St. Gilles Cathedral.

Monday we set off for Edinburgh, it turned into one of Scotland's wettest days for long time with local street flooding! We were not impressed with the 14 Pounds per person entrance fee!!!

Hyning Wood

2011-10-27T02:24:00.000-07:00

Beech Trees on the Leighton Estate.

Sunday we went for a walk around Hyning Wood, Leighton Hall & Yealand Estate.

Warton Crag

2011-10-27T01:52:00.000-07:00

We arrived in England on October 15th, it was such a lovely Sunny day that we didn't want to waste it in case it would be our only sunny day and so after a quick bite to eat we headed of to hike the Warton Crag with the family.

Jurassic Park!

2011-10-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Jurassic Park? well not quite but the lost Russ Jolley Trail hidden deep in the Horsetail Creek Drainage of the Columbia River Gorge is like a trip back in time!

The Steven Shelter.

Kazuko on the Horsetail Creek Bridge..

Chanterelles

2011-10-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

It required getting up at 4:00am but Pascal let me tag along on his Chanterelle picking mission today, well worth it!!

Final Harvest

2011-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Final Harvest
Things are beging to mold now!

Promiscuous Peppers!

2011-10-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

The middle two peppers were harvested off a plant that was grown from Ghost Pepper seed I collected last year, We always grow the Habaneros & Ghost Peppers next to each other. They sure look to be about half way between the Ghost Pepper on the left & the Habanero on the right!

Pickled Peppers

2011-10-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

Home grown & pickled Shishito (green) & Habanero (red/orange) peppers..

A wet day on Hood

2011-09-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

A wet day on Hood.

Praying Mantis

2011-09-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Jane came across this little guy at work today.

牛蒡

2011-09-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

This was our first attempt at growing Gobo, I doubt that our garden slugs had ever seen or tasted them before but it didn't take them long to discover them and then seek them out as a favorite food! Few survived the onslaught, we will see what we have when we dig them up in amonth or so.

Our 2011 Tomato Crop!

2011-09-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Our 2011 Tomato Crop!

2011-09-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

It's a dogs life!

Avant Garde Jam Making..

2011-09-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

Some Avant Garde jam making going on Chez Meacham today! Besides the batch of Marion & Raspberry made from berries left over in the freezer from last year & a batch of fresh picked blackberry jam. We also made a batch of Ghost Pepper Jelly! You better be paying attention next time we give you a jar of Jam :^)....

The DWTHB Challenge

2011-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday the plan was to team up with a few other guys from portlandhikers.org & attempt to do the Mt. Hood 40 mile loop trail in a day. Well mother nature had other ideas & the mountain loop trail was closed due to a Forest Fire. So instead we came up with the DWTHB Challenge. Thats Dog Mountain, Wind Mountain, Table Mountain, Hamilton Mountain & Beacon Rock in one day! We had to add Beacon Rock to push our elevation over 10,000' for the day! Distance was about 25 miles.

The photo above is on Beacon Rock the last Summit at about 6:30pm we had set out that morning from the Dog Mountain trailhead at 5:15am.

Here are all the stats:

There is a trip report on portlandhikers.org if you want to read all the gory details :^)

More Peppers!

2011-09-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

Numex Sunrise, Numex Centennial, Black Prince & Ubatuba.

Paradise Park Backpack Trip

2011-09-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

September 3rd & 4th Chiyoko & I did a Paradise Park Backpack trip on Mt. Hood, even though it was September already the flowers on the upper meadows around 6500' were just hitting peak bloom!

It was a lovey clear night, lots of star gazing!

George Parker

2011-09-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

Back in June Mum & Dad took a weeks holiday back in North Wales were we used to live and paid a visit to their friend of many years George Parker. Sadly in August 2011 George passed away.

It's a ong Way toYocum Ridge!

2011-08-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

It's a long way to Yocum Ridge 9 miles each way so it doesn't get too many day hikers. In fact my last trip was in 2003. This hike was even longer though because we went to the alpine area above the Yocum area to scout out the traverse route between Yocum & McNeil Ridges. Turned into an 11 hour, 21 mile hike with about 4300' of elevation gain but it was well worth it!

Mississippi Head & the B26 Plane Crash

2011-08-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 21st Eric & I headed out for a loop around Mt. Hood's Mississippi Head. We first headed West on the PCT from Timberline Lodge to Paradise Park. At Split Rock we left the trail & headed North to the Top of Paradise Park overlooking the Sandy River Canyon. We then headed up the the snow fields to the top of Mississippi Head. After exploring for a while we found the propeller from the 1949 Air Force B26 plane crash. From here is was up hill again to about 8000' to get around the top of the Zigzag Canyon & then down to Timberline Lodge to complete the Loop. About 10.6 miles & 3,800' of Elevation gain.

Peppers Galore!

2011-08-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

So, Shishito pepper production is now in full swing! even a few red tomatoes on the vine!

The Elk Mt. - Kings Mt. Loop.

2011-08-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday I set out with Phil & Nick on the Elk Mt. - Kings Mt. Loop. A 10.5 mile butt kicking trail with about 4100' of total elevation gain. Next time I'm going to put a few more rocks in Phil & Nick's back packs...

Garfield Peak (Day7, Peak 7)

2011-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

So for our 7th & final peak of the trip we chose Garfield Peak at Crater Lake, we thought about doing the higher Mt. Scott but we have done that several times before & we had never done Garfield, it also gave us the chance for a quick afternoon visit to Crater Lake. Normally Garfield Peak is an east 1.5 mile trail that begins just down from the Lodge at Rim Village & climbs up to just over 8000'. It was a little more difficult this time as parts of the trail were still heavily snow covered. The Rim drive around Crater Lake had only just opened the day before so after the hike we did the rim drive.

Hedgehog Pie.

2011-08-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Mum, Dad & daughter Anwen have been feeding a Hedgehog that took up residence in their garden this Spring. It's fattening up nicely & should be ready for a pie by the time we arrive in October....

Tipso Peak (Day7, Peak 6)

2011-08-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

So Saturday was the 7th day of our trip & we only had 5 peaks completed which meant that to meet our goal of 7 in 7 we would have to do two peaks today! For the first we chose Tipsoo Peak about 8 miles NE of Diamond Lake.

Mt. Bailey (Day 6, Peak 5)

2011-08-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

So the day after Climbing Mt. Thielsen we headed for the Mountain on the other side of Diamond Lake Mt. Bailey & Chiyoko was back on the team! Most of the climb was on snow, we still had to run the gauntlet of voracious mosquitos for the first three miles or so each way & we had to squeeze through some pretty tight spots but it was a great day on the mountain!

Mt. Thielsen (Day 5, Peak 4)

2011-07-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

Day 5 dawned clear & sunny so we figured it was the day to tackle Mt. Thielsen. Our Goal wasn't the Summit as we had heard that the last 82' is a near vertical serious climb, our goal was the ledge just below this final wall at 9,100'. Apparently known as Chicken Ledge as this is where many people chicken out!! This was my favorite climb of the whole trip. Chiyoko decided that is was time for day off & so did a hike around the lake instead of joining us on this one.

Rodley Butte (Day4, Peak 3)

2011-07-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Day 4 we decided to return to Diamond Lake, the weather was clear & Sunny in Mitchell but we didn't breath a sigh of relief until we crossed the Ochoco Divide and could see that all the Cascade peaks were in Sunshine. We got back to Diamond Lake about 12:30 & set up camp. Just a Mile down the road from Thielsen Camp Ground we had noticed a trailhead sign for Rodley Butte & figured that would be a good hike for the half a day we had left.

Fields Peak (Day3, Peak 2)

2011-07-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

So day 3 of our trip we woke up to rain in Mitchell, we decided to leave the tents were they were &head East on a day trip to Fields Peak. Apparently the highest mountain between the Cascades & Strawberry Mountain.

The day started out well but we had to abandon our plans to also bag Moore & Moon Mountain on the same trip when we got stuck in rainstorm under a hastily made shelter!

Sutton Mountain (Day 2, Peak 1)

2011-07-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

We had no plans to climb in central Oregon during our week off but the pouring rain at Diamond Lake changed our plans & we headed for the tiny town of Mitchell in central Oregon were we found drier weather. Sutton Mountain is about 10 miles North of Mitchell on highway 207 (milepost 15). It's written up in Barbara Bond's book 75 scrambles in Oregon (#39). A cool find on the North side of the mountain was a colony of Pediocactus simpsonii but unfortunately we had missed the flowers.

Birhtday Cake on the Muddy Fork..

2011-07-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunay we headed out with a group of friends to celebrate Kazuko & Chiyoko's birthdays on the banks of the Muddy Fork! Birthday Cup Cakes & Champagne were of course packed in for the occasion :^)..

East Zigzag

2011-07-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday we headed on up to Mt. Hood again, this time we went with friends Kazuko, Pascal and Dominic. We first went to Burnt Lake and then battled the snow to get up to East Zigzag Mountain.

Chiyoko at Burnt Lake

Kazuko, Pascal & Dominic

Practice their log rolling skills.

Back on Mt. Hood.

2011-07-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Every July 4th weekend we hike up to McNeil point, then on up the ridge, it's normally our First Mt. Hood hike of each year. This year there is so much snow we were not sure we would make it but we did & the views were as stunning as ever!

Eggs For Breakfast Anyone?

2011-06-27T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well I couldn't leave without trying one, since they were on the Breakfast Buffet table every day!

Pidan or Century Eggs.

A quick trip to China

2011-06-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

I was on a whirlwind working trip to China last week, no free time for sightseeing of photos but I did grab a few pics along the way. Traveled more than 15,000 miles in 7 days, about 14,250 on a total of 7 flights & about 800 miles of driving.

On top of the table..

2011-06-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Chiyoko & I did a grand loop on Sunday that took in both Table & Cedar Mountains.

Cynthia & Archer Falls

2011-06-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Falls

We made an off trail trip to two more Gorge Waterfalls on the Washington side last Sunday. Cynthia Falls which has got to be one of the most hidden waterfalls in Gorge falling as it does into the side of a very narrow canyon. Archer Falls (also known as Columbia Falls) is on the West side of Archer Mountain almost exactly opposite Multnomah Falls on the Oregon side. You can't legally get to it from the front side as the area is closed off by the Washington DNR but there is a legal back door to the top of the Falls if you don't mind battling the undergrowth & steep drop offs!

Archer Falls

Brand New!

2011-05-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

While bushwhacking around in the Gorge this past weekend we almost stepped on this little guy or girl born earlier the same day. Mum was probably hiding close by!

First Morels for 2011

2011-05-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Our first Morels of 2011, thanks go to our friends Eric & Julie for finding them!

Palms Out!

2011-05-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well despite the never ending Winter we put the Palm & her friends the Gunnera & Banana outside at work this week. If we have to suffer this never ending Winter then it's only fair that they should too!

Egg Plants

2011-05-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Egg plants are in!

Munra Point.

2011-05-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Chiyoko & I made a run for the Gorge to make the most of a free & this year rare Sunny Friday afternoon. We left home at 12:00 & by 2:30 we were on top of Munra Point. A classic Gorge scramble you climb about 1750' in the final mile.

How many is too many?

2011-05-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

So, is it possible for one man to have too many Tomato & Pepper plants? He asks rhetorically....

Waespe & Nesika Falls

2011-05-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Waespe Falls

I had a couple of free hours on Friday afternoon so I made a quick dash for the Gorge to check out Waespe & Nesika Falls. These are the unofficial names for the 2 ephemeral waterfalls between Multnomah & Horsetail Falls. Though they stop running (or slow to a trickle) in the Summer months they put on quite a show the rest of the year. Both require a short off trail bushwhack through the undergrowth!

Nesika Falls

Almost Tomato & Pepper Planting time.....

2011-05-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

We got the Tomato & Pepper house cleaned up on Sunday, we are going to need it this year if this never ending winter continues.

First Harvest!

2011-05-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

May 4th 2011, our first home grown produce of the year, Lettuce & Arugula!

Travels with Mitsu & Satomi

2011-05-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

Friends Mitsu & Satomi came for a whirlwind visit, in 5 days we managed to take in the Gorge, Timberline Lodge, a wedding reception, a hike up Saddle Mountain, Cannon Beach, Portland & Seattle!!

The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

2011-05-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we made a quick dash for Cannon Beach after hiking Saddle Mountain. I'd Never really noticed the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse before, built in the 1800's and perched on less than an acre of rock a mile & a half of the coast. A quick internet search revealed a ton of interesting facts about this lighthouse, from the heroic efforts to build to to it's current status as a failed Columbarium.

Coopey Falls

2011-04-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Secluded in one of the busiest parts of the Columbia Gorge between Angels Rest & Multnomah Falls is a Small Convent complete with small holding farm belonging to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. On these private grounds is one of the lesser seen Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Falls, Coopey Falls. Today we were kindly given permission to visit these falls.

Garlic in pots!

2011-04-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

I got so tired of our never ending Winter from Hell that I decided to grow some of our garlic in pots instead of in the waterlogged ground!

2011-04-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

Komatsuna
小松菜

The Enchanted Gorge & Glacier Lilies

2011-04-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Spent a lovely Sunday hiking on the Eagle Creek trail & taking some of the countless unofficial side trails along the way! Here is a somewhat hidden spot that has become known as the Enchanted Gorge.

The Glacier Lilies were also out in Full Force.

A few more pics of the day here!

144 Ghost Peppers

2011-04-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

Should be just about enough!

The Cherry Circle.

2011-04-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

Well lack of funds & time have stymied my grand plans for a Yew hedge Maze or a living replica of Stone Henge so I've settled for a cherry circle, 16 Yoshino Cherries planted around the 100' diameter circle. Now what do I do with it next?