Bridal Veil

We had a great time going to Bridal Veil Falls in the Gorge this weekend.  It was so stinkin pretty.  We go places on occasion where I can't help but step back in awe that places like this exist and appreciate what the Creator has provided for us to enjoy and feel His love for us.  Being in Oregon, I have that experience often and am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the varying things we have been able to see from the forests to the oceanfront.  It was definitely a memorable way to spend Mother's Day after church and skyping/talking with our mom's.

Pittock Place

We went for a nice walk around different parts of forest above Portland today.  We verified that there are no roses in the International Rose Test Garden and that it was recently pruned.  We then went up to Pittock Mansion and took in the view from there.  I was also excited because the parking lot was also a trailhead for Forest Park, so I finally can say that I was in Forest Park today.  Forest Park is a 40 mile loop system that is right down town and because it is so big, it connects many different parts of the city.  It is huge and there are a ton of maps and trailheads and suggestions and I have always been a little overwhelmed in making that our destination, but now we will have to get back up there again soon.

Snakes Instead of Newts

We went and walked to the Lily Pond in Tualatin Hills Nature Park after Portland yesterday, it was 80 degrees and sunny so instead of newts that prefer 47 degrees and rainy we had garter snakes, JD and I were able to spot 4 of them while going on our hike.  It is crazy how much a park can change in just a few weeks. We are loving going on walks through these forests in the middle of the cities here, they are so pretty and it is fun to spend time together.

Tyron Creek State Park

We went and walked around Tyron Creek State Park after church today while our dinner cooked in the crock pot.  It is about 20 minutes from our house, 10 minutes outside downtown Portland.  I loved seeing all the ferns growing out the sides of the trees.  It was nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine too.  This park didn't have very many conifers so we will definitely be coming back when all the trees have sprouted their leaves.  We saw a lot of buds, we know that spring is coming, it will be fun to see how different the park is during the spring/summer compared to winter.

February

I find it funny that after a long January filled with rain, fog, and clouds that the first two days of February have brought sunshine and 55 degree weather.

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

We live in an area with a lot of 'parks'.  While there are your typical soccer field and playground parks.  There are also quite a few nature parks which entails pieces of wilderness and trails.  We are right below the Cooper Mountain Nature Park, which has multiple trails.  We were walking the Little Prairie Loop Trail tonight and came across this: the little prairie.  At first I couldn't figure out why there was a sign and two benches looking at this field until JD pointed out that this was the namesake of the trail we were on.  It is a pretty funny nature park, I can't wait to see what the big prairie looks like.

Camino Rio

Sometimes random river parkway walks with one of my best friends are just what I need.

The Floods

I love going to the parkway in Riverdale to walk the path along the river. This time of year it is green and beautiful. In contrast to past experiences, however, there is also a noticable amount of water in the way of my beloved path. I love the water. It is so fun to watch and listen to (and as posted last week, throw rocks in). The problem with all of this water is that it has a tendancy to go everywhere, even where it isn't supposed to like houses. The black and white photo was taken of the Ogden River outside of the canyon and as you can see this water likes to bring a lot of stuff with it that blocks water and makes it go other places as well. I love the rivers but I hope that they calm down soon.

I love my sisters

So yesterday was the magical day where Emi, Chris, and I all had the afternoon off. We had many adventures including:

going to Cafe Rio and not killing Christie was a fantastic discovery.....shopping.....Dilly Dally's.....river parkway and throwing rocks.....buying a bike that does not fit in my car at Costco.....I love my sisters.