Hiking at Timberline

Good Times on Saturday!   I hiked at timberline on Mt Hood.  Our hiking group gathered at Timberline Lodge.  If you look closely in the upper left-hand in the above picture of the Lodge, you can see the moon--a little white dot in this picture.  The Timberline Trail (part of the Pacific Crest Trail) leaves from Timberline Lodge and goes 2.2. miles to Zigzag Overlook, where there's an amazing view of Mt. Hood:

We could also see Mt. Jefferson in the distance:

The trees were not nearly that dark.  I had to make adjustments in my photo so that Mt. Jefferson would show up.  

It was beautiful and fun to be with friends from Good Times!  We were a little surprised to see snowdrifts covering the trail in several places.  The elevation is about 7000' and the hike is rated "easy."  It would have been easy-er without those snow patches!  The temperature was great.  We hiked back the same way we came in, for a total of 4.4 miles.   Lunch at Timberline Lodge was our reward before heading back to Portland.  

Start the Day at a Fly In Breakfast

This morning I went to Twin Oaks Airport in Hillsboro for a "fly in" breakfast.  It's called a "fly in" because a lot of the people fly in--as in getting there in an airplane!  You don't have to be a pilot or even a "pilot wannabe" to enjoy the breakfast, which is also a fund-raiser.  It was a great breakfast complete with grits.  Lots of interesting people, including the local weatherman, who was one of the cooks.  The breakfast is in an airport hanger.  You probably guessed that I didn't arrive in a plane---I flew low...in the Infiniti and then met a friend there.

Back in Oregon...

Day trips to the beach and the Columbia River Gorge!

Monday I took a painting to Gearhart for the annual show at Trails End Art Association (TEAA).   When I lived in Gearhart,  I was very active in TEAA and I still always see friends when I go there. 

I also stopped by the house that Howard's family still has there and uses as a beach house.   There are a lot of good memories for me.  It's very comfortable and you can walk to the beach!

 John and Catherine put a salmon on the chimney...that's fun!

I also took a quick watch on the beach, but forgot my camera, so no pix.  My friend Lisa Albinger has a show in Seaside, so I took a look at that.  She usually works at there (Shoalwater Gallery) but I missed her.  It was a nice show.

On the way back, I treated myself to Marionberry cobbler a la mode while I made my "sketch of the day" of a lamp on the table.

On Saturday, July 30, I went to Hood River with some friends to ride the Hood River Railroad.  We went to Odell and back.  It was a short trip, but very relaxing.

The conductor was a lot of fun, and really looked the part.

The scenery was gorgeous, with glimpses of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, while we were traveling through fruit orchards and by the Hood River.

Back in Hood River (the town), we went out for a very nice dinner on a deck overlooking the Columbia River.  Good times, good friends, good food, good conversation.  Nice!!!!!