Of Mountains, Deer + Covered Bridges

In the Pacific NW there is a little traveled highway that runs between Dallas and Wren.

It is known as the King's Valley Highway

and I must confess,

I have fallen in love with it.

The first time we met it was in winter and we were just making a quick trip to see the Rittner Covered Bridge located a bit south of Pedee, a small community on the highway.

But now, some 7 months later--I was back with the goal of driving the entire highway.

After all--how could I resist beautiful views like this?

And charming inhabitants like this?

And these?

And this

(hint--he is very hard to see since I didn't have my zoom lens on,

but he is on the right side of the photo)

And the much beloved cattails of late summer

(oh how I love thee)!

And the beautiful white of Queen's Anne lace?

(I love lace, even when it isn't something you can sew onto clothes)!

And then near the end

or the beginning, depending on which direction you are traveling...

the very quiet, very beautiful home of the Harris Covered Bridge.

I only wish you could hear the stillness of the area

and feel

the peace.

Ahh!

I just have to go back--after all there are still some places I haven't seen yet:)

Maybe soon.

Blessings + peace,

Aimee

~

Links:

My earlier post on the Rittner Covered Bridge and Kings Valley Highway

area can be found here: Polk County

And, if you like covered bridges as much as I do,

you can check out my earlier posts on some of the bridges

located in Linn County here and here. Enjoy!

So my question of the day is--

what is your favorite kind of historical place?

A Visit to Scandinavia (Sort of)

Our day at the Scandinavian festival started beautifully

and very deliciously

with aebleskivers and Norse jam

(Note: it was worth the wait in line)! :)

It also began with flowers--

lots of cheerful, sunny flowers!

It included a lot of toe tapping folk dancing from all the Scandinavian countries.

My DH and I always enjoy the folk dancing;

I also love the embroidery and gorgeous hair styles!

A lot of people--adults and kids dance.

There are a lot of booths there too--

with rosemaling, wood working, Swedish weaving, wheat weaving and more crafts!

And, of course, what would any festival be without food?

This year I was very good and didn't buy anything but food

(although the crafts were so beautiful I was sorely tempted)!

Oh yes, I have told you about the beautiful hairstyles--

I love, love, love braided hair!

Wonder if my DH would be willing to help me do this with my hair?

And after the aebleskivers, sausage, dancing, admiring of all the beautiful costumes,

flower watching, photo taking, heavenly Celtic harp playing, lovely folk music

and more, it was time to leave...

but that couldn't happen without fulfilling my traditional eating of two lefse.

Two lefse with melted butter and cinnamon sugar.

YUM!

~

How was your weekend?

Blessings,

Aimee