A Walk Among the Irises and Columbine

Aimee was VERY bad last month. 

You see Aimee is a VERY passionate person--

especially when it comes to history. 

And, it just so happened that a LOVELY history research project developed in her mind 

early in April

and that was it...

before long I was dragging my DH to a pretty little area in the valley

and spending a WHOLE bunch of time there and

on the Internet doing research.

And, soon, very soon--

almost ALL of our allotted data time was gone. 

No data for browsing your lovely blogs,

no data to share my adventures with you. 

NO DATA. 

No.

Poor hubby. He suffered too.

But, it's a new month. 

And if I am really good, 

I might be able to catch up with my pastime of browsing blogs

and, maybe just maybe, create a few of my own. 

And if I am bad?

Well, I found a public wifi I can use :)

Here is our latest adventure...

a trip to a bit of heaven known as Schreiner's Iris Garden.

And now the photos

(data time is flying by)

Every time we go here, 

I am awed by the beauty and peace!

So MUCH variety!

Truly paradise!

Just incredible! 

My Mom would have loved it here--

she loved columbines. 

I do too and our home garden has many. 

LOVE!

A walk here always changes my focus--

it's like a breath of fresh air in the midst of a dust storm. 

A drink of cool water in the midst of a hot desert. 

I am crossing my fingers in hope that we make it back this way soon:)

A lot has happened since my last post. 

Many road trips as always. 

A trip back in time to the days of Beverly Cleary

(the object of the research project I mentioned). 

And there was unexpected news...

See ya soon!

Blessings, 

Aimee

Link:

http://www.schreinersgardens.com

(amazing, amazing place!)

Wetlands Wednesday

Like a hawk I have been watching...

for another rain break

and

for a certain road closed by high water to reopen.

 

This week both happened

and we (hubby and I) set off towards a certain wetland I had been wanting to visit

 since I first heard about it.

 

 

When we arrived I was truly blown away by the tranquil scene before us.

It was better than a massage,

better than dark chocolate,

better than...

well at least it was better FOR ME than a whole lot of things:)

 

 

A lot of the usual feathered friends were there...

geese,

 

 

an egret

(I think he fit in well with the Oriental feel that part of the wetlands has),

 

 

 swans

(A special thank you to Teresa for reigniting my desire to see these beauties this winter!

BTW, for some amazing close ups of Mirror Lake's tundra swans see Teresa's lovely post on "her" feathered friends here:

http://teresakasner.blogspot.com/2016/01/lots-of-swans-swimming.html)

 

 

The trail around the lake was amazing--

all except for one snake who was definitely NOT hibernating

(being that this blog is a no-snake zone,

I am not posting any of the 3 photos I took of the slithery one)

 

 

The trail is mostly flat and only a tiny bit over one mile in length.

 

 

Oh, oh DH is up and foraging through the fridge in search of food.

Better go:)

 

Night all!

 

Blessings,

Aimee

Sunshine On My Shoulder Makes Me :)

Every so often a miracle occurs here in the Pacific NW.

The gray, drippy and very dreary winter skies give way to blue ones
(or at least partially blue ones)
 and...

Aimee, sick or not,

escapes to one of the many roads which -- sooner or later -- leads her to a wetland area.

You see one of the TWO things Aimee likes LOVES about winter are the numerous wetlands
and their amazing inhabitants
(the other, as you may already know, is snow, snow and more snow)!
 

Today Farmer Boy and I set off to explore a wetland I had just learned about
and another that we had driven by, but not stopped at before.

 

 

A tiny chipmunk we saw.

Perhaps his name is Alvin?

 

 

"My" beloved geese.

 

 

A mourning dove?

 

 

A hawk who likes heights better than yours truly.

 

 

A lovely snow white egret.

 

 

Guess who?

One of the major challenges was actually being able to get there...
we got turned back twice when trying to visit one of the areas I wanted to explore.
 

 

Of course, sometimes one HAS to get out even if the skies aren't blue

and we've done a little of that too. Those photos another time.

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

The Feathered Ones (Part II Of Surf, Sand + Seagulls)

From November 11th...

 

Just because life continues to be challenging here

(though I am feeling MUCH, MUCH better),

just because I'd rather be on the sands right now instead of home

(unless it's pouring down rain or freezing cold when you read this),

just because I can't get enough of the surf, sand and seagulls

(is it possible to get enough of those three?),

just because laughter is great for the soul and gulls make me laugh,

just because it's late and I don't have a lot of words tonight

(probably because I should be in bed at this time),

I bring you more of the feathered ones --

with lots of thanks to the seagull-feeding strangers standing on the seawall above us,

who without knowing it made these photos possible:)

 

 

I wish seagulls could talk.

 

 I mean I know they do, but

 since I don't understand gullish and they don't speak English,

 I just have to imagine what they are saying--

or in this case thinking.

 

In this case, I am imagining that the bird, behind the one in front, is a girl gull

and she is crazy in love with the guy gull.

Yep, she is totally smitten.

Meanwhile guy gull is totally smitten with the idea that there is food nearby.

 

 

The message is out.

Seagull feeding strangers on the seawall.

"Come one, come all".

 

 

Seagulls on the seawall.

Seagull sentinels.

 

 

It's a regular bird convention it is.

 

 

Love these guys (and gals).

 

 

Loved the foamy surf!

 

 

Another fisher gull enjoying his (or her) catch of the day.

He apparently likes sushi as much as I do--

however he prefers his without the rice, the seaweed, etc. etc.

Mmm. Sushi.

Hungry!

 

 

The End:)

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

 

 

Autumn Immersion

When I was young, autumn fun didn't have to cost you as much as a fancy dinner out. No!

And before the end of October we set out--

Small One in tow--

to prove that was STILL true. 

Fortunately, thanks to a wonderful farm family and some other people, we found it is!

 

 

 

 

After a couple of false starts, we headed towards a farm I thought

would fit our idea for autumn fun quite well (link and info below).

 

After a bit of exploring Small One and I tried out the corn maze

(first photo). It wasn't hard to figure out, but it was great exercise and had some lovely views of the countryside and autumn color!

 

  

Pumpkins were all over,

as were "cobwebs" and other autumn themed décor.

 

 

Small One, of course, wanted a really big--HUGE--pumpkin.

 

This is the moment she found out Papa had one rule about choosing a pumpkin...just ONE rule...

can you guess what the rule is?

 

 

Does this photo help?

LOL

 

 

Small One finally found one she could pick up...

and it was a very lovely one too.

Will get to that photo in a bit...

but, before the choosing of the pumpkin, came a VERY fun tractor pulled wagon ride which left us shaking at times, giggling at others and very thankful we had some here:)

Perhaps I shouldn't post a pic of that as I don't want to give the surprise(s) away

LOL

 

 

Total cost: Less than $3 for the pumpkin.

We'll definitely be back!

 

 

Later on, we found another farm giving away FREE pumpkins!

We only wish the farmer had been around because we were so very grateful for this lovely gift!

 

 

Soon, we met up with a friend of mine,

my BFF to be exact, who I see all together too rarely since she has moved.

Off we headed to a neighborhood park where our grandkids played for awhile on the playground equipment and then discovered another FUN and free pastime--thanks to a family there who apparently had the same kind of philosophy as I do re: autumn fun.

Yep! Leaf piles on a lovely bed of grass are always a recipe for LOTS of fun:)

 

 

 And, the experience stays with you even after you leave.

 

Total Cost: nothing

 

On the way home we swung by a place to pick up another necessary ingredient for autumn fun---

caramel apples,

specifically gourmet caramel apples.

 

No need to show you this one, but they were the most expensive part of our day and still under $10 for 2 of the most yummy treats known to man (or in our case--girls).

 

Next up: pumpkin carving

 

 

One of our two carved pumpkins--

designed by Small One and carved with lots of love by a REAL Farmer Boy,

which just happens to be a Papa too.

 

Although we had other autumn adventures including a mini birthday celebration for the Small One.

my load of dishes is just about done, so I'll end this post with another autumn tradition from my childhood...

 

 

 

Wishing you all a very blessed November filled with love, simple blessings and priceless memories.

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Notes:

A HUGE thank you to the Jim Dandy Farm Family for the awesome time we had there

(I am still smiling when I think of that GREAT wagon ride--teehee!). Thank you also for your kind permission to post photos taken there!!!

Here's a link to those who would like to know more:

http://www.pumpkinpatch.farm/

 

 

Return To The Nestucca River National Country Byway: The Canyon

Both Farmer Boy and I have fond memories of the Nestucca River

 from when we were younger...

 

I recall camping along it at least once, under the stars, with my then best friend and also of times spent at a park that was located at the base of a dam (no longer accessible).
My hubby recalls visiting the area of the Meadow Lake dam which failed in the early 60s, fishing the Nestucca River and also of a "swimming hole".

Not so very long ago it became our "mission" to find that somewhat elusive "swimming hole".

Just a note that I am arranging these photos from east to west so,
if you look at the links below,
you'll have a better idea of what to expect.

 

And now some green immersion for this warm summer day:)

 

 

The coast range is a wonderland of ferns, trees and more. I never tire of it!
 

 

Not too far from the site of historic Meadow Lake Dam
you'll enter into the lovely Nestucca river canyon.

 

 

Pretty overhead woodland canopy.

 

 

Our furry passenger on this mission on her way to her beloved dad.
Coming Papa!

 

 

The swimming hole from above.
Much prettier in person where you can truly enjoy the peace of the area.

 

 

Lovely, lovely green. Is it my Celtic DNA that makes me love this color?
There were places on the route that reminded me of a tree "cathedral"--so amazing!
I am constantly amazed at the artistry of our Creator!

 

A small detour off the main road brought us to this nice view.

LOVE (usually) those small detours--

of course there are those narrow, winding, cliff filled, car injuring forest roads

  that I am not too fond of:)
They are not too far from here.

By the way there are a number of waterfalls in this area--some easier to get to than others.

Can I also say that we had a very magical experience while in the canyon?
A beautiful butterfly accompanied our moving car for awhile--
almost flying through our open window.
Totally amazing!

 

 

Rural view as we draw closer to the coast.

 

 

Another thing I never tire of? Clouds, mist and fog on my beloved mountains and hillsides.

 

Good bye for now my beloved Nestucca River--

see you again.

Before I close this post--
in fitting with the beautiful creation experienced along this byway--
a bit of the WORD for your day (even though it's not Wednesday--LOL)

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD...
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
Psalms 113:1, 3 KJV

 

Blessings, Aimee

Some info:
There are two routes through this lovely area.
One, the Bald Mountain road is a one lane paved road and, as you may guess from the "mountain" part of the name, it'll take you up in elevation. Later, you will turn onto Bible Creek Rd (two way paved road) which will--in time--rejoin the main route after the campgrounds.
The second and main route is the one through the Nestucca River canyon. On this one, the road is paved except for a few miles of gravel. As I have mentioned, you can also camp here along the river. Both routes are meant to be taken slowly and enjoyed :)
http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/files/brochures/Nestucca%20River.pdf

 

My Collection --thus far--of Nestucca River National Country Byway Posts:

http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2015/03/of-unexpected-blessings-pt-ii.html

(Meadow lake dam)
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2013/04/springtime-in-coast-range.html
(Bible Creek Rd, Lake, etc.)
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-different-kind-of-exercise.html
(Bald Mountain/Bible Creek Rd Route)
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2012/09/into-unknown-of-fear-and-detours-pt-2.html
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2012/08/into-unknown-of-fear-and-detours-pt1.html
(Bald Mountain/Bible Creek Rd Route--first time)
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-journey.html
(Meadow Lake area and more)
http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2010/08/mountain-retreat-for-soul.html
(Meadow Lake area, viewpoint BLM)

And, somewhere, hiding in my files and possibly this website,
 are photos of two of the waterfalls along this route and
one of those narrow, winding, cliff filled, car injuring forest roads

  that I am not too fond of ;)