If Only...

If only I was a bird...

 

 

I could fly from place to place.
Go where I wanted to, when I wanted to
and stay just as long as I wished.

 

 

I could see a mountaintop field of clover from way up in the sky...

 

 

and then swoop down low to take a closer look.

 

 

I could find out where this mountaintop trail leads with only a few flaps of my wings.

 

 

I could fly from here,

 to way over there,

and then back again...

or maybe just perch on a tree limb high above the ground

and watch Mom freak out about the drop-off

:)

 

 

I could fly over pastures of wildflowers...

and perhaps nap amidst them for awhile.

 

 

Or I could just stop and smell the roses in this pretty coastal garden.

 

 

Yep. It would be fun to be a bird--

except I don't like worms at all

(although I do LOVE bones, treats and an occasional blueberry),

I like being inside a nice warm house at night,

 and I would miss these AMAZING Papi hugs.

 

I think I am glad to be a white fluffy puppy after all -

 even if it means occasionally having to hear Mom scream at me to get back from

 the edge of a drop off...

after all it really just means she loves ME.

 

Have a great week and check out some of those mountains, beaches,

wildflowers or gardens where you live.

And if you have a small, furry white puppy

(or any other kind),

make sure you bring them along...

I highly recommend it:)

 

The Small Furry White One

(AKA Dear Daughter Dog).

 

Photos:

NW Oregon

  

Remember...

The morning has dawned on this day--

Saturday of the long Memorial Day weekend.

It's cloudy outside,

but the showers have stopped and the forecast looks promising.

The TV is on--

our young guests have chosen, not surprisingly, a cartoon.

 

As we do every year at this time (and others)

my husband and I have talked about them...

our fallen...

the father of a five year old daughter who died during the Civil War--

the young man who left a young widow and his baby during World War II--

the numerous others who have fallen in wars since our nation's founding.

 

So many;

so young. 

Full of dreams, full of hopes...

 

Surviving families changed forever by that one horrible moment in time.  

 

 

"So long as we are not forgotten we do not die..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You're his witness now.

Without a witness, they just disappear."

 

 

May God be with the many families and friends today who have lost a loved one during war.

May God grant our nation,

and all other nations of the world,

a long lasting peace.

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Willamette National Cemetery

Vietnam Living Memorial

Damascus Pioneer Cemetery

St Paul's Catholic Cemetery

 

First quote:

unknown source

Second quote:

'Taking Chance', HBO films, 2009. USA

 

 

Knowledge Is A Beautiful Thing

For years I had stood on this spot.

 

 

Gazing out at the ever-changing sea and wonderful rock formations to the north...
(link to an earlier post which shows this rock formation--Twin Rocks--from a totally different angle)
 

 

Watching the many small boats cross from the relative safety of Tillamook Bay
 into the less tame Pacific Ocean.

 

 

Enjoying the action of the waves as they splashed against the boulders of the jetties,

and admiring the interesting rock formations to the south off Cape Meares

(part of Oregon Rocks NWR--as well as Twin Rocks pictured in the first photo).

Here's a link to more photos and info about the Oregon Rocks and other coastal NWRs:

http://nctc.fws.gov/resources/knowledge-resources/Refuges/oregoncoast00.pdf

 

 

Yep -- for years I had done all those things and more...

 

Our family has camped, --

climbed the sand dune,

made the short walk down to the sandy beach here

and had

brought our grandkids and DDD (dear daughter dog) to this wonderful place.

 

 

My Farmer Boy, Fisherman, part Mountain Goat, DH had even caught

and cleaned some yummy fish here

(BTW, Aimee does not share her beloved's love of, or talent for, jumping from rock to rock

on his way to some great fishing spot hence she has never caught some yummy fish here).

 

 

But, after all those many years, I didn't know all that was to be known about this place--

I didn't truly understand its full significance ;

I hadn't connected all the 'dots' yet.

 

 

I just knew it was special and that I LOVED it!

 

But then, a year or so ago, it finally dawned on me.

I had been standing on a part of our state's history all this time,

staring out at a place which was also part of the history.

 

Now I finally understood the role this northern jetty had played...

and just what it had cost the residents who once lived on that pretty spit

between the bay and ocean.

 

 

Then, as well as now,

it was a matter of money... 

One jetty, the north one where these photos were taken, was built and later enlarged...

the other jetty, the one to the south, wasn't.

The experts had recommended both be built...

 

The ocean is a beautiful place---but it is also an unforgiving powerful force of nature.

 

Today, where once there was a resort community,

no buildings remain--all lost to the sea or moved to safer locations like Cape Meares.

And that second jetty?

Well it was finally built, but too late for the residents who once swam in Bayocean's Natatorium,

strolled the peninsula's sandy beaches,

enjoyed the views of the bay to their east and the ocean to their west.

I would have liked LOVED to have visited there in the community's heyday,

when we last walked there decades ago not much was left...

but it still is a special place.

 

 

It just so happens that the Tillamook Pioneer Museum 

 is currently having an exhibit on Bayocean---

we've been there and it is well worth the time and very reasonable $4/person admission fee.

The Bayocean exhibit will be running till late July.

Besides this special exhibit, there's a LOT to see there.

Here is a link to their site:

http://www.tcpm.org/new.htm#b

  

So did you know the secret of the jetties of Tillamook Bay?

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Barview County Park

Outside the Tillamook Pioneer Museum

 

Notes/Links:

http://pdxhistory.com/html/bayocean.html

(a great site with photos)

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~orpionpr/Bayocean.htm

(more info, more photos)

http://www.offbeatoregon.com/H104_Bayocean_.htm

(and more)

Yes. History is a passion for me...

it has been since I was 8

(or perhaps even before).

http://www.oregoncoast101.com/articles/ghosts_from_a_dream.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayocean,_Oregon

 

And for those who really LOVE detail (like I do)...

http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/handle/1957/8396

(Site contains pdf file with a lot of info, technical data and some photos too)

 

 

There's also a book about Bayocean written by Bert Webber that is very good.

 I bought mine a long time ago and 'devoured' it quickly :)

 

 

Sorry about the lighting...

it seems that I am always taking photos after or before the golden hours...

but on a positive note, it wasn't raining:)

 

 

Mother's Day Hike 2014: Kilchis Point Reserve

The last couple years my DH and I have gone on a hike to celebrate Mother's Day.

Since all three of our kids live out of state now (sad sigh)

and both of our mom's have passed on (second sad sigh), we find it a pleasant way to spend this day--

and somehow, maybe because my mom loved nature so very much, it just seems right.

Of course, during our travels we always hear from our kids which is a very pleasant part of our Mother's Day celebrations too:)

 

Last year we hiked the trail to Fishhawk Falls (near Jewell) in the coast range

(you can find photos of that hike here and here).

It was beautiful...

it was an easy walk...

it was green...

and

we LOVED it!

 

When exploring possibilities for this year's celebration,

I happened upon a mention of a hike in one of my favorite areas--

and that's when I, lover of local history and nature,  knew where we had to go.

 

Of course, since my daughter and sons couldn't be here...

we brought another 'daughter'--

a small, white, furry one.

She LOVES it when her mom and dad say she's invited too!

:)

 

 

No, you won't find this wonderful sculpture at Kilchis...

but we did spend some yummy moments later in the day with him.

 

Kilchis Point is located in Bay City (south of Garibaldi; north of Tillamook)

and is the site of a former Native American village

and, later on, pioneer homesteads.

If you go, be prepared to be fully immersed into a world of green loveliness!

 

 

The first section of the trail (The Trailhead Loop trail)

consists of beautiful pavers and is very handicap accessible.

It is easy walking and quite delightful!

 

Other trail surfaces include boardwalks over the wetland areas

(with more to come)

and compacted gravel trails beyond the Trailhead Loop

(we walked quite a bit of the trail called Native American Way 

but would like to do all the trails in the future).

 

Signs along the trail talk about the history and animals of the area

(I didn't know this was cougar and black bear territory).

Everything was VERY well done and added to our enjoyment of the area.

 

We were there late morning and mostly had this piece of paradise to ourselves--

well except for the birds that is

(birdsong included in your hike for free--actually I should say there is

NO admission so your walk is totally free).

 

Salmonberries in different stages.

Mmm. We need to plant some here.

 

Native mushroom.

The different types of mushrooms we have in the Pacific NW amaze me!

 

See?

I told you to be prepared for being immersed in green

(beautiful woodland, forest, wetland areas)

and whoever designed the walkways has a very artistic eye.

You will agree should you come here!

 

 

Speaking of art--this gorgeous salmon sculpture can be seen along the trail...

there are also wonderful log (and other) benches should you feel the need to relax for awhile.

It is a great trail for your furry friends, kids and adults alike! 

 

 

Well I could post a dozen or more photos of our hike here

and a couple photos along the bay too

(from when we got lost before we found the reserve),

but household tasks call me so I will leave you with some links where you can find 

more information and photos of Kilchis Point Reserve.

Have a great week:)

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Links:

http://www.tcpm.org/kilchispoint.htm

(Kilchis is owned by the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum--

they have some plans for the reserve's future!)

http://kilchispoint.wordpress.com/

(Kilchis Point Reserve blog--love it!

Lots of photos and info about the Reserve can be found here).

 

Besides Fishhawk Falls and Kilchis Point,

another fairly easy walk in this area is Munson Falls located a bit south of Tillamook.

Here is a link to our walk there...

http://aimeeonthemountainside.blogspot.com/2012/06/walking-alone-hike-in-oregons-forest.html

 

 

Monday Random

She left us on a on a weekday afternoon and I missed her terribly within...

5 minutes or so.

I really did :(

 

But time marches on and today I am back to my more usual routine--

cleaning house,

doing laundry,

listening to some good talk shows,

catching up on blogs I follow

(I am about 1/3 done with that delightful activity)

and observing the ever-changing weather outside

(and one very persistent bird who kept flying into our windows earlier this morn).

 

Since I need to get back to work

(because I am SO far behind after a week entertaining Small One),

how about a few random photos on this cloudy, sunny, showery, windy, calm Monday?

 

 

Found this lovely peony in one of my favorite mountain valleys.

I love peonies and I am thinking my garden might need one or two.

Alas, I think we are lacking room for more plants

(although this article on hugelkultur raised garden beds got me

thinking about some more possible areas we might use for planting)

Looks very, very interesting!

http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/

 

 

I did say these were random photos...

very random

:)

The above photo is of DDD (dear daughter dog),

of course,

 and

 this is probably the moment it dawned on her that

taking a trip to the Vet is not the same as taking a trip to the beach.

Poor DDD!

She had to have three vaccinations that day 

and then had to share her beloved Papi with Small One for more then a week.

Poor spoiled and very loved DDD...

 

She is now back into her usual routine of

being spoiled,

being petted,

sleeping on the bed,

getting doggie cookies and

ruling the 'roost'

(or so she thinks).

 

 

A quick capture of some of our beautiful natives playing in a mountain meadow...

it was one of those unexpected blessings you see occasionally as you drive along our rural roads

(it's SO nice that today's phones come equipped with cameras isn't it?)

 

 

I am thinking that Small One needs garden gloves that are a BIT smaller

 if she's going to help out in the garden...

So much is happening outside right now.

Blooms of pink, white, orange, yellow and more!

LOVE springtime in the PNW!

And I especially love the month of May:)

 

 

Interesting sign...

Do you have newts where you live?

This was the first caution sign I've ever seen for them

 :)

 

Yikes!

It's time to get back to work...

 

Wishing you all a beautiful spring day!

Blessings,

Aimee

 

A Trip Down Memory Lane That Brought Us Up A Mountain (and the WORD on Wednesday)

Back in time to Easter 2014~

 

I had been thinking about visiting a certain destination for quite a long time...

 

I consulted a topographic map

(which made it clear this wasn't going to be an easy trip for me)...

but still something compelled me to want to see this place--

to relive a little bit of my childhood again.

So Easter of this year we headed towards a certain forest service road

(another clue it wasn't going to be an easy trip)...

on the way there,

I announced I had changed my mind...

my hubby hadn't changed his:)

So up we went on this narrow winding

(but thankfully paved road),

The views were pretty amazing

but there was a reason there are almost no photos going up

(the terrain map was correct and there was no guardrail).

And then we were there...

 

 

The lake was situated amidst a forest on the mountain.

 

 

The water was peaceful and there were lots of reflections to be seen

(along with a family and fishermen).

It was SO quiet...

 

 

Out of order photo--

a bit of the roadside scenery

(in other places you could see nearby mountains and the view at the very top of this mountain is said to be spectacular on a sunny day).

 

 

Moss, moss everywhere--

I LOVE moss, can you tell?

:)

 

 

Some skunk cabbage from across the lake with reflections...

 

 

This is an old picnic shelter...

there were also some camping sites and hiking trails in the area.

 

 

And some very special lake inhabitants.

 

On another note--

for those who might be interested,

tomorrow will be the 63rd National Day of Prayer here in the USA.

My granddaughter and I are planning to say a prayer for our nation...

you are welcome to join us in doing so..

see this website for more info:

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

 

And some verses quite appropriate for tomorrow

(and everyday)...

 

Rejoice evermore.

 Pray without ceasing.

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Mt Hebo area

(Hebo Lake)

 

Note:

As my special visitor is still here...

and still wide awake,

please excuse any errors :)

On the Making of New Memories

From this weekend~

We've had a little visitor for several days now and have been very busy making memories...

playing at a playground,

eating out 

(yippee),

clothes shopping

(in anticipation of the warm temps forecasted for later this week),

story time at a library,

bedtime prayers

and

(A LOT of)

bedtime procrastination

by a certain young lady.

 

And did I say? 

having LOTS and LOTS of fun!

 

Today we continued that fun in the historic Oregon City area.

First up (in the photos at least) a stop at the Willamette Falls Scenic Overlook--

where Small One learned that a long, long time ago her daddy almost

made an unexpected trip over these very falls in a boat along with his brother, dad and auntie

(but fortunately they didn't).

 

 

 

Notice something Grandma neglected to do this morning?

Grandma needs to take care of that when Small One wakes up.

 

 

Of course we had to pay our respects to the natives...

native birds that is.

And, as always, there were many of our feathered friends there today--

pigeons, ducks and geese.

Lots of fisherman, dogs and happy people too

(it's hard not to be happy when you are standing in a park

 built between two rivers on a somewhat sunny day)

 

 

We were able to get really, really close this time...

 

 

Aren't they beautiful?

 

 

Small One said this was her favorite activity today..

it was mine too:)

 

 

LOVED this duck!

 

  More memories made on this pretty spring day...

memories

MUCH less scary than the ones made at the falls decades ago.

 

How was your Saturday? Did you make some new memories.
 

Blessings, Aimee 

Sorry that I am a bit behind on my blog browsing...
hope to catch up on all of your blogs later this week when the Small One leaves :)