SAUVIE ISLAND

Whenever the sun peeks out of the clouds......

We drive over to Sauvie Island about once a week to see the changing migration activity and are never disappointed!!

On this trip we saw hundreds of Sandhill Cranes - but they kept their distance!  We also saw Snow Geese by the thousands and a few Swans.  Of course there are always fields of Canada Geese ready to take flight at the slightest noise or movement - and boy are they noisy!!!

It's hunting season so we need to mind the signs and keep our heads down!  LOL

Gabi

PORTLAND ZOO - ZOOLIGHTS

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

We weren't sure about going to the zoo at night with the temperatures hovering at freezing.....but we bundled up, drove over to the Orenco station and took the train to Washington Park, crossed the street to the zoo and entered a wonderland. 

Zoolights is 1.5 million lights that are simply amazing and leave children and adults alike struggling for  the right words to describe the experience.  (We were also struggling to breathe in the cold, cold air - LOL)

We attended a preview for members only but the zoo is well loved in Portland so the event was well attended.  We booked the open air train that takes you around the zoo to view the lights - in advance - and good thing because it was a highlight and it was sold out. 

There were long lines to purchase warm drinks and delicious treats such as elephant ears and it was way too cold to stand in line so the entire evening cost us $12.50 - for MAX train and Zoolights train for two!

It was so much fun and so beautiful we will absolutely go again next year - maybe more layers???

Gabi

 

ONE BIRD, TWO MUSHROOMS AND A SHREW

Saturday, November 2, 2019

There is nothing quite like the migration of thousands of geese, swans, cranes, egrets and pelicans - so we were very excited to take a 30 minute drive through the country to the Tualatin River Refuge and enjoy it close up!

Well, let's just say we had a lovely walk in a beautiful area in the warm sun!!!  When we arrived the parking lot was full and there were tents up along the trail and lots and lots of people out in a field working where there once was a marsh covered with water - and BIRDS!!!  The marsh had been drained so that water plants could be planted in an effort to restore the creek running through the refuge to the original banks.  In a week or so they plan to re-flood the marsh and hopefully? the birds will return.

We did spot a Blue Heron fishing in the creek, a tiny shrew on the trail and some enormous mushrooms growing on an old log.  We also got some much needed exercise in the warm sun and a great view of our favorite mountain (Hood) and some amazing old barns and orange and red vineyards along the way.

Gabi

DAY TRIP TO WILLAMETTE FALLS

Monday, October 21, 2019

We have a list of day and 1/2 days trips ready to go when there is a break in the weather - LIKE TODAY!

When our grandson James came to visit a few months ago we took a jet boat on the Willamette and visited the falls.  We had a great time and decided to come back and check it out from the river's edge instead of from the middle of it!

We drove about 30 minutes down to Oregon City through the most breathtaking array of yellow, orange and red leaf displays following the voice on our phone to the Willamette Falls Lookout.  We were a bit disappointed to find ourselves up very high with almost no view of the falls so we drove around and figured it out!!!  Turns out you need to cross the river to Oregon City where the road is closer to the water, the amazing falls, old abandoned buildings and rusting locks.  We were dazzled and could not take enough pictures!!!

On our way back we visited Johnson Creek Park which is the beginning of the salmon project walking tour.  Johnson Creek meets Crystal Springs and this is supposedly a great place to view those elusive salmon traveling up-stream to spawn.  Nope!  LOL 

We checked our walking tour map that we printed off the net and decided to take the car and go directly to Reed College where they have a salmon ladder on campus.  The campus is amazing and everyone was very helpful and friendly and we finally found the ladder - but no Salmon!!!  Nope!  We really enjoyed our visit and our drive around a new and really impressive neighborhood of Portland!

Gabi

BIRD WATCHING - SAUVIE ISLAND

Monday, October 14, 2019

We plan to do a lot of bird watching this fall around Oregon.  It is perfect - we love birds and - Oregon is located on the Pacific Flyway and  boasts an abundance of birds year round!

One of the best places in the state to bird watch is Sauvie Island, located about 20 minutes from our home!  Sauvie Island is the largest island along the Columbia River and lies 10 miles NW of downtown Portland.  The island is famous for it's farmland and wildlife refuge and has year round activities making it a very popular destination.  It can be crowded on weekends in the fall due to the corn maze, hay rides and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins - so we stick to mid-week visits.

Today was simply amazing as we drove up to the parking along the Columbia and were met with deafening sounds of thousands of geese, egrets, cranes, swans and pelicans as they would settle and then take flight and then freak out and fly and circle again!  

The island claims over 250 bird species including a large number of bald eagles and over 150,000 migrating birds that come from Alaska, Mexico and the Northern Rockies along the Pacific Flyway.  It is an interesting place of contrasts - very peaceful and calm and quiet and then wild and outrageous with the sound of thousands of birds almost without warning!!!

Be sure to get your parking pass as you cross the bridge at Cracker Barrel Store (NOT at all connected with the real Cracker Barrel restaurant and store chain) LOL - the websites all say the pass is $7.00 but we are charged $10 and have to pay an extra 25 cents for a Xerox copy of the island map every time we go!  At least the proprietors are super unfriendly!  All worth it!!!  We will be checking out Sauvie Island and the migrating birds weekly - weather permitting!!!

Gabi 

ROADTRIP TO SEE SALMON, ELK AND LEAVES

Thursday, October 10, 2019

I saw a great episode of Grant's Getaways on TV and next thing I knew we were driving out the 26 toward the Pacific Ocean looking for Lower Nehalem River Road.  Found it - no problem and saw many trees changing to yellow along the way but it seems a bit early for the orange and red colors that make us crazy!!!

The road was a two lane country road for awhile and then it became one and then turned to dirt and then rocks and gravel.  But it did get worse because 'since the flood'  had washed out much of the road there were a number of trucks and several road crews sharing this one lane muddy road!!!  One guy told me "just go around" as if there wasn't a drop off of a thousand feet down to a rugged river in case I misjudged.  We kept looking for Nehalem Falls because that is the first time the salmon returning from the ocean on this river have to jump up to navigate over the rocks and falls and they aren't very good at it causing viewers to get a better chance to see this amazing miracle!  Well, we were just about to give up when we saw a gentleman with his camera getting into his car.  Perfect - we asked him if he happened to know where the falls were located and he pointed to the very large sign behind him that said - yep - NEHALEM FALLS!   

The falls were just beautiful and we really enjoyed the time we spent there -but no salmon.   You never know about salmon runs - you just have to be in the right place at the right time!    

We were planning to go back to the 26 and take the Lower Nehalem River  Road the other direction to the Jewell Wildlife Area and watch the elk fighting for breeding rights in the runt but decided instead to keep going out to Garibaldi for lunch and maybe spot the elk herd that frequents that area walking around the town and annoying the locals.

We had a great lunch of fish n chips at Kelley's Place on the Nehalem Bay - but no elk!

Along the seaside drive back up to our cutoff we did see a young buck and a young doe grazing along the highway and we had a wonderful day in our beautiful Oregon!

NO SALMON, NO ELK, NO PROBLEM! LOL

Gabi

LORI'S EXCELLENT VISIT PRIOR TO NEXT SURGERY-DAY FIVE

Monday 9/9/19 -

While Lori was visiting she got the very sad news that her dear friend Lizard had passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack.  It was very difficult for her to be here, so far away from home, so we decided to go to the Portland Grotto, where she could light a candle and say a prayer for her dear friend.  It was a good choice and we enjoyed a beautiful, peaceful time at the grotto and in the gardens of the monastery. 

Gabi

LORI'S EXCELLENT VISIT PRIOR TO NEXT SURGERY - DAY THREE-FOUR

Saturday and Sunday 9/7 and 9/8/19 -

It rained off and on and when it stopped we took walks to check out the bridge construction at the end of my street (and sneak across past all of the do not enter signs!), to the Orenco Nature Preserve to visit the twig heads and to the Noble Woods Park.  We also went to several morning markets to buy donuts and beautiful fruits and vegetables and toured old town Hillsboro choosing houses we would love to buy and fix up!  One morning we took the train down to the Lloyd center to see the ice skating rink and then walked along the river front for a bit - in the rain!

We talked, laughed and ate chocolate chip cookie dough for dinner - all the things you do on an excellent visit!

Gabi

LORI'S EXCELLENT VISIT PRIOR TO NEXT SURGERY - DAY TWO

Friday, 9/6/18

One more sunny day before the rain is predicted so off to Swan Island Dahlia Fields.  We drove about 45 miles south of Portland, down the 5 and then through country roads (seemed like we were in the area of the Tulip Fields - but not really sure) and Oh My Goodness - what a wonderful adventure.  There were hundreds of varieties of  Dahlias - all colors, combinations of colors and sizes - and we spent a couple of hours wandering up and down the rows - taking soooo many pictures!!!  They had a lovely little gift shop and a nursery so you could purchase dahlias - cut or ready to plant for next season! 

On the way back to the freeway we saw a sign directing us toward the Swan Island Ferry and Lori said, "oh, let's do that!" - so we did and it was really cool.

Total spent $4.00 - for the ferry - car and contents - LOL  

Gabi

LORI'S EXCELLENT VISIT PRIOR TO NEXT SURGERY - DAY ONE

Thursday, 9/5/19 -

Lori needed to 'get away' for a few days before her next surgery and we were very happy to have her come visit!  She came in April, last year, and wanted to visit the Rose Garden more than anything.  Well, the rose bushes were well cut stumps with no growth and certainly no roses - quite a disappointment!   So, we decided with a lot of rain on the horizon and the rose garden still in bloom until October to do this field trip FIRST.   To say that it was a success is an understatement - Lori  was beside herself - snapping pictures, smelling roses and smiling from ear to ear!  The garden is amazing, always changing and never disappointing - except between November and April - LOL

Right across the street is the Japanese Tea Garden and since I am a member and now know there is a small bus to take you to the top of the hill - we decided we should definitely make the stop.  The garden is actually an experience - perfection in the plants, water features, Koi, and lovely buildings- very calm and exquisite!    

We took the train round trip - easy - perfect day for about $5.00 - total!

Gabi

PORTLAND - NEW PERSPECTIVE

Thursday, 8/22/19 -

A visit from our grandson, James, was a great excuse to get on the Willamette River and 'check out' Portland from the water view.  We choose to do it by jet boat and we are really glad we did.  It was a wonderful and exciting and WET experience!

Willamette Jetboats is located on the river next to the submarine and behind OMSI and they do a great job of delivering a tour of Portland and historical information while swirling you around and drenching you with welcome river water from time to time. 

During the two hour tour we traveled up and down the river under many of the bridges, through the city and along the shore spotting beautiful homes, natural protected areas, old abandoned paper mills and pulp loading stations, locks to help large vessels navigate the river and the amazing waterfalls.  And....every so often our skipper offered us a drink of water which was promptly delivered-head to toe!!!

When we got back it was so easy to use the facilities at the museum and order a huge pizza and eat it outside in the sun while we dried out before driving home.

With traffic our drive was about 40 minutes each way and the cost of this journey was $55.00 per person - pizza $24,00 - LOL

We will be back to explore OMSI another day - looks like an amazing Science museum!

Gabi

MORNING WALKS

Monday, 8/13/19

We love to walk around and explore Hillsboro - and we prefer morning when it is cool and most people aren't out yet!

Yesterday, we discovered Orchard Park which is about 3 miles from our home and offers many features such as bathrooms (yep, very important!), playground for the little ones, Frisbee golf course and of course miles of trails in the woods, through the meadows and along the creek.  We had a great walk, took some nice pix and stopped at Freddy's to do grocery shopping - all by noon so we could have lunch at home on the terrace looking out at our woods!

Lovely day!

Gabi

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, 8/1/19

Lovely day - much to nice to sit around, run errands or complete chores so we jumped on the train and went downtown.

Our new train stop is about a mile from our house, no sidewalks and a major street to cross so we drove over to the station and parked the car.  Parking is free and scanned our HOP cards for the train - $2.50 per person for the day passing our old train stop along the way - arriving down at the Willamette River and Waterfront Park in about 20 minutes.

We walked along the river in the sun, people watching and making notes of the things we want to do such as the Maritime Museum housed on an old paddle-boat.  There were lots of kids cooling off in the fountains and water features, folks on bikes and dragging dogs on leashes who wanted to run!  We walked back to the train through Old Town and Chinatown and watched a guy fishing coins out of the fountain for his own personal use!  GRRR

Next, we stopped at Pioneer Square to use the restrooms - best anywhere - seriously and take pix with the "Umbrella Man" statue.  This statue, actually named "Allow Me" depicts a man hailing a cab - doing what???  and is our most famous resident.   

We were tempted by the Tillamook food truck but decided to eat our favorite pork bowl at the food trucks next to our 24 hour gym in Beaverton instead.  YUMMMM 

It was a nice outing and due to changing weather, seasons and planned activities -always different and always wonderful!

Gabi

Southern Oregon 3 day Road Trip

Wednesday, 7/24/19

Spent the night at the Comfort Inn and enjoyed the best (included) breakfast EVER!  and.....off to CRATER LAKE - we just love Crater Lake and never mind an extra hour or two drive out of the way to enjoy the majestic views this park provides!  We have our senior lifetime pass so it is always free for the car load to visit any National Park!

We stopped many times to enjoy the view, take pix and postpone our long drive home.  We did promise ourselves that next time - we will book the boat trip (which is always sold out for the same day) and stay in the grand hotel because Crater Lake is our favorite National Park - period!

We stopped in a small town boasting a gas station and not much else and found they had reserved parking for us - Dawson parking only - who else would it be for?  Anyway, we were in hysterics and the lady in the gas station never really understood why????

Quick hike and last walk about on the way home at Lake Crescent - with many posted signs about poison oak and not a bit of it??

Great trip - 3 days is perfect - nice having JJ along - and wonderful to get home and sleep in our own beds!!!

Gabi

Southern Oregon 3 day Road Trip

Tuesday 7/23/19 - Rogue River Trip and drive to Medford, Oregon

Jerry's Rogue River boats have been around a long time - delivering mail to the very small town of Agness 32 miles up the river from the coast and taking lucky passengers along for an exciting ride and a great lunch.  My family took the trip on the way to the Seattle World's Fair when I was 12 and it has always been a great memory.  We tried to take the trip when JJ was about 10 or 12 but didn't book ahead and missed that chance.  We were really lucky this time and got a call from the folks at Jerry's and due to load balancing were offered the longer 80 mile trip at no additional charge.  This was a huge win because the extra miles and time were spent in the rapids and in a spinning boat filling up with waves of water!  It really was fun - no, it really was!!!

The canyon is just breath taking and we spotted lots of wildlife.  A bald eagle swooped down and caught a fish just off the boat - very exciting.  JJ spotted two elk along the shore - a bit disappointed he didn't find a bear!

We had an amazing bar-b-q lunch at Cougar's Lodge and enjoyed some 'chill' time skipping stones across the river.

After the lovely boat trip we had a 4 hour drive to Medford to spend the night so that we would be positioned well to go to Crater Lake the next morning.  We had no idea we would have to drive down into California and across the Medford due to the mountain range blocking the direct route.  We were absolutely blessed with great weather and had a truly wonderful (if very long) day!

AND THEN WE GOT TO MEDFORD AND WENT TO IN AND OUT AND HAD DINNER!!!!! LOL  

Gabi

Southern Oregon 3 day Road Trip

Monday - 7/22/19 - Hillsboro to Gold Beach, Oregon

Joe, John (JJ) and I packed a few things - mostly snacks and water and took off for Gold Beach.  We took the 5 freeway down to Eugene and then over to the coast on the 126 to explore Oregon’s southern beaches. 

When you arrive at the 101 and turn south you almost immediately run into sand dunes.  They are huge - they are everywhere and they are a big attraction for dune buggy enthusiasts.  We stopped at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and I have to admit - it is a struggle to climb up and over those dunes to get to the ocean.  It is totally worth it when you do!

We stopped at Winchester Bay and saw a beautiful lighthouse - wondering what good it could possibly be so far from the ocean???  This is also supposed to be the very best place on the coast to spot grey whales - maybe the coast has moved???

We made a number of stops at gorgeous beaches, quaint and charming towns and finally arrived at Gold Beach and our hotel about 4:00 pm in the afternoon.  Turns out JJ was in the Old Rustic Irish Motel next door and we soon determined it was too old, rustic etc....and got him moved to a room in our ocean front Gold Beach Inn.  We had a great time beach combing, using the hot tubs and walking the grounds - deciding to get some sleep before our river adventure the following morning.

Gabi

Hillsboro, Oregon - Rock Creek Trail

July 16th

JJ and I took a long walk today on the Rock Creek Trail and then back around several interesting neighborhoods to get home.  There was a breeze and when we were in the shade is was awesome - but it was a little hot and muggy in the bright sun!  We saw old oak trees, apples and black berries and said 'hey' to a lot of friendly folks on the trail.  We did talk about and watch for cougar since there have been some sightings and it is the season? or so they told us on the news this morning.   I love spending time with my son so it was worth the risk!!!  lol

Gabi

MOVING DAY - JUNE 25, 2019

June 25th

Our retired life is full of travel, new and wonderful experiences and once in a while - life happens and it did on moving day!

Pam decided to move back to kids, grand kids, friends and a new baby on the way in California.  She bought a condo in Claremont - hired a truck and two guys and packed up and moved out on Monday 6/24.  Our son John decided to move back in and take advantage of a lower cost of living as he gets his business off the ground.  Our movers emptied our apartment and as they moved over to John's to fill up the truck, I drove over to the new house.

The house is very large, overlooking Beaverton creek, not on the third floor and with air conditioning.  Perfect!  Soon it was also full of water - pouring out of the washing machine I had filled with a load of sheets.  Nothing nicer than new sheets in a new house - right?  Within two hours I had two Serv Pro trucks and a half dozen workers donning 'haz-mat like suits' with breathing apparatus tearing up the laundry room floor and carrying out bags and bags of sopping wet insulation.  Next, they installed a number of heaters and fans repeatedly blowing out our electricity until they got it just right! 

It was so loud that you literally had to shout over the noise - 24 hours straight for 4 days.  So quiet when it stopped!!

Long story - much longer - it has been 3 weeks - and while the house is dry - it is still far from finished.  We are currently waiting for the insurance to approve the bid and then for the work to be done but in the mean time - WE LOVE OUR NEW HOUSE!!!

Note:  When you move into a new place - check to see that the cleaning crew replaced the out-take hose into the wall from the washing machine before you wash your sheets!!!

Gabi

Hillsboro, Oregon - Noble Woods Park

July 13th

Noble Woods is a 38 acre nature park - providing paved and soft-surface paths through the woods, over creeks and wide open spaces.  They have restrooms, picnic areas and benches throughout and it is cool and calm and serene even on the hottest day!  We are so lucky to live about a mile from the entrance on Baseline so we will be walking here often!

Gabi