Learning is Living

Mt Baker and the north cascades

2009-02-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

My good friends Jodi and Brett invited me to join them president's day weekend up near Mt Baker for some fun in the snow. I was reminded again what a treasure that area of the north cascades is. It's a shame I don't make it there more often. I plan to change that in the coming year.

Views of shuksan from our snowshoe

fancy footwork

winter wonderland

Cama Beach

2009-02-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

I took some of my favorite ladies up to Camano Island this weekend for a little R&R at the newly opened Cama Beach State Park Resort. It was a fantastic weekend of girl time, sunshine and wine. Well worth a repeat visit sometime soon...

Some of my favorite ladies

The view from our cabin

Walking the beach

Looking across the sound.

Sunset

What I do...

2009-02-06T14:20:00.001-08:00

This blog is all about what i do outside of work, which is what I consider "living". But the work I do, Structural Engineering, can be really satisfying too. Especially when you get to attend the opening of a project you saw from start to finish. Blank Paper to completed building. And it's even more impressive when you get to view that building along with a glorious winter sunset.

Finding some aloha

2009-01-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

The afore mentioned "cheating" escapes of November and December had left me long overdue for a real one. By the tail end of the Seattle Christmas Snowpocolypse I had reached my breaking point. I booked myself a MLK weekend escape to Hawaii. One of the benefits of living on the west coast is that it's fairly cheap and easy to get there. This was my first trip and it was much too short... but something tells me i'll be back.

Waikiki

Honolulu Farmer's Market

Gallant Men of the USS Arizona

The ship lies below

On the beach

Books and a cocktail

Waikiki Sunset

Looking up the windward coast

Driving

The North Shore

If you want to see more photos you can go here...

inspired...

2009-01-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

I saw a posting on flickr asking people to submit their top photos of 2008. I couldn't narrow mine down to just one so I decided to post my top 16 here (8 from the US and 8 from argentina).... let me know which one you vote for.

In Argentina...

Recoleta

Penguins

Sunshine

Big Ice

Cerro Torre & wood

Fitz Roy

Cerro Torre & Ice

Sunrise on Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre

In the US...

Wolsfeld

Superior

Baker

Teanaway

Patriarchs

Beach

Low Tide

Ferry Sunset

November and December "out of town"

2009-01-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

So remember that my out of town once a month goal has loose rules... and in the last two months of 2008 I stretched those a little further. Some may say I'm cheating. I prefer to think of it as following the spirit of the law, if not the letter. See, the intent of the monthly goal is to take myself out of my routine once a month. In this I refresh my spirit and avoid the passing of endless weeks without something notable to acknowledge.

By those rules these experiences fit the bill...

NOVEMBER... Northgate Mall.

Being from the land where malls were born I have had more than my fair share of mall experiences. Nothing says Minneapolis like a dash from your car to the front door in sub zero temps to avoid having to carry your coat around all day. Still, since moving to this fair city my mall experiences have been (thankfully) limited. In my urban neighborhood it's frankly more convenient to shop local than to drive to the mall. But the lure of forever 21 lured Trish and I to Northgate. The whole experience was out of body. Not necessarily refreshing, but notable enough to shake things up a bit. Thanks to trish for the iphone pics.

Too bad i don't need another light up waterfall

New york? or Northgate Red Robin

DECEMBER... snowed in.

Seattle loves snow--when it comes rarely and melts out by the next day. Everyone takes a little vacation, deadlines shift, and people bundle their kids up more than is necessary for the 33 degree temperatures. Still, this year's Blizzard of 2008 had even the most star-y eyed of seattlites experiencing a little cabin fever. I spent the week in a state of confusion, being bombarded with memories on what a real winter is like. I was never so relieved to see a thaw.

Then and now

2008-10-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

As you saw in my previous post, this fall marked a return to a special minnesota place. Wolsfeld Woods. One of the few (small) remnants of the big woods. It was saved because of its maple trees which were used for sap. I've been coming here a long time and it's changed a lot but it's still beautiful. And now for a side by side comparison...

1982

2008

Minnesota

2008-10-16T20:27:00.001-07:00

This fall was the first time I had returned to the midwest in the fall since I moved 8 years ago. I forgot how beautiful the midwest could be with amazing sunny days and brilliant color and no mosquitos. Of course I know it isn't always that way but it sure felt nice. I was oddly nostalgic for good ol' MN. And had a wonderful time connecting with friends and family.

The restored Fitger's Brewery in Duluth

Christine and Anya

"Aunt Lara" and Anya

Lake Superior

This is the north shore

Minneapolis

MJ, Steph, and I-- Congratulations to you both!

Mom and Dad and Wolsfeld Woods

Wolsfeld Woods-- I miss fall in the midwest

Orcas

2008-10-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the visit of Trish's Aunt, and for a chance at a final escape before the rain hits, We headed to orcas island for a bit of R & R. We didn't exactly avoid the rain, but it was a great escape.

Olympic Sculpture Park

2008-09-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

I took Mom and Dad to visit one of Seattle's new parks... the Olympic Sculpture park. It's not quite up to the Walker's standards but it's a work in progress. Overall, impressive!

Staycation

2008-09-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

With my Dad off at a writing trip in the north cascades, Jill Dawn and I seized the opportunity to have a girls weekend with mom. ("Staycation" as Kirk liked to call it). We picked blackberries, ate, and watched six hours of "Pride and Prejudice". It was lovely.

Dinner in the garden

Camano Island

Berries...

Dawn knew how to pick 'em

Salty's Dinner

the teanaway revisted

2008-09-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Labor day weekend I convinced Mary and Eric to come back to the teanaway with me. I hadn't made it to see a rock formation called volcanic neck on my hike with natasha and I was curious. Luckily, the rain on the west side didn't follow us to the east and we had a very pleasant hike up the beverly turnpike trail with a jaunt up the county line trail to views of the enchantments and volcanic neck! (i just like the name but if your curious about volcanic necks you can learn all about 'em here)

The views on the trail

hikers

First views into the wilderness

looking into the enchantments

volcanic neck!

just another one of nature's pimples

2008-08-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my first official backpacking trip. Trish's as well, and we brought our friend Mike along as our official guide. There were some slight hitches in the plan. It's late august and the trails are still snow covered! But luckily the friendly ranger directed us to the high divide trail at excelsior pass and excelsior peak. I couldn't help but laugh when mike took a long look at baker and said "just another one of nature's pimples".

On the way up

the divide

ahhh... shuksan

amazing flowers...

camp

the view into the north cascades

full moon

morning sun on baker

the trail back down

The wrong trail was the right trail

2008-08-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

My personal opinion is that the Teanaway valley in Eastern Washington is the undiscovered jewel of the cascades. Natasha and I headed over there last weekend for some sun, hiking and v for vacation style relaxation! The hiking was sublime although a misjudgement at a fork in the trail lead us away from our intended destination. Luckily, our trail lead us to a little slice of heaven in a valley below bean peak. Happy hour at the river across from our home away from home completed the amazing day!

Our home away from home

hitting the trail

The meadow

Paintbrush-- my favorite

So happy

Bathing beauty

Mount Rainier

2008-07-28T23:18:00.001-07:00

Friends and I spent the weekend at Mount Rainier. It was a relaxing time. In part due to the fact that most of the trails are still covered with snow. But never fear, we still found plenty to keep us occupied and the mountain making a clear appearance was an added bonus!

the road to paradise

five friends + one mountain

cedars in grove of the patriarchs

cascades on the trail to comet falls

more cascades

Katy and I at the falls

Me at the colonel Rapp tree.

I've taken my photo by this tree every trip to Rainier since I was a child of 4. Unfortunately, the recent storms appear to have taken it out (albeit about 60 ft up from the base!). Still, sooo sad.

North Cascades

2008-07-23T23:57:00.001-07:00

This last weekend I had one of my I love the northwest moments. A nice walk around greenlake in the morning, a wonderful lunch at paseo, and by 3PM.... I'm rounding this corner in the north cascades....

... to this view....

... with great friends...

... and I was home in time for dinner.

PS-- Trish gets the photo credits for this one...

Olympics!

2008-07-23T23:30:00.000-07:00

Our fourth of july camping trip on the Olympic Pennisula felt a bit like the blue tarp camper ad from Pemco. Luckily a little whiskey, some hot springs, and a dryer in our private campground kept the spirits high!

Three new found JT fans

Low tide

Wet

Water?

hiking hurricane ridge

forget me nots

mr. goat

90! and NYC

2008-07-23T23:21:00.001-07:00

I'm a little behind. But June brought a trip to the big apple with a birthday bash for granny (turning 90) and a weekend of V for vacation fun with accacia in the city.

Granny, working the red carpet

V for vacation in the subway

V for vacation in brooklyn

May-- unexpected adventures

2008-05-27T23:38:00.001-07:00

It was memorial day weekend and my hiking boots were itching to get out in the cascades. Yes, I'd heard the ski season wasn't quite over, but I was confident we could find a trail. Trish and I found our way to the teanaway valley on onto the trail...

.... we hiked about 300 ft before we hit snow. A few snowfields and a couple of close calls with twisted ankles later we called it a day.

And decided to go for a drive instead....

To a diner from another time....

And while we were in the neighborhood... why not check out...

SASQUATCH!

20 hours after we left, we returned home. We both agreed, we needed the adventure even if we hadn't known it.

april

2008-04-27T16:07:00.001-07:00

my trip out of town for april was short and sweet a lot of traffic through everett followed by a little too short of a walk on the beach at camano island state park but jodi and I still had fun.

I'm going to Argentina...

2008-03-04T13:35:00.001-08:00

.... you can follow along with me on this blog... www.laraselfindelmundo.blogspot.com

I'll be back in April.

Rattlesnake ledge with Natasha

2008-03-03T22:39:00.000-08:00

We've had some luck with the weather in February. It's been nice and sunny. So president's day Natasha and I headed out to do one of my favorite winter hikes, rattlesnake ledge. The sun on our shoulders, it was an awesome outing, hampered only by the slick conditions at the top. Such conditions caused natasha's big fall! which thankfully only resulted in a dirty bum.

recycling

2008-02-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

There has been a coffee table on the corner across the street from me for about a week. Sitting there next to the fire hydrant... waiting.

It showed up with a few other more desirable items, that were quickly grabbed last weekend.

But the coffee table wasn't taken. And it sat there for the last week through at least a few rain showers.

So tonight, as I was sitting near my computer, looking out a window that perfectly framed the fire hydrant and adjacent coffee table I was curious to see a young lady run into the frame and quickly deposit a mattress atop the coffee table. She ran off, like a school girl who was afraid of getting caught. I was mostly bemused and yet had a slight concern for the growing dump pile next to the fire hydrant across the street.

So it sat, a mattress atop the coffee table adjacent the fire hydrant. And so I sat in front of the computer, watching "lost" and various other shows... until a few moments ago. That's when I saw a truck pull up, into the frame. A large man, with a hat, got out, he was inspecting the mattress, and moved it into his seat on the passenger side of the truck. Once it was in, he was struck by the coffee table below it. I watched him inspecting it, he liked what he saw and lifted it up with one arm slid it into the back of the pickup. He then moved the mattress on top, reclaimed his seat on the passenger side, and drove away. I guess that's the nice part about tables versus sofas/ or chairs/ or mattresses, they can withstand the weather.

Fort Worden--- Port Townsend, WA

2008-01-28T22:35:00.000-08:00

I took a weekend away alone over Martin Luther King Weekend to Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.

Fort Worden is a fort that once guarded the entrance to Puget Sound in combination with Fort Flagler & Fort Casey. Once decommissioned, (around 1950) the land was turned over to the state and they now let you rent out the officer's houses.

The Fort is also very near the city of Port Townsend, a very charming town.

It was a great weekend of solitude away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I ate well, read, and was rewarded with some spectacular sunshine and mountains.

The sunset ferry ride back to Seattle was one of the most beautiful I've ever been on. The pictures don't do it justice.

Simple pleasures

2008-01-28T00:09:00.000-08:00

I recently was unexpectedly surprised with the opening of a new park less than a block from my apartment. I live on the Fremont end of Phinney Ridge in Seattle. The views from Phinney Ridge are pretty amazing and I've often longed for a place to watch the sun set over the Olympics besides the back stairs to my laundry room.

It's been winter so I haven't been able to fully utilize the park but the other day I was rewarded with a brief glimpse of the mountains. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos. I can see that I will be spending some afternoons here with a book come summer.

In this photo you see more clouds than mountains... but they're there on the lower left. It's a lovely view of Ballard, nonetheless.

Pass!

2008-01-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

I just found out I passed the first of the two exams I took this fall (the SEII exam). I'm officially a Structural Engineer in 48 states. Unfortunately Washington isn't one of them... yet. (I'm still awaiting the results of the SEIII). Time to celebrate!

2007

2008-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

As mentioned yesterday, I managed to meet my goal this year of at least one outing a month in 2007. Not all made it onto the blog... so below is a quick synopsis, posted for the sake of closing out one year and looking forward to the next. (I already know my adventures for March, May and June '08-- but would welcome suggestions for the other nine.)

January '07

MLK Weekend at Fort Stevens and in Portland.

February '07

Girls gone wild in leavenworth.

The Robe trail with Jill, Eric, and Kirk.

March '07

A rainy Sunday at Snowqualmie Falls with the Minnesota Ladies.

April '07

Orcas Island, Doe Bay and Mt. Constitution.

May '07

A hike up Rattlesnake ledge & time in North Bend with Accacia

Explore Tacoma Trip #1 to the Tacoma Art Museum.

June '07

Fast track to Fun--camping at Larabee state park and a hike up oyster dome.

July '07

Mom's Retirement weekend at Marrowstone Island.

The goats of Ingalls Pass.

August '07

Sister Bonding '07 in the east cascades

Lake 22 with Natasha.

September '07

Explore Tacoma Trip #2-- Point Defiance and the worst bloody mary ever.

Hiking Cedar and Pine Lakes in the chuckanut mountains-- a rainy day in Bellingham.

September '07/October'07

East coast adventures in the white mountains, boston, NYC & the jersey shore.

November '07

Pete Lake with Mary

December 31, 2007

Half of a snow covered hike up Oyster Dome and then a beautiful drive through the Skagit Valley.

the final outing

2007-12-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

This year, one of my goals (I won't call it a resolution), was to make it out of town once a month. Albeit the last outing was today, December 31st. There's nothing like a last minute finish but the finish was spectacular!

(a full recap of 2007's adventures will come tomorrow).....

The $271 dinner

2007-12-29T23:34:00.000-08:00

So it's been raining in Seattle. The forecast for this weekend according to weather.com is Saturday 80% chance of rain, Sunday 100% chance of rain. So tonight, I was sitting on my couch, thinking about how I really should get up and out and moving so I don't sink even further into my SAD slump when the phone rang. It was my friend Katy calling inviting me over for an impromptu dinner of risotto. The great part about single girlfriends is that we all cook for one and so occasionally you are the benefactor of someone else simply making too much food for one.

I took this as an opportunity to not only leave the house but get some decent food that I didn't cook myself. So I walked the mile or so to Katy's place had some risotto and good conversation and then headed home. I stopped at my neighborhood grocery for an US weekly, and my neighborhood video store and was headed home to a night of movies around 10pm when I realized that my walk was a little too quiet. What my ipod had previously been disguising, was that the familiar clink of my keys jangling in my coat pocket wasn't there.

I panicked, dropped my bags, and patted all my pockets, twice, three times. Damn! Wait! My spare keys are safely housed in my youngest sister's apartment..... My youngest sister who is currently in Minneapolis. Damn! My youngest sister who's spare keys are safely housed in MY apartment. Damn! I called my landlord, no answer, and I already knew she'd be out of town, she's always out of town, especially around holidays. There was only one thing left to do. I called a locksmith.

I don't know why, but I had the delusion that a locksmith would come to your house at a moment's notice, let you into your locked apartment, and only charge you $50. Based on this delusion, I called whichever one would come the fastest and never thought to ask the price. 30 minutes and half of my recently purchased US weekly later, he arrived. The first thing he said was "I hate these old locks." I had a growing sense of dread. Twenty minutes of lock jiggling later, he said, "I have to drill it out." It was 11pm, in my quiet apartment building, my neighbors were going to hate me.

I asked how much would it cost, and this is when I got my first shock. "Well, it's $40 for the service call and $105 to open the door so you've already paid that..." The blood rushed from my head. Are you serious?!!! I thought. but said "oh....." and then "well how much more to get inside?" "$100?" he guessed.

At this point it was between that and a walk down a wet rainy hill to my friend's place to sleep, only to potentially repeat it all again the next say so I said "OK." The guy felt bad for me, and once inside he complimented my cat, his way of trying to boost my spirits. And when all was said and done he only charged me $10 for the labor. I think/hope that was his way of saying, "I'm sorry we're ripping you off" because the total bill came to $271.

So much for that sunny weekend get away I thought I had the $$ for. How much longer until summer?

Pete Lake

2007-11-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

So it's november and the rain hasn't fully hit seattle yet. We've had a sprinkle here and there, but nothing to write home (or blog) about. Realizing it may be the last of such weather, I was determined to get in one last hike of the season. So last sunday mary and I headed over the pass and took a hike to Pete Lake. It's an easy hike (meaning it's flat) but it's fairly long (9 miles). It was a surpisingly beautiful lake and lucky for us the clouds stayed high enough to get a glimpse of the peaks above.

Jersey's Shore

2007-11-03T11:24:00.001-07:00

Making my way further down the east coast, the final leg of my journey was a visit with Granny in New Jersey. It was columbus day and the east coast was having a heat wave. Granny and I decided the best way to beat the heat was to head to the beach. We had a great time of relaxation, happy hours, sunsets and pedicures.

Granny at her perch on the beach

Sunset

On the boardwalk

Happy Hour

Topsfield's Fair

2007-11-03T11:00:00.001-07:00

Before I came to visit, Accacia sent me an email asking if I would like to go to the topsfield fair. In the same email she asked if I wanted to go see a band we liked, the Avett Brothers, who are a bluegrass punk sort of band. For some reason I put the two together and was convinced that we were going to see the Avett Brothers perform at the topsfield fair. Seemed odd to me but I went with it. Turns out they were seperate events. But fear not, with the world's largest pumpkin, ferris wheels, sheep, and blooming onions the fair was plenty of entertainment in itself.

Accacia and I at the fair

Mandy and I made friends with some sheep

But these two were closer friends

some cool carved Pumpkins

And a world record one

Blooming Onion

Ace on the ferris wheel

Boston's ICA

2007-10-22T23:34:00.001-07:00

After my white mountain adventure, I met up with Accacia in Boston and we headed to check out their brand spankin' new Institute of Contemporary art. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro of New York, the building greatly impressed me both with its function and form. I've come to find that the museums that impress me the most manage to serve three functions: a place to display art, a work of art in itself, and a "frame" for the outside environment. The ICA did all three brilliantly.

A general view of the museum.....

There are some dramatic details...

One of the most impressive is a multimedia room that drops out of the gallery space....

and gives you a view of the water as you enter it....

And a view of the harbor at the bottom.....

New Hampshire's White Mountains....

2007-10-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

The first leg of my fall vacation was a trip up to new hampshire to explore the white mountains. I flew into boston and met my friend accacia who accompanied me to retrieve my rental car. To my surprise I was given none other than a red ford mustang convertible for the journey. The man at the rental counter next to us offered to be the "brad pit" to our "thelma and louise". We politely declined.

The next morning I set out for New Hampshire. The day had dawned sunny and 80+ degrees-- perfect weather for a drive in a red convertible.

Once I arrived in the white mountains, I took a stroll up to cathedral ledge.

And then spent some time soaking my feet in Jackson falls... (it was 80 degrees after all!).

There was quite a nice view from my lookout perch....

After a night on the town, I set out the next morning to explore the mountains. The fog that hung in the valleys cast a magical glow on everything....

As the fog appeared to be clearing, I decided to take the autoroad up to the summit of mount washington. At 6,288 ft it has some of the world's most extreme weather. Today I lucked out and although the summit was clouded in the drive up was clear and beautiful.

Having taken the easy way up mount washington I chose to take a hike up mount williard....

The view of crawford notch from the summit was amazing....

To complete the mountain loop I was driving I made may way down through franconia notch. Past the former site of the "man of the mountain", I stopped of at the basin to see some beautiful falls...

And some colorful fall foilage....

A final stop at the flume showed off this covered bridge....

more amazing fall colors....

the dramatic gorge....

and another waterfall (have i mentioned it was a bit of a rainy day? the falls were in full effect)

The next day on my way out of town I took the Kangamangus Highway. One of the top scenic drives in the US. I think you can see why....

In all, it was a fantastic adventure into the great Northeast. I hope to return again soon.

Carne Mountain Sister Hike

2007-08-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

It was our annual sister bonding trip, and Jill convinced us to climb carne mountain. It was no small feat---4000 ft in 4 miles (8 miles round trip) and the summit of a 7085ft mountain as a midway reward. On our way back down we also got to see a black bear yearling (my first Washington bear sighting!). Unfortunately we scared the crap out of it and it was running as fast as its little legs could carry it AWAY from us. Which, actually given its proximity is perhaps the best way to see a bear. Still we were sorry we'd startled it so.

You can find the hike stats here...

http://www.nwsource.com/travel/scr/tf_story.cfm?st=694906

The sisters at the trailhead

Dawn pausing on the way up to admire the view

We stopped in this valley for lunch #1

And not long after had this view of it from above

We made it to the saddle!

Dawn and I on the final assent to carne mountain

Jill and Dawn at the summit

one of the many awesome views from the summit

A great spot for the second lunch of the day

The three sisters at the summit

The trail down.

That's where we were

Jill spots the bear

Can you find it?

How 'bout now?

Hiking Ingalls Pass

2007-07-30T22:43:00.001-07:00

Much later in the season than usual, I finally made it out for a real cascades hike. Katy and I hit the Teanaway Valley for a hike to Ingalls lake. My new hiking boots rubbed 2 inch diameter blisters on my heels which prevented us from fully reaching our destination but the views were so spectacular it was still well worth it. Especially considering we were able to see our first mountain goats. Who didn't seem at all concerned about us. With a stop at the Rosyln Brewery on the way home it was all in all a spectacular day east of the mountains. (We didn't even see any snakes!)

The hike details and directions can be found here.... http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/090497/hike04.html

A peek-a-boo view of Rainer on our ascent

We found this mother goat at the pass

Our lunch spot

the view of Mount Stuart from our lunch spot

This goat decided to join us for lunch

random picture

2007-07-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I'm just posting this picture so I can change my profile picture. Is anyone even reading this?

Old Robe (trail?)

2007-03-01T21:51:00.000-08:00

The Old Robe trail was the first hike I ever did after moving to seattle. That was 6 years ago and I remember what a relatively easy, beautiful hike it was. Well, global warming and recent storms have certainly taken a toll on this hike. It felt a bit more like a scramble than a hike but the scenery was still beautiful...

The mountain loop highway has its share of rednecks... like this one.

One of the few remaining portions of trail

Tunnel #5

Moss diversity

There's iron in the water

Jill, doing her part to save the wildlife

Leavenworth-- washington's own little slice of Bavaria

2007-03-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

A girls gone wild weekend in leavenworth with some snowshoeing and wine tasting. We took the town by storm!

Our home away from home... can you sing edelweiss?

cheers to washington wine! and friendly accordian players

Hot snowshoers

V for vacation

just like the real thing, you'd think we were in bavaria

My fourth decade

2007-03-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately the dawn of my fourth decade landed me in bed with the flu and and a 101 degree fever. All my festivities had to be canceled, including my karaoke party. Luckily the later was only rescheduled until the following weekend. Prince sounded much better then than it would have the week prior.

what to sing...

my good friend Dana made a surprise appearance. She has newborn twin boys, doesn't she look great?

country roads....

MLK weekend-- A return to Fort Stevens and Portland

2007-03-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

So one of my resolutions for the year is to take a weekend away for a "signifcant local trip" once a month. So far so good, but it is only march. Anyhow, MLK weekend I returned with my lovely friend Katy to Ft Stevens. The weather was once again in rare stormy fashion, even colder than the last time I was there. I have decided "yurt season" in the Pacific Northwest is mid march to mid october. 15 degrees in a yurt is just too cold. Anyhow, we were toasty warm in our down sleeping bags but hanging out in the yurt wasn't so fun. The next night we went on to Portland. I've been there in the past and just frankly hadn't figured out what all the fuss was about. I felt I should like it there but hadn't properly discovered it. This time I got what I was looking for. We stayed at the fabulous Jupiter Hotel very hip, very modern and with a great lounge, the Douglas Fir. I can't wait to go back for another weekend soon.

Pictures below....

The ilwaco fire department has met an unfortunate demise

Katy, the photographer, on the beach

Tough girls can handle the cold

windy waves

the swanky dougfir lounge

Catching up

2007-03-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

So obviously I haven't been very good at updating this since I've been back. Do I even have any readers left checking it? Probably not. Well, those of you who are still wasting your work hours checking in vain for a new blog post are about to hit the jackpot. Pics from my January and February adventures.....

More pictures from the coast

2006-12-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

An Empty Beach...

just me and the gulls...

The Wreck of the Peter Iresdale

Me with the wreck

Barnacles and Rivets

The Wreck and Reflection

An Empty Park

The Columbia River

Old(er) Growth in Ecola State Park

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Pictures from "Held Hostage"

2006-12-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Me on the Coast

The offender

The eyes

you can go crazy in a yurt alone

yurt #2 home sweet home

Held Hostage

2006-12-04T10:50:00.000-08:00

So inspired from my solo trip around spain and portugal, I decided to take a trip alone to the Oregon coast. When I am working, I'm always wishing I could take off mid-week for the coast so this was my opportunity and I was taking it.

I had forgotten to take into account three elements: darkness, weather, and most of all..... wildlife.

I arrived at Fort Stevens around 3:00pm and in order to take advantage of the last hour or so of daylight I decided to forgo unpacking the car and head to the beach. I returned around dusk and realized that my outside light at my yurt was not working. This made me a little nervous because I'd prefer to see any intruders before they are at my door but I told myself to just "buck up" and be strong. As I approached my yurt I noticed I had some visitors--a group of about 7 (very large) raccoons. I thought they were very cute at this point but was a bit disconcerted as they seemed to be treating the area under my yurt as a a home base.

I continued to unload my stuff from my car into the yurt. As the light continued to fade, the racoons became more and more confident,and I less and less. Before long you could tell that they could smell my fear and so they were no longer afraid of me. My hand claps and shouts were doing nothing to remove them from my path. As I would leave my yurt they were outside the door looking at me. When my headlamp looked under the yurt there were many pairs of yellow eyes staring out at me and they were starting to make a loud chirping noise. I felt like I was in a steven king novel and I was going to be the first victim of rabid racoons that take over Northwestern Oregon. By the time I exited my yurt to find two on the porch, three in the firepit, and two more peering out at me from below the yurt I had hit my limit. I hightailed it in my car to the information booth (thankfully still open) and requested a yurt transfer. The couple was laughing at the poor seattle city slicker who had been run out of her yurt by racoons but I didn't care. I was terrified and not ashamed to admit it.

Luckily (or perhaps not) I was the ONLY CAMPER in the entire campground so switching yurts was easy. And after a few more dashes into my old yurt to retrieve my stuff I was off to my new yurt (#2 a very nice yurt if you are ever at Fort Stevens). But my whole racoon encounter had thrown me off and the reality of spending a night in a yurt, alone, in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors was starting to hit me. To add fuel to the fire the weather started to turn stormy and the wind began to howl and the rain fall. It was an eerie sort of storm the kind where you expect to hear a knock at the door of your yurt at any time. I did manage to calm down enough to sleep at some point around 2 am but the lesson learned is that I am not a solo yurter and my fears definitely get the better of me in the dark. At least in the dead of winter with no neighbors and many hours of darkness to kill before I can go to sleep.

But, on the bright side the next day dawned bright and beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed my day walking the beach, wandering seaside, and hiking in Ecola State Park. But when darkness returned I decided to drive back to seattle and have a beer at my favorite bar, Al's, rather than return to another restless night in the yurt.

About this Blog

2006-12-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

I just returned from traveling around Spain and Portugal for 8 weeks. (You can view that blog here www.larasiberia.blogspot.com )
Through my travels I really began to enjoy the process of writing about my travels and experiences, I found it helped me to evaluate the experience and more importantly share it with others. So I've decided to continue the process now that I am home. Writing about local trips, experiences around town, and perhaps even reviewing a CD or show. So enjoy and we'll see what this becomes.....