Pocket Creek (1/8/22)

The new year's snow kept coming, so we had to go back to the mountain!!

Lindsey joined us for our first cross-country ski outing of 2022. Keeping safety first as COVID raged, we masked up in the car.

Pocket Creek is off Highway 35 just past Hood River Meadows. We arrived without too much difficulty and found the parking lot starting to fill.

It was the first blue-bird day of the season, so everyone wanted to be out there! This was the start of the horrific traffic weekend that had cars stuck in gridlock for hours and hours and hours. Fortunately, we snuck out before it got too bad.

The before - so excited!

The snow wasn't quite as nice as the week before with a few inches of fresh on top of a bit of a crust. But it was still awesome.

We took the trail clockwise, heading up the easy-rated Pocket Creek Trail. The snow-covered Forest Service road is a fairly gentle grade up through the trees. We stopped to catch our breath and saw the mountain in all her glory!

We took a right at the Meadows Creek Trail, which is rated more difficult. We were the only ones out there, and it was absolutely gorgeous!

We took a right on Meadows Creek Tie Trail to connect the loop back to Pocket Creek Trail.

Since this section isn't a wide, smooth road, it posed a bit more challenge. We encountered a bunch of up-hill traffic just when we reached a steep, tricky section. We all made it down, but it was a bit exciting 😁

Signs warn that Clark Creek Bridge is closed, but we found it covered with so much snow that it was stable and passable. 

As expected, the route was crowded closer to the trailhead. But farther from the cars, we had solitude - and it was glorious 😎

New Year's Eve at Old Maid Flat (12/31/21)

Snow came very late to our mountain this season. But a big, low-elevation snow dump right before the new year had us itching to get out.

I was interested in something easy since I hadn't been on cross-country skis in a while. I thought a road would be good, and because the snow was so low, Old Maid Flat fit the bill.

We left home early on New Year's Eve morning. Snow started in Sandy, reinforcing that we didn't need to drive farther than Old Maid Flat to get our ski fix.

Traffic on Highway 26 came to a screeching halt shortly before the turn off. Also reinforcing our choice to stay lower on the mountain.

We were one of the first cars there. The new snow was already feet deep and still piling up, so we opted to park about a mile from the trailhead to avoid getting stuck down the access road. We have snow tires and four-wheel drive, but it was really deep. We'd also forgotten our snow shovel - out of practice for packing the car for winter adventure.

As we skied up the snowy access road, we saw two stuck cars (including a high-centered Tesla) and a stuck side-by-side four wheeler. We were glad we decided to park on the main road.

 

Since we were early, we saw just a handful of people on the trail. In fact, we were the first people to venture to the Ramona Falls "parking lot" that day. Breaking trail on loads of fresh powder is amazing - and also hard work!

We skied across to the river and stopped for a snack break.

It was super gorgeous with all the fresh, untracked snow!

As soon as we turned around, we hit the mid-morning crowds. We dodged skiers, snowshoers, sledders, dogs, walkers, families the whole way back to the car. The early bird certainly gets the worm!

Despite the crowds, it was a beautiful morning on the mountain to finish out 2021. 

No-TV Tuesday: random stuff, another guitar riff

No-TV Tuesday was a great evening to get some stuff done.

I started by finishing my book and then taking a short post-work snoozie. Then I got to work prepping dinner.

Soon it was time for a virtual union negotiations meeting. I'm on the new Contract Action Team - helping to spread the news as we bargain our contract in the spring.

It was time to wash the bedding, but Gizmo made herself at home on my Christmas quilt. I didn't want to disturb my sleeping baby, so the clean sheets sat for a bit 😊

She always finds my quilt when it's out.

I also cleaned the kitchen and floors. I was a really good cat mom and didn't vacuum the end of the house where the cat was napping - because Gizmo is terrified of the vacuum. After Her Highness got up, I finished making the bed and cleaning the floors.

Stir fry for dinner:

I sat down and Gizmo immediately made herself a bed on my lap: 

I resisted the urge to just stay there, but it was time for a guitar lesson. (I'm using the Fender app and it's pretty cool!) 

I did a few exercises and then worked on a riff. Brad heard me from the other room, and when I told him what I was playing, he said he could totally tell! 😎

Not an exciting evening, but I feel accomplished. Maybe we'll find something more thrilling to do next week 😀

Chehalem Ridge Nature Park - in the fog and in the sun

Metro opened a brand-new park last month! 

Chehalem Ridge Nature Park is about 35 minutes from our house, and I couldn't wait to check it out! Eryn and I were supposed to explore over Winter Break, but the freak snow and ice storm deterred our plans.

MLK Jr. Day gave Eryn, Mom, and me the perfect opportunity to visit. Unfortunately, we were stuck in some of the densest fog I've seen, and there were NO views! The drive through the country was a bit dicey, too 😬

Open just a month, the park is pristine! Because of COVID, the restrooms and water fountains are closed. But porta-potties provide toilet facilities.

We hiked the Woodland, Ayeekwa, Witches Butter, Timber Road, Ammefu, and Castor trails for about 4 miles:

The fog was gorgeous:

This was supposed to be a viewpoint:

The crew:

Then we went to Gaston for some questionable food from a taco truck.

I wanted to run about 8 trail miles last Sunday, so Brad and I returned to Chehalem Ridge to explore more of the park - in the sun!

Here's that view:

I ran all the same trails but also added the Zorzal and Mampai trails to this 360-degree view:

The forest is dense, so I left my sunglasses in the car. That was fine until I got to the top. SO BRIGHT!

We arrived early(ish) before the crowds. I saw just one cyclists in my 4-mile trek to the lookout. As I headed down from the top, I was literally telling myself how nice it was to be out there alone when I rounded the corner and came face to face with a running group - maybe a dozen headed up the hill!

I took a left to avoid the crowd and ended up running in a big circle. HA! Then my descent was scattered with other trail users, but nothing too bad. Still, the solitude of the first half was my preference.

Brad rode his mountain bike while I ran. All but two of the trails are open to bikes. He said it was fun but not super thrilling. He says he'll run next time and leave the wheels at home.

I'm looking forward to returning when I need a bit more mileage so I can explore the farther trails. :)

No-TV Tuesday: a tiny guitar melody

Today's agenda included all the chores - but also snuggle time with Gizmo and my book.

She's definitely a lap cat! She doesn't like to be held, but she loves a lap.

I finished my book. Ellie Alexander is a PNW author who sets her mysteries in the PNW. This series is in Leavenworth, WA.

After checking off those important tasks, I sat down for a guitar lesson. It's all so rudimentary and feels pretty silly. But by the end I was able to play a tiny little melody. Baby steps. 

Until next week...

Happy Birthday, Brad!

We've been celebrating this guy all month!

Some people born around Christmas don't get their own special recognition. But not Brad! This year, the parties - and desserts! - keep coming :)

Because Jan. 6 fell on a Thursday this year, and because we're still in COVID times, it was another takeout birthday. He requested a very meaty Pizza Caboose for dinner and then banana splits for dessert - with Neapolitan ice cream. 

Then Saturday was the first bluebird day of the season, so we took Lindsey to Pocket Creek for some cross-country skiing. Lindsey brought along some still-warm monster cookies for the birthday boy.

Truly gorgeous!

Brad's parents came down Sunday for burritos (with ground beef and kidney beans) and pecan pie from his mom!

Then Wednesday, Mom and Eryn came over for birthday burgers and a reprise of those banana splits:

The celebration continues, and every time he asks to do something, he reminds me that it's his birthday month 😆

Happy birthday, Brad!!! So glad to celebrate you ❤

Holiday highlights

I can hardly believe it's already the middle of January! But I'm still looking back at my favorite holiday season with a few pics :)

My very favorite Christmas decoration - in my neighborhood:

Loved this easy puzzle:

Rudolph dinner with the family:

LOVED how they turned out!

Twinning on PJ day at work:

My grandma's cooler than your grandma!

Cookie baking at Ma and Pa's with Eryn, Mom, cousins Kayla and Jessie, and Aunt Kari:

Treats from the neighbors:

YUMMO! 😋

White Christmas 😍

Yard-sale puzzle... with FIVE missing pieces. Not cool, people.

Brad's Swedish cardamom buns 😋

Shopping, exploring, and eating at Cannon Beach:

 

Four counties in one place! 

Exploring in Forest Grove:

Lightopia!

Snow at home:

Snow on the mountain - New Year's Eve cross-country skiing:

I packed a lot into the holidays this year! :)