Remembering Dad with hikes, agates, and ice cream

Mom, Eryn, and I spent the weekend of Feb. 12 doing some of Dad's favorite things.

First up: a short hike at Bloom Lake off Highway 26:

Then we stopped at Camp 18 for a brunch snack - scrambled eggs and a giant cinnamon roll:

Dad would have loved that ooey, gooey pastry!

Then another short hike at Soapstone Lake on Highway 53

Then ice cream at Tillamook Creamery:

Much of the weekend was chill... hanging out, watching Olympics, snacking...

Eryn made us cheese and onion enchiladas.

Eryn and I headed to nearby Short Beach and ended up hunting for agates, something Dad spent hours doing on beach trips.

I'd heard it was a popular rock-hounding spot - there were tons of people on the small beach searching for natural treasures. Our haul:

So pretty!

Dinner was takeout from Mike's Mac & Sanny Shack in Tillamook. YUMMO!!!

Sunday I got up with the sun for a run. First up to Maxwell Mountain:

Then down to the beach:

And then some beach miles in the sun:

On the way home, Mom decided she needed *more* ice cream! Dad would have agreed, so back to the creamery it was!

Four years seems like forever, but also just yesterday. We all miss Dad so much. And we're glad we can remember him with food, relaxation, and nature ❤

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. :)

Birthday exploring: Oregon City

We explored Oregon City for Mom's birthday this year.

She debated big city vs. small town and decided to check out the historic part of Oregon City. Though we've lived here all our lives, we'd never checked out this town so close to home.

We found free parking and then walked to the elevator - a first for all of us! Sidewalk markings pointed the way to sights around town.

We didn't have a real plan and just looked to see what was around. A hidden waterfall along the path:

We all had mixed feelings about this part of our history - the colonization of a place already inhabited by Native people!

Speaking of... Willamette Falls, Tumwata to the tribes who already lived here, has been returned to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (read more). They are demolishing the old paper mill, and I'm so excited to see what they do with this important Native site.

Dinner was at Corner 14 Foodcarts - lots of options for everyone, and we each had a different dish from a different cart. It was a bit crowded, and we worked hard to keep away from other people and avoid sharing COVID germs. Unfortunately, I was preoccupied and didn't snap any pics.

Everything was really yummy. We'll go back for sure! 

We walked south and then north along the waterfront.

It was a gorgeous late November evening, and we walked across the Arch Bridge to catch the sunset:

Then Mom wanted ice cream from Lake Oswego Ice Creamery, which we ate outside despite the cold!

The birthday girl:

Then we warmed up with gifts back home. And the birthday hat:

Thankfully we were boostered and could have some birthday celebrating indoors after the sun went down :)

Year of Hiking 2021: 40 - 54

Summertime is for hiking!! 

No. 40 - Tamanawas Falls, July 2:

No. 41 - Mosier Plateau, July 6:

No. 42 - Tom McCall Point, July 6:

No. 43 - Cape Disappointment, July 7:

No. 44 - Fort to Sea,  July 8:

No. 45 - Coffenbury Lake, July 9:

No. 46 - Cast Lake, July 10:

No. 47 - East Zigzag via, July 10:

No. 48 - Cape Horn, July 16:

No. 49 - Columbia Springs, July 17:

No. 50 - Coldwater Lake, July 22:

No. 51 -  Santa Ana River, July 27:

No. 52 - San Diego Bay, July 28:

No. 53 - San Francisco Bay, July 30:

No. 54 - Sisters Rocks, July 31:

Well, I've already finished off my 52 for the year - plus some! Of course, I'm going to keep hiking. Let's see how many I can rack up in the next 5 months :)