I'm finally getting around to putting my pictures on the computer from the last 3 weeks, and I wanted to include a few from our travel to the coast during all the flooding! (1/14-17/2011) Nope, no flooding pictures, sorry. I guess when it's something that is normal to see in the winter and you're used to it, you just forget to take a picture of it.
Instead, we were trying out the new camera and took a few pictures of Gnat Creek Falls, just up from Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery. These falls (not overly large) were where many Native Americans trapped salmon in years past. There were very nice interpretive signs posted along the trail.
Here is a small "feeder" to Gnat Creek. After visiting Gnat Creek, we stopped by Big Creek Fish Hatchery, but... not really picture-worthy in any way, at least not this time of year.
Next in line is the foggy (not due to camera malfunction, but due to the weather) picture of the Astoria Column. Charles and Nathanael went on a field trip with Nestucca Valley Elementary School to the 'Astor' Column 2.5 years ago but due to renovations taking place, did not get to climb up the spiral staircase to the top. Though you cannot see it in this photo, the entire column is painted in murals depicting Oregon's history.
This time, they did get to climb the column, and so did Mikael and I, all 164 steps to the top! Whew, did I realize how out of shape my legs were! Yeah, we got to the top and then looked around and saw an absolutely stunning view of grey, grey and more grey murky clouds. So, some other year we'll have to do it all again to see all there is to see! On a clear day I'm sure we could have seen the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which, on our way out of town, we drove across just to say we did it!
We then drove down the coast to Tillamook, where we stayed for 3 nights and visited old friends and our old church. It was so good to see so many friends! On our way home (which had to take a couple detours from the originally planned route due to flooding and other complications) we stopped at the viewpoint just south of Oretown on Hwy. 101. We took a couple pictures of the ocean where the mudflow from the Nestucca River was making quite a show (the picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice!)
We made it home safe and sound and in time to finish getting the house ready for Apologetics! Then, after some 'back to routine' days, we set out again for another adventure. This time we were headed almost directly north of where we live - to the Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal, WA. (1/27/2011)
We saw and learned a lot of interesting things as we enjoyed our guided tour of the mill. Wow, we were impressed! And then we shopped and shopped and shopped for something for family and a small item for each of the boys. Nathanael ended up choosing a rather fashionable hat and Mikael chose a messenger style bag with Native American design. We would totally recommend scheduling a visit to the Mill if you can!
As you can see, it was a sunshiny day! So on the way home, the mountain was clear and beautiful, so we took a couple pictures (this one while driving down the road at 55 mph just to see what the camera would do).
This is my favorite Mt. Hood picture that we took that day!
(see the sky-lined horse?)
And here are a couple more just for fun!
That's all the recent stuff! Sometime I do plan on getting Thanksgiving and Christmas on here... maybe after surgery while I'm convalescing!
