Idaho Exploring

The forecast for my trip to Boise was blue sky and warm! 

 This was taken near Dayville, Oregon on my drive over.

Was thrilled to see my niece and her little boy. We had talked several months ago about me making some type of quilt with his old clothes. I brought home a bag full!! 

The terrain near my sisters is very similar to the high desert at home, but their climate is a bit milder so more was in bloom. 

Of course, the best way to get exercise and enjoy the weather is by hiking!

We took the high trail to a waterfall because a big school bus full of kids took the low path!!

 We got up a bit earlier the second morning so we could get back and cleaned up for my quilt lecture.

Was fun to spend time with my sister.

More amazing photos from my time in Virginia. 

I'm thinking about getting this one framed. 

Hiking in Virginia

I'm visiting my friend, Bonnie, in  southwest Virginia. So fun for me to see new parts of the USA.

Beautiful views of the Blue Ridge.

Got to hike a little on the AT!

Little Wilson Creek. I'm part of an online hiking community called American Women who Hike so I bring my flag if I know I'm hiking in a fun area.

We came across this abandoned shack, 

Once we realized nobody was coming out with a shotgun we took a look around. There was a sign inside that said, "Hunters and fishermen Welcome, Family by Appointment"

So happy Bonnie likes to get outdoors too!

Central Oregon Hiking

Before we were completely hammered with snow a little over 2 weeks ago I thought I better get out while I could for a local hike.

Tam-a-Lau Trail is close enough and pretty easy to get to the trailhead. 

 The view is spectacular!

 When its clear you can see the entire mountain range.

 While there wasn't a lot of snow on top, it was a bit muddy. 

The loop on Elsa's nose is called Gentle Leader. She has gotten to be a bit of a puller and that helps. She was off leash since we were the only ones on the trail. 

The phrase "Tam-a-Láu" means "place of big rocks on the ground" in the local Native American language.

I'm ready for the snow to be gone so I can get back out there and get ready for an adventurous summer!

TrueLast Camping of 2018

Because this is a diary of my life I wanted to get these last photos from late October 2018 on my blog. My sister and I met for a long and peaceful weekend away!

This is Magone Lake.

 This is the road to an area I want to backpack next year to the Strawberry Mountains.

Seriously beautiful!

First Real Hike of 2019

It's been too long since I've written although I have tried to stay active. This year I've joined Moving Mountains- our town weight loss challenge, and am  preparing to get back in better shape for 2019 adventures!

My friend Michelle said she was going to hike at Smith Rocks, so I invited myself to join her! We are standing on Misery Ridge and the rock behind us is called Monkey face . This entire area is one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the Pacific NW. 

 This is the day our weather turned a bit colder, but we were still able to see the mountain range in the distance. 

 Last year Elsa and I hiked those buttes behind me there. 

 This is called the Crooked River.

Can you see the heron on the rock?

Can you see the Monkey Face on the left side of the rock?

This is the first of many more adventures this year!!

August Adventures

Where has the month gone? I've been keeping busy enjoying the outdoors as much as possible this month. Here's a recap.

Camping near Big Summit Prairie

A crazy storm came through and lit up the sky!

We moved to Antelope Flats reservoir. We fished, the dogs played hard.

2 weeks later I met my sister in McCall ,Idaho.

The smoke had rolled in a bit with the clouds. We obviously aren't doing a good job of managing our forests. I cannot remember when my sister said this fire was. 

 It isn't that pretty to look at, but fire is good for our forests. The sheer number of forest fires every summer seems to increase and the underbrush and weak forests make for out of control fires. That is not good for us or the firefighters.

 On our second hike we went out on a point that is out on the lake. These aspen were so tall and amazing! They seem to be competing with the old growth pine trees!!

The next weekend I heard about a Hood to Coast relay team who had a member drop out. Would I like to join? For free? When I found out the team captain and wife lived in Central Oregon I knew it was meant to be. I met them Wednesday night, drove into Portland for a team meeting. (a full relay team is 12 persons, 2 vans) Thursday night and we took off for the starting line Friday morning. 

We were above the clouds and brrrr is was cold and windy! But we were ready!

This was the end of my first leg. It was 7.1 miles. One leg I ran in the middle of the night and the next day mid afternoon was my third leg.

It is called Hood to Coast and my last leg brought me through the coast mountain range- so grateful most of it was downhill! I couldn't help but snap this photo of the lovely aspen. 

And when Van 1 was done, we celebrated. 

My team was made up of good good people! I couldn't have planned that better if I would have hand picked them myself.

And there was a big celebration at the finish line which was at Seaside Oregon. 

I hadn't actually trained enough to pull that off well, so I've been resting this week! 

I've got lots of fun stuff planned for September as well! Gotta enjoy this weather while we can.

Happy weekend!