Snow

Woke up to snow this morning... I guess it is actually the second snow of the season. but the first time I had to shovel the walk.

Last Night

The sky was amazing. Such a dramatic break in the clouds after a dreary rainy day.

Wood

Look. I got some free Cherry wood for the smoker!


Oh. And some Apricot too!

Leaves round 2

Didn't I just deal with a bunch of leaves a couple weeks ago? Well I guess I am destined for another round or two yet since the trees are only about half empty...

Favorite time of year

Finally,
the air is crisp
but not cold
The trees,
appearing
and disappearing
from the fog that rolled in
march across the hills
like disoriented soldiers
all red, yellow and gold
as
the morning light
paints everything
like an impressionist
in muted tones.

Bugs...

You know there is a lot of bugs when they obscure the green grass...

I have officially Identified my first wild mushrooms

Shaggy Mane and Poison Pie to be exact. I dont feel comfortable enough yet with my Identifying skills to actually consider eating any but the Shaggy Manes are supposed to be "low risk" and delicious so I am a little tempted. Poison Pie of course causes gastrointestinal distress so I wont be going there.

1 - 5 lb. 23 inches

The experience of moments

a memory

of boxed red wine
Curry
and those cookies
heavy with Ginger and Molasses

of hours
spent talking
in your car
or
In stillness
sitting
quiet
Silent.
Except for the
Delicate sound
Of your slow
Measured
breathing

beautiful

but still I have
no memory of you
Not like it was
there is no
like it was

Hiking

I thought I should show some pictures to put the other hiking pictures in context...

Hiking thru the woods.

Breaking thru the trees and a view of our first goal. We will follow thr ridgeline till we can access the saddle.

I just love the large outcrops of granite.

Looking south you can see the bowl beneath Gunsight and Hunt Lake where Chris and I camped the last time.

Looking north off the ridge line another pristine view.

Chris cresting the saddle.

From the top of Roothans lower peak, here is a view to the north of Lionhead and Roman nose etc.

A look at Chimney Rock and our third destination, the spine that runs out to it. We will access the spine thru the notch in the right side of the picture.

But first a little relaxation in this throne made of granite slabs.

Destination #2 the higher peak of Roothan.

The view down from Roothans true summit. Found a geocache. signed it.

Now we decend into the bowl behind and begin to work our way around to our access point as we head for destination #3.

Chris working his way around the bowl.

Our path / no path.

The trail gets a little trickier and you reach the point where climbing is required. Just a little further on is where I was climbing in the earlier picture.

We have ascended the spine and have a wonderful view of Chimney rock.

Here is a shot of Chris as he gets ready to descend.

The big relax before our final descent. Some fruit/nut mix and some water can really do the trick.

Welcome Gnolie!

Magnolia Joy Thrasher

On Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Miranda and David were blessed with a healthy baby girl.
Weight: 6 pounds, 10 ounces Length: 19.6 inches

I stole this picture of me from Chris!!

Some times you have to go up the mountain.

A little suffering can show you immense beauty.

Ever feel like you're on top of the world?

Ohio

Well, my friend Heather is Moving back to Ohio tomorrow. Family and all you know. No more, Red wine, Seaweed candy, Thai food, Pho' or long hikes thru the local trails. Give Ohio hell Allah. You will be missed.

Foraging

Lately I have been thinking about how much I enjoy things like picking huckleberries and digging clams. I have also put a certain amount of thought into mushrooming. I seem to have come to this conclusion... I think I find foraging appealing. Harvesting natural/wild plants, berries and animals (fishing, clamming etc.) for food. Maybe it comes from an earlier harder time when to survive you had to do this. Maybe I am just tired of paying for overpriced "Groceries". I do like farmers markets. I am going to try and find a book on edible plants of the Northwest. Hopefully there will be some eastside plants not just westside...