Fallen Into Knowledge

Well, I again went to find and explore the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, and this time met with success. I spent two nights and 30 miles discovering how rugged this piece of Oregon is, gazing at the enormous trees, and being eaten by the ferocious mosquitos. Here are some Pics:

Portlanders love to hate the Rose Festival, even while showing up at the parades. But, the kickoff fireworks are Portland’s best:

Watching the Fireworks are only half the Fun, however:

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I went today with a group from the church to Dog Mountain. It was a zoo - really, there must have been neighborhoods in Portland that were desolate. BUT, all the wildflowers were in full bloom, which was spectacular. Really. Look for yourself!

I went looking for the Bull of the Woods wilderness, and found snow. I actually didn’t get anywhere close to the wilderness. I was stymied by snow after driving 10 miles up a gravel road, and then continued walking for several more, all in search of the pristine old growth forests - some of the last still standing in western Oregon. I didn’t quite make it, but at least got to eat lunch in the wild:

I also discovered that I can, in fact, sleep in the back of my station wagon. If I lie diagonally. Barely.

Went for a hike today, on Larch Mountain.  A perfect day for a hike.  So perfect, in fact, that I think I’ll take another Monday.

Since I this blog a higher word to picture ratio than I like, here is a picture.

Those of us in Portland experienced a beautiful day today - we experienced the sun.  I ate my lunch while sitting on the porch in shirtsleeves, went on a bike ride, and enjoyed the tree pictured above which went from no flowers to lots of flowers in a day.

Emmigrant Lake, from todays drive to Ashland.  Ashland is one of my favorite towns.

Okay, so here’s the story so far:

Yesterday evening, I sat basking in the prospects of a free weekend.  I wanted to get away, but I really didn’t want to spend the whole weekend cold.  Since I couldn’t think of anywhere I could go backpacking that would be even remotely warm, I ruled that out.

Then I had an idea:  Perhaps I could make use of my parents’ Worldmark connections.  I IM’ed my mom, to see if I could book a room, anywhere in the NW, for the next night, Friday.  I figured that wherever I could get a room, that’s where I’d go. I could be anywhere between Seattle and Kalamath Falls the next night; what sort of adventure I had would be shaped by where I got a room.

I am in Kalamath Falls.  Today I drove to Bend, had a burger and beer at the Bend brewing company, explored downtown Bend and Drake park while lunch settled, and then headed for the hills above LaPine. Tomorrow I will either spend the day in Ashland, or I will drive back up the coast on 101.  Depending on how I feel in the morning.

Some advenures work best when treated like “choose your own adventure” novels.

Driving home from the shop, I was pleasurated by the realization that it was almost 7 and still light out. I stepped outside a few moments ago to feel the warm (!!!) breeze and see the last vestiges of light fading at just after 8 o’clock:

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