Signs of the times at the National Neon Sign Museum, The Dalles, Oregon
A placid ocean haiku: HPC
a placid ocean
embraces rocky seastacks
sculptures of the wild
Snow in words and images: LAPC
Today I’m featuring quotes related to snow next to snowy pictures taken in my yard. Winter has finally arrived here in Bend, Oregon.
A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder.
Susan Orlean
Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Lewis & Clark’s Fort Clatsop: RDP
On a recent trip to the Oregon Coast, we made a short stop at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, near Astoria. We were there early in the morning time, before the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center and Bookstore opened.
We walked the short trail to see the replica of Fort Clatsop.
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Thomas Jefferson commissioned an expedition to explore the new territory and lands farther west. At that time, little was known of the natural resources along the route. Jefferson hoped to find a water route across the U.S. and establish good relations with Indigenous residents.
In November of 1805, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery arrived in a storm-wracked location north of the Columbia River in what is now Washington State. They voted on whether they should stay there, move upriver, or establish a camp south of the river, as the local tribes suggested. They overwhelmingly voted to move to the Fort Clatsop site, south of the river.
The group started construction on the original fort in December of 1805. Construction went slowly because of the stormy weather conditions.
Cat seeking comfort poem: Haiku Challenge
cat seeking comfort
tolerant dog shares her bed
warmth on a fall day
Finding drama in Oregon: LAPC
Finding drama in branches haphazardly woven together
Or planted in concise rows bearing intoxicating fruit
Bony seat and view: Pull Up a Seat
A bony seat and view at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.
This bench fit right in next to the enormous wall full of dinosaur bones.
It’s a wonderful place to visit for those who love dinosaurs and fossils.
Wheelbarrow planter: Wordless Wednesday
Egg River Cafe mural: Monday Mural
This colorful mural is at the Egg River Cafe in Hood River, Oregon. The rooster crows proudly from a fence post in front of a happy little farm. Orchards cover rolling foothills and Mount Hood peeks out in the distance. Chicken-themed decorations can be found throughout the restaurant.
This is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch while visiting Hood River.
2023 favorites: LAPC
Here are some of my 2023 favorites. Enjoy!
2023 favorites of scenic roads & trails
Quiet places to sit and ponder the wonders of nature
Bridges swaying over stormy seas, with thundering waves below
Landscapes uplifted over eons to reveal the colors of earth’s core
3D owl & photo: First Friday Art
My son recently printed this 3D owl with his brand new Anycubic Kobra Max 3D printer. The owl stands about 3.5 inches tall.
I decided to try painting it since I’ve never painted a 3D sculpture before. First I sanded it and painted it with a white base coat.
Then I began painting the owl with acrylic paint. I usually draw and paint freeform so it was a little different to try to work within the raised lines of the sculpture.
I attempted to use some of the markings you’d see on a real Great Horned Owl. This 3D pattern included a little flower on top of the owl’s head and I painted it yellow.
Continue readingWestern Bluebird in the park: Bird of the Week
I saw this Western Bluebird at a park in Bend, Oregon. At our house, a ten-minute drive away, we only see Mountain Bluebirds. Both species have brilliant blue plumage, but the Western Bluebird males wear a “vest” of rust-orange.
It was nice to see this guy making sure he was following all the park rules and regulations. 😉
Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings: RDP
We recently visited the new Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings restaurant in Bend, Oregon.
The wings were good, but I immediately noticed the quirky interior design. “Rays” of beams painted orange, red, and yellow radiated out from the middle of the room on the ceiling.
A painting of Jimi Hendrix covered a wall near the entrance. The wall behind the bar was covered with a colorful mosaic of a sunrise. A video of a fireplace crackled from a TV hung over the bar.
We visited during the lunchtime rush. I noticed one other quirky thing that day. Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings was filling up fast with customers–30 guys plus me. Funny! :D
All are welcome here: Pull Up a Seat, OWS
I saw this bench with the words “All are welcome here” outside the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon church. In a time when we’re seeing divisions all around us, it’s nice there are places like this that exist to bring us together. The split-log bench offers everyone a peaceful place to rest and relax.
We were there for the Annual Locavore Holiday Gift Faire. Eighty-five local crafts people and food producers filled the building with amazing products. If you’re in Bend in early December, drop in to help support local small businesses.
Colors of the season: SS & FOL
Colors of the season seen up close in a park in Bend, Oregon.
Sunday Stills – Monthly Color Challenge – Red & green
Friday Flowers (and leaves)
Sage grouse head dress: Wordless Wednesday
Noticing landscapes: LAPC
Noticing…
unique landscapes
with rivers rolling on and on
and hills full of stories,
repeated and remembered
Noticing…
the brilliant colors
of a new day in the skies
A December surprise: WW & Whatsoever is lovely
Oregon/California Trail mural: Monday Mural
This large mural is inside the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho. The mural is by artist Gary Stone. While researching the painting, Stone traveled parts of the pioneer trail crossing Idaho and nearby states.
Gary Stone read emigrant journals and diaries and depicted what travelers experienced along the trail. You can tell he put his heart into getting the scenes shown right.
Here’s a closer view of the details on the mural.
Monday Mural
Moments of Magic in Oregon: LAPC, WWP
Remembering moments of magic in Oregon
Rambling past remnants of history with curious children in tow
Watching bird broods on windswept islands stretch their wings to flutter and fly
Carter Wyoming. Population 6: Wordless Wednesday
Northern winds haiku: WHPPC
northern winds swirl, sting
snowflakes dance, drift, and alight
kisses of winter
Purple clematis up close: MM & FOTD
Here’s a picture of beautiful purple clematis blossoms up close in July of last year.
Clematis vines do well in sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil. A thick layer of mulch over their roots helps keep them cool, which they prefer. Once mature, these plants can reach a height of 10 to 20 feet. There are nearly 300 species of clematis. The distinctive blossoms of clematis come in a wide variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, blue, green, and bi-color.
Hot Springs State Park: LAPC
You’ll see unique sights if you visit Hot Springs State Park in central Wyoming. Unlike other state parks in Wyoming, entrance to this park, located in the city of Thermopolis, is free. I’ve included a map of this day-use park at the end of this post.
History of the park
In 1897, Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve became Wyoming’s first state park. The park, now called Hot Springs State Park, has always been famous for its therapeutic mineral hot springs.
On the iconic Monument Hill, you’ll see the words “World’s Largest Mineral Hot Springs” in large white letters.
Painted turtles drawing & photos: First Friday Art
Today I’m sharing a pen and ink drawing I did of a painted turtle. I have fond memories of them as a child, when I kept painted turtles as pets.
I’m also sharing a couple photos of them I took in Custer State Park in South Dakota. When we made a quick stop to walk the dogs, I was surprised to see this “island” near the road.
When I took a closer look, I discovered the island was covered with painted turtles, taking a break in the warm sun. Cool! 🙂
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
First Friday Art (FFA)
Jewel of a truck: WPWC
A jewel of a truck is currently on display at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Artist Laurel Porcari covered this 1941 Ford panel truck with a colorful mosaic of tiles. This piece is titled Voyager.
On one side you can see the iconic volcanoes that border Oregon’s High Desert.
On the other side, you’ll see a lunar landscape, with views of a planet-filled sky.
The artistry of this piece looks beautiful from any angle.
Old mill in Hines: Monochrome Monday
Emptiness around memorable sights: LAPC
On our road trip last June, we saw several memorable sights that were notable for the emptiness around them.
We drove past miles and miles of vast landscapes with few occupants. Near Carter, Wyoming, we spotted hundreds of sheep grazing by the road.
A little bit farther down the road, we were fortunate to see sheepherders and their five dogs at work guiding this herd.
On our way to South Dakota, we took a side trip to see a unique attraction near Sundance, Wyoming.
South Falls Loop hike in Oregon: RDP
In July, I hiked the 2.6-mile South Falls Loop trail through the wilderness of Silver Falls State Park, Oregon. This route, past South Falls and Lower South Falls, is part of the Trail of Ten Falls. See the map of the trails at the end of this post.
I parked in the lot near South Falls, hiking north along the Canyon Trail and then heading south along Maple Ridge Trail. Though I’ve visited the park before, I had my dogs, and they are only allowed on a few trails. This time I was going solo.
I took the short trail to the South Falls overlook from the parking area. You get great views from above of the 177-foot-tall waterfall.
If you have limited time, take the ¼-mile trail to the South Falls overlook. If you have more time, walk the 1-mile loop trail behind the falls.
Loop trail – clockwise route
After a brief stop at the overlook, I walked to the lower trail that goes behind the falls. Cool (literally)!
If birds can glide… : Wordless Wednesday
If birds can glide for long periods of time, then… why can’t I?
Orville Wright
Wright Flyer replica, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon
Almost Wordless Wednesday
Dinosaur National Monument: LAPC
Visitors can enjoy unique attractions at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado. While visiting here, I found myself constantly shifting my field of view to things above and below me. Colorful tilting rocks in vast landscapes showed geology in action. Petroglyphs and pictographs told stories of Indigenous people from long ago. An amazing collection of dinosaur fossils took me even further back in time.
The Monument also includes places to hike, fish, river raft, picnic, and camp. There’s a visitor center in Utah, and another in Colorado.
The small Visitor Center in Utah features informational exhibits and a store.
A fall view: Pull Up a Seat
A fall view by the Bend Whitewater Park in Bend, Oregon. The path leads to two benches surrounded by fall leaves. You can also see a few realistic-looking Canada Geese sculptures in the foreground.
Cave popcorn: Wordless Wednesday
Green up close: LAPC & MM
Green up close
In triangular Vanilla Leaf leaves
And tiny Huckleberry leaves
Green
In splitting Gingko leaves
Green up close
In frond fans of Maidenhair Fern
2023 Bloopers #6: CFFC
Yes, I know you’ve all been waiting to see more of my blooper photos. This is where I share pictures that don’t quite fit into any category so I try to add a little humor to them. Here are a few 2023 bloopers to entertain you. 😀
“Am I still your good girl?”
I believe I finally found the true cause of global warming.
Continue readingTime accelerates haiku: SS, HPC, FOL, NPC
time accelerates
color flies through restless leaves
the end of autumn
Sunday Stills (SS) – Leaves, Autumn or Spring; Monthly Color Challenge – Brown
Similarities and differences on display: LAPC
Last week, I showed symmetrical displays of history at the Museum of the American West in Lander, Wyoming. However, history is not always balanced. A good museum shows our similarities and differences. Here are more items on display at the Museum.
At times, our differences stand out.
Though what we wear differs, from practical and utilitarian…
To ornamental and symbolic, our clothing reflects who we are.
Happy Hyopsodus 3 ways: First Friday Art
While visiting Wyoming, I noticed the interesting pose of this happy Hyopsodus wortmani fossil at one of our stops. To me, it looked like a dog asleep on its back.
I thought I’d try to draw what it may have looked like based on the fossil. The first drawing is in pencil.
The second one is pen and ink, drawn with a dip pen with a pointed nib tip dipped in ink.
On the last one, I added a light wash of acrylic paint.
You may have noticed the Hyopsodus I drew is smiling. Do mammals smile?
Here’s a recent picture of one of my dogs, hogging both dog beds. You be the judge. 😉
Check out the happy Hyopsodus and many other amazing fossils at Fossil Butte National Monument in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
First Friday Art (FFA)
A scary carriage: SSMCC
I saw a scary carriage at Beyond the Ranch, an antique store in Redmond, Oregon. The skeletal coachman guides his skeletal horse while the occupant waves a bony hand. A frightful sight for your Halloween!
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge (SSMCC) – Black or Metallic
Treasures of the Old West: LAPC & MM
Here are some treasures of the Old West at the Museum of the American West, in Lander, Wyoming, shown in both color and black and white. Click on the arrows to see monochrome versions highlighting their symmetry.
Wheels may carry you forward, towards new horizons
Or back, to a final resting place
You may choose to wander in another’s shoes
Continue reading
