Stagecoach stop from above: LAPC & FOWC

When you drive by this old stagecoach stop on the east side of Steens Mountain in Oregon, it just looks like a couple piles of rocks in the distance.

Sunflowers & stagecoaches at Steens Mountain, Oregon August 2019

From a closer distance, it still looks like piles of rubble.

old building

However, when you see it from above with a drone, it looks completely different. You can clearly see the walls of the structure on the left.

Stagecoach stop from above

The building on the right looks like this from above. There are remnants of the rock wall on the west side of the structure, but the wooden parts have fallen to the ground.

stagecoach stop from above

In other environments, the wood would have deteriorated by now. However, this structure is just north of the Alvord Desert, which gets an average of 7 inches of precipitation a year.

Alvord Desert

I am reposting some facts related to stagecoach travel from one of my previous posts.

In the late 1800s to early 1900s, stagecoach routes crisscrossed the West. On the more heavily traveled routes, there were stops every 25 miles or so. Why that distance? That’s about how far a team of horses pulling wagons full of goods and passengers could travel. Their progress was slow because of difficult terrain and weather that could quickly change from scorching heat to bone-chilling cold.

Some of these stations were just for changing horse teams, while others had accommodations available for travelers. The stops in Fields and Frenchglen in Oregon offered more options for weary travelers. One stop near the one pictured above charged 25 cents for overnight lodging and meals. The charge for the care of each horse was an additional 25 cents.

Travel along these stagecoach routes was not fast. For example, the east-west route from Ontario, Oregon, to Burns, Oregon, took approximately 40 hours. Today, the 130-mile route takes 2 hours 12 minutes by car. But imagine all the sights those early travelers must have seen on those slow journeys…

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Ancient

Fandango’s One Word Challenge – Fast

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Around the Round Barn: RDP

The Pete French Round Barn in eastern Oregon is a beautiful structure. On a recent trip, I took pictures and video of the barn with my phone and my drone.

This picture shows the building from above.

around the round barn

In this video, the drone flies around the perimeter of the barn. You get a much better perspective from this angle.

These pictures show some of the internal structure. The supporting beams and posts are like a work of art.

inside barn

In the spring and summer, barn owls nest in the center of the barn. You can see the whitewash near the nest.

barn owl nest

This is a panoramic view of the inside of the barn. In this view, you can see the details in the rock walls.

Here’s a closer view of the walls.

rock walls

The story of pioneer Pete French is an interesting one. Though he accomplished a lot in his lifetime, he was not well liked. He ended up dying at the hands of a neighbor with whom he had a dispute. See my previous post for more about him.

The Pete French Round Barn is a state heritage site near Diamond, Oregon. Built in the late 1870s to early 1880s, it served as a place to train and stable horses.

In the summer, the barn is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In winter, it’s open Friday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

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Ragtag Daily Prompt – Pioneer

Portable Cattle Squeeze: Wordless Wednesday

portable cattle squeeze

Portable Cattle Squeeze near Crane Hot Springs, Oregon

Wordless Wednesday

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Before Edmonds Part 2: Monday Mural

I am calling this post “Before Edmonds Part 2.” I previously posted about another mural located in this same alleyway in downtown Edmonds, Washington.

Before Edmonds Part 2

These murals include amazing details, and they took 18 months to paint. The murals feature depictions of Indigenous people who lived here long before the city of Edmonds was created. For more details on these murals, read this article.

Monday Mural

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In our dreams: LAPC & WS

In our dreams,

we remember

the light and dark moments

of our lives

in our dreams

We remember soaring

over the highest peaks

and sinking to the lowest lowlands

cloudy skies over Steens

In our dreams,

we remember the stormy times

and anticipate

the rainbows to come

storm with rainbow

We remember

turning around dark bends

towards the light of a new day

Lens-artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Dreamy

Weekend Sky (WS)

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Juniper Cookhouse: Foodie Friday

The Juniper Cookhouse, in Burns, Oregon, is well-known for its barbecued food. The first picture shows a Large Plate with chicken. It includes 8 ounces of meat, two sides, a dinner roll, and a side salad. The chicken has a subtle smoky taste and the baked beans and coleslaw were both delicious. The dinner roll had a light texture and a great taste. Sugared walnuts in the salad added a nice touch of sweetness.

Juniper cookhouse bbq

I took the picture above while participating in the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival in 2023. This dish is still on their menu. There was enough food to last for a couple dinners.

I’ve had barbecue there several times, but had never had the breakfast. On our most recent trip, we ordered a couple breakfast meals. The first meal included your choice of ham, sausage, or bacon and hashbrowns with two eggs. The scrambled eggs had great flavor, enhanced with a grating of cheese. Shoestring hashbrowns were perfectly cooked. The thin-sliced ham had a great smoky flavor. The biscuit was light and fluffy and delicious.

country breakfast

The next picture shows biscuits, hashbrowns, and gravy topped with sausage and two eggs. Once again, everything was well-prepared and delicious.

biscuits and gravy

Food to go

We ordered a cinnamon roll to go. Do you ever order cinnamon rolls that are so sweet you can barely eat them? You may even resort to scraping off thick layers of frosting. Sometimes, the inside dough is not cooked all the way through. That was not the case with the Juniper Cookhouse cinnamon roll we ordered. It was cooked throughout and had just the right amount of frosting. The texture of the roll was light and not too dry. Yum!

Juniper cookhouse cinnamon roll

We also ordered meat by the pound to go. I had read several reviews that mentioned their tri-tip beef and ordered a pound. The thin-sliced smoked meat had great flavor! We also ordered a pound of the chicken. It came in large pieces, like in my first picture. When I got home, I shredded the meat and made a sandwich with some of their homemade barbecue sauce. It was pretty good.

Juniper Cookhouse location and hours

Juniper Cookhouse is at 540 Highway 20 in Burns, Oregon. For many years, it was in a small building next to a large tent with seating. Now their brick and mortar location is right next to the Best Western. They serve breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, salads, baked goods, and several sides. This family run business processes their own meats and creates wonderful baked goods. Juniper Cookhouse also offers catering services.

If you are considering stopping at Juniper Cookhouse, check their limited hours of operation. They are open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. On the day we were there, we learned they were closed the day before because the women had traveled to California to fight wildfires.

Foodie Friday

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Cactus close up: Macro Monday & FOTD

This cactus close up picture was taken at Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle. The cactus was only a few inches tall. Its scientific name, Gymnocalycium fleischerianum, posted on a stake nearby, was bigger than the plant. 😉

Cactus close up

Macro Monday

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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Steens in the fall: LAPC, RDP, & WS

The valleys on Steens in the fall
Are filled with green, yellow, and orange leaves,
Framed by mountain mahogany

Steens in the fall

Clouds skitter across the sky;
Parting to enlighten
Lone patches of gold

Aspens in fall

On Steens Mountain
Fall’s foliage gathers at the bottom of
Deep glacially carved gorges

Kiger Gorge

Golden leaves of aspen and
Fuzzy flowers of rabbitbrush
Edge the ridgetops and roads

Steens Mountain drive

The last colorful moments shine brightly
On Steens in the fall
As winter’s darkness creeps in

Steens in the fall

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Looking Back to Lens-Artist Challenge #106: Autumn

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – Valley

Weekend Sky (WS)

All pictures were taken on 1 October 2025 while driving to the top of Steens Mountain, Oregon. The mountain reaches an elevation 9,733 feet. The 52-mile long Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway loop road to the summit is open seasonally.

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Great Egret drawing & photo: First Friday Art

On a recent trip, I saw a Great Egret up close. I thought I should try to draw one of these elegant creatures. For this drawing, I used a pen that has a brush on one end and a narrow tip on the other. It was my first time using one of these pens and I think I’ll improve once I get used to them. I also used colored pencils for the eye and bill.

Egret drawing

I saw this egret on a beach near San Simeon, California. The bird was not bothered at all when people walked close to it. I guess if you stand over three feet tall with a wing span of around five feet, you don’t care if other critters get too close to you. 😉

Great Egret

Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.

First Friday Art

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Chinese birdcage: One-to-three Challenge

I noticed this Chinese birdcage right away while visiting the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Its intricate design really caught my eye. I especially like the dragon on top of the cage.

I used Corel PaintShopPro 2021 for different photo processing effects on this picture of the Chinese birdcage. In the original image I slightly increased the contrast and fill light and cropped the edges. Use the slider to view each effect compared to the original.

The first one shows the original photograph and the same picture with a filters effect. For this image I went to Effects>Photo Effects>Film & filters>Warming filter>Warm earth tones>20 density. I liked how this effect made it look older in glowing warm tones.

Chinese birdcageChinese birdcage warm filter

The next one shows the original photograph and the same picture with a lighting effect. For this image I went to Effects>Illumination Effects>Lights>Default setting. I liked how this effect gave the subject a starring role in the spotlights.

Chinese birdcageLights effect

The last picture of the Chinese birdcage shows an Art effect. For this image processing I went to Effects>Art Media Effects>Pencil>Factory Defaults setting. It looks like a soft pastel drawing that shows all its details.

Chinese birdcagepencil effect

This cage was made during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911) or Republican period (1912-1949). The label near the display noted that this “birdcage reflects luxurious dimensions of pet ownership accessible to the wealthy.”

One-to-three Photo Processing Challenge – September 2025

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A Steens Mountain Tour: LAPC

Up with the birds for a Steens Mountain tour

On April 6, I was up bright and early for a birdwatching trip that would encircle Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon in a single day. Being a bit of an introvert, I wasn’t sure I wanted to partake in a tour like this one. The Steens Mountain tour was one of 22 tours available for nature enthusiasts at the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival. The festival, which started in 1981, takes advantage of the annual spring bird migration in the Harney Basin. More than 300 species of birds use this area annually.

A stormy sky

A land full of drama

At 6:00 am, participants in the Circle the Steens Mountain & Alvord Desert tour met at Burns High School. The weather was not cooperating for the 200-mile trip. A big storm system was blowing in. Twelve hours and 76 bird species later, we returned to the high school. Though we didn’t see any rare birds, we did see a lot, considering the weather conditions. Our views were framed by the dramatic landscapes of Harney County. The pale colored sands of the Alvord Desert stood out in contrast to the dark stormy skies. Steens Mountain provided beautiful panoramas from many different angles. We also had great views of pronghorn and deer.

Steens mountain tour

east side Steens Mountain

We traveled east of Steens Mountain, south to Fields, then north along the west side of the 50-mile long mountain. Our tour guides, Joan Suther and Rick Hall, worked for the Bureau of Land Management locally for many years. The first brief stop was to look at burrowing owls. The small owls were seen braving the wind on this tour and the one I was on the next day. Flocks of snow geese and Ross’ geese were in fields nearby. Our next stop, at Crystal Crane Hot Springs, was much longer.

Continue reading

Oblivion Pour House: Foodie Friday

Last week, we visited Oblivion Pour House in Bend, Oregon. I ordered the Smoked Baby Back Ribs. It included a half-rack of in-house smoked ribs, smashed potatoes with a cheesy sauce, and grilled broccoli, zucchini, carrots, and squash. I ate part of the large portion of food and took the rest home for two more meals. The ribs were tasty but weren’t the fall-off-the-bone type. The veggies were all good, especially the potatoes.

Oblivion Pour House

This entree includes a Caesar or house salad. I chose the house salad with a honey mustard dressing and it was delicious!

house salad

My dining companion ordered the Jambalaya Mac. Oblivion Pour House serves 11 kinds of mac and cheese. This dish includes sauteed chicken, Gulf shrimp, andouille, bacon, garlic, and tomato. The house-made 6-cheese cream reduction poblano-infused sauce covers the elbow macaroni. Green onions garnish this delicious dish. A heel of bread is served on the side.

Jambalaya Mac

We shared a piece of Key Lime pie for dessert. It was also good.

Their extensive menu includes salads, mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, tacos, and several entrees. Their drinks include Oblivion Brewing beer on tap, as well as several nonalcoholic drink options.

Previously known as the Pour House Grill, this restaurant underwent renovations and added ‘Oblivion’ to its name. Oblivion Brewing is one of many microbrews in Bend and they moved their tasting room to this location. The comfortable interior has several big-screen TVs playing various sports.

Oblivion Pour House Location and Hours

Oblivion Pour House is in the outlet mall at the south end of Bend. The address is 61276 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702. They are open from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm on Saturdays, and from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm on Sundays.

Foodie Friday

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Forest at Night exhibit videos: Wordless Wednesday

Forest at Night exhibit at High Desert Museum, Oregon

Wordless Wednesday

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Water falls: SS, WWE, LAPC

Water falls in cascades over moss-covered cliffs

water falls Burney Falls

Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, California

and between dolphins, dancing and spinning

Dolphin sculpture

Rhapsody, Kelowna, British Columbia

Water flows down rocky crags, plummeting and thundering

Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Waterfall, Yosemite National Park, California

and emerges quietly from lagoons bordered by blossoms

water falls

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland, Oregon

Water falls twice through basalt canyons, producing essential power

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho

and continuously over rustic artistry created from stone

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon

Sunday Stills (SS) – Fountains and Falls

Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – City Mouse/ Country Mouse

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Above the playa: Skywatch & Friday Flowers

Above the playa, lupines bloom amongst the boulders.

above the playa
Summer Lake area in Oregon

Skywatch Friday

Friday Flowers

Artichokes two ways: Wordless Wednesday

artichoke sculpture

artichokes two ways

Artichokes two ways – as a sculpture and in the garden

Wordless Wednesday

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She stands by his side tanka: TTPC

she stands by his side
in the dappled morning light
white dewdrops on grass
reflect the last days of youth
as antlers of spring emerge

she stands by his side

Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge (TTPC) – White dew on grass

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Yearning to… : LAPC

Yearning to visit places that warmed the body and soul

hot springs of the west
Crane Hot Springs, Burns, Oregon

Wishing to smell the scent of purple, blown by the breeze

purple flower border
Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle, Washington

Pining for the sound of bugling calls, heralding the arrival of spring

yearning to see sandhills
Sandhill Cranes, Summer Lake, Oregon

Craving the taste of a special summer treat

tasty treat at East Lake
Mixed Berry Cobbler, East Lake, Oregon

Longing to catch glimpses of beloved companions from the past

Keyah
My dog, Keyah, in 1997

A picture helps us remember when we are yearning to feel, smell, hear, taste, and see our memories.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Longing

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High Desert Voices September 2025 newsletter

Here’s the High Desert Voices September 2025 newsletter for your reading pleasure. Lots of nice photos as well! This newsletter is published by and for volunteers at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. I’ve been working there as a volunteer since 2013.

Articles this month include one about the Welcome the Night evening event, one on the Forest at Night exhibition, and one on hiking the Soda Creek Trail, west of Bend. A calendar of upcoming events and exhibitions is on the last page.

Please enjoy the High Desert Voices September 2025 issue!

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Marble Mountain View: Wordless Wednesday

Marble Mountain view

Marble Mountain View in Sequoia National Forest, California

Wordless Wednesday

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In a quiet space haiku: LAPC

in a quiet space
dark shadows dance and light sings
on a summer morn

in a quiet space

shadow art

shadow art

Anila Quayyum Agha: Geometry of Light exhibition at Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Quiet moment

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Pronghorn sketches & photo: First Friday Art

Here are a few pronghorn sketches I did while working on one of my books. I was going to include a pronghorn doe as a character, but decided to remove her from the manuscript. I already had a lot of animal characters. Don’t worry, she’ll show up in a future book or story.

pronghorn sketches

I’m also including a photo of two pronghorn does in Yellowstone National Park. They are such graceful creatures.

two pronghorn does

If you want to learn more about pronghorns, check out one of my previous posts.

Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.

First Friday Art

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Cooperative foraging: Birds of the Week

Last spring, I saw this group of White Pelicans involved in cooperative foraging near Island Park, Idaho. All About Birds describes their feeding behavior as follows:

They forage by swimming on the surface, dipping their bills to scoop up fish, then raising their bills to drain water and swallow their prey. They also forage cooperatively: groups of birds dip their bills and flap their wings to drive fish toward shore, corraling prey for highly efficient, synchronized, bill-dipping feasts.

cooperative foraging

Do you know what a group of pelicans are called? They are called a squadron, pod, pouch, or scoop of pelicans.

white pelicans

Birds of the Week

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Some things in nature… : LAPC

Some things in nature have patterns in whirls,

somethings in nature

Other things are smooth and plain

cedar waxwing

Some things in nature are velvety soft,

some things in nature

Other things have rough, bumpy surfaces

Subway Cave

And in underwater worlds, things may be patterned or smooth

soft or rough and bumpy

Anemones

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Virtual Scavenger Hunt

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Delicious tuna fish sandwich: FF & TTC

I recently had this delicious tuna fish sandwich from the Bread and Bunny food truck in Bend, Oregon. This food truck is located in the Midtown Yacht Club pod in northeast Bend. No, you won’t see any yachts here since it’s in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The taphouse has a maritime theme and a good variety of beer and other beverages.

Why am I only showing half of the sandwich? Because it was a gigantic sandwich that I could barely get my mouth around. I saved half for another meal.

delicious tuna fish

A large portion of tuna salad is wedged between slices of multigrain bread from the Sisters Bakery. Leaf lettuce from Boundless Farmstead is included seasonally. Slices of Tillamook Jack and Colby Jack cheese are also included. The thing that make the Farmhouse Tuna sandwich a little different from a traditional tuna sandwich, is that it includes coarsely grated carrots and sliced Granny Smith apples.

On the day I ordered, I also got a couple slices of fresh pineapple. I think chips are usually included.

tuna sandwich

If you’re in the mood for a delicious tuna fish sandwich, visit the Bread and Bunny at the Midtown Yacht Club. I admit, I always order the same sandwich at the Bread and Bunny. Their menu also includes Reubens, BLTAs, melts, steak, chicken, and a variety of gourmet meat sandwiches.

Location and Hours

The Midtown Yacht Club food truck pod is located at 1661 NE 4th Street in Bend. It’s open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Sunday from Thursday and from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. There are currently seven food trucks there.

Foodie Friday (FF)

Three Things Challenge (TTC) – Large, gigantic

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Burney Falls in action: Wordless Wednesday

Burney Falls in action

Burney Falls in action at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, California

Wordless Wednesday

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Seattle waterfront mural: MM & WWE

Here are two photos of a Seattle waterfront mural that I took last May. The mural Three Animals was painted in 2024 by Victor Ash. It adorns a wall right next to light rail line.

The murals were painted in celebration of World Environment Day in a partnership with UNEP, United Nations.

Seattle waterfront mural

In the first image, you can see iconic landmarks in the background. Close to the mural, you can spot the Seattle Great Wheel Ferris wheel. In the background, you’ll see Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park sports stadiums.

Seattle waterfront mural

In the second photo, you get a great view of the Norwegian Bliss, a cruise ship that is part of Norwegian Cruise Lines.

I like the close up perspective of the animal’s heads in this Seattle waterfront mural. They must look amazing from the light rail!

Monday Mural (MM)

Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

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Trails wind and descend haiku: WWC

Trails wind

trails wind and descend
elements of earth arise
on the cusp of fall

Which Way Challenge (WWC)

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Portal into another realm: Wordless Wednesday

portal into another realm

Portal into another realm at William Randolf Hearst Memorial Beach, California

Wordless Wednesday

Bar Rio in B & W: Monochrome Monday

I took these two pictures of Bar Rio in B & W during a recent visit. This restaurant is in downtown Bend, Oregon.

When I saw all the lines in the interior decorating, I immediately thought pictures of it would look good in black and white.

bar rio in B & W

restaurant

While the decor was interesting, the food was a little disappointing. I may have to give it a second try.

Monochrome Monday

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Sunflowers at Tunnel of Joy: WW & FOTD

sunflowers at tunnel of joy

Sunflowers at Tunnel of Joy in Bend, Oregon

Wordless Wednesday (WW)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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Gulls, terns, and cormorants: Birds of the Week

At Summer Lake Wildlife Area, in southeastern Oregon, you can get some great views of gulls, terns, and cormorants. At the north end of the Wildlife Area, you’ll drive by a rocky island covered with birds in the spring and summer months.

In this picture you can see California Gulls, Larus californicus, and Common Terns, Sterna hirundo.

gulls terns and cormorants

In the picture below, you can see California Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants, Nannopterum auritum.

seabird colony

Luckily, this bird colony is a few hundred yards from the main road you drive on. I have helped band birds in seabird colonies before and they are one of the stinkiest places I have ever been. Phew!

You might associate gulls, terns, and cormorants with seaside habitats. However, Summer Lake is a five plus hour drive to the coast. These types of birds also live near large inland bodies of water.

Birds of the Week

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WinterFest 2025 fire pits: LAPC & RDP

I was really looking forward to seeing the WinterFest 2025 fire pits at Bend’s winter festival event in Bend’s Old Mill District last February. They are great to photograph! I have posted pictures from previous years under the fire pit tag.

We are about to experience some of our hottest temperatures of the year in Bend this week. Maybe you are also getting some hot days where you live. I thought it might be a great time to remember the cooler temperatures of winter.

One of my favorite fire pits this year, was this VW van. It was well-designed and fun.

Another one I really liked was this one featuring a forest. Loved those trees!

forest firepit

Some of the fire pits have more intricate designs.

torch fire

fire

WinterFest Bend

Others are more simple.

WinterFest 2025

firepit

firepit

Some, like this one, are enormous. You can see lots of people meeting up around this WinterFest 2025 fire pit to take advantage of its warmth.

Winterfest 2025 firepit

Some of the fire pits used a more traditional design, but included interesting cut-out details.

Desert firepit

firepit

honeycomb firepit

Others were all about the details. This octopus surrounding a boat, which I’ve shown before, had amazing details.

WinterFest 2025 firepit

Some are cone or column shaped.

cone firepit

lighted trees

Other are square.

square firepit

WinterFest 2025 firepit

This year, snow from a recent storm covered the ground. It added to the festive mood.

Other attractions at Bend WinterFest 2025

This event includes ice carvings, hand-crafted fire pits, the Pump Bump Jam (a ski ramp with several jumps), a wine walk, food carts, beer, wine, and cider booths, bands playing on the stage, a flying dog show, and a kid’s area. It also includes booths from a wide variety of businesses and booths selling everything from jewelry and clothing to unique food items. This year, there were more Marketplace booths than I’ve ever seen before.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Found at the fair/market

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – meet

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Comfortable seating at Lava Hot Springs: PUAS

You can find comfortable seating inside the water and out at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. You also get some great views of the Portneuf Range mountains behind the pools.

comfortable seating

See one of my previous posts about Lava Hot Springs for more details on this attraction. It was one of my favorite hot springs of several we visited last summer.

Pull up a Seat (PUAS)

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A pleasing plesiosaur: Wordless Wednesday

pleasing plesiosaur

A pleasing plesiosaur fossil at Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana

Wordless Wednesday

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A soggy sage: WWE

A soggy sage contemplating the rain at Crystal Springs Rhodendron Garden in Portland, Oregon.

Soggy sage

Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Balloons before lift off – Rispetto poem: LAPC

Colorful resting balloons, drowsy at dawn,
Breathe in heated air, unfold, stretch, and inflate
Burners roar, envelopes fill, tense crews hang on
Baskets shift on the ground, sandbags balance weight
Pilots check the weather, instruments, and tanks
Passengers clamber aboard, voicing their thanks
Flames dance over burners, heat enters the skirt
Lift greater than weight, balloons float o’er desert

Photographs taken at Balloons Over Bend event July 2025. Here’s a short video from a previous post.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Lines, colors, and patterns

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Four lounging lions: SS & WPCC

This sculpture of four lounging lions is at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. The ‘Lunch Break’ brown bronze sculptures were created by Jim Gion and put on display at the zoo in 2009.

four lounging lions

On the day I was there, there weren’t many visitors because it was pouring down rain. On a more typical day, children would be having fun climbing all over the sculptures. See the video below.

I decided to post this today because I included posts with one, two, and three main subjects earlier this week. My photo shows four lions, but, as you can see in the video, there are two additional cubs.

Sculpture Saturday (SS)

Weekly Prompts Colour’s Challenge (WPCC) – Brown

Mount Rainier images in 3 ways: First Friday Art

Today I’m sharing Mount Rainier images in 3 ways. Mount Rainier is an iconic mountain, southeast of Seattle, Washington.

This active volcano reaches a height of 14, 410 feet at its peak. Native American tribes surrounding the mountain had 20 different names for it. One of them, *nə(xʷ)xʷak’ʷ, translates to “(sky) scraper.”

Here’s a quick pen and ink drawing I did of Mount Rainier. This is a very simple line drawing.

Mount Rainier drawing

Next, I show a picture I took of the mountain while on a flight to Seattle from Bend. There were some great clouds and low-lying fog that day.

Rainier from above

The last picture shows an embroidery I did of Mount Rainier while I was in college. Since I hadn’t done much embroidery when I created this, I used a running stitch for the whole piece. The stitch is simple, but this was a time-consuming, complex piece of work.

These Mount Rainier images portray the mountain in simple to more complex ways.

Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.

First Friday Art

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