Devouring life, one bite at a time
One of the best things about the camper has been the countless inspiration for projects. And what better way to experiment than with a beat up camper? Like this penny tile floor. I’ve probably spent hours drooling over Pinterest boards with these kinds of things, …
Welcome to our photo album chronicling our adventure fixing up a ’77 Dodge Robinhood. It’s been burly, but boy, have we had fun rolling our sleeves up and making improvements. When we purchased the camper in the spring of 2017, the bones seemed pretty good, …
Almost two years ago, we did something a little crazy ….
After cruising along the Columbia River Gorge and heading into Washington state on our way to my aunt and uncle’s house, a mysterious mountain loomed ahead. Actually, we had to exit and drive a ways first, but then we saw it … Mount Saint Helens, …
Before we left our brief introductory visit to Portland, there was something I had to do. See Bob’s Red Mill. Aka a baking pilgrimage of sorts. A paradise of organic bulked goods and health food products for bakers and gluten intolerants. My one bit …
I’m on the road exploring the Pacific Northwest with my dad for the next week or so. Road trip! Adventure! I look forward to all this fall has to bring.
My first photographic specimen is of Roosevelt elk as we entered Redwood National Park. Around this time of year, a bull will gather with his own personal harem of a dozen or more lady elks. Here they gathered right off the roadside and didn’t seem particularly camera shy.
But they are quick. Or my camera is slow. I just barely got the tips of this bull’s antlers as he ducked behind the brush.
And this one got his head chopped off completely. I guess I’m not ready for National Geographic just yet.
At Redwood National Park, not to be confused with Humboldt Redwood State Park, trees grow under the most unusual conditions (or should I say, around?).
A short stroll left us feeling dwarfed- and we’re not easy to impress with redwoods. Even with visits to Avenue of the Giants and Sequoia National Park, and Muir and Armstrong Woods in my backyard, this is easily the highest concentration of huge trees altogether.
Big Tree didn’t seem that much bigger than all the other ones we passed.
Redwoods love sharing the same roots- this one base has grown three different trees.
We continued heading north and came to this funny tourist trap, “Trees of Mystery” just before we hit Oregon. My dad remembered seeing it as a kid, so I voted we pull over.
Hey, I thought this guy was from Wisconsin.
By evening, we arrived safely in Oregon and had a lovely seafood dinner at Gold Coast. Tomorrow, Portland and beyond!
For the last day camping and hiking in Yosemite, my dad and I had our biggest hike yet up to the top of upper Yosemite Falls. It’s a good 7.6 miles, nothing we can’t handle. And lucky timing, too, since in a couple weeks this …
Our first big day of hiking- we started with Vernal Falls, an easier 3 mile loop, though lots of climbing. I was surprised by how full the falls are for this time of year, especially with little snow in the sierras. Lots of people go …
View of El Cap and Half Dome at the West entrance to the park.
Bridalveil Falls.
Entering a meadow towards Yosemite Falls.
A monarch caterpillar enjoying some milkweed.
The Ahwahnee Hotel.
We didn’t stay here- our intention was camping, after all- but lucked out and snagged a spot at Camp 4. Last minute reservations within the park in the summer are virtually impossible, so I panicked and booked a campsite over an hour outside the valley. We jumped at the chance to stay put, and were right at the base of the trailhead for Yosemite Falls.
So glad we made the stop on the way for a proper camp stove. Scrambled eggs and cold beer for dinner, and plans for an early start the next day.
What is it about the woods and creativity? A little fresh air, a night under the stars, and a pen in hand was just the thing I needed this weekend. I took my first trip up to Anderson Valley on my first ever writing retreat …