MAY DAY ON MARY'S PEAK

Traveling up to the top of Mary's Peak on May Day is a double edge sword. Crisp, breezy air produced clear vistas of surf breaking on the Pacific shore on one side and snowy coated Cascades on the other. The down side, were there to be one, was the lack of wildflowers and butterflies. A few weeks of May will bring riotous clouds of both. Though, today there were a few small ground huggers blooming among the rocks.

The tree in the mid-pix stands at the top of the path giving a breath-taking contrast with the blue sky. Mt. Jefferson hosted some fluffy clouds for most of the day lending a softness to the Cascade Range. Not pictured are the ghosts of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams. Clearly Mt. Hood loomed large with sun blasting it's snowy side. The Three Sisters stood sentinel to Mt. Washington and Three Fingered Jack. Mt. Batchelor was not to be outdone in the south by Diamond. All in all, it was a juicy sight to behold, not only because the wind was watering my eyes, but because a sight like that is rare. 

The west held a wobbly white line we all debated about until we zoomed in with lenses able to prove it was, indeed the Pacific surf. Wow! is all I can say about that!

LUNCH

Once in a while the universe converges to arrange a wonderful sighting. Such was the occasion this Saturday while on a hike up Sweet Creek in the Oregon Coast Range. First let me formulate this question: Were Sasquatch to have a pet, what would it's name be? Author extraordinaire Jonathan Thomas Stratman said, "Easy, Lunch! What else?" So, Lunch it is. I was lucky enough to capture a picture of Lunch just as a beam of light struck him on the steep hillside about 40 yards above me. He was standing in the deep forest. Click, then, nothing. The cloud covered the sun just enough to alert him to disappear. Disolved right into the surrounding forest, but--not before I captured his image here for you to see. Absolutely NO photoshopping allowed on this blog. What I post is what I saw!

The rest of the hike was mist, roar, watch your step, wow! Sweet Creek cascades down through a canyon for two miles of continuous beauty. Each step provided new sights and sounds. Along the path, new plants poked their expectant heads out of the ground. Many, dripping with misty dew were blooming. Don't forget walking sticks, sturdy shoes and your camera. And--you may find Lunch.

UNWIND, RENEW

The ferns are unfurling, trees are leafing out, even the turtles are finding a place to enjoy the sun. I hope you are getting the same privilege. Remember, the sun shines for us all, the short and the tall. So get out and cast your shadow, shake off the winter dust and enjoy the spring air. 

If you need a destination, check out my newest book: Tripping On Oregon's Treasures. It is loaded with wonderful vistas to fill your eyes and soothe your mind. Don't know how to get started? Check out Tripping On a Shoestring. Cover to cover it's loaded with tips to remove the angst from your preparations. 

But, mostly, I hope you just get out. Breathe deeply of what Oregon has to offer. If you are interested in my books, you can email me at tripshoe@gmail.com for more info. 

IT'S TIME TO SPRING INTO SPRING!

Spring has sprung and the red, red, robin has come...bob-bob-bobben along. In the words of William Wordsworth, while he was out for a walk on a spring morning: "...when all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils." Well, what better pictures to embody our opening of this season of rejuvenation and renewal.  Winter has kept us all cooped up and inside, but now we await sunny warm days, gardening, hiking and all the wonderful activities we live here to enjoy. 

It's time to make a list, check the calendar and dig out the hiking shoes. Perhaps I will even get some inspirational photos to share with you. Perhaps, we will even meet on the trail. I hope! In the mean time, take a deep breath of that terrific air, hear the red-winged black birds sing and put one foot in front of the other...keep on!

NOVEMBER HUG

It's November. The long hot summer of 2015 is in the record books. Whether you live in the city or the country, take a few minutes out of your busy day before the holiday season smacks you upside the head. Get out, breath some cool air. Splash in a puddle, pick up a beautiful leaf. Anywhere you are, there are lovely spots where you can refresh and renew your spirit with a brief walk along leaf strewn paths (or sidewalks). Kick some leaves, pick up a few, revel in the small works of art placed at your feet. 

November, 2015 will not come this way again so don't let it pass without giving it a proverbial hug. Embrace the illusive sun as it dips behind a rain cloud. Rejoice in what rain does fall. Our parched Earth is thirsty. Hum as you go. Put any worries you have in a sack and leave them on the porch for later. Who knows, when you return, maybe some stranger will have picked them up hoping for a surprise. Novembers freshness has a way of offering a different perspective to those worries anyway. Especially if you take time to kick a few leaves, splash in a puddle, and smile, smile, smile.