A Month Without Internet

Yes.  A month without internet.  Could you do without online communication, shopping, banking, game playing, and more for a month?  I decided I couldn’t, so am sitting in a warm cheery wi-fi cafe in Hood River checking up on all the above.

It started with a snow storm.  Then an ice storm.  Then more snow & more ice.  Eventually after only a few days the snowy, ice-encrusted trees completely blocked my line of sight to the internet tower on Underwood Mountain.  When will the ice melt?  March?

I’m not waiting.  I ordered a new service, but alas the installer has left for vacation and won’t be back for another two weeks.  So, until then, I’ve cleaned out closets.  I’ve gone through reams of old paperwork from my business; and design ideas stacked in my studio.

I’ve shoveled my deck countless times and romped in the snow with my dog.

I’ve watched my icicles grow and fade and grow again.

I’ve checked on my trees to see how much longer the ice might remain.  Looks like forever to me!

I’ve played with bubbles in the snow and ice….

…on more than one occasion!

One day the sun even came out, but the temperature didn’t rise above 30º.

I can sometimes see the sunset glow outside our constant inversion.

One snowy day a Northern Goshawk landed on the snag below my deck!

He didn’t stay long, but I was glad to witness his presence in my neighborhood!

I’ve come into town every couple of days to keep up with my email but also to watch for eagles since it is the season.  This pair was right off Hwy 14 between Lyle and Bingen.

A couple of occasions I was able to watch eagles chase each other and fight over food.

I saw other raptors like this little Kestrel and a Peregrine Falcon!

 I even saw a Northern Harrier at Bingen Marina for the first time.  I usually see them in more open spaces.

Each adventure down my mountain first involves a hike up to the road where our cars are kept.

And a hike back down at the end of the day.

In between, it’s a 30 minute drive down to the river, and when I arrive, it’s Raptor Heaven.

I think this guy pretty much sums it up.  I want my internet!!

In case I don’t have another opportunity to sit in a cafe for this long, I’ll catch up with you again at the end of the month when I’m ‘connected’ again.  I hope!!