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!!

Frozen Waterfalls

A long-time friend and I decided to take the scenic route into Portland on Friday for our ‘Girls Day Lunch Adventure’ and we were rewarded with a magical winter wonderland.

Our first stop was Horsetail Falls and it was spectacular.  The walkway was very icy but worth the risk of slipping to see the sparkly ice up close.

Icicles hung off all the cliffs and each of the big iconic waterfalls along the old highway majestically roared against icy canyon walls.

Our next stop was Multnomah Falls and it was stuffed with photographers.  We bundled up and walked up to the bridge but did not hike any of the trails beyond.

It was more of a fun girlfriend day out filled with laughter and memories along with a little awe, rather than a photographer’s holiday.  No tripod, no hiking boots, no rain gear just my camera and a semi-steady hand.

Our last stop was Latourell Falls and again we were mesmerized by sparkly white ice, the roar and majesty of these frozen waterfalls.

For scale, the red splash in the lower left corner in the photo above is another photographer who braved the icy trail.

We finished our drive through the Columbia River Gorge and had a lovely lunch in Troutdale, then decided we’ll have to make this outing a regular occurrence!

 

 

Early December Ice Storm on Burdoin

I can’t believe a month has gone by since my last post!

Where has time gone?

Where is my Rocking Chair – will sitting in one make time slow down?

I need more time.  More time to just breathe.

Life has been crazy busy and today I am forced into having that extra time to breathe.

And to catch up.

Because for the first time EVER I had to cancel my appearance at an art show.

Even if I COULD carry my heavy boxes of glass across the ice to my car…

…there’s no way my car will go UP my driveway.

If you were planning to shop for holiday gifts from me you can still see my work online.

You can click here for my Zibbet shop…..

…or you can click here for my Artfire shop.

If you want to see my work in person, go to Columbia Arts in Hood River…

…or Artisans Designs and Gallery in White Salmon.

Hood River Jewelers has a nice selection of my bowls….

J D Smith Jewelers in The Dalles has a selection of my jewelry….

…and don’t forget the Hood River Holiday Pop Up Gift Store at Gallery 301 in Hood River!

Back at ‘The Ranch”, there is half to one inch of ice covering everything.

That includes my car, trash barrel, mailbox, garden and driveway.

This morning I took my camera out to capture some of it.

In a way it was pretty … and I AM catching up … and even breathing today!

My bird sculptures are pretty in ice (made by Sherm Rouse).

At least I’ll be toasty ‘weather’ I get out or not!  Hope you enjoy our winter wonderland and don’t get ‘stuck’ anywhere.