K's visit: Silver Falls and the coast

The next set of photos is from a couple of the little trips I took with K while she visited. I didn't know at first if she was interested in going to Silver Falls since she didn't mention it after reviewing her sister's video. But when I brought it up as an option, she seemed all for it.

Some blossoms growing on the sides of the cliffs near South Falls. I'm sure they love the constant mist.

I've taken almost every guest to Silver Falls (specifically South Falls, but sometimes a couple of others) because it's pretty close, cheap and usually something unique for out-of-staters. At least, I don't think I had ever gotten to hike behind a waterfall prior to moving here. It appeals to all ages so I really like it. But now I've gone so many times that I don't take as many pictures anymore. And I didn't really get any good ones of K in front of the falls, though I instagrammed one, I believe.

We enjoyed taking lots of pictures of the water droplets that had collected on the cliffside. It was misty enough this time of year that there were lots of little photo ops and I could've stuck around taking pictures there even longer. (The photo on the right is one from home, actually, but I happened to tack it on with the droplet one.)

A couple of days later we went to the coast. First we hit Tillamook Cheese Factory, since I had never been. I guess I don't have anymore photos of that since I included some in the video and on Instagram. (I sound like a broken record.) Then we stopped at two beaches, one in Pacific City.

It was sooooo windy on this beach. The noise and pressure were starting to give me an ear ache. The blowing sand stung our legs. But K loved it and didn't want to leave.

She was really into looking for sand dollars and was thrilled when she found this one that was mostly intact.

Leading out to the beach was this grassy area that was neat for photography. My camera must've gotten some sand or mist because it took a few hazier photos which actually looked kind of cool.

Then we headed to Lincoln City, and after lunch at Mo's we wandered around the little bay by the restaurant. This was more ideal--much less wind and a lot more creature sightings.

Like this little jellyfish! He was just a little larger than a golf ball. In the video (that again!) I have a photo of her holding a dead one, so you can get an idea of the size.

There were lots of sea lions swimming around and laying out on the shore in the distance, but it was hard to get a good photo.

The most interesting part of our time there, in my opinion, was watching the crab fishing! There were several people fishing along the shore and they were all very nice and I learned a bit about it.

Basically they have a special basket that they bait with either a dead fish or someone had a hot dog (I think?). It's attached to a rope hooked to the shore, so then they just toss it out into the water for about 5 minutes and then drag it back in to see if they caught anything.

The rules are that the crab has to be male and at least 5.75 inches at the widest part of their top shell in order to keep it. These rookies (their words) from Colorado were trying to measure their crab when he latched onto the measuring stick and he wouldn't let go! They finally had to knock him off somehow so they could set him free.

Once free from the trap, the crabs generally scurry back into the water. None of the ones I saw caught met the minimum size requirement.

It was a great day and I wish we could've had more time at the beach, but I was pretty tired from all the driving, wind and sun. I always feel bad about the fact that I don't go to the coast more often when it's relatively close, but it is over an hour and the road is kind of windy, so it's not quite as easy/convenient as it seems. Still, I need to get out there more often than I do. I just need to grab friends to do it, because it's not as fun all alone!

First third

Can you believe we're about to be one third of the way through 2014? There are lots of little things that have been going on since the first of the year that I've neglected to blog. So to catch you up, here's a summary of various events with some pictures that never made their way here. Many were not taken or sized with blogging in mind, and so this post won't look as neat and even as some do. I'm sure you were concerned! I just know that if I try to make everything look perfect (ha), I'll never get caught up.

(Above is a little collage I made awhile back but never posted here for whatever reason.)

In January I got a new cell phone! I went from the Motorola Atrix to the Moto X. I've had pretty good luck with Motorola over the years, so I decided to stick with them. I love my new phone--the screen is larger, it works faster, and the camera is so much better. I've been much more active on Instagram now that I can take un-fuzzy pictures and use filters without it crashing. (If you have Intagram and want to follow me there, I am Greengatephoto.)

In February I decided to send out Valentines to many of my friends. It was a big project, but I was really happy with it and the process of putting all of them together gave me a lot of unexpected joy instead of being tedious. Also, I looooved the look of the black envelopes. Enough that I had to take pictures. :)

BEFORE: In late February and early March, I made some changes to my living and dining areas now that I have a more neutral couch to work with. This is how my livingroom looked in 2010.

AFTER: And here it is now.

Do you like my pillows?

BEFORE: This picture shows a bit of my dining room.

AFTER: Here it is now. Just a few adjustments here--added curtains and pictures on the wall.

In mid-March, my friend Shannon visited from New Zealand. He was in the US for work, and made a stop here since we hadn't hung out since 2006 in Tahoe. And to clarify, because I've been asked several times now: he's just a friend.

It wasn't the very peak of cherry blossom wondrousness at the capitol, but close.

We went inside the capitol, and I hadn't ever been! This is looking up into the dome.

We also went to Silver Falls.

NOT PICTURED: At the end of his visit, we met up with my friend Dan in Portland to see the Veronica Mars movie on its opening night! It was really fun--I loved that show, and was super excited when they were able to go forward with a movie (funded on Kickstarter).

I've been getting a little more into crafts lately, and my friend Mariel (aka Crafty Crafterson) has lots of fun supplies. She has come over a couple of times to make stuff with me, and on this particular visit I made several things with scrapbook paper. A cell phone "cover" (just an insert that goes in my existing clear case), paper lanterns (with battery candles)...

...and some greeting cards. Also, not pictured, I got to use her new embosser.

I've been to Deepwood a time or two since spring began.

I had a spring get-together with some friends in mid-April.

I made this orange buttermilk cake, but it came out a bit dry.


We drank Shirley Temples and had nachos for dinner.

We played a couple of games of Bingo on these print-out cards I found online.

And I had the girls make marble magnets. They are concentrating.

On April 14, my dad notified me that there was going to be a lunar eclipse that night, so I decided to stay up and take pictures. Well, it ended up being cloudy off and on and so I never saw the final red moon, but here are a few of the photos I took leading up to that.

The best part of the night was that I met a neighbor (and her friend) when she saw me out with my tripod. It was so nice to have company instead of being alone outside at midnight. Thanks again, Sandra, if you see this!

Then, as you know, I went to California to visit my parents for Easter. More photos from that to come.

And finally: geese babies! Last night, Mariel and her husband Jon came over for crafts and games, and one of the highlights was seeing 8 goslings swimming across the lake and walking around below my deck. They were there again this morning, so it looks like I may get to watch another set of goslings grow up like last year! We'll see how many survive.

Today the weather has been going back and forth from sunny to steady rain and wind. I have been relaxing and working on photos, and now I can't believe it's already after 4! I'm sad the weekend is almost over, but at least it was a good one with a nice balance of friends and some down time. Have a great week!

Silver Falls

During my parents' visit we went to Silver Falls State Park. I like taking visitors there because it's nearby (about 30-40 minutes from Salem) and has beautiful sights year round. There are clean bathrooms, safe trails, a nice visitor's center, and a few different hiking options depending on your time frame and energy level. It's the perfect blend of civilization and nature. And that's my plug for Silver Falls!


The most popular waterfall there is called South Falls (boring name). I had to take a photo of my mom photographing it because she so rarely takes pictures. :) This is an odd sight. She's good with her iPhone, though--nice composition, Mom!


The coolest feature of South Falls is the trail that goes behind it.


I didn't take a ton of waterfall photos since I have so many on my computer already (some are here). This time I think I enjoyed the natural setting more.



I don't think I've ever gone up here to the stream that leads into South Falls. There are some really pretty scenes, and the water is surprisingly calm and shallow up there.


The fall color was looking nice up there. I kind of want to go back this season when it's at its peak.


You know me and path photos! We arrived early enough on a cloudy day that it wasn't very crowded, as you can see.


I thought this looked more like the house from Hansel and Gretel than a bathroom. It seemed to be locked, but isn't it quaint?


I think this is North Falls, but I'm not positive. There is a lookout for this view, and a trail that takes you a bit closer (we didn't go on it).


I think that little curving trail is very picturesque.


We took another trail that had some nice colors. My parents were very cooperative when I kept requesting their photo. I need more pictures of them, plus it gives some perspective.


One of many stalker photos.


Here's the waterfall we came to on this trail. What is this.. Twin Falls? I really can't remember.


My cute mom.



Have you been to Silver Falls?