The Wonders of Oregon - Waterways

Travel Oregon has a great destination program called "7 Wonders". I have visited some of these places, but there are other, equally stunning landmarks that don't make the list. Below are some examples from the Central and Southern Regions of Oregon. Did I mention I like water?

Rogue River Canyon

Rogue River Falls

Rogue River Flow

Rogue River Canyon I

Pearsoney Creek

Union Creek Falls

Prospect Falls

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Wonders of Oregon - Covered Bridges

We stopped at a few of Oregon's many covered bridges. These historic sites are sometimes tucked away in unexpected places, and it's always a delight to see one suddenly appear. Often they have been moved from their original locations, lovingly restored and maintained by local communities. Each one is unique and very special: a reminder of an era gone but not forgotten. 

Rock o' the Range Bridge, near Bend

Goodpasture Bridge, near Vida, over the McKenzie River

Cavitt Creek Bridge, near Glide, over the Little River

Rochester Bridge, near Sutherland, over Calapooya Creek

Calapooya Creek in the Rain, from Rochester Bridge

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Wonders of Oregon - Through The Glass On McKenzie Pass

The Oregon Saga continues, to the McKenzie Lava Fields. These are accessed by a narrow, winding road through the McKenzie Pass. The route is lined with trees, and the three images below were shot through the vehicle window as we whizzed by. The lava fields are surreal, a bowling alley for the Gods. The winds are so fierce I could barely stand still enough to press the shutter. 

Bend In The Road

Bloom

Roadside Attraction

McKenzie Lava Fields
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Wonders of Oregon - Smith Rock

Smith Rock is almost beyond description, so I will let the pictures do the talking. Rock climbers come from all over the world to scale its sheer, towering cliffs. The colors, the textures, the overwhelming majesty. Wow.

Crooked River

Fenced

Approach to Smith Rock

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Brave And Crazy

Today we lost our precious dog, Kylie. She was nearly 16 years old. We got her as a young adult, rescued from a puppy mill that was shut down. In her early life she mothered many beautiful babies, and her back was bent from carrying those litters. 

It took our girl a while, but she adapted, blossoming with true Australian Shepherd spirit. We were treated to her indomitable will, sharp wit, and ready grin. She never lost these gifts, and even as her body weakened, she amazed us with her strength, courage and resourcefulness. 

Eventually, the burdens became too great, and we had to let her go.

We miss you terribly, angel pup. You were one in millions. 

Hugs and kisses.

Travelin' Girl
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Kylie and Sage playing, 2013

A Walk In The Park

Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver is well worth a visit. It's my old stomping grounds - in the past I spent countless hours walking its trails and savoring the fresh perfumes of wood and water. It was wonderful to revisit the old pathways a few weeks back - the river was running high, and the foliage was lush and green. 

Foot Path

Full Flood

Summer Greens

Upstream

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Joy of Low Tech

Last weekend I visited Vancouver Island. I left my camera at home. This was deliberate - I didn't want to be weighed down with gear as well as luggage. Predictably, some of our destinations proved to be photographically irresistible, so I grabbed the tool at hand: my Samsung S3 Smartphone. Here are 2 shots from the Horticultural Center of the Pacific, and one from the spectacular Orveas Bay Resort, near Sooke. 

Japanese Garden, HCP

Fire In The Sky, HCP

Bench In Flowers, Orveas Bay
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Colony Farm

I recently had a late day outing to Colony Farm Regional Park in Port Coquitlam. I have lived here for decades, yet have never heard of it, much less visited. It was peaceful, green and bisected by the lazy Coquitlam River. We explored the Community Garden, which was bursting with summer's bounty and glowing in the evening light. Such a pretty place....

Echinacea

Tableau

Evening in the Grove

Sweet Peas

Under the Bridge
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Early Summer

I know, it's not really early Summer any more - we are well into it, and isn't it glorious? In early June I returned to Linda Steele's beautiful Morningside Creek property. The landscape had changed once again - with blossoms blooming at every turn. I usually take a tripod, but seldom end up using it. This time was no exception.

Breeze

Woodland Flowers

Poppies
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Bramhall

One of our childhood homes was in Bramhall, Cheshire. It was great fun to return to our former house on King's Close - its current owners were kind enough to invite us to lunch. They also took us to Bramhall Park, a tranquil green space with meandering streams and picturesque ponds, forests and trails. The Park is home to Bramhall Hall, a stately 14th century Tudor manor house. It now serves as a museum, but was closed for renovations during our visit. Maybe next time.....

Ladybrook

Gate House

Pond

Bramhall Falls

Rope Swing I

Bramhall Hall
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Stockport

More from the trip to the UK - our stop in Stockport included a visit to the Market, a favorite childhood destination. It's a fascinating place, offering up an eclectic mix of merchandise from buttons to cakes to underwear to wonderful English cardis. Overlooking the Market is  magnificent St. Mary's Church, a Gothic masterpiece that opened in 1817. I was lucky enough to see a bell ringer in action - amazing!

St. Mary's Window

Marketplace

Station Approach

Road to the Market

Call to Worship
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Mysterious Forest

Meanwhile, back at Linda's lovely property in Surrey, Winter is in full force. While we don't have snow, the trees are bare and inscrutable, and the ground is littered with storm tossed leaves and branches. Bear Creek, the dreamy, meandering stream of summer, has become a turbulent torrent. Take a look. 

Branches

River in the Rain

Echoes of Fall

Rockin' Chair

Wild Waters

The Hollow
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf