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Posts tagged ‘travel’

My Octopus Teacher

I watch the movie the other night on Netflix and fell in love with the beautiful octopus on screen. When we can travel again, I want to visit the kelp forest in South Africa and meet my own octopus teacher

Adventures in Franconia Notch

Franconia Notch in my humble opinion is the jewel of New Hampshire…but give me a week and I’ll find other jewels, enough to string into a necklace, of other remarkably beautiful places in this state.20140621-092602-33962778.jpg The first images are of from the the tram that takes one up to Cannon Mtn. There were teases that we might see bear on the trails below us, but this was not the case. In fact, in the three weeks we have been here, I have yet to see a bear or a moose. I wouldn’t be so anxious about it, except there are signs for moose everywhere warning us that they are ever present and ready to launch themselves from the woods and onto our car…not one moose sighting yet. I digress.20140621-092604-33964071.jpg 20140621-092603-33963747.jpg The views were spectacular, visibility up to 100 miles. We could see Canada, Maine, Vermont, and New York. We paid for that visibility with wind and chilly air. It was so cold and I had come so unprepared that I had to buy a fleece lined jacket from the gift store, seriously. It was a bargain though and kept me warm all day.20140621-092603-33963102.jpg 20140621-092603-33963417.jpg Here’s a sighting of the another tram making it’s way down. The trams move in coordination with each other, when one slows down, they both slow down. The season just opened for parks in Franconia Notch so there weren’t a lot of people on the tram the morning we went up. It was nice, I could move around and see from all sides with ease.20140621-092650-34010640.jpg As we reached the top, the tram got a little bumpy; we were warned, but it was still a bit of a surprise. A the top, there were trails and a cafe, bathrooms, and seating. Chris and I made it to the observation tower, but it was so windy it was unpleasant enough to cause us leave as soon we got there. One of the tram operators told us that the wind keeps the bugs off of you; this was true and I was appreciating that. 20140621-092651-34011057.jpgIn the same turn off as the tram was the Old Man of the Mountain Memorial sight. The “OMOTM” was New Hampshire’s most iconic symbol, until it fell off the side of the cliff. The image above shows what remains. After it fell apart, New Hampshirites had a contest to build a memorial. An artist won, she created a sculpture that allows one to stand in specific places according to one’s height, and have the image of the OMOTM reappear. It’s very cool. 20140621-092651-34011484.jpgThe lake below the OMOTM is worth the trip as well. It’s absolutely stunning and the NH Tourism Board planted a fly fisherman while we were there who was just as cool to watch.20140621-092716-34036327.jpgWe headed next to the Flume Gorge. This park was amazing and I would and will come back here over and over again. The pictures included don’t seem to be any order, I apologize for that; I’m having media difficulties. But regardless, the place was spectacular. The pictures really do no justice and it was probably a good thing that my camera battery died and I just had to walk and enjoy the sights without the pressure of having to document everything.20140621-092717-34037096.jpg 20140621-092715-34035700.jpgThere weren’t many people on the trail the day we went, but the path gets narrow and it’s a “one person at a time path” in places which can make the trail seem crowded even when there are few actually on it. It was nice that we able to get pictures without lots of extra people in the background. On a busier day, it would be impossible.20140621-092714-34034698.jpg 20140621-092817-34097542.jpgWe found this little guy on the trail; he was completely unaware of the foot traffic.20140621-092819-34099276.jpgOnce you get passed the flume part of the trail you have the option of heading back to visitor’s center or going on an extended loop. we opted for the extended loop, which was just as spectacular, but different. It was really one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. 20140621-092817-34097857.jpg 20140621-092819-34099693.jpgThere were more falls and pools of water, amazing boulders and geology. It was just lovely.20140621-092818-34098928.jpg 20140621-092818-34098543.jpgDefinitely a spot I will take visitors. The season run from May to October so visitors will have to come in the warmer months!

A little bit of all over the place

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20140617-222605-80765781.jpgChris and I have been making day trips the last couple of days. First a drive around the NH border of Maine–Bethel,Center Lovell, Fryeburg, then thru North Conway where we watched the US v Ghana soccer game. Today we drove north, skirting the Vermont border and ultimately hitting the Canadian border and back down. Both days were filled with beauty. It seems I think I’ve found the most beautiful spot on earth only to discover yet another beautiful place the next day.

Today in Lancaster I spoke with a shop keeper and we agreed that people can handle the New Hampshire winters because the summers are such a reward.

I’m feel so fortunate to be living here. My soul is at peace in the natural world and I have hit the jackpot.

The Long Drive Day Two

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We made it into Idaho today. We are officially no longer Oregonians, we’re future New Hamshirites!

We started off slowly, having had breakfast with our friends at their magical home. Luka is confused a bit. She is remarkably calm in the car; but when we get out and one of us leaves to enter a restroom or go get food, she goes into worried herder mode. A few times today, Chris was actually close and in sight and she still was determined to keep us together. She is going to wear herself out with worry.

Tomorrow we head to Fort Collins to see my daughter, yay!!!

The Long Drive Day One

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We left Portland this morning.

Luka settled into the backseat and knew immediately that something was up.; her bed was in the backseat; the car was full.. she was quiet.

We headed down to Eugene first so we could say good bye to Christopher and have one last meal with him. We had lunch with the lovely Cami and Rob and their kids Kate and Nick.

Onward to Bend. The drive there was so beautiful … the pictures really do no justice. we’re staying with our dear friends Leslie and Tyler, and their pup Milo. Their new home is quite magical. pictures of it tomorrow. They are both incredibly creative and hard working .. their home is a absolute reflection.

it’s late in the night.. I can’t sleep but must try

Blue Hill, Maine

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It’s hard to see, but if you look close, there’s a cemetery, a very small one, under the tree on the right. Just a handful of headstones, a few bodies laid to rest, their sold granted this everlasting view.
Its been raining all day. The weather here is exactly what it is back in Portland, 2000 miles away. It’s spring, I wasn’t expecting any different.
We’re in Bar Harbor now. I got a room with an sea view..more pictures later.

Camden

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I’m sitting in the Camden Public Library with my husband. It’s really the loveliest library I’ve ever been in. A large window overlooks the perfect New England harbor. There’s a stately fireplace on the other end; art, comfy chairs, chandeliers…I could go on.

It’s the first time my husband and I have stopped since we landed in Boston five days ago. We’ve criss-crossed the Vermont New Hampshire border too many times to count; we’ve been in the car so long the car looks likes like we’re actually living in it.

This stillness is deserved. It is relished.

on the northbound train

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on the northbound train
I met an Orthodox monk named Norman
who told me things he questioned telling me
which is how I find myself often
on the receiving end of otherwise untold stories

before I boarded, before I even got to the train station
I asked God for an intervention
He always comes through
He is the Good Shepherd
the Loving Father
never underestimate His love
I was once told

every day I am transfigured
small piece by small piece
cell by cell
most days I cannot feel it
which is ironic because I’m too sensitive
if I am any thing at all

A list of things I have done this year…for when I think I’ve I’ve done nothing..

Modigliani...Gypsy Woman with Baby..at the National Gallery, Washington DC

in no particular order…

1. got married 🙂
in our church and had a lovely reception at the Podkrepa
2. graduated college
3. went to Washington DC
4. went wine tasting in a school bus
5. visited Crater Lake
6. had a painting get accepted into a show
7. went to the coast for Valentine’s
8. took many many, walks with my beloved around the city; some of them very long walks..
9. went on the tram by OHSU
10. threw a great dinner party in our living room
11. watched fire works from the City Grill
12. went to San Francisco and visited family
13. saw those cool jelly fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
14. taught yoga
15. learned how to screen print
16. went to Livingroom Theater many times and saw many movies
17. saw the Christmas lights at Peacock Lane
18. spun wool
19. knitted a shrug
20. went to the lovely 50th Anniversary party of Bob and Sylvia and danced with my husband
21. Autumn Supper at the Andersons
22. had mimosas at brunch at Jake’s
23. in fact..I’ve enjoyed many of Portland’s eateries..
24. run with Luka
25. stargazed
26. I’ve painted
27. and made books
28. made lovely dinners for my husband
29. went to a U of O football game
30. watched my step son play high school football
31. went to many art shows
32. celebrated Emily’s birthday in her backyard
33. rode my bike to work
34. helped decorate my church for Christmas and hung out afterwards
35. hosted an adult Formation mtg at my house
36. ate soup with good people at Tamara’s house
37. planted kiwi
38. had my house painted
39 …and my oil tank decommissioned
40. cleaned out my closets
41. made mulled wine
42. read a book, finally!! in fact I read several
43. recovered cpb’s iPhone from a homeless man
44. hosted Thanksgiving dinner
45. played bocce at the Trunz’s
46. and enjoyed fondue at their house too
47. went to two parties at Roxanne’s and Johnny’s
48. played trivia..and even won a few times
49. took many baths
50. went to a BBQ at Mike B’s
51. grew vegetables in my garden..and ate them
52. ate homemade icecream..cpb made it
53. rode on the scooter with cpb all over town
54. ordered pizza at a tiny airport on the Oregon coast
55. spent time with my grown children
56. bought a camera took many photographs
………57. published my 400th post on wordpress

Steel Tree

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From the garden in front of the National Archives…the inspiration for my next painting