Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge

02.24.06
JT, JLB, and I head out on a phenology mission. JT and I studied botany in college and the last time I came to the Gorge with her, her daughter was just 19 months old, saying, "Touch. Touch mama” from the baby backpack. Today JLB runs along the trail on her own "thenology" mission. She's clearly out to study something, even if we are not sure what the -ology is. On that earlier trip I had predicted that JLB would be speaking botanical Latin by the age of 5. At breakfast this morning she proves me right and speaks our mission quite clearly: "Sisyrinchium" (Sysrinchium douglasii var. douglasii)

There in the moist moss we spot a few fuchsia colored heads. Most specimens are in the vegetative state. Long thing leaves clearly of the monocot world. I count 6 petals and not 3 bold yellow stamens that confirm the iris family. JLB tip toes on rocks and finds a few "fat leaves" that her mom tells her are flower buds.

After feeling fuzzy pussy willows and Verbascum thapsis JLB conducts an unprompted experiment. "I'm exploring nature," she says with hands in her overall pockets. "I'm exploring which rocks make a big splash and which rocks make a small splash." I can't stop taking photographs. When we leave the creek bed, we head up the trail to gain the ridge, the Columbia River behind us, rolling on. After seeing tracks in the mud, we practiced walking quietly through the woods so that we might see this animal. I asked JLB about the habitat and colors and characteristics of this creature. Like a 4 year old, she gestured as she told of the fuzzy animal that moved carefully all around this place. But like a careful scientist moments later she exclaimed, "Wait! I have an idea! We can look at its poop. Then we can see what it eats, or if it's fresh, where it has been."

Just before turning away from the creek back to the car I hear, "Wait! Close your eyes. Listen. Take a deep breath." Our young nature lover reminds me to soak it all in.

Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon

JT leads me to her favorite urban hike. Into this fabulous city park we climb the gravely path, that gives way to moss and pine needled dirt. From the top, a broad view of the Rose City and a forested feel. The sound of smiles and wind whistling through tall douglas firs. We've got time before picking JLB up from preschool so we run stairs along the resevoir. A great workout!

Eastside sunshine and snow

On Saturday I drove to Leavenworth. The views were stunning and reminded me how lucky I am to live in the great PNW. Stunning I tell you. The weather has been particularly cold. I was bundled in my down jacket driving over the pass and pondering the ponderosa's on the way down the other side. I arrived at Sleeping Lady Lodge Saturday late morning. After checking in I walked the snowshoe track along the Icicle River Trail. Hard snow made no need for snowshoes. Then I joined friends and the wedding love birds to the Icicle Creek Winery. By fireside and sunset we sipped a fine collection of wines and toured the cellar.

Sunday, Thisbe and I rented x-country skis and got into the groove of the track on the Icicle River Trail. Being down hill skiiers, we both zoomed along the track hoping to go fast. That's a challenge when the trail is dead flat. Skate skiers zoomed along so Thisbe tried to skate along the groomed area. Woah! Clearly, our x-c classic skis are not meant for skating as they have no metal edge. We admired the sunshine, the pinecones, and the state fish hatchery that resembled a "large shuffleboard court". After a tour around the 8 km course, Thisbe noted that to do it again would leave her in no shape for a wedding; plus we found it a bit boring.


So we hit the hot tub and then headed into town to see KB get beautified. A lovely weekend with lots of snow, stars, and sunshine. Oh, and love. Best wishes KB and GUS.

Sunrise Sunset

I ride through this morning's chilly temperatures, avoiding a pocket of black ice, and cross the Montlake Bridge to see the early glow of sunrise reflect in the waters of the cut. In an oranging sky, the caucophany of crows circle above me. As I gain the hill on 29th, the Olympics shine their snow in the first light of day. Rainier looms South through the second story bathroom window where I change out of bike clothes into cold jeans. All day students explore the laws of physics. After department meetings our principal leads a small crew of teachers to the roof. We can see for miles and miles and miles. Clear Cascades. I drink the sun. I can taste the snow. A patch on Mt. Si looks like the state of Louisiana. The light is shifting lower in the West when I change back into my bike clothes. I push off down 29th to the mirror of morning. An orange glow of the Olympics. By the time I reach the bridge the Cascades have cooled down. Stars twinkle above the driveway.

It is that time of the year when I catch the sun and silhouettes on both mountain ranges. The views are simply stunning and I see it without a windsheild.

Valentines Day treats

Skiing in the sun on Sunday, biking in the snow this Valentines morning. Diamonds really are a girl's best friend. They fell lovely on my black bike tights this fine morning. If that ain't love, I don't know what is. To top it all off, the waning moon shines clear and bright tonight. What a day!

Super Bowl Sunny Day

Every skier knows the lift lines are shorter on SuperBowl Sunday. When the Seahawks play, the Cascades are nearly empty, as the crowds left to head home for the big game. There were also a bevy of telemark skiers celebrating Telefest at Stevens Pass. On the way up to the mountain, I caught a glimpse of Rainier between two cloud layers. I never would have thought that was the harbinger of the weather to come. By 11 am, there was nothing but sunshine. Aggressive turns on the backside in velvet snow and super sunshine. From the top of Tye we looked out on the basins beyond saying, "That one looks like a super bowl. And there, another super bowl. Oh! another super bowl. Someday, I'd like to ski in that super bowl!"

So, while others sat around and watched some sort of sport today, I played in the super bowls and participated in another form of competition. The annual Glenn Wilcott memorial race was held in conjunction this year with Telefest. Despite a late start time and the more than casual organization (disorganization) I finished in third place in the women's novice division. At the bottom of the race, I looked back on the course and thought, "Damn, I could have skied faster." Well, there's next year!

Closing the evening with a sun kissed face, a warm shower, worked quads, and the memories of another damn fine day.