Thursday, August 25, Part 7, Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood, before we said, "So long."

Looking a different direction from the viewpoint above the main entrance at Timberline Lodge. I've used the HDR-ish effect in Picnik to get this look. I couldn't believe it when I clicked on it, how those trees got that blue glow behind them, the whole image fascinates me.


I still think this just might be Mt. Jefferson, south of Mt. Hood. I couldn't resist trying Orton-ish in Picnik on the closer shot that I took with my zoom lens. I like. Do you?


A plaque full of facts, attached to the gigantic chimney/fireplace inside the lodge.


It's easy to get the drift when you read this sign and look at the slope of those various roofs--sorry, couldn't resist the pun! This door opens out onto the patio at the back of the hotel.

Naturally I took photo after photo of Mt. Hood from the patio. Such fun!


A cloud came to call.


And came to stay.


And then go away, afterall.


Inside the lodge, I came across a tempting table--the last of a finger-food buffet? I didn't touch one single thing.


Here's another view of the chimney/fireplace and the sign. It's in the center of the lodge, more than two stories tall. Amazing.


Look who I saw out on the patio! A sweet little miniature dachshund who actually was a good bit bigger than our Duncan.


Still a gorgeous little red dog.


Soon I walked back to the Zipcar and drove up to in front of the hotel to get my buddies, Milton and Kay.


When I walked to the SUV, I got to see and photograph this vehicle. Hmmm. Wonder why?


And I saw this KGW Channel 8 remote van. I knew it was in place for the start of the Hood to Coast, a relay race made up of teams, which was set to begin at 3:30 a.m., about 12 hours from when I took this photo. Here's some info about the race. It's limited to 1,250 teams of 12. They run from Mt. Hood to Portland to Seaside on the Pacific. It's 200 miles with 36 legs of different lengths, varying from 3.5 miles to 7.8 miles, and the terrain ranges from flat to steep hills. Each runner may total between 13.6 miles and 19.7 miles. Teams must complete the course within a 31-hour limit. It begins on the Friday morning of the weekend before Labor Day weekend, between 3:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., staggered with about 20 teams every 15 minutes. The slower teams start earlier than the faster teams, based on self-reported 10K times for each team member. It officially ends at 9 p.m. Saturday. My goodness!


Look! It's an Official Vehicle for Hood to Coast!

We got home in time for me to drop off Milton and Kay and then get back into the SUV to head for the airport. My superb brother Howard and his superb wife Vanessa were due to land about an hour later. Their plane was on time, their luggage was on the plane, and I got them to their hotel safe and sound--the Monaco in downtown Portland. Howard was more hungry than tired, so we made a date to dine in the hotel's bar. I drove home, picked up Milton and Kay, and we enjoyed eating and talking in the Red Star Cafe. Then everyone went home (or to the room) to rest up for Friday's fun!

Thursday, August 25, Part 6, Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood, as we visited them

We parked in the nearby large parking lot, down the slope from the hotel entrance. The lot in front of it had a sign which led me to believe we shouldn't park there, something about guests--I can't remember the exact wording.


Milton and Kay took the path to the hotel, while I walked along on the pavement.


Onward and upward. What a couple!


The reason there's an historic mountain retreat and ski lodge at 6,000 feet. The reason I drove a vehicle by myself up here, for the first time ever, all curved and upward. And can you believe that blue sky? Hooray for blue sky and sunshine!


Part of the front of Timberline Lodge. I couldn't get a good photo of the entire front view, too many cars.


The main entrance.


Seen from the viewpoint above the main entrance. I don't know which direction I'm looking, nor do I know which mountain this one is. My best guess is Mt. Jefferson. Anyone? Anyone?

Come back tomorrow for more from on high.

Thursday, August 25, Part 5, the fun continues with a few views and a picnic in Parkdale, Oregon

Finally we tore ourselves away from the Columbia River Gorge and headed south on Highway 35 towards Parkdale and the site of our picnic lunch.


Pulled over to take a photo of this barn, on our way for a quick visit to Rasmussen Farms.


Mt. Adams, in Washington, to the north.


Rasmussen Farms. Mama and Marsha and I visited here a couple years ago, during the Hood River Fruit Loop Tour. That time, and this time, we shopped in their store for local fruit jams and jellies. Yummy.


One of my favorite sights at Rasmussen Farms.


Mt. Hood from the highway to Parkdale, Oregon.


We've just settled in for our picnic. How nice to have shade and a clean table. We're on the grounds of a park-like area, the site of the Ries-Thompson House, which had been built in 19100.


And a nearby grove of beautiful trees--we walked over there when we had finished eating and putting everything away.


Mt. Hood--that's one beautiful mountain!


A stunning wire sculpture, "Winning Team, Amber and Clyde," by Bernie Jestrabek-Hart.

After I took this photo, we walked back to the SUV, got in and went on our way. Next stop? Timberline Lodge, at 6000 feet, up on Mt. Hood!

Thursday, August 25, Part 4 of this day's fun, the last of our stop at Hood River, Oregon, to watch folks on the Columbia River

There she goes. Sort of makes it look effortless, doesn't it?


One final shot of what must be a lot of fun to these brave, coordinated lovers of the wind in the Columbia River Gorge.

Thursday, August 25, Part 3 of this day's fun, watching this woman and her dog!

I hope you have as much fun looking at these photos as I did watching the two of them playing in the Columbia River!

First, here's a photo, out of sequence, so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about here. The dog had been in the river well before the activity caught my eye. I don't know if the woman had thrown a stick out over the river or not, but it's obvious from this shot that the dog wants that stick!













This is the next photo in sequence after the one at the top of today's post.










Someone sees just where the stick landed!


And it's not the woman!



I am so glad that I got the dog looking back to see what the woman is doing. I believe that's because the instant the dog gets on dry land, it'll be ready to do it all over again. If you've ever played with a dog, you know I speak the truth!