In Memory of...

On this Memorial Day...I want to first express my thoughts of all the people who fought in the past and the brave souls who continue to fight so we as Americans can be free. To think free and act free on those thoughts. I sit here and remember my grandfather Julius always talking about the war and how he described his willingness to help with the cause. Keith's grandfather Joe who so courageously flew a P38 and helped successfully win WWII. I will always give my gratitude to those who volunteered and those who will continue to volunteer their lives for our freedom.

Today, I didn't go to a BBQ or do anything traditional that I've done in the past. I took this day to soak in the very forest I work in. This may sound dorky but in the last 5 years I've never gone out and enjoyed the Elliott State Forest like others do who don't work there. I'm usually on my way to a harvest unit thinking of my strategy to do the best job I can that day. Don't get me wrong I do stop to smell the roses when I'm at work but today was different. Normally, I look out my window in the work truck and gaze at the beauty as I pass by but I haven't stopped to really enjoy this place on my own time. So this is what I set out today to do. The most beautiful place in this vast forest (to me) is along the West Fork Millicoma River in the heart of the Elliott. So this was my plan; take the dogs, the camera and stop to enjoy the forest on my own time. We stopped along the river a few times, took a hike on an elk trail and the dogs went swimming. In a sense I wanted a memory of my own, in this forest. I may not work here forever so I wanted to take this day to remember the best part of this forest, the river.....

Happy Memorial Day!

My Trip to Multnomah Falls and Columbia Gorge

This last March, I got to visit Multnomah Falls for the second time in my life. A very spectacular area just adjacent to the Columbia River on the Oregon side. My friend Delos and I hiked the path from the bottom up to the top which was about 600 feet in one mile. I think about 3/4ths of the way up, I started to wonder if I'll ever make to the top. I stopped many times to take pictures. This is the tallest waterfall I believe I've ever seen in my life so far:)

Please enjoy the pics and if you think you might want a copy of one for yourself, just go to http://twodoggardens.com/multnomah_falls.html for your choice.

Here's just a few of my favorites, starting from the bottom and heading up.

This is pretty much the entire Multnomah Falls, this was taken from the parking lot. The only way to get the whole thing!

Base - This is the last part of falls before turning back into a creek and heading out to the Columbia River.

Lower Multnomah Falls, you can see towards the top the first of two falls. I focused on the second (lower) fall.

Among the Trees- Mid falls surrounded by trees.

Above the Falls- This is the creek that feeds Multnomah Falls.

Here's one of those rare pics of me:) Delos took it, thanks D!

Here's one right back at Delos. We needed photographic proof that we made it up to the top!

This is what it looks like looking down. Oh, vertigo!! The trees in the upper right corner are 100' tall trees.

All of these photographs are for sale in various forms. http://twodoggardens.com/index.html