skipping rocks on the lewis river

punchbowl falls

Punchbowl Falls, Eagle Creek, Oregon

I've done the Eagle Creek hike before, in spring, when the water was higher. The water was so high that I couldn't get to the spot I needed to photograph this waterfall the way I wanted. Last week, I had a spontaneous invitation to hike this trail again, and I jumped at the chance, knowing the water level would be low enough for me to venture out in the creek bed.

It was almost perfect. I definitely got the composition I was hoping for, but I hope to go back one more time later this month when the leaves have changed color and the sun is a little bit lower. Stay tuned.

oregon coast

Fort Stevens State Park

My family recently took a trip to the Oregon Coast. I've visited this coast probably once a year for all my years, and I still manage to discover new areas and new beauty.

Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, Fort Stevens State Park

I had such a fun time photographing the Peter Iredale at sunset. The way the light passes through the bow of the ship is truly magical. I had a tough time getting the composition I wanted, though, because of all the competition. (See below. And I just noticed another photographer in the far left of the above photo!)

We made lots of fun memories with the kids, and managed to have some adult time, too. It was a fantastic vacation! I can't wait to go back.

Douglas spiraea, Devil's Lake State Park

Bog blueberry? Devil's Lake State Park

mt. adams from glenwood

Ah, rural living. We had to drive an hour for one of the little dude's baseball games.

At least it was a pretty drive.

random road pictures

I almost never take pictures from the car. I'm almost never satisfied with pictures of blurry scenery through dirty car windows, and if I do take some, I end up deleting them all. But Saturday we were in the car at just the right time on a December afternoon. Oh, how I love that December sun! I snapped away and actually kept two.

Last week I had an errand in Trout Lake, Washington. (If you know the area, you're thinking, What kind of errand could she have in tiny Trout Lake? It was school related.) The morning sun and the freshly dressed Mt. Adams made me thankful I brought my camera along.

I'm getting the urge to do another photography project. I haven't been giving my camera nearly enough love this year!

England

Hmm. . . I meant to post this last week after the Ireland pictures, but then Halloween happened and a last-minute craft project and then cupcakes needed to be decorated for a baby shower. (I'll show you those adorable cupcakes soon!) But today, Little Mister is home sick, so I have some time to catch up here, take down the Halloween decorations, and maybe get some other things crossed off my list. Or maybe Snuggle with the Feverish Buddy will rise to the top of my to-do list. We'll see.

Off to England!

Holyhead (Wales) train station

Beautiful Abbey Green in Bath, location of our favorite Bed & Breakfast on the trip: Three Abbey Green.

Roman Baths Museum

The Circus

The London Eye 

London's Natural History Museum

We had two non-sequential days in London, bookending a trip to Windsor for the castle and Legoland. On our last day in London, we had several hours to kill before our train back to Holyhead. One of our hosts recommended the Natural History Museum for the kids. Can you believe admission to this beautiful museum is free? We had a wonderful time.

Ireland

St. James Gate Guinness Brewery, Dublin

We absolutely loved our time in Ireland. We live in the Pacific NW, which is very green, but Ireland was even more green. I didn't think that was possible! If we could somehow bypass the twelve hour flying time, I would go back in a heartbeat.

Ashford Castle, County Mayo

 

A village near Connemara

Galway

Cliffs of Moher

Dingle

Blarney Castle

Somewhere along the west coast of Ireland, south of Dublin

Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, Wales