I’ve been recovering from my running injury that I got this past June and I got out for two easy miles this morning in the lovely fog. It is feeling like Fall even though we are close to 80 degrees on some days. Updated my Now page as well.
A ground web showing itself.
The Japanese maple tree in our backyard is turning a bit.
Across the field.
Jonah and I went to four baseball games in two days last week . . .it was A LOT of baseball, a lot of driving, BUT we did have a great time. The itinerary was leave Eugene at 5:00 am and drive to Tacoma, Washington to see a day game involving the AAA level Tacoma Rainiers. The Rainiers are affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. Then when that day game concluded, we drove to Seattle, about 30 miles away, to catch a Mariners game. My brother joined us which was fantastic. We then ferried across the water and stayed with family on Bainbridge Island for a quick night of sleep (like 5 to 6 hours total) and then got up and did the exact reverse the next day. Seattle Mariners in the day and the Tacoma Rainiers in the evening. Baseball is a lovely game!
The light standards are what makes this place stand out. Rainier beer was a local beer made in a brewery in Seattle when I was growing up, too.
I broke out a new scorebook as the one I was using for the past 20+ years was finally full. The local Kinkos made copies from that one and then spiral bound it for me. I have been scorekeeping at games since I learned how to do it in the early 90s and still quite enjoy the story as it unfolds on the page.
In Seattle getting ready for the game!
The statue of Ichiro Suzuki, former Seattle Mariner that is outside of the ballpark.
Yes, you can find yourself in photos from a ballgame. Here we are in the middle of the image, with mouths agape as one of the Mariners hit a long home run that went right over our heads (we were sitting in center field). Jonah and my brother look stunned while I hold my pencil and scorebook watching the flight of the ball.
The morning after the first two games we took the ferry from Bainbridge Island back to the city. This is looking west at the Olympic Mountains, with the mountain shaped like the letter “M” known as The Brothers. A fun time was had by all!
It is back and it is always good.
My rain boot from my bike commute yesterday. I bike to work each day with the exception of three instances: when there is ice, snow or wildfire smoke. Fortunately there was not yesterday and the ride was beautiful. Rain here does not dump most of the time, which makes it all manageable. In addition, this rain is actually very early for us as it typically does not begin until mid to late September. We need it though as it stopped raining in June this year and even though we are known for having a lot of rain, during the summer months the Pacific Northwest is one of the dryest areas of the country.
*this is from the title of Tim Egans excellent book, The Good Rain.
This past weekend Nora’s guinea pig (one of two) died. Pinecone was a special character and also was a “pandemic” pet, picked up when Nora was 10 (she is now 16). These things are never really simple it seems and this one stings and stirs up the memories of these past six years, mostly good and some tough ones, as well. Pinecone leaves behind his brother, Acorn, but is resting nicely in a small grave in the backyard with a hand-painted marker that Nora created. She and I dug and dug through the clay, went to Michaels for some waterproof Mod-Podge to protect the marker and had a small moment with some tears and memories. Sigh. Life. Sigh.
Pinecone (the brown one) enjoying a halloween treat of hay with his brother, Acorn.
Nora providing him some comfort . . . .
The grave marker.
Another summer, another backpacking trip to Pamelia Lake with Nora. We discussed the fact that this was our 6th year of doing this, the first being 2019, with 2020 being a year away from going here. It’s the place my father worked as a fire-watch during the summers of 1947 and 1948 as well, before it became part of the Jefferson Wilderness Area. We had a lovely trip again with hints of fall arriving at night as we were camped at 4000 feet above sea level. The hike up to the top was tough as always, but worth it. Photos below:
At the entrance to the wilderness area.
Pameilia Lake was really but a pond this year as the water levels over the winter have been so low.
Normally this is all part of the lake. Instead we walked across the lake bed, a first for us since we have been coming here.
We get our water at a place called, “Trapper Spring,” a spot where spring water comes out of the ground.
Perspective: Nora’s face next to the plant known as “Devil’s Club.”
Our usual photo of us from the top of Grizzly Peak with snow-less Mt. Jefferson in the background.
On our way out. Afterwards we head to the small town of Sisters, Oregon for a breakfast at the Cottonwood Restaurant: French toast and eggs and grits. Then we make our way back home. Until next year!