Where Ever I Go, There I Am

The perspective from Powell Butte Nature Park makes me think I know right where I'm going. A mile later I remember how easy it is to get lost here; well, not lost really, but momentarily misplaced. Wandering and backtracking, I manage to walk in excess of 5 miles on a 3.2 mile trail. Back at the car, I'm not disappointed with the hike. I've got no place to go and plenty of time to get there.

Don't Forget.......

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The "Homestead"

I'll admit it is unusual these days to live in one place for a long time. One of the prerequisites for living in one place for a long time, however, is that you must have been alive for a long time.

While meeting that first requirement, I was still startled at the reaction of my (young) neighbor, who was incredulous to find out that I had lived in the same house for 25 years. Oh come on! We had electricity and indoor plumbing and everything back then...

Ma and Pa

Last month, this lovely lady was a frequent visitor to the suet feeder. I haven't seen her for awhile, but now, this fellow coyly creeps through the brush before deciding to check out the food.

My husband and I can't go to the grocery store together, either.

So, What Will You Do When You Are 80?

I hope we can all do this.

In Retrospect.........

As an Old Broad, I have a mind full of memories (a privilege I cherish until senility creeps in). Certain recollections cause me to wonder how I wandered off the trail.

That's me on the left, above, in a newspaper photo taken in the early 60's in Camp Lowami. I was a Blue Bird in the Camp Fire Girls. The Campfire Girls program (now the more PC Campfire USA) promotes camping and outdoor activities for youth. There. I had a chance to discover my love of the outdoors at a young age. What happened?

Today, I pondered that question when we took a walk in the Lowami Hart Woods, still a tiny island of nature in Beaverton, Oregon remaining from the days of Camp Lowami at this very location.

Perhaps, just as this nature oasis holds out against the neighborhoods pushing at its edges, a tiny seed of passion remained in my brain holding off the "life" that gnawed its edges.

I just wish it hadn't taken so long to sprout.

Astoria, Oregon Promenade and Old Houses

We walked the route described in 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range (Oregon 100 Hikes). From the Columbia River Maritime Museum (which I'll talk about later), we walked west along the waterfront promenade. After watching the activity there, we turned south into town to take a look at the grand old houses of Astoria (some of them built even before the Old Broad was born!). I was huffing to make it to the best houses, yes, uphill, between Grand and Franklin Streets. The Flavel House Museum (pictured above) at 8th and Duane Streets, sells a guide to the old beauties.

We found a nice concrete bench at the corner of 16th and Franklin to enjoy the view of the Columbia River, but then, it was a sunny day and how often does that happen in Astoria?