family hike in a forest with shrines

on a cool dry february day we made a snack bag, filled some water bottles, loaded up in the mini-van, and headed toward Scappoose. Our destination? The Vedanta Society of Portland’s forest retreat that has hiking trails scattered with shrines open for the public to enjoy.

so many cool shrines, i’m just posting a couple here. pretty quick drive to see some great stuff tucked away in the woods. If you have younger ones, be warned, its hilly. The parking is also limited. Otherwise, the whole fam enjoyed doing some exploring, looking at the shrines, and looking at the different altars decorated with idols, offerings, and other talisman

happy travels.

it’s fall ( i.e. the best season )

Well yes, it’s the time of year when the temps come down and the trees change colors, rain comes back, although October has been so dry, and things smell nice, oh, and the pumpkin patch! I will not give praise to pumpkin spice. Sure it’s part of this wonderful time of year, but I’m not interested in pumpkin spice lattes or candles. I digress. There will be lots of leaves to rake and put in the compost bin. Plenty of rain drops to dodge. But also lovely light and amazing colors.

We hit the pumpkin patch this last Sunday. Headed up to Vancouver and did some corn maze, pumpkin catapult , hay ride, kettle corn eating, farm animal petting and feeding, and hay pyramid climbing. 

I have some photos to post now. And hope to post more soon. And then some more.  Cuz it’s Fall. 

fallen leaves at the Seattle Center

baseball leaves 

corn

corn maze 

Feeding the goats

barnyard friends

old timey tractor. 

tractor riding 

cape kiwanda

hi y'all. hope summer has been treating you well. it's been hot. the best way to beat the heat around here is to take a trip to the coast. we recently had the chance to hit up lincoln city and then stop at pacific city. cape kiwanda state park is one of my favorites. 

where do you like to go to beat the heat? 

that hill is a beast to climb.

january by the river.

January has been pretty nice, sure some rain and cooler temps, but all in all a mild month. Which, for me, is alright, it feels all PNW’ern. ( PNW’ie??? )​ 

I took advantage of a dry Saturday afternoon to do some recon along Marine drive. The Columbia is so nice and there are some great spots to do some photoshooting. Parks are sprinkled along or near the banks of this mighty river, offering views and sights. Birds, trees, water, big skies... lots of good nature.  

I’m looking forward to doing some more shooting along the river, especially as the weather improves. For now. Roll on Columbia, roll on. 

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the photos. And feel free to contact me to schedule a session. ​

⚡️​

looking toward Camas, Washington. 

pilings

from above.  

strand of trees by the river.  

trees in January.  

dry grass and a pond