Oneontona Trail and Triple Falls

Yesterday, like last Thursday, we went to the gorge after class to find a new hiking adventure; one not as populated. We are now well equipped to do so because Jeremy obtained a handy dandy top-map and hiking/backpacking book for this area. So our route of choice was to follow Horsetail Trail, up to Pony Falls. We ended up on the Oneontona Traill, and hiked up to Triple Falls instead, because we went to the wrong trail head. We didn't mind though. Jeremy says this was his favorite hiking trail yet. Also, we still believe in maps... and our ability to read them.

The Reading of Signs

Jeremy had been doing a lot of research on popphoto.com, and other world wide web resources, learning the ropes of photography. He's still a little bummed that PSU only has a photography minor. But he's not letting it get the better of him. We're on the market for a new 20D, and meanwhile he's getting acomplished on his film camera (which takes good pictures: but nothing beats the convenience and speed of digital). One of these days I'll have some much higher quality pictures to post by the aspiring photographer. Meanwhile you get over-exposed and slightly pixelated pictures by yours truly.

Jeremy Takes a Shot in the Forest

A Tree that Fell in the Forest

So as you walk along this trail you can hear the sound of water. It gets louder and louder until you can see a deep chasm, (but still no water) and then after a really long time the trail breaks off and you can walk down to a little falls and see down the deep mossy-walled canyon the little creek created. Its hard to really see from these pictures. Apparently the mouth of this canyon is even cooler; another popular attraction we have yet to see.

The Canyon

After that detour we went back to the main trail and arrived at Triple Falls. Thats when we knew that yes, we were on the wrong trail for sure. So we took some pictures and headed back down because the sun was going down, and standing around water falls is a frigid pass-time.

Triple Falls

Up Stream

Smile.

I'm Cold...

So, what I said about the sun going down was true. When we got to the viewpoint just before the trial switchbacks down to the parking lot, the sun was setting and so we sat and took some pictures and watched it go. It was lovely, kind-of too cold for comfort.

Gorge Sunset, West I

Gorge Sunset,West II

Gorge, Looking East

Cold March Trees

A not-very-impressive water fall that crossed our path

And that my friends, was the extent of our hiking adventure this week. cheerio.

Multnomah Falls

It's been so nice and sunny here lately, we decided to go hiking yesterday after class. Living on the East-side does have some benefits. We live close to the mountain and the Gorge. Which means our outdoor adventures are a little more convenient to partake in. Our hike yesterday brought us to Multnomah Falls.

Upon visiting the visitor's center, we learned it (The falls, not the center) hosts the most visits from people than any other "site" in Oregon. I find that hard to believe, considering Crater Lake is also in Oregon. Never the less there were a lot of people there for a Thursday afternoon, and for obvious reasons. It was quite spectacular. It always feels funny doing tourist-y things in an area you live, but it's not fair that only tourists get to see the amazing things we live amongst.

The Bridge Halfway up

Jeremy wants to know ... "Who wants to look at THAT?!?"

Peeking over the edge...

View down from Halfway Up

A posing rock-dweller

The beginning of the 620 ft. Fall

View from the Top

Happy Hikers

Multnomah Falls also has a cute little lodge with a restaurant upstairs. The whole thing is off of the old highway (now replaced with a freeway, 84), and the railroad runs right by too. After we had our fill of Multnomah Falls we followed the old windy highway back towards Portland. There are numerous other water falls all along it---an amazing amount of water comes out of these hills--and so we stopped periodically and took little mini jaunts out to see them. The road eventually leads all the way to the top of the ridge; you can see really far in either direction down the Columbia Gorge.

The Lodge

All together it was a very pleasant Thursday afternoon excursion.

A Sleepy Hiker

A Post on Hawaii

It has recently come to my attention how fun it is to browse through other people's blogs, and to witness from afar the daily happenings of their lives-- especially when they live in Switzerland or Alaska or Virginia-- So even though Jeremy and I live in Oregon, I though I'd start one up too. That was last October. And then a lot of other things happened and I forgot to post about all of them. I suppose the most documented episode in that gap of time was our trip to Hawaii with Jeremy's family, over Christmas Break. So I'll post a few of those pictures.

(a nice 30 fit jump) Venus Pool, Maui Hawaii

Jeremy sunning at Venus Pool

The Family .... and some bamboo-climbing Wildlife

A 100 ft water fall (with a name I forgot) ... and a pool at the bottom

We did a lot more stuff, and took a lot more pictures, but it happened so long ago I'm not sure I could summon up the energy to give a commentary on it all. This will have to suffice for now.