Afternoon Tea at The Heathman, Portland, Oregon

I traveled by car to Delta Park and then via MAX light rail to Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. I walked a few blocks to The Heathman. I had afternoon tea in the historic tea court at a table where I could see the fire in the fireplace. Afternoon Tea at The Heathman is a long standing tradition in Portland, especially during the holiday season.

I chose Earl Grey tea with bergamot (do not like Earl Grey with lavender). I had four sandwiches, deviled egg, Heathman scone with mascarpone, banana bread, and five desserts. I especially liked the classic cucumber sandwich, the Heathman scone and the Banana Bread. I was taken back when I received the bill. The price had risen from $28.50 per person (listed on the menu card) to $32.00 per person!! I had a $10.00 coupon which I received at the Washington Square Macy's Tea/China Dishes Presentation a couple months ago.

After the tea I wandered around The Heathman lobby and mezzanine looking at the glass art and the artwork. I was especially impressed with the library on the mezzanine. The glass cases held books of authors that have stayed at The Heathman over the years.

"Neon Nights II"

I recently submitted (and was published) a geocache "Neon Nights II" which has been nominated for WSGA November Cache of the month. The geocache was based on "Neon Nights" by Acid Rain in Rapids City, South Dakota. There is another geocache that is similar: "Mystery of the Seaside Prom" (GCXTWN) but it uses Signs/Objects rather than Neon Signs.

Enjoyable day in the Columbia River Gorge Nov. 8, 2006

My daughter, Catherine, and I drove via I-84 and the old Columbia River Highway to the Womens Forum. I attended the WWFM (Event Cache) from 10:00 to 10:15am. The storm clouds parted and the sun shone upon us. Afterwards Catherine and I continued eastward in the gorge stopping for lunch by the fireplace at Multnomah Lodge, visited the trailhead at Eagle Creek and sat in a rocker and high-backed chair in front of the three-story window at Skamania Lodge. I sipped hot Spiced Cider and admired the view while Catherine read her novel. We drove back via Hwy 14 to Vancouver. A very enjoyable day!!

Afternoon Tea at Myrtle's Tea House, Ridgefield, Washington

I had afternoon tea at Myrtle’s Tea House at 112 S. Main Avenue in Ridgefield, Washington yesterday, October 29, 2008 about 11:30am. The Tea House, formerly the Ridgefield Library, had lovely décor. I had a corner table so I did not feel crowded as the customers came pouring in. I even had bit of a view out of the front window. I forgot to request that my pot of Earl Grey tea with bergamot be served with my first course, peach sorbet, rather than when I sat down so the tea was lukewarm by dessert time. I had dainty tea sandwiches, a bowl of tomato soup and a bit of fresh fruit followed by a scone and desserts. Although the scone was good I prefer the traditional scone that looks like a tall biscuit. Reservations are a good idea. I just got lucky. Afterwards I went to the gift shop to pay my bill plus tip and browse the gifts. Tearoom hours are 11:30am to 3:00pm Wednesday through Saturday. Contact: 360 887-9018.

Warrior Rock Lighthouse Hike

On Sunday, October 26, my #2 son, Christopher, and I hiked to Warrior Rock Lighthouse. We drove to Sauvie Island over the new access bridge. The older bridge had been completely destroyed recently. I purchased a parking permit for $3.50 and a paper map for 25 cents at the country store. We drove a paved road and then a gravel road to the north end of Sauvie Island to the parking area.

We climbed over a low gate past a couple signs--one stating that the area was closed for hunting season which we did not see. We met a lot of people and dogs on the trail so we were not the only ones who did not see the sign or chose to ignore it. We met one hunter and his dog at the beginning of the trail and occasionally heard gun shots during the afternoon.

We found six benchmarks, waymarked the Lighthouse Keeper's bungalow chimney ruins, did not find the geocache (it was at least 15 ft. away from the hint location), and took a lot of photographs. We walked back over three miles rather quickly as the sun was setting. It was a lovely day--warm with a light breeze. It was dark as we crossed the new Sauvie Island bridge to Hwy 30 homeward bound.

A Day at The Oregon Zoo

On Saturday, October 11, my daughter, Catherine, 36, and I went to The Oregon Zoo, formerly the Washington Park Zoo. The zoo is located two miles west southwest of downtown Portland, Oregon in Washington Park. It was founded in 1887, making it the oldest North American zoo west of the Mississippi.

We walked across the Great Northwest Tree Top Suspension Bridge with a view of Cascade Canyon. We wandered through the various animal exhibits. My favorites were Bats and Meerkats in African Rainforest; Reticulated Giraffe in African Savanna; Ocelot and Blue Poison Dart Frog in Amazon Flooded Forest; elephants Rose-Tu and Rose-Tu's baby named Samudra; Polar Bears, Malaysian Sun bears and American Black bears in Bear Exhibits; Leopards and Amur Tigers; Humboldt penguins in Pacific Shores; Steller Sea Lions and Sea Otters in Stellar Cove; Red-Handed Tamarins and White-Cheeked Gibbons in Primates; Beavers and North American river otters in Cascade Stream and Marsh; Bald Eagles in Eagle Canyon; Mountain lions, American Black Bears, Bobcats in Cascade Canyon; and a high open air aviary for people to walk through (an "airlock" sequential door arrangement keeps the birds at home.)

I am looking forward to the Predators of the Serengeti Exhibit in 2009. It will have Lions, Cheetahs, African Wild Dogs, Caracals, Scorpions, Chameleons, Nile crocodiles, Mongoose, red-billed hornbill and Aye-Ayes.

Lincoln City Geo Coin Hunt

My #2 son, Christopher, and I went to Lincoln City, Oregon on September 27 & 28, 2008 for The 2nd Annual Celebration of Honor and Coin Kick Off. It was a fun (for the most part) Geo Coin hunt.

We had problems with three of the 20 Virtuals. No. 3: The full sentence should have the name of a suspense movie in it not the name of an individual person or group. Luckily I had taken digital photos of the two back-to-back plaques. No. 4: was not the plaque dedicated to Mrs. (and Mr.) Robinson but a plaque 10-15 ft. away partially hidden by bushes. We had to drive back six miles round trip to get the correct answer. And No. 9 was not located at the Police Station (the coordinates) but at the Lincoln City Library.

After receiving our Geo Coins we went back to #20 for "the best burgers, fries/chips and shakes in town." We did several other geocaches, benchmarks and waymarks. Great weather!!

Pendleton Oregon Geo Coin Hunt

My #2 son, Christopher, and I traveled to Pendleton, Oregon for three days of geocaching, benchmarking and waymarking from September 16-18, 2008. We had a Jr. Suite at the Pendleton Red Lion which was a great location.

We found 26 geocaches and benchmarks during the trip. In Pendleton I waymarked a "Survey Gaging Station Shelter House," a Union Pacific Yellow Caboose, and a sculpture "Art Inspiration."

While it was interesting visiting a place where I lived briefly as a child, I was deeply disappointed in the Pendleton What a Kick! geocaches. Christopher and I did nine of the 12 Pendleton What a Kick! geocaches (three were temporarily unavailable/archived). Some of the caches I was not physically able to hunt for, no tie-in between Pendleton's history and the cache locations, way too difficult and time consuming for a Geo Coin hunt, and dozens of ants and wasps/bees but, thankfully, no rattlesnakes.

My favorite geocaches were not part of the Geo Coin Hunt: "A Sculpture Tour of Pendleton" (GCTWCA), "Helping Hands" (GCTP6X) and a Virtual. My absolute least favorite geocache was "Reith Overlook" (GC1A64D)--great view, clever hide but miserable long search in the scorching sun ending in a DNF.

2007 Mt. Hood Territory Geocaching Contest

My #2 son, Christopher, and I did the 2007 Mt. Hood Territory Geocaching Contest. We found all ten caches plus two other caches. We ended the day at the historic Timberline Lodge looking for a virtual cache. We covered over 250 miles. The weather was absolutely perfect -- not too hot and not too cold (except at the 6,000 ft. level on Mt. Hood).

Dedication Ceremony for Interpretive Trail, Fields Bridge Park, West Linn, Oregon

On Saturday afternoon, August 23, 2008, I attended the Dedication Ceremony for the Interpretive Trail at Fields Bridge Park along the banks of the Tualatin River in West Linn, Oregon. The Missoula Ice Age Interpretive Trail is a project four years and #100,000 in the making. Miniature bronze replica of the Willamette Meteorite and Signboards about the Meteorite and the Missoula Ice Age Floods that scoured most of the Northwest were displayed. The Willamette Meteorite weighed 151 1/2 tons. The Meteorite is believed to have been grounded during one of the larger cataclysmic Missoula Ice Age Floods on a hillside in West Linn. It had floated over 400 miles from Canada on an iceberg. It is the 6th largest meteorite found in the world and the largest found in North America and Canada. The Willamette Meteorite is currently on display at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The Dalles-Dash Coin

My #2 son, Christopher, and I did The Dalles-Dash Coin Contest on Thursday, August 21, 2008. We left Vancouver, WA about 6:00am. We found 11 of the 12 caches plus two other caches and two benchmarks. We spent a lot of time hunting for the cache near Pulpit Rock but never found it. I was disappointed to not receive the The Dalles-Dash coin. It evidently will be mailed to us after the coins are activated. The weather was perfect -- warm with a bit of dizzle in the morning. We ate a late lunch at Cousins Restaurant. Great food! We drove back via the Old Columbia Highway from The Dalles to Mosier and from just west of Cascade Locks to Corbett. We stopped to view Multnomah Falls. There was an tremendous amount of water! We were back to Vancouver about 9:30pm.

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 8

Friday, August 8 – I rose early and packed my suitcases. I had a great breakfast with the remaining Elderhostel group (some left earlier). I caught a hotel shuttle ride to the Greyhound Bus Station, arriving about 8:30am. I was told that the 11:20am bus was going to be late – about 12:30pm. I went to a nearby deli, Rockets, to get a sandwich and apple juice drink to take with me. I had a cup of tea and a muffin to tide me over. Back at the bus station I was told that the bus would not arrive until about 1:00. I was about 10th in line by now. We finally boarded the bus.

When I tried to sit in the front seat next to the window (the driver’s small but extremely heavy backpack was placed next to the aisle in that row), the driver ordered me to move back. I told him that I was sitting in the front seat. He asked me where I was going. When I said Portland he again told me to move back in another seat. He told me at least three times to move back. I sat in the seat anyway.

We had no sooner left the Greyhound Bus Station when he threatened to take a woman behind me off the bus. We turned around at Medical Lake to return to the bus station. The door was loose but the driver had not pushed the round knob to lock the door. I saw it unlocked as did the young man in the front seat of the aisle across from me.

Back at the Greyhound Bus Station we changed buses. The bus driver went into the station. The Greyhound Bus floor and front window was filthy. I sat in the front seat again with the driver’s heavy back pack. The bus driver showed up with his pink lunch sack in hand. The young man across the aisle said that we went back as the bus driver forgot his lunch.

We finally left about 2:05pm. We were not allowed any food on the bus trip other than what we brought with us or could quickly grab from machines. And go to the restroom. We had to do one or the other or both in less than 5 minutes. There were no food machines and no restrooms at The Dalles and Hood River. The smell from the restroom at the back of the bus was sickening.

Some of the passengers had missed their connections so the bus driver told them that they had to go all the way to Portland.

A young college graduate student got on the bus in Tri-Cities. She asked to sit in front seat where the backpack was placed. I told her that the bus driver did not want anyone sitting there. He smilingly took the backpack from the front seat and offered the front seat to her. His extremely heavy backpack fell down the stairs blocking the door. The bus driver and the young college grad student chatted all the way to Portland.

We finally arrived in Portland about 8:30pm (two hours and 20 minutes late). The bus driver made up some time but at the expense of the physical comfort of the passengers. I will never again ride a Greyhound bus if I can possibly help it!

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 7

Thursday, August 7 – After the hotel breakfast, we continued the ancient path of the Missoula Ice Age Floods. We climbed the Twin Sisters (Two Sisters Legend). I also got photos of Wallula Gap. As we traveled back toward Spokane, we stopped at a little known Lewis & Clark campsite. We traveled through Waitsburg where we saw the outline of the Jolly Green Giant on a hillside. We had a delicious lunch at the Weinhard Café in Dayton.

I photographed the historic Dayton Train Station (where I signed the visitor log book) and the UP yellow caboose with the red/orange trim. We traveled through Snake River and Palouse country. We saw the train bridge and the sand bar at Lyons Ferry, Palouse Falls and the Basalt Needles, and the Elongated Loess Island. We had a Farewell Dinner but I left afterwards to look for the cache again for Trevor’s Tourist Trap #1 geocache (GC17C5G).

After making another long hike from the Red Lion River Inn across Riverfront Park, watching a skunk crawl into the base of the cache site and being frustrated that I could not continue my search, and trying for about an hour to locate a computer in downtown (the library was closed and I could not find an Internet Cafe) and finally ending up at the Business Office of the Davenport Hotel so I could contact Trevor, I felt that I had the right to claim "Found It."

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 6

Wednesday, August 6 – After breakfast at the hotel, we traveled northwest to view the ripple marks at Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. We saw the steel horses on the hillside and Sentinel Gap from an overlook near the Vantage Bridge. We drove by Potholes Reservoir over the O’Sullivan Dam. We stopped at Frenchman Springs Coulee. We saw basalt feathers along the old Vantage Road. After checking into my hotel room in Walla Walla, I went on the “Downtown Historic Trail” and located benchmarks. Afterwards I purchased “dinner” at a deli across from the hotel, Best Western Walla Walla Suites Inn, of a sandwich w/pickle, BBQ potato chips, apple juice and Hershey almond bar which I ate in my hotel room while watching television.

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 5

Tuesday, August 5 – After breakfast, we checked out of our rooms and loaded the luggage on the tour bus. We traveled from Spokane to Moses Lake. We explored the “scablands” west of Spokane as we traveled to the Grand Coulee Dam and Dry Falls. We had a picnic lunch at Dry Falls. It was really hot! On the way to Moses Lake, we stopped at the two-story Yeager Erratic and the Lenore Caves. We checked into the Shilo Inn Suites in Moses Lake. I changed rooms as the non-smoking room smelled strongly of smoke. The halls smelled strongly of smoke. We had dinner at Sharis. I ate delicious breakfast for dinner – scrambled egg, French toast and crisp bacon with orange juice. I slept with the window wide open as the non-smoking room smelled strongly of smoke even after airing it out.

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 4

Monday, August 4 – I used the hotel’s calculator to figure out the coordinates for Trevor’s geocache. I ate breakfast with the Elderhostel group. I picked a seat at the back of the tour bus so I could be a “Nester” – one who does not rotate seats. It was an exit row seat so I had more leg room. We departed about 8:30, traveling to nearby Hangman Creek to view the flood deposited bank. We picked up the box lunches in Spokane. We traveled northeast to Sandpoint where we ate our picnic lunches. We stopped at the signboard at Lake Pend Oreille and then traveled on to the Cabinet Gorge Dam on the Clark Fork River. Massive dams of ice once stood here (15,000-12,000 years ago) and blocked water from leaving western Montana until their catastrophic failures. Water roared across Idaho, Washington and Oregon to the Pacific Ocean in the largest flood known to have occurred on earth. We traveled back to Spokane, arriving at the Red Lion River Inn in time for dinner. Don Popejoy gave a talk but I chose to walk back across Riverfront Park instead to hunt for the cache. No cache!

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 3

Sunday, August 3 - I ate breakfast with Richard at the hotel restaurant, Ripples. I worked on Trevor’s Tourist Trap #1 geocache (GC17C5G) from 7:00am to 3:58pm. The clock tower chimed 4:00 as I walked back across Riverfront Park. I met Richard and his MIT college friend, George, on the hotel patio about 4:30pm. I picked up my Elderhostel packet and chatted briefly with the Elderhostel leader, Don Popejoy. I sat with Richard and George for awhile on the patio drinking ice water. It was a very hot day and I was so thirsty. We had dinner at 6:00pm and afterwards a Welcome and Orientation session. I was the only person in the group except for the leader, Don Popejoy, to repeat the trip.

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 2

Saturday, August 2 – After breakfast at the hotel, I went benchmarking and geocaching across Riverfront Park and downtown Spokane. I rode the Skyride Gondola over Spokane Falls and the red train throughout Riverfront Park. About mid-day I stopped at The Davenport Hotel for a slice of their delicious southern-style coffee cake and the Historical Walking Tour of the hotel. I ate dinner on the patio of the hotel restaurant, Ripples. I was joined by a friend, Richard Naylor, a MIT graduate in geology, who was also going on the Missoula Ice Age Flood Elderhostel trip.

Missoula Ice Age Flood Trip -- Day 1

Friday, August 1, 2008 – I arrived at the Greyhound Bus Station in Portland, Oregon about 7:30am. I took the Greyhound Bus at 10:00 from Portland to Spokane. Next time I will take a plane or train but never the Greyhound Bus again. I arrived in Spokane about 5:00, got my checked suitcase and took the hotel shuttle to the Red Lion River Inn. I had a view from my room of downtown Spokane across the parking lot. I ate dinner at the hotel’s Ripples Riverside Grill and watched a remake of one of my favorite all-time movies, “The Railway Children.”

Invitation to visit Groundspeak Headquarters

I visited Groundspeak HQ on Friday afternoon, July 25, after a week of studying Seattle Architecture. I was quite impressed by the massive touchscreen Google Earth monitor at the entrance. I met some of the staff and later had my picture taken with them. I received a Groundspeak Lackeys 2007 Geocoin. I received the older Geocoin after I was the first to BINGO on the Waymarking Category Grid. I am keeping both Geocoins and not releasing them. I left a Trackable Item in the enormous chest that I had found in a cache in Pike Place Market. This was a very memorable experience.

The Canby Chamber of Commerce Geocoin Challenge

Yesterday my #2 son, Christopher, and I did The Canby Chamber of Commerce Geocoin Challenge. We did half the caches, picked up the Game Card, finished the other half, turned Game Card in and claimed our Canby geocoins. We had already visited the required Original Stash Tribute Plaque near Estacada and found a cache in Canby during the Mt. Hood Territory Geocache Contest. Afterwards we found three more local geocaches. We also found a couple benchmarks during the day.

Dangerous I-5 Bridges

The northbound span is the original 1917 bridge, although it was altered from 1958-60 to include the humpback. Discussion of a second span started in 1948. The southbound span opened in 1958. The oldest of the I-5's twin spans is secured by Douglas fir logs "stuck in the mud" of the river. The 1948 Memorial Day flood almost topped the Interstate Bridge's support piers. Neither of the bridges support piers go to bedrock--just "stuck in the mud" of the Columbia River. Think about this the next time that you are driving over the bridges or when you are stuck on the bridge as it shakes beneath you.

4th of July Fireworks

I watched the largest 4th of July Fireworks west of the Mississippi River a few hundred feet east of the Interstate Bridges. Great location. The fireworks were truly spectacular!

2008 Mt. Hood Territory Geocaching Contest

On Tuesday, July 1st and Wednesday afternoon, July 2nd, Christopher and I found all ten of the 2008 Mt. Hood Territory Geocaches: Mary S. Young State Park; Rose are Red, Lavender is …?; Early Oregon Farm; Mining in Sandy; Alpaca?; Timothy Lake; Can’t see the Forest for the Trees!; Is that a ‘Hat Rack’ out in the Field??; A H2O Garden?; And Picnic by the Lake.

Along the way we saw the spectacular Clackamas River from Timothy Lake to Estacada, Oregon, visited the Original Stash plaque, took photographs of a huge blimp moored at an airport and a helicopter -- “Little Orphan Annie” -- braced high in the air in Canby, and caught a glimpse of two deer grazing alongside the road. The event was great fun!

Vancouver (WA) Historic Walking Tours

This is their third season of walking tours. Contact the Museum if you have any questions.
Clark County Historical Museum
1511 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-993-5679
www.cchmuseum.org
Hours: Tues - Sat 11 AM to 4 PM
Museum admission is free for CCHS Members

WSGA Southwest Washington Chapter Potluck

I attended the Country Caching: WSGA Southwest Washington Chapter Potluck Event at Rock Creek Park in Stevenson, Washington. It was an absolutely beautiful day however the wind was quite strong and cold at times. The food was delicious. I won a GeoWoodstock VI shirt at the raffle. Afterwards I did geocaching and benchmarking on both sides of the Columbia River.

Thoughts on the Slide Show Presentation

I attended the slide show presentation at The Museum of the Oregon Territory given by floods geologist and author of “On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods,” Bruce Bjornstad. I purchased an autographed copy of his book at the beginning of the evening. While the slide lecture was interesting I learned only a couple things that I did not know already. For example, the floods evidently created arches such as the Marlin Hollow Arch.

Bjornstad's book covers the 19 types of landforms the floods created and offers a guide to 70 flood-formed features. Included are 30 off-road hiking and biking trails, as well as five driving tours and two aerial tours. Published by Keokee Books of Sandpoint, Idaho, the 320-page book includes 262 illustrations, a color plate section and a comprehensive index. 

"Let's Celebrate - Geocaching Event"

This morning I attended "Let's Celebrate - Geocaching Event" at the historic Viola Red Schoolhouse not far from The Original Stash Tribute Plaque (GCGV0P). The event celebrated the 8th Anniversary of Geocaching. On May 3, 2000 Dave Ulmer placed a five gallon bucket in rural Clackamas County and posted the coordinates on-line. The cache was found by Mike Teague.

"Mission Accomplished"

Tomorrow is the 5th Anniversary of the "Mission Accomplished" banner. Now in its sixth year, the War in Iraq has claimed the lives of at least 4,100 members of the U.S. Military plus hundred and hundreds of military and civilians in Iraq. And there is no end in sight.

Monday, April 21 -- Vacation Day 11

My son and daughter-in-law dropped us off at National Airport. Catherine had a Tall Caramel Frappacino while I tried to figure out the location of a Virtual Cache. It seemed rather complicated to get to the location so I gave up. I had a lemon poppy seed muffin (my all time favorite) at Starbucks. I purchased a small box of Junior Mints at Hudson Group so I would have change to purchase our mini-lunches during the flight. We left about 9:45 AM, changed planes in Chicago, and arrived in Portland about 3:00 PM. It was cold and rainy.

Sunday, April 20 -- Vacation Day 10

I woke early and read the third book of the “Jewel in the Crown” series. I had a cup of tea as I worked a Jelly Bean puzzle. We had a delicious brunch.

We visited the Monticello Visitor Center where I found a Virtual Cache and then walked around the grounds of Monticello. We had a 3:50 PM tour of the house. Afterwards we saw the outer buildings and cemetery, and walked downhill 1/3 mile back to the car.

We ate hamburgers and fries at Five Guys in Charlottesville. We found Christmas Tree #2 Cache. We drove back to Virginia during a rain and lightning storm.

Saturday, April 19 -- Vacation Day 9

I read a novel in the glass enclosed sun room overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains until lunch. Catherine was ill so she stayed at the house.

My son, daughter-in-law and I went geocaching. We went to Mint Springs Valley Park where we followed the Upper Lake Trail to the cache. They hiked up further on the trail to find another cache so I walked back on a different path. I found "Sole Survivor" (Virtual Cache) nearby at the memorial for the Piedmont Airline Flight 349 Crash.

We went to a community college in Charlottesville where we found the Claudius Crozet Cache. We stopped for treats at Dairy Queen. We drove to Waynesboro where I got photos and coordinates for a Cracker Barrel Restaurant Waymark. We stopped at Wal-Mart at 5:30 PM where we got a few groceries. We drove back along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Incredible scenery!

Friday, April 18 -- Vacation Day 8

Catherine and I visited Smithsonian National Zoological Park. We saw leopards, giant pandas, elephants, tigers, Iguana, meerkats, Great Apes and other primates, reptiles, Golden Lion Tamarinds, and many other animals and birds. I found Tiger Paws (Virtual Cache). It got too hot and way too crowded so we left the zoo about 2:00 PM to go across the street from the Zoo entrance to Starbucks where we had lunch. We boarded the Metro train only to have it break down. We boarded another Metro train and traveled to the Pentagon Station where we caught the bus.

Thursday, April 17 -- Vacation Day 7

Catherine and I rode to Crystal City. Fifty airplane statues (25 fighter jets and 25 vintage planes) had landed on the streets of Crystal City. The airplane at the Metro Station was called "Barnstorming" by Artist Matt Wuerker. I got a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit at McDonalds. We took the wrong Metro to the National Archives so we had to walk several blocks. I forgot the pink forms so we had trouble finding the correct entrance. We had a great tour.

We ate lunch at the National Gallery café near the waterfall. I had a lemon tart for dessert and Catherine got a single gelato. We toured the National Gallery of Art West Bldg. and then the East Bldg. As we were walking south to the Federal Center Metro Station we saw an accident between a cab and van at the corner of 4th and Independence Ave. SE. I left my name, address and phone number with the van driver as a witness.

We rode the Metro to Pentagon City. We ate early dinner at the Nordstrom café of Chinese Chicken Salads with crostinis. I purchased an ice cream dessert set of four bowls and four plates at Williams-Sonoma at 6:30 PM as a gift for my daughter-in-law. Catherine got a Tall Caramel Frappacino and I got shortbread cookies and tea at Starbucks. We rode the Metro to the Pentagon Station where we caught the bus.

Wednesday, April 16 –- Vacation Day 6

Catherine and I saw three deer on the way to Crystal City. We caught the Metro to D.C. We walked to the Jefferson Memorial and stopped briefly at The Castle. We walked through the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. I photographed the sculpture "Ad Astra," (Virtual Cache) in front of the National Air and Space Museum.

We walked to the circle in the center of “The Potomac” lobby to hear the echo at the National Museum of the American Indian. We had lunch in the Mitsitam Cafe. We watched a 13 minute film in the 120-seat circular Lelawi Theater titled “Who We Are” about contemporary Native life. We saw a mother duck with her four ducklings outside the museum. We walked through the outdoor garden and saw the entrance to the botanic garden (Virtual Cache).

We went to Senator Maria Cantwell’s office to take the guided tour of the Capitol. During the Capitol tour, I photographed two NGS Benchmarks: Center of Crypt – a 20 Point White Marble Star -- and Center of a Brass Grate located just north of the crypt. After the tour we walked to the Hart Bldg. where we saw Alexander Calder’s “Mountains and Clouds.” We walked south on 1st toward the Metro Station. I took a photo of the Library of Congress dome (NGS Benchmark). We counted the eyes at the Library of Congress building and then divided by two (Virtual Cache). We rode the Metro to Pentagon Station where we caught a bus.

Tuesday, April 15 –- Vacation Day 5

We rode to Crystal City where we took the Metro to the Smithsonian Station. We saw the WW II Memorial (Virtual Cache). We walked completely around the Tidal Basin while doing Virtual Caches: First Japanese Cherry Trees Plaque, MLK Plaque and FDR Memorial. We saw the Jefferson Memorial (Virtual Cache) which lies on the southeast side of the Tidal Basin.

We found the Virtual Cache at the Forest Service Info Center. We saw the tomb of James Smithson (Virtual Cache) in the Mortuary Chapel at The Smithsonian Castle. We had lunch at The Castle. We saw the world’s largest stuffed elephant and the 45.52 carats Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History. We visited the Sculpture Garden and Butterfly Garden. We walked to the nearest Metro Station.

Monday, April 14 -- Vacation Day 4

My daughter, Catherine, and I rode into Crystal City and took the Metro into D.C. I photographed “Freedom,” Thomas Crawford’s 1855 Statue (NGS Benchmark) standing on top of the Capitol cast iron dome. We saw The Summer House on the Capitol grounds by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (Virtual Cache).

A walk down Pennsylvania Avenue took us on the same route followed by presidents on Inauguration Day. We passed the National Gallery of Art East and West Bldgs., National Portrait Gallery, and the Tariff Bldg.(Hotel Monaco). I found “Neighbors” (Virtual Cache). I discovered an Inukshuk by Artist David Rubin. We passed the recently opened Newseum, National Archives, Department of Justice, and F.B.I. Building.

The restored Old Post Office Building (NGS Benchmark) had a great view from the tower. I took a photo of the Washington Monument 1913 (NGS Benchmark). Farther up Pennsylvania Avenue was a plaza laid out as a map of the old plan for the city (Virtual Cache). I found the statue of a General (Virtual Cache). I laid my geocaching and benchmarking papers on a bench to take some photos only to chase after a few of the pages on a very windy day. The Department of Treasury completed the view; behind it was the White House.

We found a NGS Benchmark near the Old Executive Office Building. We wandered past Lafayette Square and walked south to The Ellipse. We were not able to get near the Zero Milestone Marker (NGS Benchmark) and the Colorado Blue Spruce (Virtual Cache) as the area was blocked off for security. The Meridian Stone (NGS Benchmark) was fenced off for construction.

We saw the historic building at 17th St. NW and Constitution Ave. NW (Virtual Cache). Catherine and I split a Club Sandwich at Constitution Gardens while sitting on a park bench. We walked to the Lincoln Memorial (Waymark) with Daniel Chester French’s massive seated Lincoln. We were way too tired to climb the stairs. We walked back past the Korean War Memorial (Virtual Cache), Reflecting Pool, Declaration of Independence Memorial (Virtual Cache), and Washington Monument to the nearest Metro Station.

Sunday, April 13 –- Vacation Day 3

After breakfast we drove to Harpers Ferry. On the way we stopped at Monocacy River Valley Viewpoint (Frederick). The weather was on the cool side which kept down the crowds in Harpers Ferry. We went to the B&O Harpers Ferry Railroad Station and then wandered around for a couple hours. We saw John Brown Fort (Stronghold) Monument, Arsenal Square, Lower Town, Harpers Ferry Tunnel 1931, C&O Canal and Towpath Lock 33, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church 1833 (NRHP), and Jefferson Rock.

We looked high and low for the cache “A Tale of 2 Cities – Harpers Ferry” but could not find it. I did find NGS Benchmark: P1 on a cannon base near the Harpers Ferry Bandstand (NGS Benchmark). We found a cache in a small community park – “A Tale of 2 Cities - Bolivar.” There was a small brick Pre Civil War Spring House at the front of the park. It evidently provided water to both the North and South during one of the many battles to occur in these two towns during the Civil War. We had dinner at Mountain View Diner in Charlestown, WV.

Saturday, April 12 -- Vacation Day 2

After breakfast, we drove north to Annapolis, Maryland in the pouring rain. On Route 50 a SUV hydroplaned in the far left lane. It spun and then spun around again, shattering the guard rail. One of the wheels rolled across the highway, hitting our car on the passenger front fender. We pulled over to the side of the highway. The SUV driver was only slightly hurt but his lab dog was flung out the back and had vanished. His vehicle was totaled. My son and the man tried to find the dog but were not successful.

We had lunch at the Federal House Bar & Grille in Annapolis. We walked up the street to the front of the State Capitol Building where we saw the statue of Roger Brooke Taney, Chief Justice of the United States of America (Dred Scott case). I saw the Maryland State Capitol Building Dome (NGS Benchmark) but failed to take a photograph. We walked through a couple museum-style gift shops. We drove through the Annapolis Naval Academy. On the way home we found the “Dark Side of the Moon (micro) Cache #6.”

Friday, April 11 -- Vacation Day 1

Friday, April 11 – My daughter, Catherine, and I traveled non-stop from Portland International Airport to Washington/Dulles Airport. We got our luggage and met my daughter-in-law in front of the terminal. We traveled to Crystal City. Catherine and I went up to the revolving rooftop lounge at the Doubletree where we had snacks and drinks. The lounge boasts the best view of the Washington DC Skyline. We could see the Capitol, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, and National Cathedral. We walked several blocks to meet my son and daughter-in-law. We drove to their house for a nine day visit.

Afternoon Tea at Whole Foods Market, Portland, Oregon

This afternoon I attended a Traditional Afternoon Tea class from 1-4 PM given by Chef Steve Gazda at Whole Foods Market, 1210 N.W. Couch Street in downtown Portland. We had three kinds of tea sandwiches, scones with lemon curd and clotted cream without my favorite strawberry jam, banana bread, custard tarts (see photo) and choice of four loose leaf teas.

GeoWoodstock VI

I had planned to attend GeoWoodstock VI on May 23 & 24. I will be unable to go after all.

Memories

I had an enjoyable day in the Columbia River Gorge visiting the historic Hood River High School (a benchmark and National Register of Historic Places), seeing the old Hood River Hospital where I was born, driving past former childhood residences at 1004 May Street and a two story house down the hill, and photographing the Mount Hood Railroad Depot benchmark. I topped off the day with a huckleberry tart with whipped cream and a glass of Columbia Crest Riesling wine by the fireplace of the Multnomah Lodge.

Original Stash Tribute Plaque and Cache

Yesterday I finally visited the Original Stash Tribute Plaque. I drove to the location via Oregon City from my house in Vancouver, Washington. The plaque was not as large as I expected but it was impressive. This is where it all began! I located the cache, signed the log book and took three Travel Bugs. Afterwards I traveled across country to the Boring, Oregon Meet and Greet. I had an enjoyable time. I saw the lunar eclipse about 7:30pm as I was leaving the building. Awesome!

"Sustaining Change on the American Farm: An Artist/Farmer Exchange"

On Thursday evening January 17, 2008, I went to the Clark County Historical Museum for the opening of the exhibit, "Sustaining Change on the American Farm: An Artist/Farmer Exchange," from 5-7 PM. The opening reception was free and the public was invited to attend. The woman in the photo made the quilt displayed in the case behind her. Light refreshments were served. The "Sustaining Change on the American Farm: An Artist/Farmer Exchange" exhibit will run through April 2008. The exhibit is a combination of a traveling exhibit from the Maryhill Museum of Art, art work from local artists, and museum artifacts from Clark County’s rich agricultural history. The woman in the photograph, Eileen Elliott, made the quilt on display.

"September Dawn"

I watched a very moving film this evening called "September Dawn". Not many people have ever heard of the Mountain Meadow massacre. I first heard about the violent and tragic ambush on Thursday, June 21, 2007. I had been traveling The Oregon Trail with an Elderhostel group from Kansas City/Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon June 13-28, 2007.

We had a picnic lunch at Farson, Wyoming on June 21. The place made me extremely uncomfortable--not the present but the past. I found out later that day that the U.S. Army had marched against the Mormons so they destroyed a U.S. Army third supply train at Farson in 1857. The Mormons had already destroyed the other two supply trains.

It followed the horrific episode known as the Mountain Meadow massacre where an entire well-to-do wagon company of 120 emigrants--men, women and all children over the age of six--had been brutally murdered in southern Utah (near present day Cedar City) by the Mormons on September 11, 1857. Only 17 children were spared.

GeoWoodstock VI

I am planning to attend an Elderhostel (www.elderhostel.org) in historic Nevada City, California from May 18-23: "Gold, Ghosts, and Gaslights". I will attend GeoWoodstock VI on May 23 & 24. Looking forward to this event.

A Sense of Humor

The most important thing to take on any trip is a sense of humor. Unless you have a sense of humor, you will not get through anything.

Lower Columbia Chapter??-- WSGA Meet and Greet

I will be attending the Lower Columbia Chapter?? -- WSGA Meet and Greet by Washington's Webbed Feet (GC18DAD) for the SW Washington and Portland area at 11:00am on Saturday, February 9, 2008 in Ridgefield, Washington.

Vancouver (WA) Cache Machine

I attended the Vancouver (WA) Cache Machine dinner on Friday, January 4 at the Food Court at Vancouver Mall. On Saturday, January 5, we met at Safeway parking lot on 112th Avenue about 7:15am. And then it was an all day hunt for caches. I volunteered to be Navigator as I live in Vancouver and know it well. Afterwards we met at Sweet Tomatoes about 5:30pm for dinner and get together. Travis did a great job putting this event together. He had everyone sign a Hot Sauce bottle as a momento.

Vancouver (WA) Cache Machine

Check out GC17JN5 Vancouver (WA) Cache Machine (www.geocaching.com) being held Friday, January 4th and Saturday, January 5th. It continues into Sunday for those who do not finish on Saturday. One of the caches will be my historical geocache, Ilchee, Moon Girl.

"Murder and Mayhem"

I am presently working on another historical geocache -- "Murder and Mayhem." Hopefully I will finish my research during January. Two of the sites are waymarks.