Geocaching along Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway

My #2 son, Christopher, and I hiked two sections of the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway this afternoon. We were bundled in several layers of clothing. We found four geocaches and did not find three geocaches--one was flooded and two were likely missing. The tall grasses and blackberry bushes had been mowed to stubble. The trees and shrubs were barren of leaves. Patches of the wetlands had thin layers of shattered ice. We saw a heron, many ducks--both male and female and a little brown mouse. The far hills were covered in snow under a cloudy grey sky. As we walked back to the car, the cold east wind began to blow and the snow fell increasingly thicker.

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.