2018/12/16: Our first walk along the Deschutes River since the Summer fire. Greenery is slowly returning, lots of grasses, horsetails and sagebrush re sprouting. A bit sad to see that the +6 mile rail car was completely burned, absolutely nothing left to see!
2018/12/13: Took a borrowed Nikon D7200 for a walk around the Steel Bridge - Tillicum Bridge Loop. All photos are hand held so ISO is high. Just seeing what I could do with it!
2018/12/09: 2018/12/09: A hike up to Nesika Lodge. The area is still officially closed but Nesika had permission for a members hike allowing entry into the area. A bit cold and Icy, the howling cold wind at Bickle Point was something else! Lovely and toasty inside the Lodge though with both fires going and a pot of hot soup for all! © Chiyoko Meacham
Crazy Christmas Lights - Volume I
2018/12/06: Nighthawk Alarm in Carver.
2018/12/02: Continuing are explorations of the newly reopened Western Gorge we hiked up to Larch Mt from Multnomah Falls & back. We hit snow at around 3000', no panoramic views but great to be back on Larch Mt. About 14.5 miles & 4100' of EG. We made it to the top at the same time as a bunch of other folks did!
2018/11/24: While in Seattle we checked out the Chihuly Glass Exhibit next to the Space Needle. We thought it was well worth the visit.
2018/11/22: An early Morning Birthday & Thanksgiving walk in Oxbow Park.
2018/11/24: Day 2 of our Short Seattle Trip. We checked out Gasworks Park, Lenin's Statue, & the Fremont Troll. Then we headed over to the Seattle Center for a quick out and back on the monorail followed by a visit to the Chihuly Glass Museum. Before heading back home we made one final stop at the Capitol Hill Katsu Burger!
2018/11/25: On the Friday after thanksgiving the USFS finally opened up the Gorge Trails west of Multnomah Falls for the first time since the September fire of 2017. Like lots of other folks we went out for a look around at what was still there and what wasn't!
Good Friends at the Moon & Sixpence!
2018/11/17: An early Birthday celebration for me at the best pub in Portland!
2018/11/18: When we arrived at the Top Spur trailhead it was freezing fog and 29 degrees, thoughts of a Sunny day in the Mountain were in doubt. We did not need to worry though as we soon found ourselves above the clouds under balmy clear blue skies. An excellent late Autumn day on the mountain.
The promise of sunshine on the coast sent us out to Forst Stevens and Oregons most photographed shipwreck the Peter Iredale which ran aground in 1906.
Fumi, Kazuko, Chiyoko, Pascal & Akitomo had a very wet day searching for chanterelles! © Chiyoko Meacham
More photos of an early morning stroll around Angers can be found here
2018/11/05: Celebrating Guy Fawkes day with a steamed marmalade sponge.
2018/10/27: Waiting for a train to Cologne.
2018/11/03: Back on Burdoin for another hike, this time exploring the southern slopes east of White Salmon. We saw only 4 other people on Mt bikes along the last 2 miles of our 10 mile loop
2018/10/26: My marathon EU nursery tour allowed for about 3 free evening hours in Paris. Setting off from Gare du Nord at about 8:00pm I walked the couple of miles to Notre Dame passing the Centre Georges Pompidou on the way. After crossing the Seine I took the Metro to the Eiffel Tower. Big changes and lots of security since I was last there! About 11:00pm I caught an Uber ride back to the Hotel near Gare du Nord in time for some sleep before our early morning train to Cologne.
2018/10/24: A reunion with Yves who I worked with at Andre Briant Nursery back in 84/85 & Gerard who I worked with at JFS 86-90. A great time was had.
2018/10/20: A flying visit and a great weekend with the family before beginning an EU work trip! Arnside Fish & Chips on the Saturday, The Eagles Head Sunday Lunch on Sunday!
Crossing the Great Boiling Valley!
2018/09/26 "The Great Boiling Valley" of Owakundai. Greatly changed and restricted since our last visit due to a 2015 eruption.
For sale in Mishima!
2018/10/14: A wonderful if very windy day at Indian Heaven. Clear blue skies & Autumn Colors and an autumn chill in the air along with a huge display of Fall Fungi in a huge array of shapes and colors.
2018/09/25: The Tozan Mt Railway is the steepest regular rail railway in Japan with grades of 8% in places. To get up the mountain the train goes through 3 switchbacks at each switchback the driver and conductor exit the train and change places from front to back.
2018/09/25: A lady arranging a vase of flowers at the Amazake Chaya tea house on the old Tokaido Rd.
2018/09/25: Amazake Chaya is the only traditional tea house left on the old Tokaido Rd. Complete with indoor fire & no chimney!
2018/09/24: A great day travelling down the Izu peniinsula to Dogashima with Mitsu & Satomi.
2018/09/24: A family catching Ayu at the Jouren Falls & Wasabi Garden.
2018/09/24: The Jouren Falls & Wasabi Garden
2018/09/22: Bowling in Mishima with Chiyoko & Dosei!
2018/09/23: The Okuoi Rainbow Bridge & OkuōikojōOigawa Station on the Oigawa line.
2018/10/23: The Oigawa Mt. Railway, being pushed up a 9% grade by a Cog engine along the Oigawa River.
2018/10/07: October on Cooper Spur
2018/10/07: Chiyoko & I climbed up Cooper Spur in search of new snow. Mission accomplished!
2018/09/22: In the center of Mishima, Rakujuen Garden & Kohama Pond A tranquil Garden & Pond fed by Spring water from Mt Fuji.
2018/09/21: Hotaka Jinja Shrine & Moyjin-ike Pond, Kamikouchi Valley Hike
2018/09/21: The Tashiro-ike pond, Kamikouchi valley.
2018/09/30: Cottonwood Canyon: Some fall color along the John Day River.
2018/09/20: Kamikouchi Valley, the Azusa River
2018/09/20: Mt. Yakedake seemingly still far away our goal for the day was the summit.
2018/09/20: Mt Yakedake, a steeper bit!
0218/09/19 On the Sumida river water bus passing the Tsukiji fish market.
Views from Tokyo Tower
Around $200 for 4 Matsutake mushrooms at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo.
2018/09/18: We spent the morning helping Chiyoko's folks with some gardening then in the afternoon we took the local trail line up to Shuzenji only about 15 miles away. Often described as a "Mini Kyoto". Though a lovely little town I think "Micro Kyoto" would be a better description.
2018/09/17: Chiyoko & brother Kiyoshi at Kawaguchi Lake. This was the only day in our 2 week trip that Mt Fuji was not hidden in clouds!
2018/09/17: We went with our friend Kumiko to check out the great Atami beach fireworks. A really great show!
2018/09/17: Chiyoko leading OUR way down the Narasawa Ice Cave! Hard hats required!