Brush College Park

This weekend was spent exploring Brush College Park in West Salem. I had spent a few lunch times in the parking lot the past year but had never ventured far. This weekend was the first time that I took the opportunity and I was pleasantly surprised! I had assumed that it was only a small open area with playground equipment but was delighted when I found paths through the trees and a small creek flowing through.

Here are some of the highlights from the morning.







The water in the creek was cloudy and I was able to create a smoky look. This was a nice effect when I got back and looked at them on the computer.

I had so much fun in the morning that I had to return in the evening. The light was not as nice but I still was able to get some good pictures. And despite crushing a banana slug with my elbow, I had a good time.

Mexico at New Years

So here are some pictures from our Mexico trip over new years. They remind me of warmer times and warmer climes - well, a little warmer.



I like this picture because to me it a typical desert scene - small stream of water, bright sun, cacti. Add a lizard or snake and you have it all.
We made a stop - on our way to San Javier Mission - to see some cave paintings. This little stream flowed into a large, crystal clear pool. Up stream of this particular spot was an oasis with palm trees and other water plants.



Toward the end of the trip we took a day trip north to Bahia Conception. We wanted to kayak or do some other water sport but ended up just sitting on the beach eating lunch. However, it was a beautiful day.
This was taken on the side of the road just after we reached the south end of the bay. The saguaro went right down to the water's edge creating a very dramatic contrast between the green of the cacti and the deep blue of the water.

Saturday Morning

This was the first weekend of NICE weather. I took advantage on Saturday by getting out early.



These first two pictures are from an open area behind the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. It a huge open space with a baseball field and lots of trees. The morning was still a little chilly and the grass had some dew on it. (Interesting tidbit - the main building of the OSH was where the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was filmed.)




This last picture is of a swing set (obviously) at Englewood Park. Trees create a canopy that limits the amount of light that comes through, so it is actually quite dark at the park. I had the place to myself this early on a Saturday morning, which was good. I spent a lot of the time rolling, crawling, and kneeling on the wood chips and wet grass.



I went to Baskett Slough NWR in the evening but I'm saving those for a later post. It is easy to want to get outside when it is like it was this weekend.

Coastal Trip

Haceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most famous/pictured lighthouses on the west coast. We had never made it far enough south on the coast to see it. However, it was worth the trip to Florence to see what is now my favorite lighthouse that we have visited.

The lighthouse itself is on the left of the picture while the lighthouse keeper's house is on the right. The house is now a bed and breakfast and has a beautiful lawn that hosts many weddings and other special occasions. I took this picture from an overlook a few miles down the road. We stopped to see the lighthouse and were treated to a couple of whales. OK, so we didn't see the whales themselves, just the spray.



This picture was taken on the rocks in Depoe Bay. Jenny and I enjoy this little town on the coast and did a little exploring this year. There were a bunch of fishermen on the rocks to the left. To the left, the water was calm but the ocean on the right had large waves that were crashing all along the rocks to our right.