View from My Door

So I could go and find great places to take pictures or I could be lazy and look out the window, and then when the moment is right I could just snap a picture from my door.  Don't get me wrong I plan on doing more of the former, but hell, the view I have is pretty awesome.  I have some cell phone pics, but I just can't seem to get enough service to get them on my computer, and I forgot the little SD card adapter :(

Wild Thing: Wild Horses

So yeah I know I've already written about the wild horse sanctuary, but honestly how could I not do another one.  They were just so amazing and Beautiful!  Come on people you had to know this was coming, I mean how often do I default to YNP or Monterrey?  But this series of posts is all about the animals and you cannot deny how gorgeous they are.

Powder River Pass

Well as long as I am doing my favorite places (which is just about everywhere I've ever been) I figure this has to be on that list.  The first time I drove to Yellowstone alone, was in 2007, and I was heading out a few days early.  I went cross South Dakota, stopped at Lee's Motor Inn in Chamberlain--- totes awesome hotel!  Then I made it Cody Wyoming the next day, and that drive was something fantastic!

Coulson Gulch: First Hike of the Summer

I went hiking today, since I am here writing this it means I survived it.  It nearly killed me though, I am not as the greatest of shape, not completely used to this altitude.  That is what killed me the most, the altitude, I can suffer though normally, but there were times I was almost sick.  Not fun, but the destination was well worth the journey!

Water Along the Gorge

I was going through some pictures last night, and chatting with a new friend online about some, and he mentioned Multnomah Falls.  I've posted a bit on waterfalls before, but haven't really given the Columbia Gorge its due.  Fall 2009, I road tripped through Oregon and our last leg in Oregon was The Gorge.  We were really just passing through, but we made sure that we took the Columbia River Highway.  It is amazing, the views, the waterfalls, Vista House, it was so much fun to drive.

Wild Hearts! Wild Horses!

I've always wanted a horse.  I love them- everything about them, I just love them.  As a kid I took riding lessons for a while, I was a trail guide for a bit.  I might not have every been great, but I was pretty good, and I enjoyed it so much.  I don't get to be near horses a lot any more.  After we stopped with the lessons, I've probably been riding a dozen or so times.  More recently as my cousin has horses and when ever I go visit we go riding.

Painted Bison of West Yellowstone

Native Jewel Pony

 I have a painted pony statuette.  I got it a few years ago in a gift shop at old faithful, it is beautiful.  It is the Native Jewel Pony.  There were 150 life-size ponies painted across New Mexico.  Well, West Yellowstone had a similar idea, with their own twist.  Bison are very common so they used this and created several Painted Bison and calves throughout the stores of West.  They had them all on display in 2009.

On Top Mt. Hood

So I was going through some of my posts and I realized I haven't given Mount Hood much love.  Granted I haven't spent a lot of time there, but I did spend one lovely afternoon in search of it.  I say it that way because it was a bit of an adventure, my travels usually are.  We left Portland probably around 11 and at times it was clear and sunshiny, but other times it was raining and foggy.  While you could see it at times; the mountain was hidden.

  

Once we got to the top, there it was the peak of Mt. Hood!  The fog had cleared and we could enjoy a gorgeous view!  Timberline Lodge is atop Mt. Hood.  As well as a ski area.  Were were there in October, and there was quite a bit of snow up there, but the hill was not open.  We walked through the guest areas for the ski hill.  There were some great pictures and drawings of the skiing process (about the only way I can describe them) and a great statue of Smokey the Bear with skis!

Then we had to enter the Timberline Lodge.  You might recognize it from the Shinning, they used it as the outside of the hotel.  It was an amazing building inside too.  Very classy, but rustic and very fun inside.  It kinda reminded me of much large much fancier Snow White and the 7 Dwarf house!  Odd I know, but it worked! 

On the way back down we stopped at several little streams and tiny cascading waterfalls.  I am sure they get much larger during the spring snow melt.  They were adorable!!!!