Contributions of the group The INACTIVE sweeper

Bike Path at Joseph Stewart State Park (+many insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:24:34 +0000

(+many insets!)

Steve and I weren't looking forward to it but the morning finally came after ten glorious days at LaPine when we packed up and moved on. I soaked up every sight and sound on my walk that morning, oh, how I love that beautiful park!

We couldn't go directly to our final campground and instead drove less than two hours south to the privately owned Crater Lake Resort. What a pleasant surprise! It was very spacious for a owner-run park and the park was filled with trees--not at all like the usual parking lot that we usually see at these places. But it gets even better!

Right on the Rogue River Trail!
There is a connecting trail from the park that leads to the Rogue River Trail, which is a 37.5-mile trek which is very popular with backpackers and hikers alike. Steve and I have been on sections of this trail through the years and it's a total winner, so I was totally delighted to discover that our campground was virtually right on top of it! (By the way, I found a really neat pdf that shows the trail and all the highlights along the way. I also found a page that talks about the trail and has some nice pictures as well.) The afternoon we arrived, Steve and I enjoyed an hour's walk along the river and though we were sad that we were only able to stay here for a single night here, we were really happy we got to walk along the Rogue on a travel day!

Before we left the next morning, I spent a lovely hour speeding at a fast clip along the trail so I could see more than I did the afternoon before. I had time for a few pictures too and have included the ones I processed as insets.

Wonderful Joseph Stewart State Park
The distance from Crater Lake RV Resort and Joseph Stewart is literally twenty minutes so we were parked and set up in no time!

This park holds a warm place in our hearts. Located a mere 45 minutes from our home, it's the second place we went to when we first started our RV adventures back in 2019! We've been all over Oregon since, and to Canada's Vancouver Island too! When we got our current trailer (our second), we took it to Joseph Stewart for a 3-day stay to test out our new rig in a campground setting. In both cases we'd only gotten to stay for two or three days so having five nights/six days was a real treat. All of the campground loops are huge and spacious and there are enormous meadows everywhere, dotted with conifers and maple trees. We love the wonderful bike path which goes around a deep forest loop and--if you've got the energy for the return trip--down a long, lovely path to the boat launch and day-use picnic ground. There is a marvelous trail that overlooks Lost Creek Lake too, and strolling around the campground loops is fun as well. It's just a super place!

The bummer was that on the day we arrived, a heat wave descended on the west coast. The temperature soared to well over 100 degrees and we were stuck inside during the day where we could keep cool. I got my morning bike ride and walk in as early as possible and still, by 8:30am it was already heading to 80 degrees! UGH!

Today's Picture
My main picture today shows the gorgeous, huge meadow next to the bike path with a lovely group of oak and maple trees that tower above.

Today's Insets
I'm sharing a pair from my walk on the Rogue River Trail that include one from the trail and a pair of images of some of the pretty foliage I found.

From Joseph Stewart I'm sharing a very wide pano of the lake and some of the beautiful things I saw on my walks!

I hope everyone is doing ok! It's very smoky here from wildfires in the area and hot too. Ugh! But we're off on our trip very soon now, just buttoning up last things and getting our live-in buddy moved back in again while we're away!

Explored on 7/13/21; highest placement #8.

Magnificent Deschutes River at LaPine State Park (+3 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 19:07:55 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+3 insets) (This is another jaw-dropping pano best seen at full size! It's worth it! :D)

Off and away to LaPine State Park!
After our fantastic stay at The Cove Palisades, we made a bee-line for one of our favorite destinations--LaPine State Park!

You wouldn't think that a high-desert location would be so wonderful--after all, the plant life is pretty monotonous, mostly a seemingly endless conifer forest and drought-tolerant bushes--but the forest is breathtaking just the same, and there's a pair of gorgeous rivers to fawn over and the wildlife is a joy to encounter too.

The highlight for us are the fantastic assortment of wonderful trails that ring the park and take adventurers past this park's finest qualities. Miles of lovely scenery, riverside views, and a blissful area to explore which never gets old.

Wonderful Trails for Walking
In the mornings I enjoy walking on miles of trails that include so many highlights of the park. Along the way I pause here and there to breathe in the rich scent of warming sap and appreciate the golden light, dappled shadows and twinkling reflections on the Deschutes River. I relish the sounds of birds who've started their day, calling back and forth, and it's a fun game to count how many species I can distinguish. The commentary from squirrels and chipmunks always elicits a snicker and a grin as I listen gleefully--usually arguments about pine nuts or the outrage of seeing me in their forest--how rude of me to be there! Now LEAVE! Ha! Watching the sun peek over ridgelines at the river's edge, I pause to listen to the powerful rush of water passing by a clog of tree limbs caught along the bank. There are endless things I get to appreciate on each relished morning walk, what a joy.

Incredible Trails for Mountain Bike Riding
Of all the state parks we've been to, mountain bike riding on the trails at LaPine is one of our two favorite spots. We worked out a string of trails which loops the whole park, goes along both of the park's rivers and shows off the best of LaPine's high-desert beauty. The ride, which takes about one and a half hours, is like the very best amusement park ride in the world but it's on a bike and you're in control! The paths weave in and out of the trees, sometimes going around massive fallen conifers or negotiating between perfectly-spaced trunks. The mostly single-wide trail zips along the rivers where the water may be rushing down a narrow place or lazily rounding a serpentine turn where the river slows. I feel like I'm on a flat rollercoaster ride sometimes, the way the path races around sweeping turns and then up and down over hills and around through the forest! By the time Steve and I slow to a stop at our campsite, we're exhilarated, exercised, and beaming with happiness--what a ride!! This is something we try to do as many days on our trip as we can fit in because it's just the best!

Today's Picture
My main picture is a panorama of one of Deschutes River's breathtaking serpentine turns. Every morning I would come to this spot and stare in amazement. It's called McGregor's Memorial Viewpoint, granted to a fellow who spent his older years promoting Oregon's natural resources. (If you'd like to see the memorial plaque, a newspaper article, and many pictures of this gorgeous spot by another fan, please visit this page: Donald McGregor Memorial Viewpoint)

Today's Insets:
Inset One: The first day we rode the entire 10+ mile loop, we made sure to ride our bikes a few minutes from the trail over to the popular fly-fishing spot on the Fall River to gaze at its beauty. I parked my bike and then realized it would make a really neat shot, so here you go! When it's busy here, there can be a dozen fly-fishermen casting again and again into the 1-2-foot deep water. Last year when we discovered this cool place, there were so many rainbow trout in the water that you could see them clearly as they swam in place, waiting for goodies to float downstream to their waiting maws!

Inset Two: Another favorite part of my morning walk is about half a mile from our campsite at a place I call "the corner of the river." Here the Deschutes River makes an abrupt turn around a point and when you step out to the end of it, the upstream view I'm sharing is what I would see each day. Isn't it spectacular? And do you see the log in front that leads into the water? I called it "The Bouncing Log", because, believe it or not, it truly did! The current is strong enough that it makes the log move and I even I made a video of this because in all my days, I've never seen anything like this! (I'll upload the video when I can and will let you know when it's available to watch)

Inset Three: This collage features pictures that are not crisp but instead show images of a bird that I've always wanted to see--a kingfisher! I was walking up to the "corner of the river" when I heard a loud splash. Turning to see what it might be, I immediately crossed my fingers because it didn't sound like a fish jumping, nor a rock being tossed into the current. A blur of movement and--SQUEEEEE!!!!--I saw a bird flying low over the water to land on a branch next to the bank. Too far for me to see with my eyes, I fired up my Sony and zoomed to 600mm, targeting the little blob I saw. A KINGFISHER!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! I had just enough time for several pictures before it flew off and away to another fishing spot but I did get a few! I was amazed that the shots were at least fair since they were so far away. But this meant I could only share them as a collage, was actually just what I wanted! :) No prizes for quality but I can't help but share my bucket list birdy! :)

Hope everyone is doing well! It's starting to get hot again around here and the wildfires are raising their blazing heads again, but let's cross our fingers that we'll have a safer summer this year!

Explored on 7/09/21; highest placement #14.

Happy Valentine's Day from Animals at Tugman State Park! (+6 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:23:35 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+6 insets!)

"I Caught a Salamander!"
On one of my morning walks I took a camera with me to capture some of the beautiful things I saw every day at Tugman State Park. I had a specific mission though. I made a bee-line for the Eel Lake dock because I hoped to get some pictures of a wonderful and unusual sight I'd discovered the other day. In the early morning, if you looked carefully, you could see salamanders swimming around! They were so darned cute! This is something I've never seen in my whole life! (I believe these are juvenile Coastal Giant Salamanders, Dicamptodon tenebrosus.)

Moving slowly around the wooden dock, I got some neat images of barely-visible salamanders swimming along just under the surface. I guess they must live under the dock…perhaps on the wood? In the mud under water? I don't know for sure but I was full of joy as I saw each one, cooing happily at their cuteness.

At the same time as I was there, a father and his young daughter and son were there. Dad was fishing while his kids were laying on the deck with hands positioned over the water. They were hoping to catch salamanders and had a water-filled bucket next to them if they got lucky.

"I CAUGHT ONE!!!" I looked over to see the young boy with an ear-to-ear grin, standing up with a salamander held very gently in his hands. He saw me looking with my matching smile and asked if I would like to see his new little friend. "YES!" I exclaimed and asked if I could take a picture. He said sure and I got a nod from Dad before I captured the image you see as today's main image. I love this shot. It clearly shows how gently the salamander is being held and though the salamander doesn't look exactly thrilled, it's not freaked-out, which makes me happy!

Before I turned to go, the children said they were going to catch all the salamanders they could until Dad was done fishing and then they would let them go. I couldn't help but look back on my own adventures of capturing little salamanders under bricks in San Francisco when I was their age! :)

Other Insets
I'm including a salamander under the water, a darling chipmunk that posed for me, and a close-up portrait. I'm also sharing images of a lovely garter snake I discovered on the trail. It was so relaxed that it took about five minutes to slowly make its way over the trail and off into the bushes. :)

I hope you're all doing well today! Stay safe, warm and dry on this cold, wet day! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Explored on 2/13/29; highest placement #3.

Happy Fence Friday from Tugman State Park! (+5 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 16:54:13 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+5 insets!)

Safe Dental Visits During Covid?! YES!!!
Steve and I have been wanting to go to the dentist now for ages! Both of us have needed work done--from normal cleaning to extreme procedures--but everything's transpired against us! The financial burden was the biggest problem but a while back we got a new medical plan which has made it feasible to schedule appointments. But at the same time…COVID became a thing. Just thinking about the issues of dentistry, germs, proximity, potential spreading…Steve and I threw our hands in the air and put it off. For a whole year!

Did You Know a Pistachio Shell Can Become a Tiny Bear Trap?
One day I was eating pistachio nuts, shelling them and munching happily. I used my teeth to crack open a shell as I often do, but this time the shell slipped and closed like a bear trap…right on my lower frenulum just in front of my front teeth (a frenulum or frenum is the little stretchy connection between your gum and lip, above and below. Also under your tongue…and there's another one too, look it up!) The odds of this accident happening were ridiculously low but there I stood, looking in the bathroom mirror, unable to get the mini bear trap off my frenulum. I finally succeeded but in so doing, caused a bad injury which really hurt! However, I also knew that mouth sores heal really fast and I figured this would heal quickly too. To be sure, I searched the internet and learned that injuries of this sort are common in little kids who often fall on their faces, etc. Poor little guys! Poor me! :D

I kept an eye on it. Time passed. Days…weeks, nearly a month, and it still hadn't healed! I was worried about Covid but I was worried about my mouth too. Looking into dental safety procedures, I learned that they are really careful. I was surprised and encouraged by this, and when Steve called to ask about coming in, our dentist staff explained everything they do. We were convinced it would be fine and with that…we made an appointment to check out my injury.

Our Dentist is Totally Safe!
We went to my appointment and the safeguards were awesome. Only one person in the waiting area, required masks and hand washing, sanitizer, temperature check and checklist of where I'd been and so forth…and when I was called back to my room, everything was perfectly clean--even the places where the staff touched were replaceable tapes to keep everything sanitary. The dentist looked at my injury and as I suspected, told me that I just need to be patient. Sometimes those injuries take longer to heal but it wasn't infected. I just needed to wait. *sigh* Ok…but you know what? The very best thing happened: we learned that it would ok to go to the dentist!!

Teeth Cleaning and Dental Work!
Both Steve and I set up appointments for teeth cleaning, checkups, filling replacements and much more. It's been really super. Today I am sitting here with a very puffy face because I got a badly-needed gum graft for a terribly receded gum. Day two and I'm doing well, so delighted to have the procedure done! And Steve's had work done with more scheduled to come. We've been to two different offices--dentist and periodontist--and in each case, they've been fastidiously clean and careful. What a relief to finally get our teeth cared for, hooray!!

Go To The Dentist…It's Safe!
If you've been like us, you've been putting off your dental visits because of Covid worries. However, if our dentist is any indication of how the majority of dental offices are handling safety, there is nothing to worry about! Naturally, everyone is different. Call beforehand and grill your dental office on what their procedures are for sanitizing and caring for patients, and for staff safety too. Use normal care--touch nothing if you can help it, etc. You owe it to your mouth! Go to the dentist! :)

Today's Picture
It's Happy Fence Friday and I'm sharing a picture of one of the lovely little bridges I crossed each morning on my daily Tugman walk around the edge of Eel Lake. There are four bridges in all on this short hike--what a surprise that such a lot of effort was made for this minor trail, but I sure loved being able to walk along without hopping over streams or miring in muddy slop. The trail makers did a bang-up job and I appreciated the heck out of this gorgeous path every day!

Insets
I'm including five more pictures of a few sights on this trail--I have so many to add! Today I'm including another trail picture with a tree's branches sweeping over the trail; a pictures of one of the trees along the way which has a fascinating, toe-like trunk; a wonderful image of water at the shore with beautiful rippled and a water plant; a tiny trio of velvety-looking mushrooms I found; and finally, some colorful leaves that caught my eye.

Thank You!
I really appreciate all of your visits, comments and favorites! Also, I apologize for not stopping by recently, there's been so much going on! But you'll be seeing me today, yay! Please stay safe and once again…the dentist is SAFE to visit! Take care of your chompers, they will appreciate it, and you'll be so much happier! :)

Explored on 2/13/29; highest placement #4.

Happy Bench Monday from Tugman State Park! (+7 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:04:57 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+7 insets!)

Stop #3 of our 2020 Escaping Covid trip: Tugman State Park
Leaving Bullard's Beach after a wonderful week of fun, relaxation and adventure, we headed north for a new campground destination. Tugman State Park would turn out to be so wonderful that it now sits on our list of favorite Oregon State Parks!

Family Planning Not Quite According to Plan!
Before we found out that campgrounds were open again, Steve's sister called to let us know that things had changed. She lives in California (about 700 miles south in the Los Angeles metropolitan area) and since we had an RV, she thought it was high time we got together for part of our trips. So she and Steve coordinated a spot where we could hang out and that turned out to be Tugman State Park! However, our desire to reserve a nice long stay proved to be impossible. We ended up reserving four nights, followed by a two-night stay at a "glorified parking lot" private RV park, and then seven more nights at Tugman. Not ideal but at least the private RV park was only 45 minutes away.

Tugman State Park
Located just to the side of the lovely and large Eel Lake, this campground features closely-connected loops that are nested within each other--something that I haven't found in other parks. The result is a fairly compact park that can be a bit confusing when trying to remember where your camping spot is.

This campground has three unique and wonderful aspects: two trails which are just a walk from the campground, and of course, the lake itself. The shorter of the two trails is just 1.1 miles but don't let the length disappoint you--that wonderful trail will have me returning forever! It leads in and out of the forest and around the western shore--it's absolutely perfect to start each day with. I looked forward to every walk I went on and just thinking about it now makes me wish I were there! The trail terminates in benches that are perched on a spot that juts just a bit into the lake. Sitting there or standing out and looking at the twinkling lake, there are few places to match this tranquil beauty. The 6.1-mile hike along the eastern shore is outstanding and gorgeous, leading through the mixed conifer and deciduous forest and peeking out on the lake here and there with benches for anyone needing breaks. Finally, the lake itself is stunning and fantastic for canoeing or kayaking, or for those who'd like to try catching a fish.

Today's Pictures
I discovered that I've only posted a couple of pictures from our stay here so I'll be sharing pictures from our stay in this area for a few days! :) Today I'm featuring the perfect picture for Happy Bench Monday! Would you just LOOK at that crazy bench?! It sits at the end of the short trail I started every day with. As you can see from one of the insets, the view is wonderful! My insets show some of the beautiful things I saw on my walk and I'll be posting other pictures in the coming days to add to this.

I hope that you are all doing well. At our house it's very cold, snowy, rainy, mucky and pretty miserable outside, but in the afternoons it's sometimes gorgeous and sunny! Crazy weather! Stay safe and thank you so much for all of your marvelous comments and stars--your visits mean so much to me!

Explored on 2/9/29; highest placement #1.

Happy Bench Monday from Bullard's Beach! (+21 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 16:06:38 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+21 insets) (Sorry so many, I wanted to get all of my scattered images together!)

Revisiting a Lovely Park!
The second stop on our "Escaping Covid" trip was Bullard's Beach State Park, a beautiful, sprawling campground that we visited for only a single day the year before because of Memorial Day…every campground was full! One of the insets has a picture with a link that tells of the fun we had in that day. However, needless to say, we were delighted to get a chance to spend a full week there this time around! It was so nice to relax and enjoy this pretty park in a much more relaxed manner.

Bullard's Beach
This coastal campground is nestled just inside the scrub and forest which begins where the sand and dunes end. The natural wind-break means the park isn't windy, which is very nice. The park has many campsites with a good distance between them too, and I really like the way this place feels. Laid out on mostly flat ground, all of the three campground loops are wonderful for strolling and bike riding too. There's also a path which leads a mile down to the beach which goes for miles in each direction.

Unique features of this park include the wide Coquille River which empties out into the ocean nearby and the view of Bullard's Bridge, which is has two vertical-lift spans and is an impressive sight. Another difference: sandy hiking trails… *wince*

Sandy "Trails of Tears"
The day I decided to go on one of the Bullard's Beach "hiking trails" was when I discovered its least positive unique aspect. Unless one stays on cement paths, the deep, sandy paths are often a painfully slow and arduous "three steps forward and two steps back." I learned this the hard way. I decided one day to go on a trail which led for a few miles on a supposed loop path up and around an area just inland of Bullard's Beach. Stepping off the campground's cement path onto the sandy trail, I really should have just turned around right then and there. But I was determined! Plus, I'd never gone on a walk like this before. The terrain was interesting and different so I was optimistic. It couldn't be all sand…could it? Um…yes. Deep, loose, slippery sand the entire way. It didn't help that these trails were frequented by horseback riders, and that meant the trails weren't packed down at all. So, instead of my usual brisk pace, I was forced to plug along at a snail's crawl. Normally I would have been around that trail in perhaps a couple of hours. In the end, it took about three hours to the point that I gave up and turned around to retrace my steps. (see inset) What misery! It was pretty to see and I enjoyed the environment and views but the time it took for progress was ridiculous. I was so happy and relieved when I finally stepped back onto the cement path again!

Today's Pictures
The road down to the beach has a lovely paved path that parallels it with the Coquille River just across the way. Today's main image features a bench and tree which look out over the wide Coquille River. I finally have a nice image to include for Happy Bench Monday! :)

Insets for Today's Presentation
Walking down the path to the beach from the Bullard's Beach campground, I got a nice pano with not-so-great picture of the cool dual-span Bullard's Bridge and the fun shot of the path that includes a picnic table tucked away in a meadow past protective bushes.

Picnic gazebo: I thought it was interesting to see one of the park's group party areas that was blocked off with yellow tape because of the corona virus. It made me stop and think about the way the world has changed--and continues to do so, because of the pandemic.

One day Steve and I drove down to the road that goes along the beach and went to the light house for pictures. It was miserably windy and cold though so we didn't end up going on a beach stroll as we'd hoped. I got the light house, which is probably one of the least interesting I've ever seen, but I also noticed a fellow nearby who was "crabbing", or putting in crab traps.

The Coquille River is deep enough that big ships use it to transport goods and I got a couple of nice pictures of a ship entering the river.

The beach itself had some fun driftwood forts and interesting lean-tos that I took pictures of. As well, the morning that we left, I rode my bike down to the beach and got some pretty beach pictures, along with a few of the golden carpet of flowers that grew in the scrubby area between the beach and the campground.

Next to last, I've included pictures of the "sandy trail of tears" walk that I went on, including a map that shows the trail and how far I got.

Finally, I am also including links to the other Bullard's Beach posts I made in the past so this is a complete collection. Sorry for the vastness of this presentation, enjoy what you can! :)

Thanks so much for all of your visits, comments and favorites! Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Explored on 2/1/29; highest placement #5.

Adorable Chipmunk at LaPine State Park (+6 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:40:02 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+6 insets!)

Our 2020 RV Adventures in the Midst of Covid--It's time to get back to my travel pictures!
How incredibly lucky we were to have the freedom to travel during this pandemic. When the virus started taking over the world, we sat and worried for months about what it would all mean, what would happen, the whole state of the world. Then we found out that the Oregon State Park system had opened up its campgrounds again and everything changed for us. We could take our RV and actually enjoy ourselves! In our private, protective camper, we'd be able to visit state parks and partake in our favorite activities--hiking, cycling, photography, reading, writing, etc.--and stay completely safe while doing it!

Our RV Adventures
We had two trips: the first part began on June 29 and we got home on July 6. The second part began a couple of weeks later after Steve did some upgrades on both the truck and trailer. I included maps that show where we went on each trip so you have a better understanding.

2020 Covid Trip, Part 1:
6.29-7.06 Humbug Mtn State Park
7.06-13 Bullard's Beach State Park
7.13-17 Tugman State Park
7.17-19 Heceta RV Park (just a glorified parking lot; we couldn't get into Tugman until the 19th)
7.19-26 Tugman State Park
7.26 Home

2020 Covid Trip, Part 2:
8.09-17 LaPine State Park
8.17-24 Detroit Lake State Park
8.24--9.04 LL Stub Stewart
9.04-08 Champoeg State Heritage Area
9.08-10 LL Stub Stewart State Park
9.10-24 Fort Stevens State Park
9.24-27 Tugman State Park
9.27-10-11 LaPine State Park
10.11 Home

Posting pictures and trip reports has been really hit and miss. I finally just stopped after a while, not sure where to pick up and continue. I got behind on my image processing but since we've been home, I've finished countless photos. I'm still at a loss about where I should pick up again but I guess it doesn't really matter. Nobody is keeping score, right?

Today's Pictures
The main picture shows an impossibly cute Least Chipmunk at LaPine State Park. We were constantly entertained by these darling little guys, who scampered everywhere looking for snacks. We would sit at our campsite and watch them running around, finding things to stop and nibble on. Sometimes they skittered right up to us--climbing on a shoe, even racing up to a knee and then off again in a flash! Onto the tables, into our Easy-up shelter, zooming under the RV and truck…it was non-stop entertainment to watch them, and we laughed and laughed at their adorable antics. I would also see them on my walks, and my best pictures were taken on a trail that skirted the beautiful Deschutes River. I'm including a couple of extras to coo at--aren't they just the cutest?! I also have an image of a Douglas Squirrel which stood belligerently on the side of a fir tree yelling outrages at me one day while I stood snickering! Additionally I have the pair of chipmunks I posted when we got back from our second trip and the maps that show where we went.

I hope you are all doing well and staying safe!

Explored on 1/25/21; highest placement #1.

Welcome Back Ipernity!

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 16:41:39 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

A New Year and a New Ipernity, and Oh, What a Day…

I've really missed ipernity. Even though we could comment and move our pictures around in chronological order, It just wasn't the same without being able to upload pictures. So I mostly stayed away the entire time it's been unable to update its database.

I thought I had a handle on the effects of Covid on the world. In fact, getting out to go camping for an amazing three months did wonders for both of us! But then the virus went spiraling out of control, numbers skyrocketed, people became more horrible than ever and I'm right back in the depths of a very gloomy depression.

Add to that the simply incredible US election year. I loathe politics. I detest Trump even more. To have this spoiled, uncivilized brat rousted from his undeserved seat of power was a beam of golden light. But of course it tripped his switch of complete and utter insanity, followed by unfathomable chaos and then an attempt to kick off a civil war…this could not actually be happening, right? What seemed like it must be some stupid Lifetime movie was actual reality, where people were getting killed and outrages were unfolding everywhere.

Yesterday I discovered that ipernity was back online in regards to uploading pictures and I was overjoyed to see this! But with everything going on in the news, and wrestling with my doldrums, I just couldn't get it together to upload anything.

I am posting this outrageously colorful dahlia today (photographed at San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers) to express the fireworks of joy that I'm feeling to have our ipernity back! It symbolizes the happiness I feel about today's second impeachment of the Great Embarrassment of the US, and as a shining beacon for a better, happier year ahead. The vaccines are rolling out, a new day dawns before us and things are going to get better!

WELCOME BACK IPERNITY! Here's to healing for all of us!

Explored on 1/13/21; highest placement #2.

An Oldy but a Goody! Frosted Netting

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 09:07:21 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

Since ipernity's Uploading Function is Down...
I'm joining the bandwagon in pushing an older picture to the front so it can be viewed. It's a shame that so many of our pictures have been buried by time, but now we have the opportunity to give them a new lease on life! :)

This Picture
I got my brand new Canon 5D Mk II only a couple of months before (November 2011) and with it, the same beloved 100mm 2.8L macro lens that I have glued to my current camera, the 5D Mk IV! This is a picture of the deer-proof net that we used to surround one of my garden areas. I was struck by the beauty of the frost that clings so beautifully to the plastic!

My original text from 2012:
Living on 26 acres means that there are endless possibilities for macro shots! I had such fun rooting around for interesting things covered in frost, and this really surprised me! I'd forgotten about the netting we used for our garden, so when I saw it, I was delighted and amazed at how cool it looked covered with frost! (you will see my old use of frame too!)

Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :)

I Bow My Head

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 16:16:54 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

With a heavy heart, I dedicate this dew-drizzled rose to Bobbie Blair, a beloved friend of Steve and mine.

Before me, Steve met and married Dina Blair, a dynamic, whip-smart lady who captured his heart. Not long after, Steve would meet her parents and there a dear and affectionate bond would be forged between Bobbie and Steve. Though Dina and Steve's union wasn't forever, the connection between Steve and Bobbie was rock-solid and their mother-son-close friendship lasted through the years without pause.

For me, I loved to see this relationship from my vantage point. Just like family, these two exchanged regular calls and Bobbie sent cards and welcomed me to cuddle under her wing as well. How fun it was to hear Steve chattering on about the latest, his laughter filling the house, the joy of having a surrogate mom to share time with.

Hospice is a word that fills me with sadness in its unspoken finality. But, it is a comfort to know that Bobbie is with her loving husband and surrounded by adoring family and friends.

Bobbie will be missed by all of us. I grieve for Bobbie and her family. I grieve for my husband, whose heart is breaking. I grieve for this sweet lady, who I never met in person, but whose sweetness touched my life nonetheless. Our tears fall.

Explored on 12/05/20; highest placement #1.

OMG ipernity is BACK! YAY!!! Oh, and...Frosty Wood and Nails! (+2 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 15:47:38 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+2 insets) (view large for super details!)

So Happy ipernity is Back!
Wow, that was a LONG TIME to be away from ipernity...it will be interesting to learn all of the details behind the massive shutdown. I hope all of you have been ok! Since I need to run out for a while, I'm going to post the text I had prepared for this picture and insets! YAY!!! WE'RE BACK!!!

Freezing is a Big NOPE For Morning Walks!
Holy cow, it's most definitely not warm outside! 26F/-3.3C is just WAY TOO COLD for me! I've drawn the line--any temperature below 30F/-1.1C and I'm not going outside. Seriously, it just takes a few minutes of exposure, even bundled up, and I'm a total popsicle! Then it takes ages to warm up again. Yes, I could dress in snow gear but then I feel like a bloated tick and instead of being able to march happily up and down the driveway, I'm shuffling along without freedom of movement. It's not so much my legs as my arms and hands which get bound up, and I cannot exercise properly when so bundled up. I guess on days like this, I'll need to hop on our orbital trainer for exercise unless I go out later if it warms up to a comfortable temperature. LOL, you may think I'm a big baby about the cold, but if you are thin and/or predisposed to getting cold extremities--which includes a huge portion of the female population--you'll know exactly how I feel!

My Electric Blanket is Wonderful!
By the way, you might remember that I ordered a heated blanket a few weeks back. What an absolute slice of heaven! I've never had one before and it's such a treat! My parents had a couple when I was growing up but the blankets were musty, worn out fleece and the wires inside were stiff. I remember them either not working or getting too hot and my parents threw them out at some point because they were a fire hazard. Mine is velvety soft, silvery grey and has wires inside which aren't very noticeable at all. Reviews mentioned it getting too hot for some--the control box too--so I unplug it after use, but I haven't had any problems with it. It's so cuddly and perfect that I've only allowed Steve to pet it but I can't bear to share it with him! I'm mean! :D

Today's Pictures
I took these frosty pictures a while back and it's wonderful to have a perfect time to post them! The main picture shows frost on some nails and charred wood from a fire a few years back. My insets include two pictures: one shows frost on the edge of a piece of metal and the other is a frost-covered stem protruding from our ice-covered seasonal pond.

Take care of yourselves, everyone! It's cold, miserable, and it's a perfect opportunity to catch the flu or worse! Thank you all for the lovely comments, visits and favorites you've left for my pictures. My globe-trotting visits to your photo streams has been great fun and full of inspiration, beauty and amazing sights. Keep up the AWESOME! :)

Explored on 12/03/20; highest placement #8.

Glorious Maple Leaf Details and Fall in Medford Parking Lots (Set 6) (+7 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:48:33 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+7 insets!) (at full-size the details are super cool!)

Simply Perfect
There is no end to the joy I find in a leaf. One can stand at a distance and never run out of great shots brimming with colorful, leaf-filled trees. But for me, the magic is close up and personal. The minute details found in a leaf can be so amazing and astonishingly cool, don't you agree?!. With the additional effect of backlighting, a whole new level of stunning is added to the experience--nature's stained-glass windows in the shape of a leaf. As I stand staring at these incredible sights, I cannot help but feel a reverence and deep joy to see something so beautiful.

Today's Pictures: the Last Medford Parking Lot Set!
It took six sets to show off all of the treasures I found, but here we are! Believe it or not, there are lots of other pictures I could process too…bark textures, a wonderfully decorated bench I found, some interesting pictures of pvc pipe and other stuff. What an amazing day it was for photography!!

Today's main picture is a close-up of a maple leaf, adding shadow-play to the incredible "stained-glass" appearance that backlighting can reveal. It is such fun viewing these images on my computer. Even though I can stare at a leaf "nose-close" and see every facet, that level of detail isn't immediately visible when I have my camera in front of me. I can tell the image is crisp but unless I take the time to review the image in-camera I just have to hope I captured the detail I saw "nose-close" with my lens. When I get it right, the whole room is illuminated with my smile!

Today's Insets
The first inset shows the main picture's entire leaf and its setting. The following three pictures show the gorgeous, shining bark from a lovely tree I found. Then I've got another picture of the crows that flew by. And finally, a pair of images that show two species of ornamental grass in their golden magnificence. :)

I hope you all enjoyed this show…I had such a great time processing these pictures! Thanks for all of the marvelous comments and favorites you've left for me. I appreciate the time you take to look at my images! :)

Please be careful out there and enjoy your day!

Explored on 11/19/20; highest placement #8.

Fall Beauty in Medford Parking Lots, Set 5 (+6 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 16:51:17 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+6 insets!) (view large for better detail!) :D

Merely the Messenger!
Can you believe all of the "winner" pictures I managed to capture on my day to town with Steve a few weeks ago?! How wonderful it is to see so many interesting and beautiful sights and be able to share them with you! I truly do feel like a mere messenger, trained over the years to record things I see to the best of my ability. I've often worried that remarking with such unbridled excitement about my pictures may make some think I am boasting or have a superior opinion about my photography. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is just my pure delight that I've learned to present these beautiful things for all of us to revere and enjoy! I only hope that my abilities continue to improve as time goes by--isn't it marvelous that photography (and processing) is a never-ending skill which one can never become "best" at?

I Love This Talented, Humble Community!
I personally feel that in all things, there is no excuse for grandstanding or putting on airs and taking on a superior attitude. Some of the people I most admire in the world are the massively talented, special folk who are completely humble about who they are and the amazing things they can do. That's one of the things I adore about the ipernity community…you guys are so darned talented and yet, nobody (that I am aware of, anyway!) is snobby about the jaw-dropping photography you create and share. Instead of being "holier than thou", you are happy to point out the positive, give encouragement, and help with technique--instead of burning down those around you who may be a bit further behind on this photography journey.

Today's Pictures: More Fall Leaves in Medford Parking Lots!
Walking around and staring up into the trees, I got many remarks from folks passing by…"Looks like you're having fun!" "What a wonderful day for photography!" and even a keen-eyed "Wow, nice camera!" which produced a blush and happy laugh from me--it's always fun to take my Canon 5D and macro lens out for a romp!

Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to get proper separation between leaves and the rest of the tree? Sheesh! I spent a lot of time creeping this way and that, looking for proper opportunities. It's a lot of fun though, especially when you find a picture to take! :) My main image was one of those happy successes…a backlit maple leaf with a cool shadow and some really wonderful bokeh in the background…woot! Many pictures were just blobs of leaves without distinction. Looking at them made me wonder, "What the heck were you thinking? There's nothing here!" :D However, every picture can teach us something so I always try to glean a helpful tidbit from my many failures, though I don't always learn anything more than, "Nothing about that picture works!"

Today's Insets
My other pictures today include a wide variety of interesting finds! A lovely trio of droplet-sprayed leaves beginning to deteriorate, a twig of Mimosa leaves embarking on a journey of fall colors before they die, and then a picture which gave me all kinds of trouble!

I'd found this wonderful group of maple leaves with cool spotty light coming through the leaves behind. I saw potential but the image straight out of the camera was busy and the separation between the subject leaves and the background wasn't distinct. I experimented with lots of ideas to draw the leaves out but nothing worked. Too boring, too dark, too contrived…It took several sessions on different days before finally I used a textured idea which hit a home run for me! In the end, this picture is exactly what I'd hoped for but it took a long time before I found a proper solution! :)

The next inset isn't a fall subject except that it's a dependable beauty if you're looking for flowers in autumn! I found some rose bushes while strolling around and though the blossoms were sad and droopy, the buds were fantastic and this picture turned out really nicely, showing both the bud and some surprising bokeh behind.

In the large Safeway parking lot--or was it Costco?! I don't remember!--I heard a raucous noise and looked up to see a large flock of crows flying by. I can't resist trying to take pictures of birds in flight and I was so happy to find that I'd gotten several "winners"!! I'll share my other picture in the last set--don't you feel wonderful when you capture wing detail?! WOOT!

Finally, the breeze fluttered something on the ground and I found this disheveled feather, all twisted and bedraggled but still fascinating to look at. Can you believe that feathers are modified scales?! It's amazing. Anyway, it took a bit of work to coax a nice outcome--like the other picture I had trouble with, this one fought me all the way but in the end I'm happy with the result! :)

Stay Safe!
I know you are all doing your best to keep out of harm's way, but I cannot help but add my plea to the mix. The number of new cases these days are totally unprecedented and it's more risky than ever to be out and about. I'm glad that I'm able to manage the worry I feel for all of you and can visit ipernity without freaking out, but I am feeling a lot more anxiety lately. Take care and stay away from anyone that you can!!

And finally, thanks so much for your visits, favorites and comments--you guys are the very best! I love visiting your streams too, what a great delight! *virtual hugs to all* :D

Explored on 11/17/20; highest placement #1.

Nepalese Ivy Crawling Up a Tree—Inspired By Keith Burton!

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 16:58:51 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(view large for even more yummy details! :D)

Do you remember when you first began your adventure in photography? Remember the beginning of your journey when you knew you wanted to take good pictures but your results left you feeling frustrated and unhappy? It's a long road, isn't it? Do you remember looking online for a photography community where you might learn from those whose photography you admired?

I remember all the way back, so many years ago now, when I hopped online and discovered there were photography communities where people uploaded their pictures and shared them with the world. At first it was a love-hate relationship. I would visit photo groups and individual photographer pages and see what pictures others were taking. I could only look for a few minutes before I was overwhelmed and felt so intimidated that it seemed silly to think I might be able to take pictures like all I admired. But I was determined to try, because I found a burning passion for photography that I couldn't quench and what really made my heart blaze was macro photography, where for the first time I could share with others the pictures of all the tiny things in the world I'd loved since I was a toddler. After literally hundreds of thousands of pictures and years later, I learned a thing or two! I think you'll agree: there's nothing like the feeling of capturing images that make your heart go boom.

Along the way I've met a river of talented folk and communities that are both welcoming and inspiring. When I found ipernity, I knew it was the perfect online home for me and my photography. People have come and gone over the years but some of them are here to stay like me and some have become good friends to me.

Just One of My Countless Inspirations—Keith Burton!
ipernity is overflowing with talented, wonderful, friendly, worldly and interesting people, young and old. Years ago I met a fine fellow named Keith Burton, whose photography often surprised me because his style was so often just like mine! And yet, he often tries interesting techniques and takes brilliant pictures of subjects that never occurred to me. There's nothing like seeing a new idea from a person whose bag of tricks is similar enough that you feel inspired and not intimidated.

Keith Loves Ivy…and So Do I!
I love ivy! Ever since I was a kid I've loved seeing how it grows up the side of trees, all over buildings, carpeting forest floors, covering fences…that's one crazy plant! The leaves are lovely to look at and as a subject, they are brilliant! Keith loves ivy too…and boy does he know how to take fantastic pictures of it! In fact, every time I see ivy now I also think of Keith. So naturally, when I found the ivy in my picture today, I hoped my pictures would turn out so I could share them with him! I'm only posting this one today but eventually I'll put them all up. I simply had to post this because I kept telling Keith about my pictures and needed to share one before I exploded! :D

Did You Know? There are at least 20 types of plants known as "Ivy"!
When I think of ivy, I picture the type known as common or English ivy (Hedera helix). Within the Hedera genus there are 12-15 species which include one of my favorites pictured today. I love the shape and wonderful texture of the leaves . It was a big surprise to learn there are twenty or more types of plants known by the name "ivy", and so many of them look nothing like hedera.. Not surprisingly, almost all species known as ivy tend to be invasive and have spread around the world, choking out native plants and killing trees with their strangling ways. It's too bad because I adore these plants so much!

Thank You
I appreciate all of your visits, comments, stars and of course your inspiring, wonderful photography! It's been so nice spending relaxing mornings perusing your pictures and getting more inspiration for my future photography! Please stay safe and warm out there!!

Explored on 11/15/20; highest placement #2.

Leaf Balancing on Wire Fencing…It Must Be Happy Fence Friday! :D

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:42:35 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

What is it about Happy Fence Friday that's so much fun?! There's something about nabbing a picture of a fence of any type that's really hard to resist. I'm not alone, as you guys know all too well! I have to admit that when I first noticed this crazy photo day many years ago, I didn't get it. What's the deal? Who cares?! As it turns out, the subject really does merit its own special day. Those of us who love to participate in this weekly frolic know that fences--in all their zillions of iterations--can be appreciated and shown off to an almost worshipful greatness from near and far and in all conditions. And yes, it's true--any picture can be a bore if taken without care. Certainly the same can be said of a fence picture, but more often than not, fences add more interest to an image and can really be jaw-dropping to look at. How wonderful to have the excuse to take that picture or go the extra mile to produce something really special! In any event, I love seeing what everyone's come up with for their weekly offering and it's great fun to toss my picture into the pile! Hooray for Happy Fence Friday!

Today's Picture: A Fence at Oregon's Champoeg State Heritage Area
When Steve and I were out on our "Covid Summer" RV trip, we visited a bunch of Oregon state parks, and one of the places we visited was Champoeg ("Shampoo-ee") State Heritage Area. Turns out it's the site of the very first Oregon government, and Steve and I enjoyed visiting the various monuments and historical buildings in the area.

The campground also had access to a number of wonderful trails to enjoy on foot or bicycle, including a lovely paved path that led through the forest and alongside the Willamette River. This river, Oregon's largest, was visited by the Lewis and Clark expedition and is an important waterway for shipping goods to and from the Pacific Ocean.

To keep people in the campgrounds on the trails and off the plants, fencing lined this paved path in many places. The moment I saw this fence I knew there would be a host of images for me--one good look was all I needed to see! I returned the next day with my macro lens and flash, spending an hour creeping along and finding stories and images there that I hoped to share.

At one point I found the leaf you see, and I burst out laughing as I stared incredulously. "WHAT THE HECK?!" I exclaimed in amazement, "How does this even happen?!" I studied the seemingly impossible way the leaf got itself so firmly stuck in the fence, shaking my head in wonder. I came to the conclusion that this leaf isn't going anywhere until it disintegrates with the passing of time.

I took an assortment of pictures with and without flash and a slew of apertures too. Who knew what would look best, or if any of them would look good at all. When I looked through my pictures, this one was an instant favorite, even though the subject and background are yelling at each other for center stage. The background, with its juicy color and bokeh, form an almost stained-glass appearance. The foreground with its crazy leaf stuck in the fencing, stand out with great detail too. I think this is one of those pictures that breaks the rule of having one primary element, and I love that! What do you think? Too busy? Did I hit the mark for you? :)

Anyway, I've got a pile of pictures for this fence-filled presentation but I'm still working on them. Stay tuned for more discoveries in the future! Until then, stay safe, dry, warm and comfortable on what is for us a soggy, cold and miserable day outside! Thanks for all of your visits, comments and favorites, you guys are the bestest! :)

Explored on 11/13/20; highest placement #1.

Glowing Red Leaves, Fall Beauty in Medford Parking Lots, Set 3 (+5 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:38:32 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+5 insets!)

Holy Toledo it's cold out there! At a mind-numbing 24°F/-4.44°C, I just couldn't handle more than 10 minutes outside this morning! After two laps up and down the driveway, I had to abandon my walk, yike-yike back inside and cling gratefully to the Monitor Heater God for warmth. For a person who's always crying about getting frozen paws, you'd think they were the reason I had to call it quits, but no! Truth is, if my face gets so cold that it hurts, I just can't stand it! How about you? What makes you abandon an adventure out in the cold?

It's Monday morning and I'm back to my Fall Beauty in Medford Parking Lots series! Welcome to set 3 of 6! Hope you're not too bored of this subject…I adore this time of year with its dramatic colors and changing scenery.

Today's Pictures
When we arrived at the grocery store parking lot, we hopped out and Steve told me to have fun with my photography as he turned to go inside. Heh…right off the bat my eyes were riveted to a short plant that was covered with outrageous red leaves. The sun blazed through them, lighting them up into leaf-shaped stained glass windows, complete with beautiful details and marvelous shadows. My main picture celebrates just one of the glorious leaf clusters and is enhanced by bokeh created from the sun reflecting off parked cars beyond.

Insets include a natural-framed leafy scene, another grand view of gingko leaves, a glowing seed pod hanging like an autumn ornament, a red maple leaf catching the sun as it lay on a lawn, and finally, a black and white view of a droplet-covered leaf in the shape of a heart! ENJOY!!

Thanks everyone, for your visits, comments, and favorites! Thanks too, for posting such a wonderful array of images for me to visit. It's a joy to stop by and say hello! :D Stay safe out there!

Explored on 11/10/20; highest placement #1.

Fall Beauty in Medford Parking Lots, Set 2 (+5 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:17:44 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+5 insets!) (the details in a larger view are worth it! :D)

I hope this day has been a nice one for you! I am regaining warmth in my fingers on this crispy, cold but beautiful morning--a warm mug of tea does wonders!--and my feet are wrapped in a blanket. Though, let's be honest--they're really cold and won't be warming up any time soon. Happily, I decided to order a heated blanket so I don't have to spend so much time "praying to the Monitor Heater" downstairs with my sock-covered feet pressed up against the heating vent. Can't wait for that blanket to get here! :)

Great Luck with my Photography!
I have been having such fun working my way through my parking lot extravaganza! Don't you just love it when the majority of the pictures you took on an adventure turned out really well? That's how this lot has been and I took well-over 300 shots! Granted, I take aperture sets (e.g. 2.8, 4.0 5.6, 8.0, 11.0 etc.) of most subjects but still…I ended up with a huge variety of lovely subjects and interesting images to pursue.

Leaf Junkie
When I got my first Canon DSLR and beloved 100mm 2.8L lens, the first thing I took pictures of was an oak leaf! It's true: I cannot help being crazy about leaf shapes, colors and textures. I know that people get tired of the subject but me? NEVAH! Naturally, when the trees begin to turn colors and fall reveals its gorgeous rainbows of two-dimensional flowers, I lose myself when appreciating this yearly show. What about you? Do you tire of leaves or are they something you can't stop taking pictures of?!

Today's Pictures
Wandering around in careful steps on a wet lawn that had been watered earlier that morning, I zoomed in on the droplets I found all over the place. But I made sure to look up into the trees too, appreciating the myriad colors and pretty shapes there. I was attracted to the lovely peach and reddening tones in one tree and spotted a leaf that had enough contrast to stand out against the peach. When I processed the picture I realized it was the only forward-facing leaf of the group, which allowed it to show off so nicely. I find it a wonderful challenge to get a picture like this to work and happily, I got lucky with super framing of the peachy-colored leaf-backs all around!

Also included: a much more subdued leafy composition mostly in shadow with interesting bokeh to look at; oh look, another lovely gingko leaf surrounded by bokeh! And it's growing directly out of the tree trunk!; a droplet-covered maple leaf found on the bark-covered ground; a single curled leaf, also growing directly out of a tree trunk that glowed beautifully in the afternoon light--almost a yin yang image!; and finally, a battered leaf in tones of splotched yellow, complete with cool shadows to appreciate…I think a well-placed puff of air would have brought this leaf down!

Thank You!
I'm loving the parade of images you've all been sharing for me to enjoy! And I really appreciate your visits, comments and favorites too. Sometimes I wonder if I should mention some of the pictures and presentations that so delight me as I wander around ipernity, but I think it's better to just leave my comments on your pictures and know that I've had a lovely visit and appreciate how you see the world! :)

Be safe out there!! The flu is something we all need to worry about on top of covid, so please stay warm and monitor your sleep and stress!! *hugs to you all!*

Explored on 11/3/20; highest placement #6.

Wild Sweet Peas at Stub Stewart, Fires, Smoke, and More! (+9 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 01:42:04 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+9 insets!) (Yes, it's another long trip report including fires, smoke, and unbelievable parking situations and so much more!)

Welcome to Hell
If you've been keeping an eye on the news in the U.S., you'll know that it seems as if the entire West Coast is on fire and completely socked in with smoke. Well, Steve and I are on the West Coast and we have been experiencing the popular quote, "May you live in interesting times." Note that this is actually supposedly a Chinese curse.

I haven't been writing or taking pictures lately because we've been on the move, though finally we've found an oasis from all of the terrible things going on.

We have been watching the fire situation for weeks now. Back when we were at Detroit Lake State Park, a fire erupted some miles away and got us feeling edgy, even though there was no smoke or fire within sight. A few days later we left and went to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. More fires were reported…and then more…and more. Still, our stay was idyllic and very far away from any reported fires.

After our wonderful stay at Stub Stewart we drove an hour or so to our next campground at Champoeg State Heritage Area in the Willamette Valley. It was another lovely park and the location of the first government on the west coast!

There are three huge fire complexes far to the east, now engulfing a staggering 450,000 acres. The complexes were large by the time we got to Champoeg, and a couple of days after we arrived the weather patterns caused historic winds in central Oregon, blowing from east to west. What this meant was that the smoke from those fires blew directly into the Willamette Valley and within the course of several hours the sky turned from cloudless blue to hazardous choking grey pea soup. At one point during the evening, Steve opened the door but quickly slammed it shut because the smoke was so thick.

However, the next morning it was clear enough for me to go on my morning walk. I was shocked at the branches and leaves strewn everywhere from the hurricane-force winds. The trails were choked with pine cones, leaves, branches and sticks and the feeling of worry was thick in the air. Off in the distance loomed the smoke…it would only be a matter of time before the campground was socked in again. We had a plan though…GET OUTA DODGE!

Running from the Smoke
The evening before, Steve and I decided to abandon the final two nights at Champoeg and flee the toxic smoke filling the valley. Luckily we found space back at L.L. Stub Stewart where we could stay before heading on to our next campground at Fort Stevens.

Stub Stewart turned out to be a wise choice. The first night and next day were very nice and mostly smoke-free. The next afternoon the smoke slowly accumulated and by the second morning it was so thick and heavy that my wake-up walk was a laughable idea. We packed and left before the hour struck 11.

Driving out to the coast and up the highway towards Astoria, we wondered if we'd ever escape the horrible smoke. It felt like the apocalypse as we drove along and I looked out on a land tinted with orange light from the sun trying to break through the pea soup.

Our Oasis at Fort Stevens…at a Very Steep Price
Pulling into the park, we noticed a wondrous change. The light was still tinted orange but the grey that we saw wasn't smoke. It was fog. The cool mist in the park helped to calm our nerves until we got to our campsite.

The parking space was plenty big for our rig, but to get into the spot turned out to the most stressful experience we've ever encountered. Despite the seemingly impossible challenge, Steve was eventually successful! It took 35 minutes of hair-raising maneuvering and both of us were at our very wit's end with shaking hands and jangling nerves. We'd learned another lesson about picking out appropriate sites, and this was something we would not repeat. Both of us were total wrecks afterwards but we managed to keep it together despite the tension. WHEW.

As it turned out, the next day we found a ticket on our truck saying it needed to move. When Steve went to the ranger's station to ask about a solution, he was offered a site that would be much more appropriate for us and easy to get into. Both of us were understandably freaked-out at the thought of dealing with another harrowing parking situation again but Steve checked out the offered site and was very confident that both leaving our current spot and parking at the bigger one would be a snap. He was right. We literally pulled out of our site without any fuss (it's backing up a trailer that can be the horrendous nightmare) and at the new campsite, Steve didn't even need me to help direct him. It was a simple driver's-side parking situation with a gentle turn and simple as can be. Our victory hug upon final parking was such an outpouring of relief and happiness!

Devastation Behind Us
As we've been travelling, the fire situation in Oregon (and California and Washington too) has blossomed beyond conceivable understanding. Remember Detroit Lake State Park that we stayed at? The campground is still there but the town of Detroit (Oregon) is just GONE. And at this point, Champoeg is just outside the area where people need to be packed up and ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.

In our town of Medford, Oregon, parts have been burned to the ground. Phoenix and Talent, two suburbs just south of it, have been devastated, and the motorcycle shop that Steve brings our bike to for servicing is gone.

Did I Mention? Our Home is just a Few Miles from the 30k Acre Obenchain Fire
Just in cast there isn't enough to worry about, there is a raging fire near our house again. This monster is 30,000 acres and only 20% contained. We really thought our house would be burned down because the winds were pushing the flames our way but in the past few days things have improved and it looks like everything is going to be ok. We hope. Keep your fingers crossed.

Today's Pictures
I have another set from Stub Stewart I wanted to post, leading with a spectacurly colorful trio of Wild Sweet Peas. I was surprised to find them so late in the year. Most flowers are over and done but I did find some. Aren't these marvelous?!

Insets Include…
…a lovely Dome Spider under its cobweb. I thought it was really cool that this previously unphotographed spider was so easy to find here!
…a Smooth Hawkbeard blossom standing like a golden torch, its stem blurring into bokeh
…a crab spider on a pussy toe, munching on a meal it had just caught. I often don't see these spiders until I look at my pictures in post, so I was happy that I spotted this one and could make it the star!
…a rose hip that looked like a Christmas light!
…a marvelous leaf hopper that looked like a little bump on the leaf…I knew better and focused carefully to see what it was. I am delighted by the details of this tiny guy, look at its "grill"!!
…a Sierra Dome Spider in a sea of soft bokeh. The focus wasn't perfect but I couldn't toss this picture because I loved the magical appearance and the spider's interesting position.
…a sprig of perfect leaves, so colorful at the end of their lives. Now they are immortal!
…wild oat flowers peeking out from the stem. I love this sort of thing--so easy to overlook but beautiful if the time is taken to appreciate it!
…a pair of Pussy Toes flowers, showing exactly why their genus is "Antennaria"--look at those antennae-like stamens seen on the flowers. So cool!

I hope that everyone is doing well and that you have a nice rest of your weekend!

Explored on 9/13/20; highest placement #6.

Dreamy Clover at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (+9 insets!)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 18:02:47 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+9 insets!)

Quick Trip Notes from L.L. Stub Stewart State Park!
We had a wonderful stay here this year! Our visit last year was planned for just 4 nights but ended up being an extra week because our truck's transmission died as we were pulling out to go to our next campsite. The result was a worrisome week without ever having a lot of fun because of the stress and anxiety.

This trip was perfect in every way! 11 nights combined with great weather made it a lovely, relaxing stay that was so nice we would have happily stayed for 11 more nights!

This gorgeous park has trails-galore for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horseback riding too. Although most trails are "mixed-use" for everyone, there are two dedicated areas set-aside for just for specific activities! One area is just for mountain bike riders and has 8.5 miles of "single-track" trails built that are labeled by level of difficulty and includes important advice for anyone who wants to try them out. The other area is for disk golfers! There's a 9-hole beginner's course aimed at kids and also a very challenging 18-hole course, all of which are in a lovely forest setting! How's that for cool?!

I had a marvelous time taking pictures too…how nice to cruise around exploring the macro beauty of this place. And of course I got many trail pictures as well, but today is all about macro!

Today's Pictures
Creeping along one of the many trails I saw this ordinary white clover and noticed how its long stem pushed it above the others around the area. Of course you never know how a picture will turn out until you see it on the computer so I was really delighted to find this image to share with you today!

Insets include…
…a beautiful Sierra Dome Spider in front of a sea of colorful bokah. I've never seen a spider like this before and at first I thought it was an orb weaver. A helpful spider forum suggested this species and then I realized it hadn't built an orb web at all After spotting this pretty spider I couldn't help noticing how common they were. Walking through the forest, I could spot dozens of these spiders almost everywhere. Such beautiful markings!
…Scotch Broom seed pods against a beautiful wash of bokeh. This cluster was by itself just above a variety of different grasses and ended up creating a wonderful background to contrast the interesting pods.
…a Grey Cross Orbweaver glowing in backlit sunlight. I'd been taking pictures of yet another Sierra Dome Spider when I stopped to peer around at the other plants near by. A large spot got my attention and I exclaimed, "WOW!" when I saw this beautiful spider glowing warmly in the sun. I admired its perfect web while I took pictures from behind, at its side and this view which was the best of all. I have never gotten a picture of this species before so I was really happy at my discovery!
…a St. John's Wort blossom that was on its way out, but still beautiful. These flowers are very common here in Oregon and I believe they are easy to find in most countries. Such a beneficial plant--I use this herb in capsule form to ward of anxiety and depression! Especially nice to use if I can't get to sleep because I'm worrying about something. It just fades away and I can go to sleep!
…a "Bee-Like Robber Fly" (Laphria), which I found on a fern while walking along. What a scary looking fly! Very large and menacing, when it flew off it circled me a couple of times and made me wave it away…yikes…anything that big would surely have a nasty bite! (Ever been bitten by a horse fly? OWWW!!!)
…a Queen Anne's Lace seed ball! This is a picture I've tried to take before but haven't been entirely successful until now. The dof has to be just right and the lighting too, so I was really pleased when I found this image in my set of attempts!
…a Smooth Hawksbeard against yet another sea of bokeh! These flowers were everywhere and to the uninformed, can appear to be a dandelion, though they are not very closely related (both are in the 32k species Aster family but diverge from there).
…a Pussy Toe "torch". These flowers get their name from the budding flowers which form clumps that look a lot like the toes of cats! I usually see them closed-up but here at Stub Stewart, they were all approaching the end of their blooming cycle and I found most of them opened up like this one. Magnificent!
…a cluster of Spiny Rose Galls on a wild rose. These galls are made by wasps, each of which has an egg laid inside it. The galls grow and the larvae feed on the material inside until they finally hatch and fly away as fully-developed adults!

I hope that everyone is staying safe and having a pleasant weekend--happy Labor Day to those of you who live in the U.S.!

Explored on 9/7/20; highest placement #3.

HFF from Lava Butte Peak at Newberry Volcanic National Monument! (+2 insets)

nobody@ipernity.com (Janet Brien) — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 18:38:29 +0000

Janet Brien has posted:

(+2 insets!)

Covid Trip #2: We're Having a Great Time at LaPine State Park!
Hello everyone! It's been six days since we arrived at our first state park stay and everything is just fabulous! :D Last year we stayed here for just three days because it was totally booked-up, but this year we were able to reserve eight days, hooray!

We've really been enjoying ourselves! There are lots of lovely trails for walking and bike riding which go along the Deschutes River, opportunities for fishing, boating and even metal detecting! We've taking Pumpkin on walks around the three campground loops here and yesterday she joined us for a 7.5-mile hike, our longest of the year (Covid trail/park closures and injuries kept us immobile)! It's been awesome!

My Foot's Healed Enough for Hiking!!!
I will admit that I've been very worried about my sore foot. It stopped hurting after I'd rested it for a week after we got back from our last trip, but there is now a lump under the ball of my foot. It doesn't hurt and it's slowly getting smaller I think, but I was concerned that I would have issues if I tried to walk. Still, I needed to try it out, so when we arrived at LaPine, I tried walking around a single campground loop and to my delight, I had no issue. The next day I went around two loops and then later, Steve, Pumpkin and I went around both loops together. No problem! The next day we walked all three loops and went on a short hike. Again, no soreness! Since then I've been careful of my foot and though I feel a lump under my foot, it's not hurting me so I'm crossing my fingers that in time that lump will diminish and go away. Here's hoping!!

Today's Pictures
A couple of days ago we drove 30 minutes to Newberry Volcanic National Monument and walked up to the top of Lava Butte, where there is a fire-lookout tower to go along with the amazing view. (There have been four different fire look-outs built there since 1931.l What a sight to see so far in all directions. I also have an inset of the brick-colored road that spiraled up to the top of the cinder cone. Although it used to be open to vehicular traffic, it's been closed since Covid and that suited us just fine! We did marvel at the crazy cyclists who huffed and puffed up the hill and then whizzed past us at a million miles an hour as a reward! One guy actually went up and down twice!

My Other Inset: Bun, George and Stormy Relaxing in my Hammock!
My dear ipernity friend, Jenny McIntyre, made me a trio of plush animals some months ago and I simply adore them with all my heart. I cuddle with them every night and every day they keep an eye on my bedroom from their place on my bureau. When Steve and I went on our first Covid trip, I had the trio ready to go with us and still managed to forget to bring them! This trip I made sure to pack them and I'm so happy that they are here with us! The picture I'm sharing shows them hanging out in my hammock outside our trailer! They look pretty happy to be here, don't you think?! THANK YOU FOR MY SQUIDGY GANG, JENNY!!! I LOVE THEM!! :)

Here's hoping that everyone is safe and sound--keep away from cootie monsters and have a fabulous weekend! :)

Explored on 8/15/20; highest placement #1.