It was a beautiful day last Friday when I went early to Smith Rock (8 miles from my house) for a stroll. It had been a busy couple weeks so I wasn't so much up for a strenuous hike, but just wanted to have a non-reflective time when I just took time for myself in the midst of a busy time.
And the only think I could think of was how important it is to take regenerative self-care time. That's the whole point of this Adventure Blog, which also is an attempt to show the beauty of Central Oregon. What a great place to live! Enjoy the non-reflective pics. And make sure to take care of yourself!
Hi Folks: I haven't posted an adventure for a couple weeks partly because I've been busy, and partly because the weather hasn't been cooperating! But a couple weeks ago I was all set to hike Gray Butte, which is a pretty strenuous climb.
Unfortunately...
...when I came to a fork in the path, I took the wrong path.
It took me through the woods, with some nice views, but not on the path I was planning. How frustrating! All my plans and preparations were in vain.
But then I started enjoying Plan B.
And the beautiful sights, serenity, and beauty of Plan B. And I started enjoying Plan B. And realizing that sometimes when life gives you Plan B, when you're prepared for Plan A and that's what you have your mind set on, that Plan B can also be an enjoyable journey.
And by the time I got back to my car, I thought that I'll get to Gray Butte some day, but that Plan B was also wonderful. Kinda a good life lesson, I thought. Enjoy your day, even if it is Plan B!
Last weekend Gracie (see blog below...) and I went to Santa Clara for Laura's water polo tournament. We also went to the Golden Gate Bridge (at night) in the limited free time she had.
Here are two of Laura's water polo team mates. Don't they look like nice, sweet girls?
Sure....but get them into the water and they morph. If you're a guy, and you have great memories of the "glory days" of high school football, don't even consider getting into the water with these girls.
Really. Don't even consider it.
But if you do, don't say I didn't warn you. Laura is #13. Most of the video has Santa Clara on offense.
Announcing the first ever "Where in the world is Gracie? Contest!" Gracie and I went last weekend to Santa Clara University for Laura's D1 Conference Championship Tournament. Take a guess where she is. The winner of this contest gets to sing a solo at Zion Lutheran; your choice of service and selection! Answers to where the pics are from are listed below the pictures. Check back for pics and video of Laura's games. 1.
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And the answers are: 1. At Santa Clara University (a gimme...). Gracie is right above the "R". 2. You've heard of a "dash-cam." Here's Gracie attempting to be a "dash-dog." When I was a kid people used to have brown dogs with wagging heads at the back of their cars. Here, stopped in California traffic, I asked Gracie to wag her head. She declined... 3. The "high point" of our trip at the Hebron Summit at 5,202 feet in Northern California. 4. Unknown pet area... 5. Getting loved on by the Santa Clara water polo girls. 6. Golden Gate Bridge at twilight. Laura and I took Gracie there after Saturday's game and team picnic. 7. Mount Shasta Vista View.
Let me know how many you guessed correctly, and we'll plan you in for singing that solo!
On Easter Tuesday I found my way to Paulina Creek Waterfall Trail, just an hour south of my house. I'm taking this week as vacation, and going to see Laura on Thursday, so stay tuned...
It wasn't so easy getting there, with ruts and snow, but my Mighty, Manly PT Cruiser can get me anywhere I want to go. And I figure if it can't get me there, I shouldn't be there!
It was here I dropped my gloves into the frigid water. So the choice became cold hands, or cold wet hands. I probably should have chosen the former, as they're still not thawed out.
A fire swept through this area in 1988 so there's still evidence of that fire as the forest regrows.
There are, however, hazards along the way. The trail goes further, but I only went on a 4 mile out-and-back hike. The trail was absolutely deserted, and the last thing I wanted was to straddle a log like this and slip and get impaled on one of the spikes. I carry a cell phone, walkie-talkie, and a whistle, but still...
And as I sat on a rock, just watching the relentless water flow, I just couldn't help but think of the amazing and relentless love of God that we celebrated just a couple days ago on Easter Sunday. Relentless. Amazing. Nothing-can-stop-it kinda thing. Indescribable. Uncontrollable. Relentlessly washing over us like the relentless water over the rocks, bidding us to just relax into the flow of God's love.
On the way back to my car I loudly sang the words of the song below, not only because it was the song in my heart, but also because I had seen cougar tracks across the trail, and if the cougar didn't stay away because of the sound, it would certainly stay away because of my off-key singing. Stay tuned later this week for adventures from Santa Clara!
The weather is cold and wet today, so my adventure is being postponed until the weather is better. But for some fun, click on this video. I call it YouTube Evangelism! Enjoy! And stay tuned....
Today's "adventure" was not so much of an adventure, but more of a walk in the park.
Or a walk in the dry canyon, to be more correct.
The Dry Canyon Trail is a 5 mile out-and-back trail that begins just two blocks from church (Zion Lutheran). It starts right across the street from the Redmond Skatepark where all the cool kids hang out. It looks like a long dried channel of the ancient Deschutes River, with rimrock lining the canyon, and houses perched on the rim.
The Maple Street bridge, with its very cool large arches, is about half-way into the trail, reminding trekers that we are still in the city.
It's so close to church that it'll provide many hours of serenity and a good work-out when I start training for that marathon!
So that's my "adventure" this week; a stroll in the dry canyon.
I'll make up for it next week....which will be an adventure!
