Fun on the Farm

After an unseasonably cold and wet spring, Portland experienced a heat snap at the end of April; sunny in the high 80s. I bee lined to the river for my first paddle of the season.

   

That weekend, Tom and I spent a Saturday at Cadence Valley, outside of Salem. I met Dennis and Rachel five years ago when I participated in a WWOOF work exchange on their farm. This was my third visit since then.

We were greeted with a genuine sense of welcome and home-made vegan biscuits. The four of us spent the morning outside, preparing the farm for summer. We readied the gardens by weeding, turning over the soil, and planting seeds. I am always skeptical by the amount of work I accomplish, especially after eyeing Dennis's project board. Nevertheless, our work was appreciated when we stopped for lunch.

Before leaving, I visited with the farm animals, including Buddy the sheep. I was sad to hear that cat Marcel passed away, but Pinot is still happy and healthy. And they have a new kitten! No name yet, but likely to stick with a wine reference. I am very grateful that Tom joined to meet Dennis and Rachel. They are a very special and inspiring couple, who I hope to always remain in touch with.

  

Scottsdale, AZ

April is birthday month--Mom's, Anna's, and mine. This year, we planned a long weekend getaway to celebrate together. Scottsdale is a desert city 20 minutes east of Phoenix. It's known for its spa resorts and golf courses. 

Tom and I left Portland early Friday morning on a two-hour flight to Phoenix. At the airport, we met Mom, Anna, Alex, and Alex's mom, Eileen. What a happy reunion! Ubers are readily available in the area, but Anna booked a rental car for our crew of six. 

A short while later, we arrived at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn. Anna found a stellar rate using our dad's employee discount; otherwise, it likely would have been out of our budget. The beautiful resort is situated on 125 pristine acres in Paradise Valley between Mummy and Camelback Mountains. Guests are pampered in pueblo-style casitas with superb service, deluxe amenities, outdoor pools, garden terraces, and desert trails in the Sonoran Desert. The renovated lobby showcases the original brick adobe walls that were handmade in the 1930s.

The weather was ideal; strong sunshine and dry heat. Despite daytime highs in the low 80s, I packed an extra layer for the cooler desert nights. Our trip was well-timed for colorful Spring flowers and low crowds. 

 

 

Overall, it was a very relaxing weekend of treating ourselves to nice dinners and pricey cocktails. We spent lazy days reading and sipping at the pool. I was delighted that the main pool has two lap lanes.

Tyner's Hiking Trail is a short overlook trial at the base of Mummy Mountain, with unobstructed views of Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix skyline.

Favorite restaurants include Diego Pops (casual Mexican) and The Henry (upscale eatery). We also enjoyed dining "on campus" at Rita's Cantina and Lincoln Steakhouse.

 

Tom and I hiked Camelback Mountain on Sunday morning. Part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Camelback gets its name from two rock formations that resemble the head and back of a kneeling camel. The difficult 2.5-mile out-and-back trail gains 1,420'. This steep and rocky ascent requires scrambling. 

At 2,704', the summit affords 360-degree views of the surrounding city.

We borrowed bikes to cycle to the Echo Canyon Trailhead, just two miles away. We began the hike around 830am, but would recommend an earlier start to avoid crowds and heat; bring plenty of water. Fortunately, the trail is wide to accommodate high traffic. Tom and I clocked about 45 minutes each way.

 

We said our goodbyes on Monday afternoon. The silver lining about returning to rainy Portland was to see my Louie cat. I feel very grateful for such a wonderful family trip.

Early Spring

Spring in Portland is temperamental; blue skies one minute, rain the next. But mostly rain. However, Portlanders got their first taste of warm, dry weather by late March. It's on these days, that the entire city is outside and in good spirits. There is a palpable sense of connectedness for having survived another gloomy winter. The first blooms are daffodils, tulips, and cherry blossoms. 

 

 

I am excited to be back on my bike, and thinking about another summer of triathlons. I am also reading a lot of books and studying German. Tom placed third in the first Marshall disc golf tournament of the season.

ENSO winery is a neighborhood urban winery with old-world style wines. It is fabulous!

In Pittsburgh, my retired mother is hard at work growing her candy business. Pat is a talented second-generation chocolatier and baker. Aside from gourmet dipped chocolate, her treats include cakes, pies, and breads. They are without doubt the very best out there. Website to come!

Tom and I spent Easter Sunday at the Marshall house.

 

Snowpocalypse

The weekend after I returned from Costa Rica, Tom suggested a snowshoe adventure on Mt. Hood. Mirror Lake was the perfect trail for this. Little did we know that a "surprise" snowstorm was to blow through Portland later that week.

 

With almost a foot of snow in parts of the metro area, February 22nd became the city's second snowiest day on record. The unexpected slippery conditions and freezing temperatures wreaked havoc on the highways. Commuters were trapped in gridlock traffic for hours on Wednesday evening. Some were forced to sleep in their cars overnight, while others abandoned their cars and set out on foot. At least 70 cars were abandoned overnight on Highway 26. I cautiously took Tom's Subaru to the pharmacy the next morning, and was in disbelief at the post-apocalyptic scene of the empty, snow-swept highway littered with empty cars. 

Photo from OHSU intranet

In early March, Tom and I planned a weekend getaway to the coast for some needed rest and relaxation. We felt grateful to leave our electronics at home and curl up next to the fireplace with a book. We stayed at The Waves oceanfront condo in Cannon Beach. Saturday surprised us with unseasonably dry weather.