Stormy day in Portland

Yep, today is that day you put some wood on the fire and remember that you have not put all the wood away yet in the shed. Here in Portland stormy weather is not something nice. Rain, I can deal with, but stormy weather I just want to stay in the house. Last weekend my wife, Rebecca, and I went to the Oregon Zoo. The penguin exhibit was opened and I am very impressed with it. I also went into the aviary and stayed for a hour just admiring the birds while I warmed up a bit. I love the clouds after the rain is gone or in Portland, stops for a bit. 

Clouds over Mt. Hood

Trillium Lake

Trillium Lake

Back yard activities

Are you a football fan? I am a huge football fan but unfortunately just not able to buy tickets to major college or pro football. I have found an alternative, High School Football.

Throughout the northwest high school football has heated up. The northwest is not known for the local football programs but with the cost of a ticket, $0 for this game how could I just sit home. You can find more of my images from the side show of Wilson vs Salem High School Varsity football. The game was a nail biter until the final quarter when Wilson dominated the game with a combination of running and gunning 28-14.

Oceanside Oregon - not Canon Beach

Oceanside Oregon located just west of Tillamook is hidden on the coast of Oregon. Oceanside is not right off historical highway 101 like many of Oregon's other coastal towns, it takes a bit of driving to get to it. Oceanside is not Canon Beach even though the rock formations in the water look similar.

Oceanside Oregon

The best part of Oceanside is the public parking clearly in view of the ocean and not the "please may I park here" feeling of Canon Beach. This beautiful hidden Oregon gem is not overpopulated by commercial activity as what has happened to Canon Beach and Seaside over the past 20 years. 

If you are looking for that Oregon Coast day trip, this is the place. 

Seattle Pikes place market

Seattle Pikes Place Market at night

Where we stayed

We stayed at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront. Now, this is not the cheapest hotel but it the prices for a room are reasonable compared to the other hotels in the area. We chose this location mainly because of the proximity to the Space Needle, Aquarium and of course, Pikes Place Market. 

Fresh Fish at Pikes Place Market

Pikes Place Market

I know the picture most people have of Pikes Place market of the guys throwing fish between each other. I sat for a while waiting for the opportunity but found that they only do that when fish are purchased and I missed that opportunity. There is so much more to the market then fish. Some of the things I found

1. Flowers

2. Magic shops

3. Art

4. Food

5. Leather items

I love this place. The only place that creeped me out, the gum wall. 

Seattle Gum Wall

Sunset and sunrise in eastern Washington

Goldendale Washington and surrounding area

One of the best parts of this area is visiting the American WWI memorial along the Columbia River. The building was built based on Stonehenge where the builder spent the First World War. More information about the Washington Stonehenge can be found here. Then of coarse there is Mt. Adams that most do not even think of since Mt. Rainer and Mt. Hood are so close, not counting the last active erupting volcano in the lower 48 states, Mt. St Helens.

Washington Stonehenge at night

I am waiting for the night with Mt. Adams in the background

Presey House in Goldendale

Inside Stonehenge