Tag: nature

Two steps forward, one oh-shit-is-that-a-snake??? jump back

The answer is one.

It takes one old man, telling me one time ’round the campfire, that he’s seen one rattlesnake in this godforsaken desert…
to make me think that any slightly twisted stick on the ground is a fucking snake.
Not a snake
Not a snake.
Also, despite appearance to the contrary, not a snake
Also, despite appearance to the contrary, not a snake.
Not a writing pit of snakes
Not a writhing herd (gaggle? flock? slither?) of snakes.
Hiss hiss, motherfucker. (Still not a snake. Just wanted to add a little homage to The Bloggess.)
Hiss hiss, motherfucker.
(Still not a snake. Just a little homage to The Bloggess.)
On the plus side, I burned several extra calories on my 4.5 mile walk this morning, due to embarrassingly frequent leaps backward, spirited arm flailing, and random high-pitched squeaking.
Sheesus. The “I Thought I Saw A Snake” workout, coming soon to a fitness center near you.

Walked our butts to the Butteville Store

From our site here at the Champoeg State Heritage Area just south of Portland, OR, we took a little trip back in time along the Willamette River.

Two miles out to the red 5, two miles back. Yep, in the rain. Because it's the Pacific Northwest, and if you don't get out and move, you'll mold.
Two miles out to the red 5, two miles back.
Yep, in the rain.
Because it’s the Pacific Northwest, and if you don’t get out and move, you’ll mold.
The bigger picture
The bigger picture
It was a gray and drizzly day...
It was a gray and drizzly day…
Oregon's longest operating store is closed for the season, which we knew before we headed out, but wanted to see it anyway.
Oregon’s oldest continuously operating store, established in 1863, is closed for the season. We knew that before we headed out, but wanted to see it anyway. Worth the walk to peer inside the wavy glass and see the old tables, chairs and countertops inside.
"But Emily," you inquire. "We know you hate mud. Why did you go hiking four miles on a rainy day, idiot?"
“But Emily,” you inquire. “We know you hate mud. Why did you go hiking four miles on a rainy day, idiot?”
Paved trails, bitches! I win.
Paved trails, bitches!
I win.