2016.2.27-29 Super Bloom in Death Valley

2/27-29. Once again, we went to chase flowers in the desert. Last time, was 2010, late March. This year, because of the flower reports generated by the national park service and this excellent website, I decided to go again. Bought tickets on Thursday midnight, and we flew to Las Vegas on Saturday. Tickets are a bit pricy and non-direct. Hotels are even harder to come by, as my father doesn't camp. Both nights, I booked the very last room I could find. All my effort is justified. I wasn't disappointed.

2/27 Saturday. Waiting for the rental car shuttle at LAS, 82°F, hotter in the sun. Brand new car of only 41 miles. Plastic still covered the wheel (which I only removed later after the burning smell). A stop at Vegas' Wholefoods for some produce and liquid. Drove 2 hours to Beatty, along I-95. Saw some donkey from the road. Got to the hotel ~5pm. Stuffed the mini fridge, bathroom break, headed out for sunset. A bit too late. Start seeing flowers near Hell's Gate, promising what's to come further down, and south.

2/28 Sunday. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point. This is a must. Maybe the most scenic spot in the park. Good color before the sun rose, then cloudy all day. I walked up the hill north, where many DLSRs and tripods stood right on trail. Had to be careful to skirt around each one. A photographer told me that he snatched a photo of me coming down, but didn't show me the photo. I inquired about the flowers. He told me to go to MM25. Thanks you!

We walked Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for a bit. Got sand everywhere. (Sand is impossible to clean. Later, I tossed away my shoes). Drove west out of Death Valley, up Panamint Ridge (4950' at the pass), and down and out of Panamint Valley. For a brief time, view of some high Sierra peaks. Lunch at Father Crowley Point, with an outstanding view east to Panamint Valley and Ridge, as well as the Rainbow Canyon below.

After a rest stop at Furnace Creek visitor center (88°F @3pm, cloudy), drove to Bad Water. I walked bare feet like many others. This is the lowest point in North America, at about 282' (85m) below sea level. No more potholes with water inside, except one pond fenced off right by the parking lot. By the time we reached MM25, it was a bit dark, and our batteries ran out.

We stayed at Amargosa Opera House for the night, probably the closest to Death Valley. It's an interesting place, with old memorabilia. No service in the area. You can also sign up for a tour of the opera house itself. When we arrived, no one was at the front desk. She was giving a tour. There's no cell signal here. A free courtesy phone is just outside of the reception desk. WiFi available in the lobby.

2/29 Monday, sunny. Dad doesn't want to get up early again for sunrise. Drove to Dante's Point. This is the most awe inspiring place. Wish I could camp here (probably not allowed), but definitely for sunrise or sunset. Stars would be great too. Trails go both directions along the ridge for quite a bit, allowing time to take in the view in all directions. The multicolored hills and the Greenwater Valley and Greenwater Range are now tinted green, but no water of course. Snowy Sierra mountains, white valley floor, colorful rocks.

Next, nonstop to MM25. Flowers are dense, big and fragrant. Had lunch in the car, soaking the view. Too warm in the sun (84°F?).

Artistis Drive is our last tourist stop in the park. Very colorful.

Furnace Creek at 2pm today is 91°F. I had to put in some $3.18/gl gas. Grateful that this gas station exists. Drove out to Pahrump, and filled the tank at $1.50/gl. Then all the way to the LAS airport rental car return. Got home at almost midnight.

I took photos of these flowers: Desert Gold (Geraea canescens, most abundant yellow you see everywhere in the park), Brown-eyed Primrose (Camissonia claviformis, white), Golden Evening Primrose (Camissonia brevipes, most abundant, yellow), Notch-leaf Phacelia (Phacelia crenulata, quite common, purple), Lesser Mojavea (Mojavea breviflora, creamy yellow), Desert Five-spot (Eremalche rotundifolia, pink with 5 red spots, very cute), Pebble Pincushion (Chaenactis carphoclinia, white ball), Gravel Ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla, white, cute), Purple Mat (Nama demissum), and 2 more which I cannot find the names.

2016.2.24 Taste of Latin America

2/24 Wednesday 6:30pm, at Multnomah Central Library. About 20 eaters (including the library coordinator and 2 kids). Owner of Mixteca - a tamale shop in Portland Mercado, brought a signature dish from 5 shops in the Mercardo (paid by the library), and talked about each. Occasionally we were accompanied by a guitar player from Cuba. Before we were let in, 5 tables were set with white table cloth, yellow paper napkin, chip and salsa. Salsa on each table is different. Brochures of Cristina Henríquez' next appearance on table. This is part of Everybody Reads program. 2016's selection is Henríquez' The Book of Unknown Americans, stories of immigrants from Latin America.

After an introduction of the library program and the Mercado, we got to taste one dish at a time, so we know what it is and from which country it comes from, and sometimes what struggle each owners facing. It gives the dish some character.

First, Almojabanas from Cali, Columbia. It's a cheesy bread, made with queso fresco. Quite tasty.

2nd, Mixteca's vegetarian tamale, wrapped in banana leaves from Thailand, accompanied by mole. Again, filling and tasty.

3rd, Pupusa from El Salvador. This tortilla-like is made of organic blue corns, filled with beans. Filling, and a bit dry. There's a variety of sauces to drip over the pupusa.

4th, Tetela (corn masa tortilla-like) filled with ground beef and vegetables, accompanied with pickled vegetables. Mexican. Both quite thin and tasty.

5th, Papa Rellena accompanied by standard mixed green salad. Very tasty. I had two and was completely stuffed.

Last, we had a slice of flan for desert. All of us might have consumed only half of the food here. I don't know why the library didn't invite more people. The room can easily entertain twice this many diners. When I registered, I took the last spot. I left with a full belly and more appreciation of the variety of foods. Hope the library will have more events like this.

2016.2.20. Snowshoe to Frog Lake Butte

2/20. Saturday. A rare clear weekend day. Warm. 9 of us snowshoed to Frog Lake and then up to Frog Lake Butte. My phone registered about 23k steps, maybe 9 miles? A good workout.

The trek on Frog Creek Rd to Frog Lake is crowded with dog mushers and snowmobiles (some betching toxic smoke). Once we cut off to the lake in the woods, we lost the crowd. Even though there're obvious signs of other human, we didn't meet any while walking about 270° around the lake. I poked the lake surface with my hiking pole, and it quickly went through to the water. So, you don't want to walk on the ice.

Frog Lake Butte road is also wide, good for cross country ski or snowshoe. However, there is no one. Along the gentle but steady slope (suitable for a car), you get view to the south occasionally. We saw Jefferson on the way back. We trekked to the top of the butte, greeted by a cell tower. The snow is pristine here, no foot print. Its eastern end offers a decent view to the desert east. Mt Hood to the north was in the clouds, so couldn't see where it was. Only saw it on the drive back. We snowshoed off trail down from the butte.

2016.2.14. Eagle Creek

2/14, Sunday. Rain. Low 50°Fs. Eagle Creek to Twisted Falls is my favorite waterfall hike. It passes through numerous waterfalls, hike-able all year round, within an hour from Portland. Today, we counted 30, from draping veils to white thunder, plus numerous cascades. It's a treat on a rainy day. Armed with my brand new trekking umbrella, I didn't event get wet, except for my muddy pant legs.

The bridge over Fish Creek is damaged, so you cross the creek by hopping rocks/logs. Not too difficult. Certainly won't be a problem in a couple of months, when water level is lower. In front of Wy'east Falls, the creek crossing is of similar difficulty. The last 3 waterfalls are spectacular, it would be a pity if you turn back at the broken bridge. Tunnel Falls (at ~mile 6) attracts most cameras, because you can go behind the falls in a hole blasted out by the engineers. The water volume is too high to see the twist effect of the Twister Falls Other than the last half mile between Tunnel Falls and Twister Falls, my favorite stretch is the High Bridge (at mile 3.5), where a short steel bridge straddles a narrow straight chasm of 120', with the creek rushing beneath.

We turned back shortly after Twister Falls. My phone registered 31k steps, so about 13 miles.

2016.2.13. Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is my favorite on Oregon northern coast. It's only 1:15 hours from my home, making it a quick beach getaway.

2/13, Saturday. Rain. We parked at Chapman Point just outside of Ecola State Park, for a shorter hike to Crescent Beach. A bit muddy today. This is a hike-in only beach, so almost never crowded. It has sea stacks on both ends, and a small waterfall. No birds today.

Continue hiking to Ecola Point for a better view up high, and flushing toilets. Extremely windy, sometimes I had hard time breathing. Lots of pounding waves.

Continued all the way to Indian Beach. It's smaller, and not many people, because the access road was closed due to storm damage.

I'm surprised to see the number of people we encountered on the trail: muddy, wet, gusty. My phone registered 21k steps. 

2016.2.12. Chamber Music at The Old Church

2/12 Friday. Rain at times.
American violinist Rachel Barton Pine joins with cellist Mike Block in a program titled "Old World, New World". Part of Friends of Chamber Music's Not So Class Series

Bartok :            Transylvanian Dance
  Kodaly :            Duo for violin and cello, Op. 7
  Bach :              Selections from Six Sonatas and Partitas
  Pablo de Sarasate : Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20

  Two Traditional Scottish tunes
  Mark O'Connor :     F.C.'s Jig for violin and cello
  Three Traditional American tunes: Blackest Crow
  Henri Vieuxtemps :  Souvenir d'Amérique, Variations burlesques sur "Yankee Doodle", Op. 17
  Corky Siegel :      Opus 11 for solo violin
  Bill Monroe :       Can't You Hear Me Callin'
  Metallica :         One, arranged for violin and cello

The concert is very enjoyable. Some pieces are solo. Each prefaced by an introduction. Block wears a strap for his cello, so he plays standing. Tonight's cello is on loan. His own was broken by Southwest Airline luggage handling, and was in repair shop. Before intermission is old world mixed with folk tunes, and 2nd half is new world with classical ideals. The duo of Zigeunerweisen is amazing, Blackest Crow is very moving, the Yankee Doodle is so funny.

2016.2.9. Mother and Son at Artistis Repertory Theater

2/9 Tuesday.  Sunny and warm. Mother and Son by Terrence McNally, directed by Jane Unger. A woman, totally alone after her husband's death, visits her deseased son's boyfriend, who now has made a home with another man and a son. This mother figure is too unlikable, totally self centered, wants revenge for her only son's death. The two gay fathers and their child are all very likable, way too accommodating to the angry mother. Almost unrealistically nice. Overall a very moving performance.

Single set, nicely done, very homey. Great acting. Highly recommended.

2016.2.7. Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls

2/7, Sunday. Sunny and warm (~61°F). 6 of us hiked up from Multnomah Falls to Sherrard Point. About 14 miles RT and 4000' elevation gain. We finished in less than 7 hours (including a 30+ minute lunch break at the top) and 7 people!
Early morning at Multnomah Falls is always pleasant, especially in spring after lots of rain. Not many people. Well, when we came down, there were quite many that we had to slow down our pace. This is a Superbowl Sunday. Good to see this many people outdoors instead of in front of a TV.

The first mile is going up to the top of Multnomah Falls, then follow Multnomah Creek upstream for a couple of miles. This stretch is very pretty. A deep green gorge with mossy vines and trees. In winter, no leaves to block the view. A number of falls and cascades. The sound of water is so loud that I had to turn my headset off. Muddy and wet at times, but none too bad. Then it gets a bit boring, as you have gone out of the gorge, and reached the Benson Plateau, and yes, snow. The trail has been hiked enough that it's easily visible. The snow is packed down, and tracking device isn't absolutely necessary. When you see picnic tables, you know you are close to the top. There is a big parking lot here. Fortunately, the road is closed in winter. Yes, don't hike here in a summer weekend: way too crowded. The last short stretch to the left leads to the Sherrard Point, and a magnificent 360° view. North: Goat Rocks, St Helens, Rainier, Adams. South: Hood, Jefferson. All very clear today. Climb on the big rock outside of the fence for a better view of the Columbia River - be careful. No wind. Warm. At least in the 60s°F.

I got back home early enough: showered, in time for Superbowl's half time show. What a strange game.

2016.2.6 Oregon Symphony rehearsal

2/6. Saturday, 10am. My first time attending a symphony rehearsal. I received 4 tickets to some rehearsals due to a $100 donation. This weekend's program is:

Fireworks by Igor Stravinsky
Four Parables for Piano and Orchestra by Paul Schoenfield
    Rambling till the butcher cuts us down 
    Senility's Ride 
    Elegy Dog heaven
    Natasha Paremski on Piano
The Planets by Gustav Holst
    Mars, the Bringer of War
    Venus, the Bringer of Peace
    Mercury, the Winged Messenger
    Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
    Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
    Uranus, the Magician
    Neptune, the Mystic
    women of Portland State Chamber Choir.

Rehearsal started promptly at 10. A couple of hundred in audience. Musicians were in jeans and Ts. The usually talkative Carlos didn't say anything to us. Each work was played once entirely, then, Carlos picked a few pieces for correction. His voice was for the stage, so I could make it out. My musical training is 0, so couldn't make out the difference either. The Planets were played movement by movement with pause for retrial at the end of a few. The choir were on the first tier, out of our sight. Carlos had to use mic to talk to the choir conductor. Overall, a good experience.

After the concert, I visited Portland Art Museum. Temporary exhibit of Edward Curtis' old photos of the Native Americans. This painting of 42 cats by Carl Kahler has attracted many phone photos.

2016.2.5. Winter Light Festival

2/3-6. First Portland Winter Light Festival. Reasonable success, judging by the attendance. I happened to have time Friday evening, so I went despite of the rain.

The river cruise company Portland Spirit offered free passage twice on each side (once more on Saturday evening). You can purchase meal and drink on board. 2nd floor had a few singers from Oregon Opera who performed arias at times, in front of noisy audience and runaround children. Lots of people on board, but not a lot get on board. Maybe it's too rainy that people just stay in the boat going back and forth. Certainly the Willamette River is quite pretty at night.

Most light installations are around OMSI. Maybe about a dozen, plus some projections and two wood burning stoves. The rain creates reflections of the lights. 10 minutes is enough to see all of them. Need more for next year for me to come again.