2018.5.12. Fort Cascade

5/12 Saturday. By volunteering to drive, I was allowed to join last minute this outing of Friends of the Gorge. ~15 of us met at the Fort Cascade historical site's information booth, with big displays and self guided tour brochures. There isn't much left to see, due to the 1894 mud slide which wiped out the town (built 1855). There are signs of where the old tavern was, or the board school or ... The only real relic is this tram rail, used to get from the town to the waterfront. Roland, our guide, is the same Roland who guided the ethnobotanical tour at Hoyt a month ago. His photographer friend and ex-coworker at IBM, Mike, is also very knowledgeable about plants. Both fun to hang out with. It's good to refresh my weak memory. Now I can more reliably identify the useful plantain and dock, both invasive weed.

We had a leisurely lunch at the picnic table by the parking lot overlooking the Columbia River, where a couple of sea lions were gorging on the smolt. You can also see the water spray from the Bonneville Dam facility  (downstream of the dam itself), which is supposed to deter the predictor birds, when smolt was released in the narrow channel. A large display also shows that they tag and monitor the fish.

I and most if the participants today wasn't aware of the existence of this place. A shame.

After lunch, 5 of us stopped by the Pioneer Cemetery with Roland and Mike. Very tranquil, despite of being next to the train track. Saw some fresh flower and new tombs, so must still be used by the tribe. At the tombstone of Indian Mary and some of her relatives, Roland read from his notes about Kalliah Tumulth's fight to preserve her land.

A relaxing and enjoyable outing.

2018.5.10. Blithe Spirit at Bag'n'Baggage

5/10, Thursday. Noel Cowward's Blithe Spirit at Vault Theatre. A small theatre. Well attended tonight. Funny, a comedy of 2 acts. One single efficient stage set. Excellent costumes (Melissa Heller) and acting. I enjoyed this light hearted entertainment. It doesn't invite thinking or discussion.

2018.5.6. Cook Hill

5/6 Sunday. A bit of rain in the morning. Muggy and warm, maybe ~mid 70s (°F). 10 women and 2 dogs hiked the lollipop loop of Cook Hill. Parking is on Cook-Underwood Rd. Walk up Jason Rd, and the trail goes off right there.

The trail starts gently over grassy hills with oak trees. Then it goes into woods. Typical flowers like Trillium, yellow Violet, lots of Minor's Lettuce, Dutchman's Breeches. I saw 2 Fairy Slippers. At the junction, turn right. ~30 minutes later, you break out into the first meadow, which probably has the best view. Balsamroot is quite happy here. Prairie Star, Chocolate Lily, Larkspur. Lupine was still in bud. Hike straight up here on increasingly faint trail. Half an hour later, reached the 2nd meadow. It's smaller, but you are now high enough to see Mt Hood. Had lunch here. Up from here, soon, traversing the 3rd open meadow. No more balsamroot. Then over a flat but wooded ridge (with obstructed view of Mt Adams) to an open area with power lines and cell towers. We saw 2 guys and 2 trucks. One guy climbed up the tower while we were there. Skirt by it and on to the gravel road. Take sharp left and down into the woods.

Coming back is a bit boring. Did see some Indian Paintbrush, and this cluster of mushroom. Don't see any of these anywhere else on the loop. Saw some Angelica_Arguta, and poison oak.

Total about 8 miles, 3000' gain. All day, we met other hikers. Not crowded. I got picked up and dropped off at home.

2018.5.5. WA county story telling festival finale

5/5, Saturday. The last day of this story telling festival organized by Washington County Library. I didn't know about this festival until 2 days ago, yet, it's already the 14th annual event.

The final event showcased the winner of the student winner Evelyn Elston (a high school senior on her prom night - a story of summer camping at Detroit Lake with her father), adult slam winner Kristin Olsen-Huddle (a story about the tattoo on her butt), followed by 3 professionals: Habiba Addo (story of the importance of remembering), Rick Huddle (various stories and a song), Geraldine Buckley (a story of a family luncheon with high spirited sangria and the story of her father's funeral). I really en first one, the high school girl, who left promptly after her presentation to go to her party; as well as the last one. Geraldine Buckley's story is smooth and flows so naturally that it draws you in. The other 3 are good story tellers, but the stories feel crafted.

I enjoyed this evening. However, the location is inconvenient (in Sherwood, only 1 bus line which runs every 50 minutes, far away from Portland, no cell reception in the theatre). The organizers have loose sense of time, everything drags longer than they should. There's even a 10 intermission, which turned out to be 20 some minutes. I caught the very last bus home, had to wait a long time.

2018.5.5. Ecola State Park

5/5, Saturday. Muggy, warm. Worked till midnight, so missed my alarm clock for a different meetup. Went to Ania's since it's later and Ecola Point is my favorite place on the northern OR coast. This view is forever enchanting, regardless of weather.

6 of us (only one guy who's also the youngest) hiked from Ecola Point to Indian Beach, then continued to the WWII bunkers and camping huts, and the view point to the lighthouse (a misleading name of the place, since you can see the lighthouse from many other places). An otherwise easy 6 mile RT turned out to be more interesting because of the landslide which blocked the trail between Indian Beach and Ecola Point. Nothing difficult though, just some boulder hopping and one slippery but short slope.

Because this is short, we had time to explore the beach a bit. Saw many small crabs. Quite a few surfers out at Indian Beach. Temperature was in upper 60s(°F), a bit humid, so sweating.

Had lunch & beer at Bill's Tavern in Cannon Beach. Back to Sunset TC by 5pm, later than advertised (3pm).