Fall Leaves - Portland - Last Hurrah!

Today we had a brief bit of sun and I stopped my drive home a few times to capture some of the spectacular autumn leave before the ongoing wind and rain take them all away.

They wont last long. Japanese maples grow beautifully here and they are on a breathtaking red display.  You will see a stop sign that was on a corner by some vivid yellow/gold maples.  Yes, stop and take this in I thought.  

A little bit of Fall

On a walk this morning we came upon a yard very cleverly ready for Halloween. Hope you can see the witches legs protruding from the hole in the tree.













Walking near Mount Tabor Park there are many well maintained homes and gardens.

Fall colors are not at a peak but the rain is here and lots of leaves have fallen.

A week ago, and in the sunshine, I stopped by the local pizza shop on Mississippi. They added an outdoor deck with an eclectic decor. Besides the giraffe, there is a free standing

bathtub. Keep Portland Weird - is a mantra around here.

Wine country

It was a beautiful day for a day trip to the wine country just outside of Portland. All these photos were taken in Dundee. This is only my third visit but I think this wine area is visually superior to Napa. This visit was with my friend Sherry and we have vowed to return in a few weeks when the trees and vines are dressed in their fall colors.

Astoria

Early morning in Astoria, OR

 Beautiful Northwest summer weather is hanging on. Just spent a day in Astoria where the flower beds are thriving and bike riding in the balmy sunshine was a pleasure. Here are some photos. I started taking them in the early morning before the skies cleared and then about 11a.m. we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine.

So here is a hodgepodge of images including a ride I took on a boat that ferries supplies and people to the large tankers anchored in the river. Before the tankers can proceed to Portland they have to be inspected by Customs and the Coast Guard. 

The gardens were in the little neighborhood where my friend Jan lives. And finally the big, bad, sea lions hang out on the dock where they are constantly barking and arguing with each other. The sounds are so laughable

A bicycle used as a planter

Winter cabbage on display

This garden is the work of local mother and daughter
I assume they are master gardeners

Garden looking out to river.
Dahlias thriving

Front porch, so inviting.

Coast guard and custom agents boarding
for an inspection

Morning on the Columbia River

Bad boys on the dock

Now This Was FUN!

What a perfectly beautiful day. 

Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in Canby, OR

Color and crafts everywhere!

Here is Wendy Hanson one of the owners of Shaggy Bear Farms
holding the beautiful Blue Faced Leicester Yarn I purchased at her booth

Here are some of the sheep being judged. I believe these are Leicester sheep. Besides sheep there were llamas, goats, and rabbits. So much to see and enjoy.

One of my knitting buddies Nancy, who loved  watching the  sheep.

Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

On the road again!

With Carol at the Rose Test Garden

 Had a great time last week showing off Portland and the coast to my friend Carol who was visiting from California.

Here we are on coastal Highway 101 and yes that is the Pacific Ocean
beneath the fog.

So many beautiful roses

In the Pearl District. Always something funky in Portland

HOT, HOT, HOT Portland

What to do when the temp is 100? Well it is best to stay in but I still took a ride to Sauvie Island  where lots of folks go to pick fresh produce at the farms. Not many people doing that today but I did take a quick stroll and captured these sunflowers basking in the heat.

Leaving Tomorrow

Just took this photo of the Wind River with the badlands in the background. I used  a new Ipad camera belonging to my friend.  Sure makes me think about upgrading.