Autumn Update

Valdosta Trip

After returning from the Alaska trip in early September we took it easy for a few weeks and just enjoyed the pretty Autumn weather here in Vancouver.

At the end of October we flew to Valdosta to visit with Mike, Jennah and the grand kids. Kevin drove up from St. Augustine where he's now living to spend a few days as well, so it made for a nice family reunion.



Jennah, Makenna, and Nana

Our visit coincided with Halloween, so we had a chance to enjoy the various programs for the kids both at Makenna's school and at Mike's squadron on base which also sponsored an evening for the little ones.



Makenna the Ninja and Shane the Fireman.

Didn't do any side trips this visit - just stuck around the house and enjoyed the family time together. Rita and I watched the kids one weekend while Mike and Jennah went with friends to the Epcot Center in Orlando for a Wine and Food festival, and we both greatly enjoyed that.



Shane and Grandpa

While we were there Mike found out that he and the family will be moving next summer to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. They had been hoping for Hawaii but it just wasn't in the cards for them.

After enjoying almost 3 weeks with the family we returned to Vancouver on Nov. 15, where we were greeted on arrival by rain, fog, and a high temperature in the low 40's. One thing you can always count on in the Pacific Northwest - Winter comes early and stays late. Been raining off and on most days since we returned. Even dipped down into the 20's the other night.


Around Vancouver

We have had some nice days lately - good enough to actually get outdoors anyway. Mike and Jennah got us a new digital camera while we were in Valdosta, and I carried it with me on one of my walks around the neighborhood the other day to try it out, and to show off some of the pretty scenery that we get to enjoy when the sun occasionally appears.


Heading east along Fort Vancouver Way towards the historic site. The recent stormy weather had knocked down a lot of the leaves but there were still enough of them hanging on to make for a pretty scene.


A little further on. The old Army barracks are just to the right in the photo, and "Officer's Row" - which includes homes once occupied by George Marshall, U.S. Grant, George McClellan and a number of future Civil War generals once lived in the 1850's.




Looking back at Fort Vancouver. Nice to have the open parkland only a couple of blocks from our little apartment.


Columbia Gorge Hike

The rains let up enough on Sunday (yesterday) for me to grab my backpack and head up the Gorge to Hamilton Mountain for a quick hike. Was anxious to get outside when I had the chance since the extended forecast is for continued rain thru the end of the month...or until next May (take your pick). It had been pretty cold of late and the snow level had dropped to around 1,000 ft., but I figured it couldn't be that bad and so donned all of my waterproofs and gave it a go.



Looked like the summit had gotten a pretty good dusting as I set off.



Approaching the snow line at around 1,500 ft.


Didn't take long for it to deepen. Probably about 3 or 4 inches at this point.



By the time I got close to the summit at 2,500 ft. it was over 8 inches deep on the trail, and there were a couple of drifts up on top that I had to slog thru that were nearly 3 feet deep. Thankfully, someone had preceded me along the trail so I was able to follow in their footsteps...otherwise the stuff was nearly up to my waist.


It was a pretty hike - albeit a cold one. Temps in the 30's when I started out and quite windy in the parking area along the highway (and near the Columbia River). Not too bad once I got away from the natural Venturi effect of the gorge and wound my way up into the trees, then blowing like crazy at the top as I hustled across the Saddle between two peaks.




Am guessing that this will be my last hike until February, or maybe even May when we return from Australia if the early snowfall is any indicator of Winter conditions on the trails.

We depart for San Miguel on December 1st. Looking forward to our extended stay in the land of eternal Spring. Will try to blog as we go if I can muster the motivation once we're there.