Parkdale, OR

Friday's Foto - A Frosty Morning

This week brought the coldest weather of the winter (so far) to Parkdale, Oregon, dipping just below 20 degrees. It snowed on Wednesday night, but that morning, before the snow, we woke to a white frosted world. I love the intricate designs of frost on... well, anything. Here's a branch in our front yard.

Friday's Foto - Snow Angel

What is it about freshly fallen snow that simply beckons a kids to plop down onto his back, flap his arms and legs and make a snow angel? This is our 11-year-old son, Ben, doing just that on our back deck just after it snowed here this week. Remember how exhilerating that felt when you were little? When was the last time you made a snow angel?

Finally REAL Snow in the Hood River Valley!

Winter has finally arrived in the Hood River Valley with the arrival of real snow in the foothills over night. Timberline Ski Resort opened yesterday, followed by Mt. Hood Meadows today, so the mountain has been getting snow for the last couple weeks, but the rest of us finally have enough to truly welcome winter. It continues to snow as I type and we're expecting more through the day and over night.

The passes of the Cascade Mountains are under winter advisories through the day; snow tires are required and chains are required on double axle trucks. Lower roads are plowed and sanded so travel shouldn't be restricted.

So head to the resorts, or even to one of the Mt. Hood's snowparks for a little sledding or cross-country skiing. Make a snowman or throw a snowball. I know we will be enjoying our snow day!

Below, this is looking off our back deck and into our back yard. Above, our boys, Ben and Sam, are taking advantage of all that new snow.

Friday's Foto - First Snowman of The Season (Well, Kind of)

Our 11 year old son, Ben, rushed home from school this afternoon to make this snowman, which is pretty impressive considering we only had about two inches of snow on the ground. He's been pretty anxious for it to snow. Sure, the snowman's a little... shall we say... creative. We're expecting up to 12 more inches of snow over night tonight.

Speechless Sunday - Looking Down The Line

I took this photo on Friday in the town of Parkdale, Oregon. These are the Parkdale railroad tracks, just next to the Parkdale Train Station, which are mainly used for scenic train trips from the town of Hood River. It was such a crisp, autumn day, unseasonably warm and sunny.