Laughable Snow

Yes, we had some snow but it's so light it does not amount to anything.

My plan for the day is to declutter as much as possible. In trying to pack a box a day I have been eliminating things I won't be needing for the move but there is so far to go. 64 days until my lease expires.

Favor for a Friend

Today I accompany Don for the removal of the cataract on his right eye. No lunch or dinner out. Just an excursion and some knitting while I wait. Rained on the afternoon dog walk. Snow is expected tonight.

Colonoscopy Today

All went well. In and out of the Clinic in 2 hours with a clean bill of health. Rescheduled for 5 years from now. Quite a relief to know that nothing out of the ordinary is happening within me.

Had planned on a feast of sorts but I'm not at all hungry. I settled for Tillamook Cheese on a hoagie and will have some roast veggies for my dinner.

Could be my Favorite Photo

from the trip to The Dalles. I titled it Prime Bridge View. This spot is adjacent to the bridge approach from I-84 and behind the Motel. I suspect it is land set aside for Tribal Fishing Rights as I saw several fishing platforms along the riverbank.

The Dalles Outing

Could that be the North Star?

I loaded up the camera and the dogs and went back to The Dallas for more pictures. I haven't processed the pictures but I'm not all that satisfied with my results.

On the way home I crossed from WA to OR for dinner at the Charburger in Cascade Locks. Got this picture of the Bridge of the Gods. Almost indefinable and abstract without the clues of a daytime shot.

Kitchen Cabinets

I went by Home Depot yesterday to check out their Kitchen supplies. They have a wide range of cabinet styles available and seem to be priced similar to what I am seeing at Costco. Drawback is the nearest location is Redding and shipping could be a problem. Costco is just 8 miles away and will pretty much do it all for me in terms of planning, ordering, receiving, delivering and installing. Costco also has the Counter Tops, leaving me with 'JUST' the sink and appliances to obtain elsewhere.

Unfortunately their 30% off sale ends before I can get inside to do the kitchen measurements. I'm also not sure how much they can do for me in terms of preparation for replacement of the cabinets that are there.

Sure are a lot of things to think about and the magazines just confuse the issue, enticing me with all sorts of ideas.

Surprisingly Unbruised

No ill effects for the fall I took yesterday while trying to control my vicious dogs as they attempted to protect the pack leader.

Awoke to the 'barking' of the phone. Alice needed a ride to school. Got me up early and I actually managed to empty the glass bookcase and pack a box of books. One box per day might even get me ready to move on time.

Exploring all the avenues for the kitchen remodel. I'm really liking some of the modern kitchens I see in the magazines.

Time for a Dog Walk

Decided to head upriver today to The Dalles. I want to get a Panoramic view of the bridge and dam before I leave the area. Unfortunately it was much too overcast and unappealing so I had an early dinner at Cousins then took the dogs to the Discovery Center for a dog walk. This was the view as we started out on the asphalt pathway. As we turned to head back to the car another dog owner came along with a very large and aggressive pit bull. As they passed us on the trail my dogs made one last lunge for show causing me to take a fall. My elbow ended up in a pile of dog 'doo' someone failed to pick up. The camera lens hit the wet grass and my glasses flew off my face. The young man with the dog was solicitous but I told him just get the dog out of sight so that I could regain control of my dogs. I think I'll be stiff for a few days.

Is that a Grudging Smile?

Whatever, I do wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. I got this portrait taken over dinner at the Thai Lotus. I am more content than I look.

Up at 5 a.m. to Check the Weather

Six minutes before Sunrise I took this shot looking west at the Fremont Bridge.
This was taken just before we left this area to go into the Pearl for some Historic Buildings.

Don and I agreed last night that weather permitting we'd do a Sunrise Photoshoot on the Willamette River, specifically the Fremont Bridge. This is my 1st shot of the day. It was cold but well worth the effort as we explored yet another bit of riverfront in Portland, Oregon.

Night Shoot in Portland

I went back to NW Industrial tonight and parked under the Fremont Bridge. One of Portland's Finest checked out my car as I was getting this shot. I guess I wasn't suspicious enough since he didn't ask for my ID. I took the opporunity to shoot across the river to Swan Island for a slightly different take on Glacier NW.

Then I headed for Hayden Island to see if I could get a decent shot of Hooters without being harassed by a fat bald paranoid guy. This time I parked in Safeway's lot and setup the tripod between parked cars. I doubt than anyone feeling guilty even saw me.

It was a great night and the dogs even enjoyed going out.

Leonardo da Vinci

Yesterday Don and I went to the event at OMSI. Nice day to go to the Museum. Not necessarily busy and quite instructive. Other than Leo and the OMSI Grill nothing interested us there so it was a relatively short outing. Sorry No Photographs Allowed.

After reflecting on several suggestions made on a picture taken under the Fremont Bridge I decided to re-compose the shot for just the skyline and reflections on the Willamette River. Here is my finished result.

More Shots from Last Night

We started the night by driving to St John's for the Bridge I posted last night. Then I took C. to Riverscape @ 17th and Front Avenue for views of the Fremont Bridge from the West. This was a Panoramic shot looking at the opposite waterfront and Fremont Bridge approach. This could be the location for many dramatic photos. My goal of the evening was to reshoot the Palms Motel Neon which is in pristine condition. While this is not unique and creative it does show the condition and setting of the Neon sign. Now I want to go back for even more.

A Little bit of Night Photography

Went out tonight for a few photos. I especially like this one I took of the St John's Bridge. I also got a great shot of the Neon at the Palms Motor Hotel.

Congratulations Steelers!!!

This has got to be one of the best Superbowls I've ever seen. 2 exciting and unlikely plays led to the win with teams that were evenly matched. Unbelievable.