Tillamook Bay Evening

Saturday night while at the coast my wife Amber and our daughter Sara wanted ice cream so I was sent off on a mission.  It was just after 9:00 and most everything was closed so my work was cut out for me.  I brought the camera and took a couple of snapshots.  I found ice cream too.

(Garibaldi Pier - Tillamook Bay)

Dos Rocas

Friday night after my wife and I arrived at the coast we decided to have dinner at a small Mexican restaurant in the heart of Rockaway Beach.  It's called Dos Rocas, which means the two rocks.  Just off shore are two big rocks that crop out of the water called Twin Rocks, thus the name Dos Rocas.

The sun was low on the horizon and shining through the front of the restaurant.  I thought the shadow on the wall was interesting.  Despite the fact that you don't see anyone else in the place the food was great and the portions were big. We walked out of there feeling like Dos Rocas!

Lake House

We were at the coast again this weekend. This shot was taken Saturday morning looking west on Smith Lake south of Rockaway Beach. After I got out of the car to take some photos a frog started croaking in the foreground. Soon another one started, then another and within a few minutes about four of them treated me to a concert.

X's in the Sky

(Sauvie Island Bridge just west of Portland)

Tropical Light Boxes

(Near Cabo San Lucas, MX)

Fruit of the Vine

I pass by this vineyard outside of Rickreall, Oregon once a month.  It has many faces depending on the time of year, position of the sun and the weather.  I've not stopped in the past to take photos but decided to yesterday afternoon.

The grapes look immature at this point but that will hopefully change soon. Last month was one of the wettest months of May we've had on record.  The forecast for June looks wet too. Hopefully the vineyards will get some warm dry weather soon.

Converging Lines

While walking into the Portland VA Hospital yesterday I looked down this opening between two parking structures.  The converging lines and blocks of shade caught my attention.

I'm not sure which version is best.

Ever Feel Overwhelmed with Busyness?

Sometimes the busyness of life can feel overwhelming.  Too much work and not enough time.  Just the communication technology alone that we have demands a certain amount of our time each day.  Add to that the hours for family, work, to-do lists, and it can feel like there isn't time for just relaxing.

The reality is, work always gets done in due time.  Family time, though, slips away too fast and we don't get those moments back. Taking regular time to relax and to especially be with family is important.  So important it should be a priority.

At times we're busy like a bee.  And we're so focused on the work we can miss the fact that we're surrounded with flowers.

Now She Knows Why Dogs Like to do This!

I hope this isn't cheating but I didn't take this photo.  Our oldest granddaughter took this of her sister using my wife's cell phone camera. 

Freedom is not Free

Thank you to the men and women who bravely serve our country.  I'm also thankful for those who have given their lives sacrificially for the freedom that we enjoy.

Smith Lake

Early Friday evening I rode my motorcycle to our place at the coast to do some much needed work. There was a steady rain the whole way through the coast range. By the time I got near the house there was only a slight drizzle which gave a nice serene mood to Smith Lake.

The white plant in the foreground is a weed, which explains why they're growing abundantly beside the road. It's one of the better looking weeds I've seen though.

Old Car & Truck Faces

When  I was growing up and my parents and I would take a trip, I use to identify cars and trucks as they were traveling towards us on the highway. They were amazed how I could do it at such a young age.  To me the grilles on the cars and trucks made faces and that's the way I would know what they were.  Some had a grin, some didn't. And some had teeth showing like this truck.  I stopped seeing these faces long ago so I don't think it did long term damage.

Flower Power Truck

Yesterday I rode about 60 miles north into Washington to work.  On my way home I crossed over the Columbia River and rode back through Oregon.  A little north of Portland I crossed over onto Sauvie Island which I haven't visited in many years.  Outside one of the farms I found this unique "Flower Truck."  It makes a nice springtime display!

Rainy Day Succulent

Yesterday it rained most of the day.  Rain has a way of making the colors in the plant-life pop.  While taking some shots of the obvious plants like the rhododendrons I noticed this small ground cover succulent.  It's Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum x Roseum).  The only reason I know that is I looked it up.  It's kind of fascinating the way just the tips are deep red.

Stopping by a Foggy Pond... to Ponder

Morning Solar Power

(Near San Jose, Mexico)

Pine Wood Marvel

Our oldest daughter and our daughter-in-law went on a company paid trip to Lake Tahoe for the weekend. They brought some of these big pine cones home as souvenirs since they're readily available on the ground. We don't know the variety of these heavyweights but they sure are interesting.  And they sure are sticky.

Morning Low Tide

(Garibaldi Pier - Tillamook Bay, OR)

Unexpected Downpour

(San Juan, PR)

But then most downpours are unexpected!

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Check out other Monochrome Weekend images.

Ashland Springs Hotel

The last couple of days I've been working in Southern Oregon.  About 25 miles from the California border is Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  The Ashland Springs Hotel was built in 1925 and restored to its original grandeur in 1998. It makes a great base for exploring such popular sites as Crater Lake.