Snow in the Pacific Northwest

 The Magic of Snow

This photo was taken last year in Quinault, Washington. I wanted to feature a scene with snow so badly that I borrowed this from my file. Snow has a way of magically transforming even the most mundane vegetation  to a thing of beauty.



Wishing you a very Happy New Year in 2013!

Festival of the Lights

  A Holiday Tradition

Visiting "The Grotto" in Portland, Oregon, is one of our favorite holiday traditions. We happened to be there just three days after the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. The mood was somber - but I found it the perfect place to pray. The Festival of the Lights is truly something special.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Honoring Their Lives

   A Path to Peace

May the families and friends of the victims of the recent violence find a path to peace in the days, months, and years ahead. I pray our nation will have the strength of character to make the tough decisions we must face. Let each of us reach out to those in need this holiday season.

Morning Along the Columbia River

Columbia River - viewed from Southwest Washington State

  Northwest Beauty

Last weekend we attended a function at the home of some friends. Their view of the Columbia River is breathtaking. We were lucky and had sunshine...at least for part of the day!

Ruby Beach, Washington

    Hidden Beauty

Ruby Beach is hidden on the northern coastline of Washington State. However, the short hike to access this remote spot is well worth the effort. Both times we visited this site we noticed professional photographers anxious to capture images of the beautiful beach.

Amber Waves of Grain

Rural Washington

Last weekend we visited some friends in Glenwood, Washington. We were hoping to see some snow, but no luck. However, in this remote corner of our state there is never a shortage of beautiful scenes to enjoy. I thought this one was appropriate for Thanksgiving weekend.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Sunshine on Sea Stacks

View from Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast

     Ecola State Park

Last weekend we were pleasantly surprised to see sunshine on the Oregon Coast.
This is one of the sights seen by Captain William Clark and members of the Corps of Discovery in 1806. They climbed over thick shrubs and trees and were gloriously rewarded.

Bird Creek ~ Washington State

Bird Creek

      Glenwood, Washington

We have been visiting some special Pacific Northwest locations since my husband is preparing for a solo art show: Glenwood, Washington is one of our favorite spots. We learned that the idyllic Bird Creek is a favorite fishing hole for the local children...and they actually catch fish!

This photo was taken about a month ago; we will be heading back to Glenwood next week. Since the community is located at the base of Mt. Adams, I'm hoping they will have received their first snow of the season. If so, I'll be sure and snap some photos of snow to share with you!

A Path In Autumn

Aldersgate Retreat Center

    Turner, Oregon

While I attended a recent writers' retreat, I happened upon this leaf-laden path above the retreat center. This beautiful setting is located just minutes east of Salem, Oregon. It was a wonderful way to start my day before the real work began!

Rustic and Rural



Sauvie Island - Oregon

Sauvie Island Farmland

This idyllic farmland is just outside of Portland, Oregon. It is a popular place for families to visit - especially during the harvest season. The entire island is an agricultural hub for the Pacific Northwest.

La Push, Washington

La Push, Wahington - Quileute Marina

Quileute Marina

In the remote northwest corner of Washington State is the small fishing community of La Push. The Quileute tribe claims that this is God's Country - it's not hard to see why! It was a special treat to visit this tiny town that has barely changed in decades.

Mt. Adams Wilderness

    Mount Adams

This majestic mountain is located thirty-one miles east of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State. Sited in 1805 by Lewis and Clark, it rises to a height of 12,281 ft. Located at the base of the mountain is Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge - home to deer, elk, beaver, coyote, otter, and bald eagle.

Grand Gorge

Columbia River Gorge

This majestic gorge runs for over eighty miles and is at points over 4,000 feet deep. It cuts through the states of Washington (Left) and Oregon (Right.) I enjoyed seeing it again a few days ago - a sight that is always spectacular!

A Special Place!



Willaby Creek - Washington State


    Willaby Creek

This idyllic creek feeds into Lake Quinault in The Olympic National Rain Forest of Washington State. The forest is a  marvelous place to hike, reflect, and relax. It inspired my first manuscript for children entitled: The Tale of Willaby Creek.

What a View!

Mt. Hood - Oregon

          Mt. Hood
This is a familiar sight, here in the Pacific Northwest. Mt. Hood is
part of the Cascade Range, and is the tallest peak in Oregon; it is known by the Multnomah tribe as Wy'east. The mountain is located 50 miles east-southeast of Portland, Oregon.