a mid-week beach get away

Went to the beach for a couple of days with my friend, Vicki, to celebrate her birthday. Last year we went to Gig Harbor, Washington, and had rain. This year we decided to go to Cannon Beach, Oregon…..and had rain. However, we had better weather than Portland with intermittent sun breaks and some lovely clouds. No epic sunsets but decent evening light on the ocean.

 

We stayed at the Ecola Creek Lodge which was first built in the 1940′s. It suffered a lot of damage in the 1964 tsunami which was a result of the Alaska earthquake that year. It did not reopen until 1968. Soon after Lewis and Clark came through this area a hotel was built on the spot and there has been lodging at this location ever since. Our room was wonderful: large, a view of Haystack Rock, a fridge, microwave and an extra sofa. I’d stay there again.

After a day of shopping and antique store hopping we drove out to Ecola State Park for a few pix, hoping for a colorful sunset. It was cold and windy and no red skies, but we were still presented with lovely views.

After breakfast today we headed south along hwy 101 stopping at a few beach towns on the way. Then it was time to head home along hwy 18 back to Newberg and Wilsonville and the pouring down rain.

We are already planning our next trip.

( these photos were taken on an old p&s camera that I dug out of a box:  Nikon Coolpix S10)

Opal Creek, part 2

The first time I had ever been to Opal Creek Wilderness was on World-wide Pinhole Day, April 28th. I have now been there 3 times and want to go back again and again. The green of the water just draws me in. The wilderness area is off hwy 22, east of Salem, Oregon, and only about a 90-minute drive from my home.

the emerald green water

one of the minor falls

rushing water

The hike is not difficult, but walking on the rocky floor wreaks havoc with the soles of the feet. Even with good boots and inserts, I must ice the soles when I get home. The loop is about 8 miles long and worth every mile to do the whole thing. The weather on this second trip was hot and we got a bit dehydrated. Luckily the women working at the old mining camp, Jaw Bone Flats, let us into the dining hall where we filled our water bottles for the 4 mile hike out.

several foot bridges

rocks and water

the old boiler

fire truck

So today I am showing some more pinhole photos I took on trip 2. The photos from trip 3 are not back from the lab yet, but when they are I will share them.

picnic lunch with Ron

stopping for food on the way home

(all photos were taken with my Zero Image pinhole camera and long exposures)

A week at the cabin….on film

I just spent a wonderful and relaxing week at my friend Doris’ mountain cabin along the Salmon River. Doris and I have both spent the last few years suffering from foot problems, off and on, so we decided this would be a relaxing week with just a little walking along the river and no strenuous mountain climbing….as per doctor’s orders.

KEEP OUT for 6 minutes

an old cabin in the woods_pinhole_4 minutes_but not the one we stayed in

The relaxation gave us plenty of time  to wait for the long exposures that are needed with our pinhole cameras. We made images while walking along the Salmon River close to the cabin.

Salmon River_pinhole_13 minutes

walking on rocks_pinhole_16 seconds

a bend in the river_pinhole_ at only 20 seconds

stacking rocks_Holga

We kept looking for mossy green tree stumps, but our overly dry Spring has already turned the moss a bit off.

looking for green stumps with my Holga

trees with my Holga

We explored the Wildwood Recreation site along hwy 26. There was a notice warning of mountain lion and bear sightings, but luckily none crossed our path.

ghosting on the bridge_pinhole_9 minutes. Look close and you’ll see us in two places

exploring the Wildwood Recreation area_pinhole_ 4 minutes

We made images of us reading in the sun. I finished four books. I can’t remember when I have had that much time to devote to my reading. It was nice.

me swinging and reading_pinhole_4 minutes

more reading in the sun with feet up_pinhole_16 seconds

a book, the sun, a swing and friends_pinhole_ 2 minutes

We visited the local coffee shops for our mid-morning snacks. At night I quilted and Doris worked on her genealogy.

Welches coffee shop at 32 minutes 

Doris working on genealogy

reading and quilting_pinhole_ 51 minutes

At bedtime we would climb the stairs to our bedrooms, wonderful old iron beds covered in quilts and our books.

bedtime reading_pinhole_32 minutes

Now it is back to the real world: laundry, house cleaning, meetings and trips to the gym to work off those bakery treats. But what a great week and the perfect weather didn’t hurt either. It’s back to Portland and rain…..a much needed rain.

World Wide Pinhole Day

World Wide Pinhole Day is celebrated on the last day of April. Pinhole photographers from all over the world gather to make a pinhole photo with their cameras. Some cameras are home-made and others are manufactured from companies like Zero Image. Yesterday I posted some of my digital images from the day and now, before I head to Mt Hood for the week, I am sharing some of my pinhole images from the day.

Our day started at Sam Rogers Park in Lake Oswego….at 6:30 a.m.  Early for some, but not me. I seem to be awake before 5 every morning. After about 90 minutes we moved on to breakfast. We always fit food into the day some way or another.

Then 5 of us kept going and traveled south to the Opal Creek Wilderness. Here are some of my film images of the area. I still have more to scan and edit, but they’ll have to wait for now.

the last 5 standing

Donna making an image

throwing in a Holga image of Kurt setting up his camera

Opal Creek Wilderness

Eight miles, raw ankles, sore shoulders and aching feet….but so worth it. Yesterday I returned to Opal Creek Wilderness with Ron to show him where I had spent World Wide Pinhole Day on April 28th(those photos will follow later). I don’t know if it was the heat or rocky terrain, but we both feel like we took a beating. However, the area is so gorgeous that I don’t care and I plan to go back.

 The Opal Creek Wilderness is an easy drive, less than 2 hours south of Portland. It covers over 35,000 acres and within its boundaries you’ll find creeks, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, lichen and mosses……..and a few friendly dogs.

After traveling on a gravel road for about 4+ miles you have to park your car (remember your forest pass) and walk in. It’s about 2 miles to the first trail head and 4 miles to a wonderful old mining camp complete with cabins, a lodge and an old fire engine.

 The green-colored water is gorgeous. The moss-covered rocks are enchanting. The waterfalls are majestic.

I’ll leave you with these photos. If you’d like to know how to get to Opal Creek Wilderness or learn more about the history of this area then check out: www.opalcreekwilderness.com

(making pinhole images)

Pinhole madness

Yesterday, April 28th, was World Wide Pinhole Day. Yes, there really is such a thing. Pinholers from all over the world go out and make some pinhole magic. Some post their photos at http://www.pinhgoleday.org and others use Flickr.

You can find many wonderful examples of pinhole photography on Flickr. Have a look if you have time. You may decide to grab one of these little magic boxes with no view finder and no lens and make your own magic. Believe me, you’ll get hooked.

The long exposures give you time to enjoy your surroundings or think about where you want to go next.

From my last post you can tell I enjoy doing interior shots. I am doing a series on coffee shops and restaurants.

Whatever you fancy I do encourage you to try this type of photography. It really takes you back to basics.

Three days of lectures = pinhole possibilities

At the beginning of the month I spent 3 long days of lectures at the Oregon Dental Convention.  Even though I have retired from a dental hygiene career and turned my attentions to more artistic endeavors I don’t like the idea of letting my license lapse. It was too much work to get it in the first place. So I endure continuing ed classes to send in my money and get another 2 years of licensure.

I decided I would capture the days with my pinhole camera. The result: ghostly images of people with long exposures. It did help make the time pass. I also took one of my quilts along and worked on it during the lectures. People all around me wished they had thought to do something like that to make the time go by.

free public transport to the convention center

morning starts with coffee

the lecture begins

quilting during the lunch break

afternoon tea break

red glass poppies hang from the ceilings

things were looking up after the 3 days were over

Another year will go by before I have to do this again. At some point I will quit renewing the license but not sure exactly when that will be. It’s difficult to let go.