Wow. See? I caught up the last five months in just a few posts!I feel bad that I've been so tied close to home, but it's for good reasons!My latest sunset was last Friday. Again, with my friend in Newberg. We went to our usual spot, some farmland adjacent to a newly built elementary school. A close, but somewhat scenic area that provides a lot of available sky.
This day wasn't spectacular, but as as always, when I find myself staring at a cloud-filled sky, I think how thankful I am to live in such a beautiful area. And more importantly, that I am able to enjoy one of the simplest things this life has to offer...a beautiful sunset.I often take random snapshots of myself and found this one pleasant enough to post. Me in all my sunset-lit, freckled glory!
As per usual, I am driving Gert (my gray Jeep). She's been with me through all the posts on this blog (or most), and I think it's time to acknowledge her! I can't believe it's been almost eight years since I took her for a test drive and later signed the papers. Awww... :) She enjoys a good sunset too!! 
Another one of my sunset hunting expeditions, which ended up mostly fruitless. This evening in early January 2011 left us wanting for a "real" sunset, but the colors that were thrown onto Mount Hood were lovely.
I was able to get a couple decent shots of the mountain, though it is days like this one, that I renew my interest in finding a nice long lens for my "big" Nikon. Something else for my list!
These pictures were taken off the St. Paul Hwy, just outside of Newberg, Oregon. I remember being SO VERY COLD taking these pictures, and hoping the sky would throw just a little more color at us. But it must have been too early in the year (Jan. 4) for Mother Nature to waste the good color on such a short lived sky show.
My sister and I decided we needed a treat for our birthdays. So, over the first weekend of December, we decided to drive up to Bagby Hot Springs and take a dip!It was cold, but not snowy down in the valley, but once we started heading up towards the hills, we saw more and more snow. Once we made the final turn off, I thought it prudent to actually pop the Jeep into four wheel drive. There was about 6" of rutted snow on the road. Though fairly well traveled, it was still snowing and made for some slippery driving.Once you get to the parking area, it's a couple mile hike up to the springs.They're doing some renovation to the buildings/tubs, so the public tubs were mostly out of commission. We chose to share one of the private tubs. Which was perfect, since not long after we got there, a load of teenagers showed up and filled up the remaining private tubs.
Was great to go sit in the nice, toasty water. I do wish it was a bit more sound proof, since some people have no filter on what they say. However, the hot springs experience just isn't the same without the naked hippie folk running around.
These are a few pics from the hike up and back. The river looked so pretty surrounded by snow! Makes me want to do a series of winter river shots next year. Great idea!! I'll have to put that on my list.
So, I see it's been awhile since I posted on here. Not much to tell. I've stayed pretty close to home the last few months. But I have managed to capture a few sunsets (when we actually have sun).
Let's see...I have a few pics from December. One BEAUTIFUL sunset taken from the parking lot across from my friend's house in Newberg. The sunset crept up on us, so we couldn't get to a more "picturesque" location, but we at least got to snap a few pics of this absolutely stellar sunset. I couldn't believe how BRIGHT and GORGEOUS the colors were that day. Truly amazing.
This wonderful old oak tree is in her park, and the fading sunset can be seen through its leafless limbs.
Seems like we have had so few sunsets this year, that it's nice to look back on these pictures and be able to actually post a few sunny images! With any luck the rain will dry up soon, so I can get some more great sunset pictures.
This day wasn't spectacular, but as as always, when I find myself staring at a cloud-filled sky, I think how thankful I am to live in such a beautiful area. And more importantly, that I am able to enjoy one of the simplest things this life has to offer...a beautiful sunset.
As per usual, I am driving Gert (my gray Jeep). She's been with me through all the posts on this blog (or most), and I think it's time to acknowledge her! I can't believe it's been almost eight years since I took her for a test drive and later signed the papers. Awww... :) She enjoys a good sunset too!! 
