It's Doing What?

I hope you are all enjoying your spring weather wherever you may be in the northern hemisphere. Say hello to it for me. It's snowing here even as I write. I am sure the tulips and cherry blossoms are enjoying the snow and hail even if they are as surprised as we are to have snow and hail in late April. The confused and flabbergasted looks on everyone's faces are actually quite entertaining. We are sure God is laughing. As for me, I am giving him a day planner for Christmas next year as I am sure he has not checked his calendar in a while. I believe I even heard him giggling as I took pictures of the cherry blossoms on the capital lawn the other week and got caught in a heavy hail storm. This is the latest it has ever snowed here on the valley floor in recorded history by a long shot. Does he know it's April? I don't think so. We say in Oregon, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. I am not kidding. This spring I think proves that. But what a nice thing for the flowers, they get to be enjoyed after winter twice this year! That seventy/eighty degree weather in North Carolina sounds quite appealing right now. (I am headed there next weekend.) Bu not until I enjoy the snow some more first!

A Snowy Photographic Adventure

When Alivia first mentioned the idea, it sounded like an interesting day out and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to go. It's spring break this week when all the kids and teachers are off from school. Alivia wanted to go check on her cabin up in the mountains and had invited a few friends along to go with her for the day. I happened to have the day off of work so called to tell Stacey I would not be at tap dancing class and packed my gloves, scarf, and hat. This morning, we met at Alivia's and were off! Alivia's plan was to drive around Mt. Hood, one of the most majestic mountains in our area with stops along the way. (She knows how much I love to take pictures.) We first stopped at Multnomah Falls up in the Columbia Gorge. For those of you who don't know the area, it's this extremely dramatic waterfall from a high cliff with a beautiful bridge in front. It's well photographed and known around the area. This summer, I want to take the hike to the top of the falls. For lunch, we went to Hood River for Mexican food then on to Alivia's cabin. After checking on the building, signing the guestbook, and sweeping the snow off the porch, we went further up the road to see how far we could go in the snow. The scenery was absolutely gorgous. Snow was falling, the mountains were covered, and Alivia took a video of me splattering snowballs that she is threatening to put on youtube. Alivia stopped again so I could take pictures of the mountain and then again at Mount Hood Medows, a well known ski resort so I could get some close up shots. Our last major stop was at Dairy Queen for ice cream treats. One of my favorite parts of the whole day though, was the time talking in the car. I really enjoyed getting to know Alivia and Marie better through talking about a variety of topics.
Sometimes, you just need to go enjoy a day. Not to worry about what you're leaving behind, but to take the chance, seize the day, live your life. All winter I hadn't been up to the mountains and I have missed it. Some of the snow banks were far above my head and the trees were so pretty looking as if they had been dipped in powdered sugar. It was a beautiful reminder of how majestic God's creation is and how close he is in the world around us.