A NATURE EXCURSION TO GET AWAY

Wednesday, August 5th, Randy and I went on a long excursion to get out in nature and away from the house.  We headed up to Trillium Lake expecting to take the hike around it and view Mt. Hood.. When we arrived we saw HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE! Apparently they had the same idea, and many were camping. 

Many were not wearing masks and far too close together. So we did not exit the car but shot a couple photos from inside.

We decided to try Timothy Lake so drove the 20 miles to there. It is a lovely drive so we enjoyed it.

The campgrounds were all full but we did find one of the day use areas to stretch out legs and relax.

My honey, Randy.

Randy and Charlotte

Then we headed off to Timberline Lodge to see the view.

They have a new indoor viewing area and this unique moving sculpture hung

in the center, moving slowly and changing its structure.

It also offers views through the panoramic windows.

I had never noticed this bear head on the outside of the lodge before!

Here is the lodge. And here is my man, Randy. We wore our masks.

A wonderful view through the windows of the lookout area.

We saw a cool looking barn across from a campground now closed. 

Next we stopped at Jonsrud viewpoint in Sandy, OR.

The viewpoint is less than a mile down Bluff Road from Highway 26. There is parking at the site. Nearby trails below the viewpoint are accessible in Sandy River Park.

This viewpoint showcases a 180-degree view of Mt. Hood with a large meadow below it, the Sandy River 400 feet below, the Bull Run Watershed (source of Portland's water), Mt. Adams, and other mountains in Washington. It offers one of the best views in Oregon. Bonus points for stopping by during sunrise, sunset with alpen glow on Mt. Hood, or when a full moon is rising behind the mountain. 

The viewpoint was named after Phil Jonsrud, a local historian in the city of Sandy.Jonsrud, born in Kelso, was a war veteran who also spent time in New York City, though lived the majority of his life in Sandy. The off-ramp at the viewpoint was paved by the Jonsrud family

It was so nice to escape!

Have any of you had an adventure lately?