Thank You!

I just got home from a Digital Storytelling workshop in Berkeley. This came from a fast write I did there - wanted to share. Love!

Nothing says commitment like hiking Half Dome.

Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls in the morning. This was Jandy's first ever trip to Yosemite. We had only one day to spend there, so naturally we looked for the longest, steepest, most dangerous hike we could think of: Half Dome.

What an amazing coincidence! Without knowing that we had both planned concurrent trips to Yosemite, we happened to cross paths with our friend Ben from Eugene, who decided on a whim to join us on our quest for Half Dome glory.

Looking over the edge of Nevada Falls, and then up at Liberty Cap.

Jon checks out some very large Ponderosa Pines.

Hiking through Little Yosemite Valley along the Merced River as Half Dome looms above.

Resting in the shade as we climb the Sub Dome. Less than a mile to go now.

Made it!

Feeling the altitude. No shade on top of Half Dome, only fatigue.

?

A Whistlepig basks in the sun and takes in the incredible view.

Beginning the descent. Duct tape holding one of the cable posts together adds to the thrill of the whole 'cables' experience.

Feeling small as we hike past giant granite boulders and pine trees.


An eddy in the Merced River above Nevada Falls.

Our tall shadows tell us what we don't want to hear: We'd better pick up the pace or we'll be hiking in the dark.

One last look at Half Dome, Mt. Broderick, and Liberty Cap as the sun sets.

Melt-water drips off the rocks and onto the trail like a cool rain; a refreshing treat for us sun-parched hikers.

At this point we're barely able to smile. We trudged the rest of the way down in pain and, for the last mile or so, in the light of the almost full moon. Luckily we caught the last bus from the trail head to the parking lot. What an adventure! I can't think of a better way to have spent the day!

Walking Among Giants

Dad, Simón, and Jandy took a trip to the Coast Range and visited the "Valley of the Giants". It's an amazing stand of old growth Hemlock and Douglas Fir trees nestled deep in a labyrinth of logging roads.

The forest was teeming with life. Plants, mosses, fungi, (even other trees!) grew on the trees.

A nurse log supports a miniature forest of seedling trees.

Dad takes a break at the base of a particularly giant tree.

Fortunately we made our visit just before the Devil's Club plants leafed out!

We hiked to the sound of the north fork of the Siletz River.

This place is truly one of Oregon's treasures.

Eugene Marathon

And down the stretch they come!! Jamie(left) and another
half marathoner sprint to the finish line at Hayward Field.
Jamie finished in an impressive 1 hour 35 minutes 58 seconds.

After Jamie's run we watched Samba Ja (Sandra in yellow shirt)
give marathoners a much needed spark near mile 24.
Some really enjoyed them while others were in too much pain to notice.

New Toy!

We got this beast of a forklift about two weeks ago to move logs around.
We've been having fun with it ever since.

Spring Chickens

Hey y'all! Meet the newest additions to Jandy's urban farm. They have since grown big enough to be moved outside, but this is what they looked like when they first arrived.

Where's Gabe?

Baldwin children slog through the mud and think enviously of their bald cousin basking on a Brazilian beach.

Hello from the other end of the Earth...

So it's been way too long since I've posted. And much has happened! For one thing Paul and I got a cat, everybody meet Gloria:

And chickens, everybody this is Marmaduke and Clementine. Chookie and Camilla were sleeping:

Gabe came to visit:

And brought us a beautiful tree from the Mistletoe Tree Farm, Thank you!!!:

Jamie came to visit too, he and Paul got new homemade hats for Christmas from my mom:

We had a party and made gingerbread house:

And Jamie and Gabe both got to meet some of the Basile family, Like Jack:

Nora (And Uncle Paul):

And Bridgette:

Anyway, we can't wait to see you all in a couple of weeks! 

Multnomah Falls

Last Thursday Jon and I went up to Multnomah Falls and this is what we saw...

Wind from the falling water makes slanted and curved icicles at the base of the falls.

A creek near the falls has frozen completely.

Here's a video I took trying to capture the whole falls. Notice the build up of ice on the metal railing. That's how much ice was covering every surface of the viewing area (and the steep trail leading to it). We had to pull ourselves up the trail using the hand rail and on the way down we slid--Jon on his feet and me on my seat!

Pollywogs at Gold Lake

Trip to Anchorage

I spent ten days up in Anchorage painting our house and visiting family.
I did some hiking and went fishing once and enjoyed some good weather.

Possibly the ugliest bathroom ever.

On the way up to Flat Head mountain

Flat Head Mountain and relatives down below.

View from Margaret Eagan Sullivan park

While we didn't get any fish i caught a photo

of this small black bear on the Russian river.