Sunday, March 30, 2008

A Few Pictures of Recent Trips to Lacamas Lake

Here are a few pictures from some of our trips to Lacamas Lake in Camas, WA.:

All kinds of vegetation: Trees, flowers, moss,....(The picture used for the blog title also came from Lacamas Lake Park.

One of the waterfalls in the "pot holes" section below the dam.

My son spotted this 'alligator' as we were walking down the northwest inlet of Lacamas Lake.

This picture was taken on one of the snowy mornings. The weather was weird that day with a mix of snow, rain, sun off and on all day. I really like the contrast of the branches with the pure blue backdrop with a hint of white clouds in this picture.

I love my youngest son's expression in this picture. He demanded I take a picture of the plant. I like how this picture turned out with the plant standing out in focus in fulfillment of his request, while the subject I wanted (my son) fills the background with just a slight blur. Everyone once in a while our little cheap, reconditioned 4.1 mega pixel point-and-shoot takes some better-than-usual pictures.

Lacamas Lake, Camas, WA

Camas, Washington is where I grew up (at least through my social years of middle school and high school.) I have a ton of good memories of that city.

I get quite depressed whenever I visit, though. It has changed a lot from its former, small-town culture. Most of the homes are expensive homes and the whole characteristic of the town is different. The forested areas and fields I used to play in are now crammed with expensive homes with no yards. The tree-lined roads and beautiful natural creeks and forest oasis' in the middle of the neighborhoods are traded for money and replaced with gigantic homes that stomp out all of Camas' raw beauty. It's like going to the movie theater that you've gone to forever, sitting in your favorite seat and then all of a sudden a super large person plops down right in front of you, blocking your view every time. Makes me feel like those who took over Camas don't appreciate the value of what was originally there. I suppose that's the typical story of community growth--or maybe I'm just jealous that they live there now...and that they can afford such nice houses.

However, regardless of all those changes, there are some constants that have been preserved for which I am grateful.

One of them is Lacamas Lake and Round Lake up the hill to the North almost out of town. The Lakes themselves are pretty cool, but the awesome stuff is the below the dam in what we called the 'Pot Holes.' Who would have thought hidden away in this small town was some of the prettiest natural carved rock features and waterfalls. As the water tumbled over these rock beds, they would dig deep pits and create several waterfalls. This was my playground for several years of cross country (we had the best course in the division), track, and school field trips. My brother even did his trail improvement Eagle Scout Project at the park.

Here you can see Lacamas Lake which is connected at the south to Round Lake (not labeled, but obvious). At the southern-most end of Round Lake is the dam and the myriad of trails taking you through some beautiful forests with creeks, and water falls, and plant life and a ton of interesting things to soak up. In the bottom right corner (in the dark green vegetation just east-northeast to my High School Football stadium (the high school has since relocated) is a little white patch...that is the long, cascading falls. Comparing it to the stadium, you can get a feel for how long it is.



The other constant is the place of the world's best french fries, Top Burger. Every time we visit Camas we get an order of fries...and sometimes we splurge and order a malt too. The food is still as good as I remember it. I think another reason why I like eating there is because of the many times I would go there with friends.

Top Burger is the building on the corner of 15th and Everett. The clue is all the cars in the parking lot! I used to live about six blocks to the west on 15th st. My High School is (was) a block to the east.



So this Spring Break we took a trip to Camas for a nice walk and some good fries! And I reminisced the good 'ol days.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wintry Spring Day

Spring has officially begun! Spring is my favorite season--the weather warms up, flowers start shining bright colors all over, the sun stays out to play longer and longer. Everything is new and fresh and waking up.



Today started out as a normal day of rain, rain, rain, here on the north Oregon coast--quenching the grass and flowers' winter thirst (OK, so they drink almost daily, year-round here).

The flowers have already started stretching out in the warmer weather and longer sun. The grass also has been reaching towards the sky taunting the lawn mower.

However, as the day progressed another wonderful surprise sprinkled this spring day: SNOW!!! Giant, quiet flakes of whipped ice peacefully floating from the sky and gently lighting down, in contrast, on the dark evergreens and bright green grass.



Enough snow to magnify the excitement of Spring Break as the boys capture the opportunity to play in this rare treat to the North Oregon Coast.

Although shaken a bit by the surprise, the spring flowers remained bright and warm in counterpoint.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

More Photo Quiz


A circus tent post? Tight-Rope?


Is this Mt. Kilauea?! A glowing furry thingy?

Maybe an alien petting its dog??

Is this in a swamp? A glimpse of part of a caterpillar?

Speaking of caterpillars...this looks like the fuzzy kind.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Guest Blogger: T





Super Mario Galaxy is fun. Red muhsrooms Make you have six hearts. Green mushrooms give you 1 extra life.Collect power ups such as Bee suet,Ranbow star,Fire plant,Ice plant,Boo- suit,Spring suit.






Thursday, March 6, 2008

Mystery Pics 1

I thought I'd try something in an attempt to be fun. Can you tell what these pictures are? Click the pic to see if you got the right answer:

Hmmmm. Interesting Colors and texture.


Where's the beef?!

Is this from some alien world? Actually much of its world is ironically still a mystery.


Jaws of death?!! To some wonderers and passerbys, perhaps.

Juicy Orange, Strawberry, Watermelon flavored?

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Recent Photos

Ecola State Park (Oregon) during golden hour before the sun is dowsed by the Pacific Ocean.

And the plane jumped over the moon.

I like the silhouette with the blue-ish layers in the background.


Portland Oregon Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the reflecting pool.




Can't go without more 3-D pictures to add new depth to the incredible view at Ecola State Park.