Friday, November 9, 2012

Spawning Salmon and Yarn Arrived!

My sister and I volunteered at Multnomah Falls Visitors Center yesterday and when we arrived I snapped this photo from the bridge over Multnomah Creek where we went to see the Salmon spawning.  It was a gorgeous Fall day with lots of water coming over the falls.
There were some HUGE salmon in the creek spawning.  They were born here, swim down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean - where they spend a few years growing and eating smaller fish.  Then they swim back up the river and they find the creek where they were born and swim up the swift moving water and use their tails to brush away the sand and rock and lay their eggs.  The males then fertilize the eggs and they brush their tails over the sand and rock to cover the eggs where they lay until the Spring when they hatch.  After all this work and getting their eggs laid, the exhausted fish then die. 
As you can see they are pretty battered by now.   
There was one salmon there that was the biggest I'd ever seen, at 3 feet long! 
We spent another enjoyable afternoon helping visitors to find their way to see all the fun things like Bonneville Dam and the Fish Hatchery, Cascade Locks, the Bridge of the Gods and Hood River where all the wind surfers go.  Not to mention all the waterfalls nearby.  I was able to finish another hot pad using this wonderful variegated cotton by KnitPicks.  The color is "Cottage Multi". 
I can't believe with Daylight Savings Time turned off and the days getting shorter, but when we get done with our volunteer shift at 5 pm, the sun is down!  I snapped this shot through my windshield on the on ramp to the freeway to come home. :-)  That is Portland down there! 
When I arrived home there was a box from KnitPicks!  I whipped up my first square of my holiday afghan and am very pleased with the results!  I also got 5 skeins of their organic unbleached natural cotton, called "Marshmallow".  I want to make some kitchen dish cloths, hot pads and I want to make a dish towel, too.
I will be heading off to swim this afternoon.  I hope you all have a great weekend, I'm looking forward to making more squares!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

21 comments:

  1. So glad you posted the photos of the Salmon. Poor things. I guess it's like in the "Lion King", the circle of life. Oooooh, love the yarn, looks delightful. Such fun to get yarn packages in the post, isn't it?

    Sharon

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  2. I've been trying so hard to find a great light-weight yarn that would make a beautiful, delicate shawl. Love knitpicks though!

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  3. First of all, I so enjoy seeing the Falls and the Fall color today, just added to it! The bonus being the salmon! Such interesting fish, aren't they? And so tasty too!!!
    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your Xmas square!!! And also the off white cotton. I MUST get an order in from Knitpicks!!!
    xo Kris

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  4. I just loved this post! Of course, I love all your posts. :) The photo of the setting sun is breath taking. Love the yarn and what stitch are you using on the hot pad. Oh...and the square if so beautiful. Is there a pattern for that? It looks just like Christmas! I love it. :)

    Blessings always

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    1. I'm using single crochet in the back loop to give the hot pad the ridged look. The pattern for the "circle in a square" is to be found free on the net. They also call it "Flowers in the Snow". ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. The spawning of the salmon is so interesting!! Are there bears in your area that eat them?

    I can't wait to see your finished blanket! It is going to be so gorgeous!

    AND Great minds think alike as I have been having a lovely, content time making dish and wash cloths. So quick and gratifying.

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    1. Erin.. there are bears that live in the area, but Multnomah Falls is so full of people, they don't visit there. Mostly the dead fish get eaten by other things in the river. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. WOW! The colors at the falls were beautiful yesterday. I tried to see them as I drove past Wednesday but a semi truck blocked my view just as I passed the falls. Rude wasn't he? If I had known about the salmon I would have stopped, I'm sorry to have missed that.

    I finished another dishcloth using your pattern. I'm so glad you posted it for us to use.

    Happy weekend Teresa.

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. I wish you'd have dropped in while we were volunteering! I'd have shown you the fish. Glad you're home safe. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Always very interesting Teresa ... I didn't know that about the fish !! I envy the selection of yarns you have in the US. Those variegated cottons look fantastic. You enjoy your weekend too. xoxox

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  8. Such an amazing shot you snapped on your way home! I can't wait to see your Holiday Afghan grow, will you be joining as you go? Enjoy your weekend! :-) xxxx

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    1. Yes, I'm joining as I go.. I love to see it grow that way. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. The salmon pictures are amazing...isn't the salmon spawning a fascinating thing! I love your new yarn, you will make a lovely blanket I am sure and I look forward to seeing it growing :)
    Have a happy weekend, Teresa!
    Helen x

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  10. Once again I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds you. I keep telling my husband we are retiring in Oregon.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. I would *LOVE* to have you as a neighbor! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. Gosh! Those salmon have such a tough life. You sure do live in a beautiful area. Is that a magic potholder? Dotsie from Podso just told me about them -- will definitely be making some. Your first square of the holiday blanket is lovely. Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  12. P.S. I changed the clock I was using -- seemed like the other one wasn't working right anymore. Let me know if you still have a problem scrolling. Best wishes, Tammy

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  13. Beautiful autumn photo of the lodge and falls area! I also loved the colors of your sunset Gorge photo:)
    Love your new yarn!
    Blessings, Aimee

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  14. Wow, that is some really gorgeous Fall scenery! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place! You know, my mother's uncle and aunt (Melvin and Edith Moss) lived there for many many years and she got to see Multnomah Falls in person, she said it's breath taking! LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR YARN! I am jealous ")
    Hugs, Shari!

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  15. Love the photos of the salmon! Can't wait to see how your Christmas afghan turns out. I know it will be gorgeous.

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  16. Hi Teresa, I really like your christmassy colours, it's going to make a great Afghan!

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