Saturday, June 7, 2014

Narrow Escape

Hello and thanks for visiting.  Do you have time for a story?  My friend Sally picked me up to go to the Portland Women's Forum meeting on Thursday.  We drove down the Historic Columbia River Highway past the Stark Street Bridge.. I realized that I forgot something for the meeting, so she turned around and took me back to the farm where Dayle handed the bag to me, then we headed back down the HCRH towards Troutdale and the freeway.  When we were in the meeting, Dayle texted me to tell me there was a rockslide near the bridge and we'd have to go an alternate route home.  


When we returned, I quickly snapped these photos -- oh my goodness -- some really BIG rocks came down!  There is a huge gap in the hillside where it all came down.



Last evening we headed to town to grab a quick dinner at the Dairy Queen and I pulled over and walked over to get some better photos of the rockslide.


When I realized that we went under this looming disaster THREE times just minutes before it fell, it has given me great pause to think about how dangerous the world is.  :-)



I posted this photo on Facebook and several people commented on this rock.. what do you see?


When I got home from the meeting the boys were in the pool, so I went up to see.  Hayden is in the floatie - do you see Caleb?  I showed him this photo and he said "I almost dwowned!"  Not really.  Mom and dad were right there.



Their Dad bought them these floaties with built in squirt guns.  I love the patterns of the water you can see from the outside of the pool.


I turned from looking at the pool to see our woods from a different perspective.


Looking up into one of our huge Douglas Fir trees.



Caleb.  :-)


Travis drove the VW bus up by the pool - Grandpa is warming up Hayden before he gets back in the pool.


They had used this shovel for the sand.. this is a special shovel as I found it on my grandfather's farm and brought it home with me when we brought home the kitchen queen cabinet and 5-legged oak table.  


Grandpa wrapped the handle with electrical tape way back when.  Back when it was made using a fabric base, not the all plastic stuff they have now.  Can you see the age and hard work this shovel has gone through?  It has to be over 100 years old.



The garden is looking very pretty and lush, don't you think?



This is a pretty Japanese grass I put in years ago and it's so faithful.. coming back year after year.  



A nice big Hosta.  That darn Creeping Myrtle needs a trim, not an easy job!


We're having a nice calm morning.  We're watching the Rose Parade on TV.  Kristi has taken the boys on some errands and out to lunch.  She's bringing back some fresh Oregon strawberries.  I see strawberry shortcake in our future!  What are you up to today?  Watch out for falling rocks, whatever you do!  
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

24 comments:

  1. A really scary thought that you went along that road three times just before the rockfall. I hope they check the rest of the cliffs before they re-open the road! That pool looks really inviting. I love how children stay in the water until their teeth are chattering. I hope you're having a good weekend. CJ xx

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  2. Yes, escaping being crushed by the giant boulders is sobering food for thought and many prayers of thanks, too. What a sight the road is. Nice to come home to tranquil scenes of children in the pool and pretty woodlands.

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  3. WOW! That would be an eye opener! I am so glad that you or anyone else wasn't hurt. That big rock looks like GOD ! Your gardens look beautiful!

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  4. Thank goodness you and your friend are ok. Gosh, that looks so scary! :)

    Love the beautiful photos (as always).

    ((Hugs)) to you sweet friend.

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  5. Oh my god Teresa that is SO scary!! It's so lucky no one was killed but especially not you :o That rock DOES look like a face though!!

    Very jealous of the VW, oh to have one :-) x

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  6. Good grief very very glad you are okay and that rock looks like a face...Lovely pictures and hello from me xoxo

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  7. That's quite a rock slide! So glad you're ok. That is a scary thought that you had driven past several times right before the fall. But, such a relief that no one was hurt! Enjoy your weekend and that beautiful yard you have! :-)

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  8. I thought about you when I read about the rockslide yesterday (because I know you drive that route often). Soooo glad you're OK Teresa! Your waterfall/pondside garden looks beautiful and that pool? Well that pool looks amazing;)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  9. The world can be a precarious place. Glad you're both safe. That rock is sure pretty. Would look great on your property, but how would one move a monster rock that big? The Grandkids sure are loving that pool - was nice of your son to install it for them. Take care and keep an eye open for falling rocks. (smile)

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  10. I couldn't believe the news report Friday on channel 8...rockslide again? Thankful you and your friend are safe. I went shopping at Washington Square then realized there's no Kohls. But I bought a pr of sandals. I get lost there with so many hallways! I bought strawberries on the way home and we ate some with dinner. Glad the boys are enjoying the pool. Have a good weekend!

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  11. Life is precious, isn't it, Teresa. So glad no one was hurt in the Rock slide. I'm glad you and yours are having a good weekend. I'm unpacked, my laundry is done, we signed the papers for the house refinancing today and I am ready to go to sleep after a wonderful trip :). XX

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  12. Amazing pictures Teresa. Me and the slide after the blizzard on I-90 and now you and this one so close to home. Scary indeed. I'm glad very glad you're safe. The boys look like the pool is already a huge hit! Fun times are ahead at the farm!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  13. Those boys are going to have such a fun summer!! I see a face in that rock!!!
    Falling asleep here over my keyboard. More tomorrow.
    xo Kris

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  14. Such huge rocks, and such a scary thought that you passed that spot three times, Teresa!! So glad you are safe, and those photos are amazing. I enjoyed seeing all your lovely pictures, especially the wonderful old shovel.......such a sense of hardwork and history in that!
    Enjoy your day and your strawberries!
    Helen xox

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  15. OMG Teresa - that was a lucky escape. The pictures look so scary as does that face in the rock !! Someone was certainly looking after you that day. Don't the boys look happy in the new pool? I'm envious - now sitting here with the heater going full blast. Enjoy your Sunday. xox

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  16. That is so scary! It must have sent chills down your spine. I live in BC, and we have these kinds of rock slides frequently.

    That pool is going to be a very popular place this summer! And your garden is looking wonderful. Stay safe!

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  17. Wow how blessed are you? I am admiring your wonderful pic of your property..it is beautiful..all the green and trees...and your grandsons..escaping the landslide by just a few minutes..yep...how blessed you are. Hugs

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  18. What a close call, Teresa. I'm glad you're okay. I had a similar experience the day I took my rooster to his new home at the barn. I missed my turn out in the country and went too far west. I had to turn around at an desolate intersection. Later that afternoon, I read in the news that a woman was shot while driving through that intersection! Some nut was out there firing a rifle off a bridge and a bullet went through her windshield and into her face. I'd just been there a few hours earlier, with my kids in the car, and I'd even pulled over very near there to check the map on my phone. So scary.

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  19. Oh my goodness what a story! Thank God you are okay and that no one else was hurt in that rock slide. You are so right to take a minute to pause and think how lucky you are. Well actually how lucky we all are. Bless your heart Teresa, then you come back and take pictures of the trees, flowers and those boys like nothing happened. I am saying a little prayer of thanks right now that you are just fine.
    Meredith

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  20. Oh my word Teresa how lucky were you and Sally to have missed that rockslide as it came down. So glad you are safe. That looks like a lotta fun for the boys. Oh and I see a face !!!! Your garden is looking so lovely. Well I'm off to bed so soon. We have been at my Mum's - returned home today and I am so tired. don't sleep well at my mum's. Hugs Anne x

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  21. Oh my gosh Teresa, I barely know you and it took my breath away to see the rock slide. I once missed getting hit by falling ice by SECONDS. God wants you here a bit longer !!

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  22. I am back for a second try to get my comment on here. I lost the one last night and then my wifi went out, and frustrated, I went to bed. That rock slide, now how scary is that, something like that would definitely make you weak in the knees and bring you to your knees to thank God that you are still alive. I am sure you had to think about how many times you traveled that stretch of road that day and how you planned to come back home that way. I am so glad no one was hurt or killed. We use to spend many a time in Kentucky before my in-laws moved to Ohio. There was many a spot where the "Fallen Rock Zone" signs would be along the mountain roads. many times there would be evidence of loose rock along side the road. Strawberries sound good. Ours are suppose to be coming on the plants this month but the rumor is that with all the sub-zero temps many of the plants died. I got 12-2 pound containers at Kroger store a couple weeks ago, cleaned them up and into the freezer they went. I love strawberries best of all. Your decorative water feature by your deck is a relaxing looking spot. How nice to have a place to sit and crochet, read a book, nap, or just to hang out with family. I love it.
    Have a great week, and for heavens sake, stay away from those falling rocks!
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  23. Yikes! Those are big rocks. Glad you missed them. Or better yet, that they missed you. Ha! When we were in Nepal, there were rockslides and mudslides and landslides and river runs. It was crazy for sure. But that's what happens in mountainous wet environments. Navigating sure was difficult. I sat in the back of the van and crocheted while the driver did all the dodging. Scary when I think about it now. Everything looks so pretty where you are. Glad those boys are enjoying the pool. Have a great week. Tammy

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  24. Goodness me, I'm so glad nobody was hurt The world can indeed be a dangerous place.

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