Gorge Color & Salmon Spawning

I arrived at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon USA - this afternoon and was pleased to see the Autumn colors were very nice, finally!  It was chilly today but clear weather.  This time of year there is hardly any sunlight directly below the falls and in the plaza of the lodge - the sun is lower in the sky during the winter and so it is behind the cliff.

More to the right... see the bridge and the lower falls?

The lodge and the beautiful orange leaves of the trees in front.  See the lovely lady in the purple jacket?  That's my younger sister, Denise!  She is carrying her new crochet hook of rosewood and new yarn - I taught her how to crochet a Queen Anne's Lace scarf today! 

We also checked the spawning salmon as we walked over the bridge from where we parked our car.  See them?  Their tales are white due to them digging holes in the sand to lay their eggs.  After laying the eggs and the males fertilizing them, they cover them back up with sand and rocks and then die.  Video on the life cycle of the salmon. 

Do you see the 3 salmon below?  These are about 2.5 feet long.

We had a nice afternoon visiting with people from around the world.  It's fun to find out what they'd like to see or do and help them plan their travels.  When my sister and I were walking to our cars to come home we were thrilled to see a huge golden moon rising.  I tried to get some photos but my iPhone is not up to that challenge.  I pulled off at my viewpoint and enjoyed the big moon sparkling off the river.. but again, the photos did not turn out.  Oh well!

When I got home I noticed two of my white Christmas Cactus flowers were just HUGE so I snapped this photo.  That's my finger below so you can see how big they are.  

And now hubby and I are cozy in our chairs enjoying some evening television.  I hope you're having a cozy time in your home.  

((hugs)), Teresa :-)