Sternwheeler & Railroad Trips - Etc.

This having fun is a lot of work. :-)  I thought I'd share a mishmash of photos that I've taken since our return, but my blog was filled with trip photos and sharing.  This photo below is of a wildflower that was planted in the planting beds in front of Multnomah Falls Lodge.  It's a Red Columbine.  I love my new camera, do you see all the fine filaments around the yellow part of the flower?

And my favorite - the Columbia Tiger Lily - I await it's blooming each Spring.  This is on the side of the road on the way to the Falls. 

Below is the graduation picnic celebration for my nephew Josh who just earned his Masters Degree!  Josh is my brother's 2nd oldest son, he's there in the back with the big beads on that his little girl made for him - with his wife, Lisa.  This was last week, just one day after returning from DC.  My sister Roberta on the left, my brother Rob on the right flanked by his 2 beautiful daughter's - Johanna and Jessica.  Johanna's husband Andrew is sitting in the back.  

Then on Father's Day we were invited to our youngest son's house - we watched the boys play all day then my son filled their kiddie pool with warm water and bubbles for a bath! 

A week ago on Thursday I escorted the Friends of Multnomah Falls on a free cruise on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge - this is a training trip for our volunteers.  It was a great day.  I actually struck the deal for this "comp" trip for the volunteers for the Friends of Vista House when I was Executive Director (and one of the founders) of the group over 25 years ago!  

Look at the blue sky above the boat! 

I wish you could have felt the mist from the churning paddle wheel at the back of the boat. 

Heading East up the mighty Columbia River at Cascade Locks. 

I love this boat. 

Yesterday I was taken with the wonderful neon green of the moss on our garage roof.  Hubby thinks he should clean it off, but I love the moss. 

A little zoomie on it. 

This morning, up early.. again.. and off to Hood River, 45 miles East from here.  Another comp trip for our volunteers - we boarded the Mt. Hood Railroad and chugged up the hill towards Parkdale, OR.  We stopped in Pine Grove for people to visit a fruit museum and I snapped this shot of Mt. Hood from there.  T'was a shame that there was a little pouf of clouds on the tippy top - but I still like this photo.  We travelled through miles of pear, apple and cherry orchards on the way.

The interior of the vintage rail car that we were in. 

This is the Hood River, bubbling along with melting snow from Mt. Hood. 

The colorful engine - due for a new paint job in a week. 

The lovely park that is to the left of where the engine is in the photo above. 

We bought tickets for our son Shawn and his wife Beth and our 2 older grandsons today and it was neat to have them go with us.  We are tired.  ::whew::  Do you wear yourself out living life to it's fullest?  I need a nap! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)