Oregon: Historic Columbia River Highway

I swear this is real. I got out of the car in the parking lot of the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint and took this photo on my iPhone. That is how beautiful it is, plain and simple. The blue sky and strategically placed clouds didn't hurt, but all the credit goes to Mother Nature.

We had spent 2 great days in Portland and Dan wanted to drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway before we started back toward Seattle.
We must have entered the route on exit 22, because one of the first options was to stop at this lookout. 

It stands out as one of the best views I've seen in a long time and I hope to return and have a picnic in this general area, perhaps at the next turn out called Crown Point (featuring Vista House). I could look at this view for a very long time. And remember, this is a mere 45 minutes outside of Portland.

Seattle: Kerry Park shows off the Seattle Skyline

What a view! I have been in Seattle for almost a week now and it is mind-boggling how much I still have on my "must see" list.  I haven't been to an area this chock full of fun in a long time.

I owe my first successful week to an old friend who used to live here (her list of recommendations has my head swimming...and I intend to do it all!) and a new friend (who heard through a mutual friend that I was visiting Seattle and generously offered to meet up with me) - these two women have made a huge difference in my acclimation. 

I normally blog daily, but I have been doing so much in a day that I haven't had time to write as things happen and now I don't know where to begin!  I've seen so much already that I could sit down this Monday and write posts all the way to April 30th.  I will do my best to keep a consistent schedule, but you might just see 3 posts go up in one day!  Palm Sunday (13th) will be spent at a local Tulip Festival (I know!), so look forward to some flower-filled posts next week.

Now back to that VIEW!  My new friend, Kathy was sure that I should see this view in the daylight before we made our way to the wharf for dinner.  The vantage point is a place called Kerry Park on Highland Drive.  There is parking on both sides of this residential street and though limited, there seemed to be a yin yang to the pace of sightseers coming and going. You must fit this into your trip - how often can you take a postcard-worthy shot?  Many of you will recognize this vista from the television show, Grey's Anatomy.

I felt lucky that I could capture Mount Rainier in this landscape the first time I tried.  I am told that cloud cover keeps her hidden much of the time and Dan swears he has only seen it a handful of times in the rain-filled weeks he traveled out here before I arrived.  It was definitely the night to capture the skyline.

This was the first of many good moments in Seattle - stay tuned.

Hudson and Mohawk Valley View

I've been on an adventure in upstate New York.  This incredible view is from the Helderberg Escarpment in Albany and is compliments of Uncle Bob and Aunt Jan, who drove us to this spectacular vista to help us get a sense of where we were.  What a day!  

I am just home now and pulling together all of my thoughts to pour into the blog.  Stay tuned for paint, art and goats.  I'm serious!