The Past Week in iPhone Photos

This past week was incredibly busy and awesome. Due to the fact I'm moving (more on that later) I've been making it a point to see everything I possibly can in Oregon before I leave.

Walking Bandit on The Spit in Hood River, OR.

The Columbia River Gorge. 

Yours truly.

My friend YAA-M and myself. We did a long bike ride at the top of the Gorge. IT.WAS.AWESOME!

Yours truly, again.

Did I mention a BOBCAT ran in front of us on this ride? It was awesomely scary, for we were riding downhill going about 30 mph.

Delicious and beautiful latte in Hood River. 

Looking up towards the sky in PDX. Awesome street art.

Felix rockin' the #rubyreds!

I see faces in PDX.

Flowers on an excursion to a Junction City farm.

On a completely unrelated note, Wisco sports KILLED it this weekend. Props to my Brewers (for clinching the NL Central), Badgers and Packers!

Congrats L & J!

A huge, heartfelt congratulations to two of my dear friends back home, they just got engaged!

I've known J since high school:

(although not a photo from high school)

And L since college:

I'm so happy for you both! …and please please can you have Bucky at your wedding?!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everybody! Thanks to my awesome family, I've always loved Halloween!

My grandmother's friends: Helen, Sophie and my grandmother herself.
Wow, these ladies knew how to have fun!

My Aunt D., myself and my dad. Hehe, sorry for posting this dad, but it's just too awesome! 

The University of Wisconsin was a perfect choice, it has a HUGE Halloween scene:

City bus to State Street (ca. 2005).

Note: this photo was completely staged. I went as a "Coastie" and those cigarettes are 100% a prop. 

Now I live in Rainy City, U.S.A. and the Halloween environment is different. Different in a wonderful way:

Scissors (not pictured: rock and paper), Joan Holloway(Harris), Amy Winehouse and a witch. 

Carol from Where the Wild Things Are and The Dude 

Ladybug and I. What is it with me using cigarettes as Halloween props?!

And now this year, once again blown away by the costumes!

Myself, a 1930s gangster wife and Justin Bieber.
Yes, Bieber is the same guy who was The Dude from last year. 

Modern Saytr, Madonna, greek goddess/princess, Chola girl, and a cub. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hello, Friends!

WHI Image ID 61120

I've noticed a few new followers in the past week or so and I wanted to thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings! I would absolutely love to hear any suggestions or comments you have for me.

Also, for all my readers our there in cyberspace, I'm opening myself up to your questions. Is there anything you'd like to know about me? Any topics you'd like to see here on Western Ruminations?

Don't be shy! Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment or emailing me at westernruminations (at) gmail (dot) com

Crater Lake: Attempt #2

Alright, after a much too long blogging hiatus (silly second year of grad school), here are the promised ramblings and photos from my second attempt at visiting Crater Lake National Park. 

You can revisit the dismal account, here.

Just for fun, here’s a comparison of attempt #1 vs. attempt #2. These photos were taken exactly a week apart.

Week One

Week Two

                                      

                                      

A result of Mount Mazama imploding in on itself, Crater Lake boasts some of the clearest water in the world and is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet.

I can most definitely confirm the water is absolutely breathtaking. Before visiting Crater Lake, I didn’t think such a color could occur naturally.

 We hiked up to a vista point:

…and down to the water. 

The climb back up is the equivalent of 125 flights of stairs to the top of the 75^th floor of a skyscraper. 

Pretty. Awesome.

I promise this was my last post about a National Park...at least for now!

Destination: Bend

About two weeks ago a few friends and I took a mini-road trip to Bend. I had never been to Central Oregon and was quite excited to see a new place (and if we happened to run into one of Bend's notable residents, Matthew Fox, that would have been okay in my book).

The weather was wonderful as we drove through the winding forest roads which gradually turned into large mountain passes. Peppered along the way were numerous little mountain towns and a few larger towns that boasted their own personality (see photo below of Sisters).

We arrived in Bend in the late morning and walked the quaint downtown and had a delicious lunch on the river. The next stop was the Deschutes Brewery tour, which I must say was a treat (in terms of information and free taste-tests)! Following the Brewery tour we drove up to Pilot Butte and took in the extraordinary views on the (rare) clear day. Finally, we decided to eat dinner in the Old Mill District (think renovated and constructed brick buildings that act as a sort of outdoor mall).

All in all, a wonderful day trip with great company! I would highly recommend Bend and I fully intend to get back (hopefully in the Winter to ski Mt. Bachelor)!

(Sahalie Falls, a quick stop on the drive to Bend).

(Sisters was hosting a rodeo, and yes that's a woman with a fake horse around her waist).

(Deschutes Brewery)

(My allergen enemy: hops. If I drink a hop-heavy beer itchy hives follow, le sigh. At least I can enjoy some varieties).

(The Sisters)

(atop Pilot Butte)

(The peaks visible from Pilot Butte. It was so clear we could see Mt. Hood, which is 100+ miles north).

Throwback Thursday: Art Lovers

In honor of the PNWAA show opening this coming Saturday, I scoured my photo archive for this gem:

myself and l.e.b.

This was taken in the wonderful Rathskeller of the Wisconsin Union, post 2009 Student Art Show opening. My friend l.e.b and I were a part of the WUD Art Committee, which continues to display amazing art for the community. Being a part of WUD was a priceless experience, one I will cherish my entire life; I learned so many things and made amazing friends!

Now, l.e.b. and I are both in graduate school, livin' the dream. Miss you Lou!

Easter Eggs: FINISHED PRODUCT!

As promised, I said I would share photos of the Easter eggs post decorating.

3 dozen eggs and a couple hours later=SUCCESS!

Thanks friends for coming over- I had a great time!

...and here's one for a good laugh:

Easter Eggs

As much as I wish I could be back in Wisconsin with my family tomorrow, I'm hosting an egg decorating party and am pretty excited!

Here are the subjects:

Hopefully after tomorrow they will look something like these:

(marthastewart.com)

(about.com)

Ok, so maybe I have high hopes- but I know they're going to turn out great! I'll be sure to share pictures of the post-party masterpieces.

Happy Easter!