03 Thursday Nov 2016
Posted in And Around
We had a very wet October, but November is starting out dry(ish) and warm… get out there and enjoy the last leaves!
This is Max and Ebb on Larch Mountain, right by the snow gate. The gate is still open and it looks like we may get a couple more weeks of access to the five mountain view at the top from Sherrard Viewpoint.
– Loree
30 Monday Dec 2013
Posted in And Around
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As we ease into the new year, it’s a good moment to look back and dream ahead…
![Rip at work on Admiral mitiz [Caswell Gallery]](https://columbiagorgegateway.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/nimitz_caswell.jpg?w=276&h=327 "Nimitz_Caswell")
Wishing for you all of the good you hold for those you love.
Happy New Year.
06 Friday Dec 2013
Posted in And Around, Community, Events
Tags
art, Christmas, event, First Friday, holidays, oregon, Tree Lighting, Troutdale, walk
For maybe the first time ever (I made that up, but it’s a decent bet), we’re going to have snow on the ground for the tree lighting tonight at Troutdale’s First Friday Art Walk! No worries about getting there… it’s just blowing about and the streets are easy peasy.
Tree lighting in Mayor’s Square 6:00p, the C-Notes will be singing from 5:30 – 6:30, and Santa will be in the house. Relax, find a wonderful gift or two at the Art Walk, and, most of all… have fun.
Merry Christmas to you!
04 Wednesday Dec 2013
Posted in And Around, Community, Events
The Scrooge Lives show at MHCC opens this morning! A preview walk-through by our resident artist (yeah, that’d be me) last night found LOTS of tables and some great gifts already set up and ready to go under your tree. See you there!
25 Monday Nov 2013
Posted in And Around, Community
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Thankful for…
This place in the world.
Every day.
Turkeys courtesy of Daniel Baxter and Ana Chad Mosley. : ))
13 Wednesday Nov 2013
Posted in And Around, Community, Events
Tags
art & craft, Black Friday, Christmas, Heart Of The Country, holidays, Larch Mountain Country Artisans, shopping, Troutdale First Friday, Troutdale tree lighting
Subtitled: “…An Annual Tradition”
So. It’s November (almost 14th). Which means one week from (almost tomorrow), it will be November 21st. Which means one week (more or less exactly) after that will be November 28th. Which is?
Right. Thanksgiving Day.
REALLY?
Yes. Thanksgiving Day. Two (almost) weeks (exactly tomorrow).
Wow.
Here’s what’s up for you around and about…
Larch Mountain Country Artisans Show & Sale
Friday November 22nd – Sunday November 24th
Glen Otto Community Park, Troutdale
This is an annual tradition around these parts and a great show and sale (which, not incidentally, benefits Corbett Schools, Troutdale Parks, and Vista House). You’ll find everything for everyone on your list among the more than three dozen juried artists and artisans participating. Hit the site link above to start browsing now, and plan to be here next weekend! You can have everything wrapped and tucked into the closet before the turkey even comes out of the oven. : )
Black Friday
November 29th
Pretty much everywhere.
If Thanksgiving is November 28th, then November 29th is Black Friday. While I’ve personally never felt driven to set the alarm for 4 a.m. to go get 2-for-1 socks (or is that the day after Christmas? That might be the day after Christmas. Still…), it is my understanding that there are Deals To Be Had and it is therefore Notable. The Comfort Inn Columbia Gorge Gateway is rumored to be able and willing to send you off in the wee hours with a bag full of Sustenance so you don’t fall on your nose before you have attended all the needful sales if you think you might need a bed at some point in the festivities.
Scrooge Lives
December 4th and 5th
Mount Hood Community College
I will confess to being a Scrooge Lives novice, however Scrooge Lives has been happening at MHCC for 44 (!) years, so there must be something to it. Art & craft fair lovers, we’ll see you there…!
Troutdale Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6th
Mayor’s Square; Downtown Troutdale
The Christmas Tree Lighting happens in historic downtown Troutdale in conjunction with the December First Friday Art Walk! Make the short run up the hill to browse through gifts from local artists and artisans, and enjoy the lighting of the tree. Don’t eat before you go – our great restaurants will be open!
First Friday Art Walk
December 6th
Downtown Troutdale 5:00p – 9:00p
Troutdale’s First Friday Art Walk for December includes the community Christmas tree lighting, artists out, in, and about the local businesses, great food in the restaurants. and the perfect place for Christmas gifts straight from the hearts that made them without a department store in sight.
YOUR Christmas Tree!
Is a day driving out to those wonderful places on the outskirts of civilization to track down the perfect beautiful tree one of your family’s holiday traditions?
No? It should be. While the best tree is always the one farthest from the car (sorry, Dad), there’s something magical about traipsing around in the mud trying to remember where the last good one was and knowing – just being absolutely certain – that the PERFECT tree is just two rows out and four rows over.
It’s a good day. We’ll point you in the right direction sometime between now and Thanksgiving (acck! two weeks [almost exactly]!) – promise.
Ease on in, and enjoy this time.
02 Saturday Nov 2013
Posted in And Around, Beauty Be Us, Day Trips
Tags
Sandy River Gorge rain puddle
It looks like we have a week of wet coming up, so I’m going to tell you a little secret that might clutter up my winter trails a bit.
That rain that is pounding the windshield of your car, and looking like the outside world is unfit for man and beast?
When you’re walking in it, on a slightly muddy trail through a forest with wet-shined leaves, it isn’t nearly as intense as when you’re doing 60 mph down the freeway with the wipers flapping in your face.
In fact, if you have on good boots, a hat, and (preferably) some good rain pants (because wet jeans bite), and maybe a dog or three, you’re pretty much guaranteed to enjoy the day. My experience has been that if you’re committed to go no matter what, the rain will even work around you, and hold off until three minutes after you’re back in the car (the past two days we haven’t had a drop of anything other than wet from brushing through the ferns, and then the downpour has hit on the way back down the hill). Throw a cuddly sweatshirt in the car to change into when you get back, and enjoy this third season.
Beaver fwap… slightly annoyed with the three dogs on the bank.
You might even catch one of the local denizens who thinks everyone has gone home for the year.
Have fun out there : )
Loree
11 Friday Oct 2013
Posted in And Around, Community, Events
Event Date: October 12th through the 20th, 2013
Fall Foliage Studio Tour in Oregon’s West Columbia River Gorge
Awe-inspiring views, adorned in the spectacular colors of autumn, will delight your senses as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, visiting the artists as they work in their studios.
Cascade Locks, Oregon (September 3, 2013) – Fall Foliage Studio Tour invites you to see and meet professional artists in their natural element, the studios in which they fashion their creations. Enjoy a historic and spectacular scenic journey as you experience the communities and meet the artists who live and create here. Awe-inspiring views, adorned in the spectacular colors of autumn, will delight your senses as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, visiting the artists as they work in their studios. This free, self-guided event is sponsored by the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce.
The event begins with the opening of the exhibition gallery in Cascade Locks on Saturday, October 12th at 11:00am. The gallery will be located at Lorang Fine Art & Gorgeous Gifts. Samples of each artist’s work will be on display October 12th through the 20th, 11:00am-5:00pm. The Reception will be Friday evening, October 18th at the exhibition gallery to meet the artists and mingle with other art enthusiasts. Sample hors d’oeuvres, sip local vintage wine and enjoy live music as you bid on your favorite leaf-themed art pieces and cast your vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Maps for the Studio Tour are available that night or anytime the Exhibition Gallery is open. Artists’ studios will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am-5:00pm. The exhibition gallery closes Sunday, October 20th, at 5:00 pm.
Opening Reception: Friday, October 18th, 2013, 6:00 pm
Open Studios Tour: Saturday and Sunday, October 19th and 20th, 11:00am-5:00 pm daily
Gallery Hours: October 12th through October 20th, 11:00 am-5:00 pm daily
Gallery Location: Lorang Fine Art 360 WaNaPa St. Cascade Locks OR www.lorangfineart.com
Visit their website: www.fallfoliagestudiotour.com or contact Debora Lorang at 541-374-8007; lorangfineart@embarqmail.com
27 Friday Sep 2013
Posted in And Around, Community, Events
First Friday is always a great time. Ignore the rain (it will undoubtedly be a balmy clear night, now that I’ve said that) and come on out for great art, food, coffee, and a refreshing adult beverage!
Remember to pick up your Passport at Columbia River Gallery or Marco Polo Designs for a good shot at a ridiculously good basket of goodies. : )
27 Saturday Jul 2013
Posted in And Around, Ramblings, Snapshots
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The end of July always feels like it came too soon. There is such a brief moment of summer, and where has it gone. Beauty day after beauty day slips away in the thousand things, defined by the small pieces of each, and the next time you look around, the greens have faded under the sun, and the river runs low and green, and the dark comes earlier every day.
It is the time to slow down and notice the tiny gifts, to make the most of the strong days and soft evenings.
And to go out in the yard and sleep with an old dog under a starred night sky.
Image: Loree Harrell, July 2013, King by the spring on Larch Mountain.
