OK, these pictures of Smith Rock State Park belong in an AUGUST blog, soon as I figure out how to put them there!

The Crooked River runs along this small park.

Pretty good pictures for a disposable camera.

It seems a long time ago now but it was August when I went with family to Smith Rock State Park, a premier rock-climbing park in middle of Oregon, along the Crooked river. It was just gorgeous and I could live there in a heart-beat. Here are some pictures. I enjoyed hiking all the trails. Dan and Karin did all them and more!

10/26/09

This morning I walked into the coming storm. Yellow and red leaves are dancing ahead of it. The tops of the fir trees are bouncin around. Fall beauty is all around me and the earth's soft aromas replaces summer. the walk loosens up the tightness from Sunday's garden clean-up and more hauling of rock, layering of gravel. Tools and hoses are put away. Spent summer blooms have been cut back. Mulch is brewing in the compost pile. Gray clouds are skidding along overhead. "Macbeth" is waiting for a rainy read. Let the storms begin.

October Sun

It's October in Oregon. The trees and leaves and bushes are reaching the height of their richness. Today is a watery sunny and still day, so it's important to soak up this beauty for tomorrow or soon, the gray rain clouds will move in from the ocean.