We returned to nearby Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge on the last day before the seasonal trail closed for the winter. In addition to the geese and herons we often find there, we saw many white pelicans (first spotted earlier in the summer with the grandkids), kestrels and flickers, and a pair of eagles.

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We took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and the absence of summer crowds to get in our first Gorge hike in ages. Latourell Falls is only a 45 minute drive from home (plus traffic), and the first view of the 249 foot lower falls is just a short walk from the parking lot. But the 2.5 mile loop past the upper falls is definitely worthwhile, especially with dry trails.

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Two years in a row makes it a tradition, right? We spent my birthday weekend on the Oregon Coast with the kids and grandkids, a perfect way to mark the passage of the year. This year we were at Manzanita Beach, a lovely small beach town with a big sandy beach, in a rental with plenty of room for everybody, and all the amenities for eating, relaxing, and hanging out. And foosball! Here are some of my photos from the trip.

You can check out what Nancy wrote about this trip on her blog.

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